Posted at 10:04 p.m. Wednesday March 4
“Make Me A Supermodel” judge Jenny Shimizu made a career out of looking androgynous. The look isn’t working as well for Chicago model wannabe Chris Cohen.
The 22-year-old ended up in the bottom two on the Bravo’s reality competition show Wednesday.
“Christine. Chris … He needed a handbag for the catwalk,” photographer Perou said. “I don’t care if he’s a girl or a boy, he needed some bite.”
Surprisingly, the judges kept Cohen, and kicked off Ken (right)—for being too manly.
The judges weren’t Chris’ only problem Wednesday. Click the link below for a blow-by-blow of the episode.
Posted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 4
MODEL MANIA: "MMAS" VS. "ANTM"
MEET THE MODELS
REVISIT SEASON 1 OF "MMAS"
RONNIE KROELL'S GALLERY
Last season on “Make Me A Supermodel,” fans watched as Ronnie and Ben struck up a bromance, Perry spun out of control over his girlfriend, and eventually winner Holly broke down because she had to do a nude photo shoot.
There’s no bromance this season, says contestant Chris Cohen, a 22-year-old Chicagoan, but fans can expect a whole lot of drama.
“There were eight guys and eight girls in one house together,” he told me last week. “You’re always going to have tensions.”
Tension rules in Wednesday’s 9 p.m. premiere on Bravo, when Cohen, who is gay, is paired for a semi-nude shoot with Branden, who whines “I’m especially not gay.”
The model wannabes met for only a few minutes before having to strip down and pose together, Cohen said.
“We weren’t really allowed to get to know each other,” he said. “Being in this industry you have to be comfortable with yourself. You have to be comfortable with your body. That’s huge. ... You really get to know people quick.”
Cohen claims that he shrugged off Branden’s issues and just worked through the shoot (left), but he faced a bigger challenge from one-named judge Perou, a fashion photographer who doesn’t appreciate Cohen’s androgynous look.
“He just seems sort of uncomfortable; he seems homophobic,” Cohen said. “So that was tough just working with people who don’t necessarily have the same views as you.”
Perou is one of several judges on the show, which has made changes for its second season. Mentor Nikki Taylor is gone, and Aussie supermodel Nicole Trunfio is mentoring the women. Host Tyson Beckford is not longer a judge, but serves as the men’s mentor.
The new judges panel consists of Perou, designer Catherine Malandrino, model Jenny Shimizu and international model scout Marlon. They are tough on the 16 models, who are competing for a $100,000 prize, a one-year contact with New York Model management and a Cosmopolitan fashion pictorial.
Perou and the other judges savaged Cohen after his first appearance on the catwalk. Cohen said their critiques are tough to hear, but they “knew what they were talking about.”
“I knew that being myself as I was that day wasn’t going to cut it to be a supermodel. I knew I had to work on things,” he said. “Whatever the judges would say might be harsh but I just take it with a grain of salt and take what I think is going to work best for me.”
Cohen is done filming the show in New York, and is currently back in Chicago and working at the Spanish clothing store Zara.
He says he didn’t get any advice from last season’s runner-up, Ronnie Kroell (above), before he started “MMAS,” but he has become Facebook friends with the former Chicagoan who now lives in New York.
“It’s cool to be there for each other, support each other,” Cohen said.
Cohen talked more about his experience, working with Beckford and what he likes to do in Chicago. Click the link below.
Last season on "Make Me A Supermodel," fans watched as Ronnie and Ben struck up a bromance, Perry spun out of control over his girlfriend, and eventually winner Holly broke down because she had to do a nude photo shoot.
There's no bromance this season, says contestant Chris Cohen, a 22-year-old Chicagoan, but fans can expect a whole lot of drama.
"Make Me A Supermodel" judge Jenny Shimizu made a career out of looking androgynous. The look isn't working as well for Chicago model wannabe Chris Cohen.
The 22-year-old ended up in the bottom two on the Bravo's reality competition show Wednesday.
"Christine. Chris ... He needed a handbag for the catwalk," photographer Perou said. "I don't care if he's a girl or a boy, he needed some bite."
Surprisingly, the judges kept Cohen, and kicked off Ken (right)--for being too manly.
The judges weren't Chris' only problem Wednesday. Click the link below for a blow-by-blow of the episode.
The show starts with Tyson Beckford greeting all the kids at a dock in New York, then he introduces Nicole Trunfio, who is in a transparent box suspended above the dock.
"Do I know how to make an entrance?" she asks. Yeah, a stupid one. She and Tyson are the mascots--I mean mentors--for the contestants.
It isn't long after the 16 model wannabes are thrown together for their first shoot that we get our first gay panic attack.
Branden (shirtless), and 18-year-old from Oregon, ends up with Chicagoan Chris, whose sporting an androgynous look.
"It makes me feel a little worried, the gay problem," Branden says. "I'm especially not gay."
Gay problem? Whatever. I'd say he's not all that, but he is cute. I guess you could put a bag over his homophobia and do your business. He's really unhappy to learn they'll be wearing sexy sleepwear. Hee-haw.
"Branden was not exposed to people who are homosexual," Chris says. Hopefully he'll get over that."
Once Branden and Chris get in the plexiglass box, Branden works it. He's kind of all over Chris and striking poses.
"He was doing quite a good job of getting intimate with a boy who looks like a girl," Perou says.
Sandhurst (left), a dancer I'm going to call Tyson Jr., or Chocolate Thunder, blows everyone away in the shoot. One other incident worth noting: Gabriel says Salome has a great face, but needs to tone up her body "to be a threat."
She must have been hot enough posing with him in that box. Oops. "My boy's got wood for your girl," Tyson tells Nicole.
Somehow Salome ends up winning the shoot, and is instantly hated by everyone. She earns a go-see for a job, but doesn't get booked. None of her housemates feel bad for her.
Fast forward to the underwear weigh-in, my favorite part of the episodes (besides the naked shoots). Cuddly Cory Bautista comes over to measure the models, and they have to be almost nekkid. Wee-ha!
Jonathan, Gabe and Sandhurst are rocking their underwear. Oh this will be a great season. Some girls get measured too.
First catwalk of the season! Nicole and Tyson give some advice, then the models get styled. Bravo must be feeling the effects of the bad economy; the models are wearing designs "inspired by" famous designers. Cheap.
They walk; I'll spare you the details, because the judge's bitchy notes are the best thing. It's time to meet the judges: photographer Perou (left), supermodel Jenny Shimizu, designer Catherine Malandrino and international model scout Marlon.
Jordan, Tyson Jr. and Salome are tops. Chris, Colin and muscle man Ken are at the bottom.
"Boy. Girl. The man with no charisma," Perou says about Chris. Bitchy.
He calls Colin "Clark Kent." He says Ken has one look, and does a mock caveman "Ug." He compares him to the Incredible Hulk. This guy is going to be the Simon Cowell of this show.
They blast Salome for being overconfident, and they love Sandhurst. But 21-year-old Jordan (above)wins the walk. Sandhurst is second and Salome third. Jordan also wins the week, and immunity for next week.
Posted at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3
STRIKING A POSE FOR ANDROGYNY
MEET THE MODELS: MMAS and ANTM
REVISIT SEASON 1 OF "MMAS"
RONNIE KROELL'S GALLERY
Two supermodels enter, one model leaves ... It's not quite that serious, but The CW's "America's Next Top Model" and Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel" begin their new seasons Wednesday, pitting Tyra Banks against Tyson Beckford. Luckily, they're not on at the same time, so real fans of modeling--or near nudity--can watch them both.
MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL
9 p.m. Wednesday, Bravo
Tune in or out? 
out of four.
The first season of “Make Me a Supermodel” introduced the world to “Bronnie,” the gay Chicagoan and eventual runner-up Ronnie Kroell and his bromantic straight pal, Ben DiChiara.
The bromance is over, but Tyson Beckford says you won’t miss it thanks to the new cast of “Make Me a Supermodel.”
“I believe they are even stronger,” the men’s mentor told reporters recently. “You’re going to be blown away by the second season.”
Call this show my guilty pleasure; I was blown away by the premiere, which starts out with the male and female models dropping trou’ and striking poses in pairs. It brings up a surprising and humorous issue midway through the shoot. "We got wood," Beckford says, as everyone around him laughs.
You have to give props to a show that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is: soft-core porn with personality. I love it.
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL
7 p.m. Wednesday, CW
Tune in or out? out of four.
The best thing “America’s Next Top Model” has going for it is producer/host/judge Tyra Banks.
To borrow her own phrase, she’s fierce. And she knows how to keep all eyes on her show. Her CW reality series begins its 12th season Wednesday with another batch of misunderstood modeling misfits: One contestant refuses to hide her scars, another is obsessed with blood and a third has epilepsy. Banks has the old stand-bys too: a model her late 20s and another who is called fat.
“This is a very special group of girls,” Banks told The Associated Press. “I want them to connect with viewers, and not just with their looks, but with their personalities.”
Banks can get a bit preachy and tiresome, but for the most part she keeps things lively. The two-hour opener starts in Las Vegas, but next week Banks packs everyone up for New York, where all the bitchy fun really begins.
Posted at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14
RELIVE RONNIE'S REMARKABLE RUN IN SEASON 1.
Bravo announced the 16 finalists for Season 2 of “Make Me a Supermodel” on Wednesday, and another Chicago resident is in the running.
Can Libertyville native Chris Cohen, 22, who used to in Chicago and now lives in LA, make it as far as Ronnie Kroell did last season? Here’s Chris’ pre-show shot (far right), and Ronnie’s from last year (right).
According to Bravo’s release, Chris is “inspired by art—music, fashion, design. He believes they all run parallel. Chris dreams of becoming a supermodel and using his design sense and influence to create a high-end fashion line of accessories. Trained at the California Design College in LA, he currently works at the Spanish clothing store, Zara, when he is not working modeling jobs.
The new season kicks off at 9 p.m. March 4. The casting special airs at 10 p.m. Feb. 7.
Bravo’s changing things up this season. Tyson Beckford returns as host, but Niki Taylor is out. In her place as a mentor is Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio. They’re joined by a new group of judges: designer Catherine Malandrino, model Jenny Shimizu, photographer Perou and international model-scout Marlon.
Click the link below to read about the other model wannabes.
Bravo announced the 16 finalists for Season 2 of "Make Me a Supermodel" on Wednesday, and another Chicago resident is in the running.
Can Libertyville native Chris Cohen, 22, who used to in Chicago and now lives in LA, make it as far as Ronnie Kroell did last season? Here's Chris' pre-show shot (far right), and Ronnie's from last year (right).
According to Bravo's release, Chris is "inspired by art--music, fashion, design. He believes they all run parallel. Chris dreams of becoming a supermodel and using his design sense and influence to create a high-end fashion line of accessories. Trained at the California Design College in LA, he currently works at the Spanish clothing store, Zara, when he is not working modeling jobs.
Ronnie Kroell's a cover boy.
The Chicago man who was runner-up on Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel" last season graces the cover of the September issue of Instinct magazine. Inside, he talks about the MMAS experience and what he's been doing since then--including a movie role and writing a book.
Last week I posted highlights of my interview with Chicago's Ronnie Kroell the day after the finale of Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel."
America didn't pick Ronnie as its supermodel. Viewers chose Holly Kiser over Ronnie, Ben DiChiara and Perry Ullmann.
Ronnie and I chatted about a lot more than modeling and the show. We talked about dating, being gay, politics and his future. You can read the entire interview on the jump.
Above you'll find Ronnie's video goodbye from Bravo, and don't forget to check out his photo gallery.
Last week I posted highlights of my interview with Chicago's Ronnie Kroell the day after the finale of Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel."
America didn't pick Ronnie as its supermodel. Viewers chose Holly Kiser over Ronnie, Ben DiChiara and Perry Ullmann.
Ronnie and I chatted about a lot more than modeling and the show. We talked about dating, being gay, politics and his future. You can read the entire interview on the jump.
Above you'll find Ronnie's video goodbye from Bravo, and don't forget to check out his photo gallery.
Ronnie Kroell of Chicago. Bravo photo
Ronnie Kroell didn't know how popular he'd become in Chicago and the blogosphere until after Thursday night's finale of "Make Me A Supermodel," he told me on Friday. 
"Literally [Thursday] night I got my cell phone back and got back to reality," said the Morton Grove native, who explained that the finalists weren't allowed phone calls or Internet access throughout the season.
Ronnie said the finale--especially just before Holly Kiser was named the winner--was nerve wracking.
"It's hard to pinpoint one emotion [at that moment]. I think I went through them all," he said. "All of our hard work came down to the one moment ... I was a little disappointed I have to say, but I have no regrets about the show."
Ronnie was ready to fly home Friday. "I'm so excited [to go home]," he said, adding that the first thing he would do is "run and hug my family and catch up with my close friends."
Ronnie and Holly get the voting results.
Who do you want to win "Make Me A Supermodel"? Vote here.
There might be some cattiness when "Make Me A Supermodel" airs its reunion special at 9 p.m. Thursday, but don't let that fool you.
Chicago native Ronnie Kroell told me that he and the other Final 4 contestants--that's Ben, Perry and Holly--are friends.
"There were some situations that arose out of misunderstandings and stress on everyone's part, but that is part of being human," he wrote in an e-mail. "I can proudly say that the final four have become the best of friends despite any comments we have made in prior episodes to negate that perception."
Chicago's Ronnie Kroell survived his fourth elimination round Thursday, but will America vote for him to win Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel?"
Or should I say, "Will the gays vote for him?"
Check out this Ragstock commercial featuring Chicago's Ronnie Kroell, a contestant on Bravo's "Make Me a Supermodel." This is Ronnie's "before he was reality-star famous" clip.
I'm always adding new shots to Ronnie's photo gallery here.
Bromance or bro-momance?
Anyone who has been following Bravo's reality show "Make Me A Supermodel" is no doubt familiar with the story of gay model wannabe Ronnie Kroell and his straight fellow contestant and roomie Ben DiChiara.
They hang out together, help each other with their workouts and runway walks. They encourage and support each other, tease and cajole, do each other's pedicures. (Maybe not the last one.)
As I and many others have been writing, they're in a bromance.
Or are they?
Ronnie's photo gallery is now updated!
What a difference a week makes. Ronnie Kroell went from the bottom three to winning Week 7 of Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel."
And no doubt because his bro Ben gave Ronnie his good-luck pendant. Did anyone else hear Ronnie say, "I love you Ben"?
The bromance lives.
Ronnie and Ben put on a glam sham (left) while Perry and Casey did a flop fop. Bravo photos
The good news is, Chicago's Ronnie Kroell didn't get kicked off in Thursday's episode of Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel." The bad news is Ronnie could be kicked off next week.
That's right. Once again our guy is in the bottom three. How did an episode that started out so promising (Ronnie and Ben shirtless in their beds; Katy being sent home instead of Ronnie), end on such a down note?
Oh, the drama.
I'm hoping that Chicago's Ronnie Kroell doesn't get sent home in the opening minutes of this week's "Make Me A Supermodel." I want to see him emote. That's right, the wannabes are learning how to act this week.
"A supermodel is more than just a clothes hanger," Tyson says.
Prove it. Here's a sneak peek of the episode, which airs at 9 p.m. Thursday. Notice how Ben defends his bromance bro, Ronnie.
Check out Ronnie's photo gallery
Ronnie (left) didn't do well, while Ben turned things around and won. Bravo photos
I'm in shock.
Chicago's Ronnie Kroell and his boyfriend--I mean roommate--Ben, celebrated their birthdays early in Thursday's "Make Me A Supermodel."
Then the party ended.
After his worst runway work on the series--at New York Fashion Week no less--Ronnie was bumped to the bottom three by the judges.
What, for one bad week?
"You improved up to now, but this week you kind of fell back," judge Tyson Beckford said.
Say what? He's been a star up to this point.
Chicago's Ronnie Kroell poses nude for an art class. Bravo photo
Thursday's episode of "Make Me a Supermodel" was jam-packed with challenges, bitchiness--and nudity.
But first, hello America! Why'd you send Aryn home? Holly, Jay and Aryn were the three models on the chopping block after last week. Despite Jay's disappointing work each week, America voted off Aryn. Argh. Even the judges thought it was a mistake.
This is where the first taste of bitchiness came in. As the three models were learning their fate, back at the house the other models were saying whom they wanted to go home.
Oh, and Ben got into it with Jacki over Aryn.
"I don't sleep with her everyday," Jacki said during their argument.
"Well neither do I so shut your [bleep] mouth," Ben said. Yow.
Ben DiChiara and Ronnie Kroell pose. Bravo photoChicago's Ronnie Kroell is a happy man.
The model hopeful's crush, Ben DiChiara, didn't get booted on Thursday's episode of "Make Me a Supermodel." America voted Dominic off the show. For more pics of the two, shown at left, check out Ronnie's photo gallery here.
So the bromance is on. Sort of.
Ben may not be the sweetheart we all thought he was. He's cozying up to both Ronnie and Aryn. And remember, he's got the wife back home.
Ronnie says he has real feelings for Ben and that he thinks there's a little hope something could happen. Apparently Ben told him he would experiment with a man if the drinks were flowing.
Whatever. It was cute when Ronnie offered to hold Ben's hand during the vote-off.
Chicago's Ronnie Kroell and his crush buddy Ben DiChiara. Bravo photo
Check out Ronnie's photo gallery here.
There's a bromance brewing on Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel," and Chicago's Ronnie Kroell is one of the bros.
The 24-year-old student turned all red when Debbie the catwalk coach called him out for admiring his roomie, Ben DiChiara's, body.
Debbie started it, saying how great Ben looked in his undies. "I've been working out with Ronnie," the 22-year-old told her, as he and Ronnie both blushed.
Ronnie, you're in. Angelica, Igor and Karol, you're out.
O.K., I'm stealing Heidi Klum's catch phrase. But Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel" is on the same network as "Project Runway."
Chicago-area model-hopefuls Igor Galijasevic, Angelica Gromow and Karol Jarzabek were eliminated Wednesday from the Bravo show's casting special.
Ronnie Kroell will be the only contestant from Chicago striking poses when the model competition begins Jan. 10. The 24-year-old U of I poli-sci student will live with the other 13 models in New York as they compete for $100,000 and a modeling contract with New York Model Management when the show officially launches Jan. 10.
The names on help viewers figure out which of the 14 hopefuls made it, but I think I've got the list correct after rewinding several times: Aryn Livingston, 20, Lownesboro, Ala.; Ben DiChiara, 22, Nashville, Tenn.; Casey Skinner, 19, Atlanta, Ga.; Dominic Prietto, 25, Orange County, Calif.; Frankie Godoy, 20, Miami; Holly Kiser, 21, Coeburn, Va.; Jacki Hydock, 21, Cleveland; Jay McGee, 22, Roswell, Ga.; Katy Caswell, 21, Auburn, Ala.; Perry Ullmann, 22, L.A.; Sarah Swartz, 20, Miami; Shannon Pallay, 22, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Stephanie Bulger, 21, Plano, Texas
You can learn more about them, and view their photos, at bravotv.com. Starting next week, you'll be able to vote each week to keep Ronnie in the running.
