SINGAPORE - The show must go on, after all.
Asia's Next Top Model unveiled 12 of its 14 contestants from 13 countries at a press briefing at Resorts World Sentosa on Tuesday.
The aspiring models showed off their best runway moves and participated in a short Q&A session, hosted by emcee for the event, actor Keagan Kang.
Two contestants, Liu Bei Si from China and Helena Chan from Hong Kong could not attend the event.
While there was no mention onstage about the reported money troubles that production company ice-TV are going through, Fox network representatives said it would like to assure the audience and sponsors that everything is currently "on track".
The Straits Times reported on Nov 1 that ice-TV has not paid at least one judge of the show, a public relations agency and more than 35 production crew members.
Ms Yvonne Tay, Vice-President of Fox International Channels, said that while "there's a bit of delay in airing (from early Nov to the current air date of Nov 25), but we have sorted out the financial issues".
According to My Paper on Wednesday, Tay added that Fox is "hopeful" that ice-TV will be able to pay off the debt.
Mr Simeon Dawes, Senior Vice President, Fox One Stop Media, confirmed that ice-TV will still continue work to finish the production.
My Paper reported that affected crew members have not been paid yet. They said that ice-TV's managing director, Mr David Searl, contacted them via e-mail, saying he would get in touch with them today to organise payment.
At the press meet, three of the four judges - local fashion stylist Daniel Boey, host Nadya Hutagalung and photographer Todd Anthony Tyler, gave their thoughts on the show and bantered with contestants.
When asked by Kang what it takes to be a top model, Hutagalung said professionalism and performance are important, but cited personality as the key that can give a contestant "a little bit of edge".
Model mentor and Filipino personality Joey Mead King was absent due to an overseas engagement. But in a statement from her publicist, King said: "This series really highlights and celebrates the many diverse looks, shapes and sizes of Asian women worldwide."
She added: "I want these 14 bright and gorgeous girls to really take the fashion industry by storm, and you’ll see we put them through model boot camp to help them develop the skills they need to be successful.”
The premiere of Asia's Next Top Model will air Sunday Nov 25 at 8.55pm on Star World (SingTel mio TV Channel 301 HD, StarHub Channel 501/55 HD).
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Click on the thumbnails below for photos from the press conference and a first look at the top 14 contestants vying for the title of Asia's Next Top Model, or read more here.
