Natalie Robomed

I never really think to make soup, but on a cold winter night, this was perfect.

Because when dinner tastes this good, nothing hits like home cooking.

Campsite Media.

Campsite Media.

From Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media, this is Infamous.

I'm Natalie Robomed.

I don't know if you remember watching America's Next Top Model, but I certainly do.

It began airing in May 2003, when I was 12 years old, and like a lot of tween and teen girls, right from the get-go, I was glued.

America's Next Top Model was pitched as the real world meets American Idol, set in the fashion industry.

Its mission, or so it claimed, was to turn regular girls into fashion superstars.

Its host and creator was Tyra Becks, the green-eyed model who made her name as a Victoria's Secret angel and the first Black woman to cover the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

And Tyra was impressive.

She taught the girls how to smize, that is, smile with your eyes.

She taught them how to pose.

And she had a crew of judges, including Miss J and J Manuel, who taught them how to walk the runway and execute a great photo shoot.

For most models, getting that supermodel stride isn't that easy.

So who do they turn to for guidance?

Jay Alexander.

But there was a lot more going on behind the scenes, which is what we're talking about today.

You may have seen the new documentary about America's Next Top Model.