The last time there was a South Asian woman (actually, the only other time) was Julie from season 2. She got axed after only two weeks on the show because she admitted she was more interested in starting a garment company than being a model. Doh.

Let’s hope that Anchal has got her act more together than Gina from last season. Seriously, anyone would be better than Gina, who was so clueless and confused. First she says, she’s proud to be Asian and wants to represent since there aren't many Asian models. Then in the same interview, she says she doesn’t date Asian men. What’s up with that? Even Tyra Banks called her on the contradiction. In a later episode, during a mock press conference, Janice Dickinson asks her how being Asian affects her desire to be a model. Gina meekly answers that she doesn’t know. When pressed, she says she’s having an identity crisis. Sigh. Why do you have to have your identity crisis on national TV?

Sadly, Gina (who is Korean) seemed to fulfill the stereotype of the model minority: didn’t stick up for herself, let others bully her, quietly and passively did what she was told in hopes that she would be recognized and achieve her dream.

Here’s a clip of the disaster that is Gina:

Of all the Asian Americans on ANTM, I kind of miss April, who is half Japanese, from Season 2.

She seemed strong and confident. I was rooting for her to win. I found it interesting that on the one hand, judges would tell her to embrace her Asian heritage more. But then they would stereotype her too, saying she didn’t show enough emotion and was like a workaholic robot in pursuit of technical perfection.

Here’s an interview with April.

So, here's the essay question for today: Reality TV, good or not for minority representation?