Next Top Model, Season 1 was the first season of Next Top Model. It premiered on October 12, 2009. The number of contestants was originally 17 with one semifinalist re-entering the competition after a contestant withdrew.
Greek super model Vicky Kaya (Greek: Βίκυ Καγιά) assumed the role of Tyra Banks from the original series as the head of the search as well as a mentor for the contestants. The panel consisted of the former model Jenny Balatsinou, fashion designer Christoforos Kontentos and noted photographer Charis Christopoulos.
The number of applications reached approximately 5000. Many of the applications had been sent in from abroad, which means that some of the contestants were from other countries.
The final episode aired on February 15, 2010. The winner was 20-year-old Seraina Kazamia from Crete. Her prizes included a contract with MP Management and an all-expenses paid trip to Milan, a cover and spread with Madame Figaro magazine, representation by Maybelline New York, a contract with BSB clothing line and a $18,000 Dior watch.
The international destinations were Milan, Italy and London, United Kingdom.
Contestants
(Ages stated are at start of contest)
Episode summaries
Episode 1
First aired October 12, 2009
At the premiere of the show, the girls met the judges for the first time and tried to impress them during their individual interviews. Later on, they posed for their first bikini shoot and were narrowed down to the final seventeen contestants, who would move on to the main competition.
Featured photographer: Charis Christopoulos
Episode 2
First aired October 19, 2009
The girls entered their model house for the first time. The next day, they took some make-up lessons and Vicky stopped by to teach them how to change their emotions in front of the mirror. The girls had to pose using face cut-outs in famous photos of Vicky. Dimitra, the winner of the challenge, picked Nayla to join her at an exclusive dinner with the judges as her prize. Later on, some girls struggled at their photo shoot which was an extreme beauty shoot with snakes.
At the judging panel, most of the girls failed to impress the judges with their performances. Athina and Zoe landed in the bottom two for elimination, but in the end Zoe was eliminated for being flat and uninspiring.
First call-out: Monika Kwiecien
Bottom two: Athina Mourkoussi & Zoe Tranoudaki
Eliminated: Zoe Tranoudaki
Featured photographer: Pantelis Zervos
Episode 3
First aired October 26, 2009
After the first elimination, the girls learned that they were about to receive their makeovers. Some girls were happy with their new hair, while some others felt frustrated. The following day, they were coached on how to do extreme poses and this time the challenge demanded the girls to pose while holding jewelry. Danae won the challenge for being the best and picked Seraina to share the featured jewelry. At the photo shoot, the girls had to pose with and wearing meat.
Most of the girls were praised for their strong performances, but Anthi and Vaso were criticized for not focusing enough and being weak and they landed in the bottom two. Anthi was spared, while Vaso was sent home.
First call-out: Ioanna Dedi
Bottom two: Anthi Tsompanidou & Vaso Vilegas
Eliminated: Vaso Vilegas
Featured photographer: Charlie Makkos
Episode 4
First aired November 2, 2009
The girls learned about their body and nutrition. Christoforos Kontentos visited the house to teach them about what is "fashionable" and "unfashionable". At the challenge, the girls were split into groups of five and had to assemble their own clothing line and be their own mannequins with fashion model Ismini Papavlasopoulou making a guest appearance. Each girl of the winning team, Anthi, Areti, Danae, Dimitra & Monika, won a piece of clothing from a famous clothing line and Monika earned a special piece of clothing as she was the best in her group. The photo shoot demanded the girls to pose as underwater nymphs. A lot of girls struggled, while Ioanna managed to overcome her fear of water and she impressed the judges.
At panel, Nina announced that she had to drop out of the competition due to school complications and she quit the competition. In the end, Denia's mediocre performance and Katia's age concerned the judges. Denia was saved, while Katia was sent home, leading to a very emotional elimination. Later on, the judges called back a new contestant, Maria who didn't make it to the house during the casting episode, to join the cast to replace Nina.