#DNTM3 W/ Special Guest KaliMinaj runner-up of DNTM S2 ! Welcome or welcome back to Panel Before Dark, where special guests and I put contestants’ portfolios under the spotlight. Before we begin, I got another opportunity to sit down and chat with DNTM host Dimitra == Q: After the first photoshoot of the season, do you already see potential frontrunners, or is the competition still wide open for anyone to take? Dimitra: I believe that based on the first photoshoot, the competition is still completely open for everyone. There were definitely some photos that stood out, but not by huge margins compared to others, so at this point, anything is possible. Q: Can a beautiful photo alone be enough to secure a win, or does it take more than that? Dimitra: A beautiful photo can definitely help someone win, but we are also looking for that extra something — something unique that makes the image stand out even more. Q: This is the biggest season yet, with 18 contestants. In such a crowded and competitive cast, what does a model need to do to truly stand out? Dimitra: To truly stand out, something I say every season is that contestants need to bring something different. Original ideas are important, but they must still fit within the theme and not stray too far from it. Creativity with a strong result will always get noticed Q: With the addition of male models this season, along with a diverse cast including a plus-size model and a drag performer, do you think having a unique look or identity give contestants a natural advantage in the competition? Dimitra: Contestants with a unique identity can absolutely stand out because of it, but the exact opposite can also happen — the competition can overwhelm them. Having a distinct identity means nothing if you cannot deliver strong photoshoots consistently Q: When it comes to eliminations, how challenging is the decision-making process for you and the judging panel Dimitra: Each judge gives their own score and personal critique, and all of those are combined into one final score for each model. In many cases, when the photos are very strong, the results can be extremely close. At the end of the day, we are five different people with different opinions — one judge may absolutely love a photo while another may not, and that is honestly one of the best parts of the competition. =================================== - The time has come to review the contestants' first official submissions! (Disclaimer: We are not official judges. Please don’t take our critiques personally, our goal is to offer helpful feedback, constructive criticism, and tips that can support your growth <3) Photo Theme: Carousel ROBBIERIOT Kali: You look expensive. This photograph immediately grabs attention because you understand power and silhouette. The way your body melts into the giraffe while your face remains composed creates this surreal high-fashion fantasy that feels straight out of a Vogue Italia editorial. The lighting loves you, the texture of the coat adds incredible movement, and your pose is controlled without feeling stiff. My only critique is that your face could push one degree further emotionally — the image is stunning, but I want just a little more danger behind the eyes. Still, this is absolutely one of the strongest photographs of the week. Dusa: What a great photo for her first official submission! You're one of a handful of models this season that im confident will win a best photo or two. Love the pose and angle. I'm unfortunately torn about the purple LED looking lighting, which cheapens the photo a bit for me. Being able to tell a story from a single shot is an indicator of a fierce competitor in DNTM, but im not sure what story youre trying to tell us. Are you in a carousel or at a club? I believe you could have what it takes to win, but you need to keep pushing. Also im going to get this out of the way now, but I do not like how you matched your outfit colour to the lighting colour grade. You needed to wear another colour to contrast the purple to stand out. Althhough, the outfit is one of the more interesting ones out of the bunch. MURIBOLT Kali: This is glamorous in a very classic way. You understand your angles beautifully and your legs look endless. The red styling against the gold carousel creates a rich, luxurious image and your body language is seductive without becoming tacky. However, your face is relying a little too much on “pretty.” I don’t fully feel a story from you yet. In an editorial, beauty alone is never enough. But visually? Gorgeous shot. Dusa: You look great, but theres nothing else to rave about. There have been tons of girls from the previous seasons who were hanging on to pretty. We know that youre a pretty model, but what else can you offer us that no one else can give but you? To me this looks pretty standard and i'll probably forget this photo ever existed by tomorrow morning. GOOMYBEAR Kali: This is fashion. Period. You took a potentially ridiculous styling concept and transformed it into something theatrical and editorial. The feathered shoulders create this dramatic shape around your body, and the way you’re lounging gives confidence and aristocratic arrogance. Your face profile is incredibly strong here. You look like the villain in a couture campaign — and I mean that as the highest compliment. The darkness of the image works for you instead of swallowing you. One of the best this week because you committed completely to the fantasy. Dusa: Ok so I did get an opportunity to see your potential photos prior to you submitting when you asked for opinions. The first photos of you were pretty plain/basic, and I was honest and told you youd probably be safe. Now, im happy that you changed the outfit a bit wit the dramatic feather accents. I just wishhhh you took my advice and didnt wear all black, because youre almost incognito. I know that the photo probably makes the original photo your submitted look wonky, but this is a lesson to be prepared. Overall, its a good photo. I see you as one of the better male models so far. Play more with camera angles and lighting throughout the competition. SEXYTEX Kali: You photographed beautifully, but I think you relied heavily on your natural attractiveness. The body looks phenomenal — your proportions are insane — but the pose feels slightly expected. There’s not enough tension in the image. When I look at this cast, several people gave me fantasy; you gave me “beautiful girl on carousel.” It’s still strong, but not unforgettable. Dusa: I'm a bit let-down :( obviously a gorgeous photo of you, but I feel like you looked at the theme being on a carousel and withdrew other requirements for the photoshoot. Its cute, but its not high fashion. I can see this on a victoria's secret ad, but that was not the task you were given. In my season, a couple frontrunners went home because they did not follow the prompt. I could see you being a top contender, but you need to be more careful. I think the face card and pose should be enough to keep you safe. SAM Kali: There is something incredibly dynamic about this shot. The diagonal line of your body creates motion and drama, and you committed physically to the brief. You look like a gladiator flying through the carousel. My issue is your face — the intensity in the body is not matched in the expression. Your eyes disconnect slightly from the power pose. But this is still a compelling editorial image because you took a risk. Dusa: I went back and forth on this. At first glance, I thought wow thats an interesting cool pose. The photo was almost there for me, but there was a couple technical mistakes that took points away from you. I wish we could have seen some physical motion to make the photo feel alive, like a flash blur in the back, or your cape flowing in the wind, Instead you look awkward. I do love that you went for a strongman aesthetic. I dont see you anywhere in the bottom. DAILYICON Kali: This is one of the best photographs of the week because you understand fashion narrative. The coat movement, the pose, the open chest, the arrogance in your expression — everything feels intentional. You look like a decadent prince at midnight in Paris. Your connection with the camera is excellent because you’re giving attitude without overposing. The styling could have easily worn you, but instead you elevated it. This feels like a real luxury campaign. Dusa: I'm quite shocked by how fast your rebound was! easily the most improved for me! and possibly a contender for best photo? I'm only going to critique you on how busy the background looks and some distortions as well that I've noticed. I know it can be difficult to fix, but thats the game ! Keep it up! CAMELL22 Kali: You have a very photogenic face. The profile is soft, elegant, and cinematic. What I appreciate is that you created a quieter moment amidst all the maximalism. However, editorially, I wish the body had more tension. Your upper half is beautiful, but the lower body disappears slightly into the horse. Still, this is sophisticated and believable. Dusa: I'm going to be honest.. I think youll probably be bottom 2 or low. This photo is boring. Theres nothing to talk about, half your face isnt seen and your outfit is a bit hidden. I have a lot of notes, but I dont know where to start. The photo is too soft, too amateur. I think youd do good in close-up editorial challenges, but you need to match the energy of what the theme is. BOSSLADY Kali: Your strength is your presence. Even standing relatively still, you command attention. The gown movement is gorgeous and your posture is incredibly elegant. The issue is that the face becomes a little too serene. In a carousel fantasy shoot, I wanted more emotional commitment. But your proportions are stunning and you know how to create length. Dusa: The dress is quite similar to your casting photo. I do not want to see you looking like a one -trick pony. I hope that once you saw the other contestant's you realized that safe isnt good enough. I think you couldve elevated your enviroment a bit more. I know you wanted to be the star of the photo, but props and colour grading can help enhance your star quality and photo in general. TAYVIE Kali: This styling is doing a lot, and unfortunately you let it overpower you. The clothes are luxurious, but I don’t know where to look first. Your pose feels stiff and disconnected from the carousel, almost like you’re standing for a catalog shoot instead of inhabiting a fantasy world. The face is handsome, but the image lacks impact and storytelling. You needed to push the character further. Dusa: I actually like this photo! The outfit is a statement piece, you ticked the box on that. I already see so much improvement compared from your last photoshoot. You look tall and actually look like you could be a model. I appreciate all the jewelry and accessories you added to your outfit. However, you need to be careful, because you're borderline towards looking like a pimp. I appreciate that you upped your fashion sense, lets finesse that a bit and I could see your being another dark horse in the competition. LEWIS Kali: This is camp in the best way possible. You completely embraced the absurdity and turned it into fashion fantasy. The movement is fantastic, the boots are dramatic, and the body line is very editorial. I just wish your face had slightly more intensity because the styling is already doing so much visually. But this is memorable — and in fashion, memorable matters. Dusa: Almost there for me. I love the colours and the motion blur you incorporated to the photo, but the pose is quite awkward. I get that you were trying to look like you were being tugged by the carousel. However, just like Sam, you both failed that effect. your hand needed to be extended and you needed to be a bit more perpendicular, because the photo makes you look like youre floating. The outfit is good ! HARE Kali: The styling is beautiful, but the photograph feels too aware of itself. You look handsome, but it borders on costume instead of couture because the pose feels cautious. I needed more commitment and more interaction with the carousel environment. The image also lacks tension in the face; everything feels a little too polished and safe. Compared to the stronger performers, this falls short editorially. Dusa: The colour grading is a bit mundane. I think with the right shadow play and colour scheme, you couldve probably ended up with a better photo. Your proportions are also a bit disjointed, your legs look quite short, making you look like youd probably be 5'6. TORIMARIE Kali: This is ethereal and visually striking. The pale blue skin against the warm carousel lights creates an amazing contrast, and your posing is elegant and statuesque. You understood how to let the garment drape while still showing shape. I do wish your expression carried more emotion, because the image is almost too beautiful. But aesthetically, this is gorgeous. Dusa: I'm still not sold on you. The dress is beautiful and dramatic, but it does not wow me. I kind of wished that you cropped the photo, because from the feet down, theres nothing to really see, and it takes up like 1/3 of the picture. I definitely think youre safe, but im curious about you. TISHA Kali: This is ART. You took a risk and it paid off massively. The skeletal concept could have become gimmicky very quickly, but your body language is so graceful that the image becomes hauntingly beautiful instead of silly. Your hair movement is incredible, and the way your limbs stretch creates this eerie editorial elegance. You sold the fantasy completely. One of the standout photos of the week. Dusa: I agree with everything that Kali said. If i really had to nitpick, the purple lighting is a bit out of place. Small little details like that can really change the whole vibe and make you look amateurish. Thankfully this is episode one, and I know youll be delivery more great photos. HONEY Kali: You know how to photograph expensively. This image feels rich, sensual, and polished. Your body positioning is fantastic because every limb creates shape without looking forced. The sparkle of the dress combined with the softness in your expression gives luxury beauty campaign energy. My only critique is that I want a little more unpredictability from you — but this is undeniably strong and very marketable. Dusa: I feel like you had a clear idea of what you wanted to do and you accomplished just that, but not to the fullest extent that I know youre capable of. This aesthetic is already so much different from everyone elses. Yes the theme is carousel, but make the carousel your own, which you 100% did. I'm keeping an eye on you and everyone else should too. POOF Kali: Best photo of the week. Everything works: the colors, the movement, the relaxed confidence, the subtle sensuality. You understand negative space, posture, and facial control at a level far beyond the others. What makes this photograph exceptional is that it feels effortless while still being visually explosive. You transformed a carousel into a couture dreamscape. The softness in your pose contrasts perfectly with the sharpness of the styling. Dusa: The colours are so whimsical and cute. The outfit is sooo uniquely your own. I know I said yours was my favourite when the photos were released, but I do have a new favourite that took over your spot. And thats solely based on re-analyzing your pose and aesthetic. The pose is almost there for me, but I needed a lttle bit more energy, because everytime I look at it, im either impressed or notice you looking too bored in the face, with a slouching pose, with one limp arm hanging on your side. Some refinements wouldve locked this in as my favourite for sure. GLITTER Kali: Unfortunately, this is the weakest photograph of the week. The image feels disconnected from the brief and from the rest of the cast. Everyone else embraced drama, fantasy, or luxury, while this feels like a candid from a music video set. Your expression is flat, the body lacks intention, and the styling completely overwhelms you instead of being elevated by you. Most importantly, there is no narrative. In fashion photography, being pretty is never enough — you have to create a world. And here, I don’t know who you are in the picture. Dusa: I do see you in the bottom. This looks like a tumblr photo from 2013. Just too pedestrian with no elements of high fasion. This is also quite a big shift from your orginal casting photo. I know you got critiques about doing too much, but now youre doing nothng at all. THIII Kali: You photographed beautifully and the hair movement adds glamour, but the pose becomes slightly repetitive. The face is strong, yet I wanted more connection to the carousel fantasy itself. You gave polished beauty shot more than editorial storytelling. Still, you undeniably look luxurious. Dusa: Safe. The facecard is gorgeous. The pose is clean, but its quite lacklustre. You need to think outside of the box, before you really start to fall behind. SEONG Kali: This photograph disappoints me because you have presence, but you completely shut down in front of the camera. The styling is incredible, yet your pose feels passive and the expression lacks energy. Instead of commanding the frame, you’re letting the environment dominate you. There’s no tension in the body and no emotional hook in the eyes. Compared to the stronger men this week, this feels one-note and forgettable. Dusa: Seong the crop is all wrong. You look like a tiny person, which we all know youre not. I wish we could have seen your full fit, because it probably wouldve been my favourite. Its just unfortunate that youre so scrunched up that we lose a lot of details. I dont think this photo alone derails you from being look upon as a threat, but if you keep making these mistakes, the judges will show no mercy. Kali's Rankings: 1. Poof 2. Goomybear 3. Dailyicon 4. Tisha 5. Honey 6. Robbieriot 7. Lewis 8. Muribolt 9. Torimarie 10. Sam 11. Bosslady 12. Thiii 13. SexyTex 14. Camell22 15. Hare 16. Tayvie 17. Seong 18. Glitter Dusa's Rankings: 1st. Honey 2nd. Poof 3rd. Tisha 4th. DailyIcon 5th. RobbieRiot 6th. Goomybear 7th. SexyTex 8th. Tayvie 9th. Thiii 10th. Bosslady 11th. Torimarie 12th. Seong 13th. Sam 14th. Hare 15th. Muribolt 16th: Lewis 17th: Camell22 18th: Glitter Good luck models and enjoy xoxo, Medusaluh.







