Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search

Released: 2005-01-05

Runtime: 60 minutes

Episode Overview

In the series premiere, the twelve swimsuit model hopefuls get their first taste of walking down the runway when they strut down the catwalk for the judges and celebrity guest Cheryl Tiegs. Meanwhile, their first physical challenge puts the girls' desires to become the next Sports Illustrated swimsuit model to the test as they prepare for their first beach shoot in front of the judges.

Series Overview

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search is a reality TV show produced by NBC that debuted in January 2005, prior to the launch of that year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The purpose of the show was to document twelve previously unknown fashion models as they competed against one another for a grand prize. In this case, it was a pictorial in the 2005 edition of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and a modeling contract with NEXT Model Management worth one million US dollars. The twelve contestants were chosen after NBC and Sports Illustrated launched a nation-wide search, processing around 3,000 potential women. The three-judge panel consisted of Roshumba Williams, Joel Wilkenfeld and Jule Campbell. Competitions would include how well the contestants did on their photo shoots and their rigorous fitness tests. Based on these, the aforementioned judges would choose who "made the cut" and who would be let go from the competition, until there were two finalists. The show's tagline was "The business of being beautiful is about to get ugly."