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ABC

True Beauty cast judged on looks and behavior to win a spot in People’s 100 Most Beautiful

by Andy Dehnart 7 Nov. 2008 | 7:45 am

ABC’s newest reality series True Beauty will give its 10 contestants the chance to compete for cash and a spot in People’s 100 Most Beautiful People issue, but the contestants won’t know they’re also being judged on their “inner beauty” in addition to their external characteristics.

Its six female and four male “contestants assume they’re being judged solely on their outer appearance” but “are also being evaluated — unbeknownst to them — for their INNER beauty as well when they’re put through scenarios and situations that require them to make moral decisions,” according to an ABC press release.

Following the standard formula, they’ll compete in two challenges per episode, but no one will know of the twist until “after someone is eliminated” when “the truth about the show be revealed to him/her, as they watch a video montage of their behavior captured by a hidden camera during the shoot.”

Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher executive produce the new series (as does Denise Cramsey), which will be paired with The Bachelor and air Monday nights at 10 (The Bachelor will move to 8 p.m.). Vanessa Minnillo hosts and judges along with Cheryl Tiegs and Nol Marin.

Executive Producers Tyra Banks And Ashton Kutcher Are Looking For Someone Truly Beautiful — From The Outside In [ABC press release]

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about Andy Dehnart

Andy Dehnart’s writing and criticism about television, culture, and media has appeared on NPR and in Vulture, Pacific Standard, The Los Angeles Times, and other publications. He has covered reality television for more than 18 years, and created reality blurred in 2000.

A member of the Television Critics Association who serves on its board of directors, Andy, 41, also directs the journalism program at Stetson University in Florida, where he teaches creative nonfiction and journalism. He has an M.F.A. in nonfiction writing and literature from Bennington College. Learn more about reality blurred and Andy.

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reality blurred is your guide to the world of reality TV and unscripted entertainment, with reality show reviews, news, and analysis. It was created in 2000 by Andy Dehnart. He's still writing and publishing it today.

reality blurred is regularly updated with highlights from the world of reality TV: news and analysis; behind-the-scenes reports; interviews with reality TV show cast members and producers; and recaps and reviews of these reality TV shows, including Survivor, Big Brother, The Great British Baking Show, Shark Tank, The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, and many more.

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