In episode 6, which aired on the evening of 7/9, contestants faced an underwater photoshoot, 3 meters deep, themed "Blue Ballad." They embodied ballet dancers, posing with circular props. The judges emphasized breath control, facial expressions, and body movement in zero gravity.
Tra My, the first to compete, surprised the judges the most. She displayed confidence, a stark contrast to her previous anxiety. Nang Mo showcased her fluid dancing skills, producing several striking photographs.
Designer Do Manh Cuong praised the ethereal and emotive quality of Nang Mo's photos. Host Thanh Hang noted Tra My's attentiveness and weekly progress. "In this episode, I have nothing to criticize," she said.
Creative director Ha Do, initially skeptical of Tra My's modeling potential, commended her performance, saying she was "like a fish in water," fully focused and excelling.
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Tra My's highly praised photo. |
Tra My secured her first best photo of the week, earning leadership of the house. "Before joining the competition, I was a blank slate," she shared. "Through each challenge, I've gained valuable experience and improved."
The 19-year-old from Hanoi, known online as "Nang Mo," gained recognition through social media videos. Tra My stands at 1.68 m tall, with measurements of 79-62-87 cm. In June, she walked in Vietnam International Fashion Week Spring Summer 2025, showcasing five collections by designers such as Le Thanh Hoa, Adrian Anh Tuan, Cao Minh Tien, Huong Queen, and Vu Viet Ha.
Compared to other contestants, Nang Mo lacks formal training. In initial challenges, she was the center of judges' debates, consistently deemed inexperienced and lacking potential. During a high-fashion photoshoot, judge Nam Trung asked her to stop posing. Online, viewers suggested her face and height were better suited for acting than runway modeling.
Nang Mo explained her participation stemmed from a childhood love of Vietnam's Next Top Model. In elementary school, she would imitate contestants. "I have a round face, my figure isn't perfect, and my legs aren't straight, but I believe I can still create my own distinct mark on the show," she stated.
Episode 6 saw a double elimination, with Diep Luc and Kim Thanh departing. The remaining top 8 will continue to face challenges before the top 3 finalists are determined for the 12/10 finale.
The show returns after an eight-year hiatus. From thousands of applications, the judges selected the top 15 following June's casting round. They will compete for the title, a 300 million dong prize, and opportunities to walk international runways in the UK, France, and Italy, along with a cover feature in a prestigious fashion magazine.
Vietnam's Next Top Model, adapted from Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model, first aired in 2010. Over eight seasons, it launched the careers of models like Trang Khieu, Tuyet Lan, Hoang Thuy, Ngoc Chau, Mau Thuy, H’Hen Nie, Huong Ly, Nguyen Hop, Nguyen Oanh, and Kim Dung. After the "all-star" season in 2017, featuring notable past contestants, the show took a break until its recent revival.
Tan Cao
Photo, video: Provided by the organizers
