The third season of Italia's Next Top Model, an Italian reality television show, premiered on SKY Vivo on 2 October 2009 and concluded on 18 December 2009.
The show was once again hosted by former Russian model and actress Natasha Stefanenko. The permanent judges included Michael Giannini, art director and talent scout for the modeling agency d’Management; former model Nadège du Bospertus; and fashion journalist Giusi Ferré. Each episode featured a celebrity guest judge joining the panel.
The season was won by 24-year-old Anastasia Silveri, who received a one-year contract with d’Management Group and a Max Factor campaign worth €150,000.
Changes The cast was expanded to 16 contestants in the first episode; however, it was later revealed that, according to the show’s rules, only 14 would move into the model house, resulting in two contestants being eliminated in the premiere and excluded from the show's opening sequence.
A live audience was introduced during the weekly judging sessions and elimination ceremonies, with the five judges openly voting against the contestant they wished to eliminate from the bottom two. Additionally, the two contestants facing elimination had to compete in a runway challenge before the audience, allowing the judges to determine who was more deserving to stay in the competition. These changes were met with skepticism and general disappointment from viewers.
Due to these format changes, the weekly reward challenges were no longer featured in the main episodes but were instead shown in daily daytime video segments. This was also the first season to feature related contestants, with twin sisters Gilda and Veronica Testa competing.
Episode summaries
Episode 1 First aired 2 October 2009
After months of auditions involving more than 1,500 contestants, the 16 girls chosen for the competition met on Via Montenapoleone, the premier fashion street in Milan. They were briefly introduced through short clips, and once the group was complete, they were instructed to join host Natasha Stefanenko and Michael Giannini, art director of d’Management, at the location where their first elimination challenge would take place.
Michael informs the contestants that they have fifteen minutes to select an outfit and apply their makeup. They must prepare for an impromptu runway show in the city center, with an audience composed of passersby. During the show, Elisa captures public attention by wearing a transparent top without underwear, while Jade stands out with her striking Barbie-like appearance.
The episode then moves to the studio, where, for this season, the models' evaluations will take place before a live audience. The 16 contestants are introduced, and Michela Maggioni, winner of Season 2, makes her entrance. A video is shown highlighting the start of her career as a model following her victory, featuring photoshoots for major fashion magazines such as Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar, as well as her appearances in runway shows in Milan and Singapore.
The contestants' performances on the runway are then evaluated in the studio, with a focus on the weakest performers. Maggioni then escorts the girls out of the studio and to the models' house, which will also serve as their "Model School" for the season. The judges deliberate on the models' performances, praising Elisa for her boldness and Anastasia for her runway performance. Meanwhile, contestants such as Athina, Eleonora, Giada, and Veronica V. are criticized.
From the studio, Natasha proceeds to announce to Michela the names of the girls who will make it into the house, entrusting her with the task of delivering the photos before the front door of the Model School. Athina, Giada, and Veronica V. are placed in the bottom three due to their unimpressive walks and poor outfit choices. Giada is called but is informed that she will be eliminated, while Athina is invited to pick up her photo, indicating she has been chosen to enter the models' house. Veronica V. is also eliminated.
Bottom three: Athina Covassi, Giada Combusti, and Veronica Valentini Eliminated: Giada Combusti and Veronica Valentini Guest judges: Martina Colombari, Italian model and actress
Episode 2 First aired 9 October 2009
The 14 aspiring models are brought to the Charme&Cheveux salon to receive their makeovers. Most of the girls are excited and happy, but Caroline expresses dissatisfaction with the outcome and complains, also revealing that she is upset about hurting her back just before being taken to the salon. Athina, on the other hand, quietly cries as her hair is cut short.
The following day, the girls receive a message from Natasha instructing them to get ready, as they will be taken to the Milan Military Academy. Upon arrival, they are welcomed by soldiers and dressed in military uniforms. A coach then pushes them to complete a military training exercise, during which they get covered in mud. Once the task is completed, the girls participate in their first photoshoot, posing as sexy soldiers in a jeep. Most of the girls manage to deliver strong photos.
In the judging studio, before an audience, Anastasia, Caroline, Jade, and Sabrina are praised for their work, while Athina, Carlotta, Diletta, Elisa, and Veronica are considered to have been the weakest performers of the week.
In the end, the judges place Athina and Carlotta in the bottom two for their stiff poses. The two girls face each other in a runway challenge to determine who deserves to stay in the competition. With an open verdict, Athina receives three out of five votes from the judging panel, with Natasha, Michael, and Giusi choosing her to leave the competition for being less convincing on the runway.
Bottom two: Athina Covassi and Carlotta Castagneris Eliminated: Athina Covassi Guest judge: Giampiero Mughini, former journalist Special guest: Ciccio Graziani, football coach Featured photographer: Nancy Fina
Episode 3 First aired 16 October 2009
The 13 remaining girls are awakened at 5 a.m. by the sound of a siren, signaling a message from Natasha. The message informs them that they will be participating in this week’s runway challenge, which will determine who will be eliminated.
The girls are taken to the fashion district of Milan, to an area under construction, where they are welcomed by Natasha and fashion designer John Richmond, who will oversee their runway challenge. After preparing, the contestants showcase their progress in walking, though some fail to impress.
The episode continues in the judging studio, where the panel, particularly Nadège, praises Anastasia for her consistency on the catwalk, Karis for displaying newfound confidence and an aggressive walk, and Sabrina and Carlotta for their overall strong performances.
Anisia is advised to put in more effort, while Elisa is reprimanded for her unrefined walk and pose, as well as for looking down on the catwalk. Veronica is criticized for appearing dull on the runway, Diletta is scolded for being off-theme by delivering a high-fashion walk instead of an aggressive one, and Eleonora is chastised for being too slow and generally bland, making herself forgettable—though her look was well received by John Richmond.
However, the most unexpected moment occurs during Jade’s evaluation, when the Italian-Australian contestant reveals that she has realized modeling is not the path she wants to pursue. Feeling homesick, she decides to leave the competition, much to Michael’s astonishment. The models’ coach, however, is pleased to see that Jade has made up her mind about her future.
After deliberation, Eleonora and Veronica are placed in the bottom two due to their unimpressive and unmemorable performances. Following a runway challenge, the judges cast their votes. With three out of five votes from Natasha, Giusi, and the guest judge, Veronica is eliminated, leading to a bittersweet moment as she is separated from her twin sister, Gilda.
Quit: Jade Albany Pietrantonio Bottom two: Eleonora Meneghini and Veronica Testa Eliminated: Veronica Testa Guest judge: Clarence Seedorf, football player and fashion amateur Special guest: John Richmond, fashion designer
Episode 4 First aired 23 October 2009
This week, Giorgia confronts the rest of the group after feeling isolated by many of the girls, who accuse her of being two-faced. Some contestants also openly express that she comes across as too bossy when it comes to housework.
A message from Natasha informs the girls that they will be taken to the Milanese countryside for a lingerie photoshoot. The eleven aspiring models are driven to a farm, where they discover they will be posing in glamorous lingerie alongside pigs and cows in the farm stables. Caroline is visibly disgusted by the pigs, while Sabrina and Anastasia feel at ease in the setting. Anisia requires some coaching to perfect her pose, and Eleonora struggles throughout the shoot.
In the studio, the girls receive mixed reviews from the judges. All panel members agree that Anastasia delivered a perfect shot, while Anisia is advised to be more present and exude confidence in person. Caroline receives praise, whereas Giorgia is reprimanded for her body positioning and facial expression.
Sabrina is liked by Natasha but criticized by Nadège, who also remarks that Carlotta's facial features are too harsh to control in photographs. Eleonora is criticized for her stiff arms and lackluster facial expression. Elisa is praised for her energy, though her pose is considered too extreme, while Diletta is commended for effectively using her curvy figure.
After deliberation, during which Anisia, Carlotta, Eleonora, and Giorgia are deemed to have the weakest photos, Carlotta and Eleonora are placed in the bottom two. Following a runway challenge, judges Giusi, Michael, and Nadège vote against Eleonora for failing to deliver a confident walk, resulting in her elimination from the competition.
After Eleonora's elimination, a new contestant, Marianna, is introduced to the group as Jade's replacement.
Bottom two: Carlotta Castagneris and Eleonora Meneghini Eliminated: Eleonora Meneghini Guest judge: Alena Seredova, glamour model Featured photographer: Settimio Benedusi
Episode 5 First aired 30 October 2009
During the week, Caroline and Diletta attempt a brief escape from the models' house. As a result of breaking the rules, they are punished by Michael and barred from participating in the weekly reward challenge, where the other contestants have the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones who have traveled to Milan to meet them.
This week's challenge sees the girls participating in a photoshoot where the 11 contestants must pose as actresses styled in a 1950s look for a horror movie poster, demonstrating their ability to express fear on set. Caroline shows little interest in screaming when the photographer asks her to do so, and requires coaching from Michael. Giorgia appears somewhat stiff, while Sabrina manages to make both the photographer and the art director laugh due to her exaggerated performance.
In the studio, the girls' evaluations vary significantly from judge to judge. Sabrina is liked by Giusi for her humorous look, while the rest of the panel criticizes her for being overdone. Elisa is deemed too static and lacking in creativity, while Carlotta is once again reprimanded by Nadège for her facial limitations. Anastasia is told she could have done better, and Gilda and Karis receive mixed reviews. Diletta and Anisia are praised for their facial expressions, but it is Marianna who impresses the judges with her shot. Caroline is scolded for her attitude on set, while Giorgia is liked by Natasha but comes across as unnatural to Michael.
Caroline is placed in the bottom two for her unprofessional behavior, and she is joined by Carlotta, whose limited range of expressions leads to her elimination this week. Carlotta is voted out by Nadège, guest judge Edwige, and Giusi.