True Beauty is an American reality competition television series produced by Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher in which contestants - who believe they are being judged on outer beauty - are actually judged on their inner beauty, for the chance to win $100,000 and to be featured in People magazine's 100 most beautiful people issue.
The series premiered in the USA on ABC on 5 January, 2009.
True Beauty premiered in South Africa on DStv's Vuzu channel on Monday 16 August 2010, at 19h30. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on Vuzu on Monday 6 December 2010, at 19h30. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are eight episodes in the second season.
Repeats
Tuesdays: 09h00, 14h00
Sundays: 15h00
Season 1
What makes a person truly beautiful? Executive producers Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher re-define the concept of beauty in True Beauty.
Hosted and judged by Vanessa Minnillo, along with judges Cheryl Tiegs and Nolé Marin, the series will determine the "True Beauty" of six stunning females and four handsome males who will live together in a spectacular Los Angeles mansion as they undergo a series of challenges to determine who is truly the most beautiful.
The contestants assume they're being judged solely on their outer appearance. They're only half right; outer beauty is one component the judges are looking for, but contestants 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.
Each episode will showcase an outer beauty and an inner beauty challenge, during which contestants will be judged on everything from how well they perform in photo shoots to how well they respect their elders.
The three judges will observe and critique the contestants' behaviour and eliminate one person each week. Only after someone is eliminated will the truth about the show be revealed to him/her, as they watch a video montage of their behaviour captured by a hidden camera during the shoot.
At the end of eight episodes, one winner will be declared, a person who is truly beautiful inside and out. That person will receive a cash prize and a spot in People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People issue.
Executive producers of True Beauty are Denise Cramsey, Tyra Banks and Laura Armstrong for Bankable Productions; and Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke and Rod Aissa for Katalyst Productions.
The series is a production of Warner Horizon Television.
Season 1 Contestants
Ashley Michaelson, a 21-year-old designer's assistant from Rochester, New York
Billy Jeffrey, a 31-year-old vitamin store owner from Lewiston, Idaho
Chelsea Bush, a 21-year old model/artist from Brentwood, Tennessee
CJ Miller, a 26-year-old barista from Los Angeles, California
Hadiyyah-lah Fatimah Sa'id, a 23-year-old audio engineer from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Joel Rush, a 26-year-old imaging software salesman from Tampa, Florida
Julia Anderson, a 23-year-old magician's assistant from Dallas, Texas
Laura Leigh, a 21-year-old model from Staten Island, New York
Monique Santiago, a 21-year-old Go-Go dancer from Manhattan, New York
Ray Seitz, a 29-year-old artist from San Diego, California
Season 2
Executive producers Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher team up again to put their spin on beauty in Sin City. Five gorgeous females and five hot men will live together at Planet Hollywood Hotel while they compete (they think) to become the "Face of Vegas."
Unbeknownst to them, they'll be deliberately challenged by moral situations to see if they really are kind, generous and compassionate and have what it takes to be truly beautiful inside and out.
The attractive contestants assume they're being judged solely on their physical attributes when, in fact, the episodes will showcase two sides of each person, one that displays outer beauty as well as one that exhibits inner beauty.
One person will be eliminated each week based on their behaviour and how well they ranked in each challenge, as they're evaluated and critiqued by the judges.
At the end of eight episodes, one winner will be declared who has successfully demonstrated both inner and outer beauty. That winner will receive a $100,000 cash prize and a feature article in People magazine.
Vanessa Minnillo returns as a host and judge, but will only reveal herself to the contestants once they're eliminated.
Carson Kressley will host as well as judge, and will put his spin on things in a way only he can.
Beth Ostrosky Stern, the wife of the self-described "King of All Media" Howard Stern, will be making her broadcast television debut and share her opinion on beauty, being a former model herself.
Executive producers of True Beauty are Denise Cramsey, Tyra Banks and Laura Armstrong for Bankable Productions; and Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke and Rod Aissa for Katalyst Productions.
The series is a production of Warner Horizon Television.
Season 2 Contestants
Amy Schmoldt, a 22-year-old bartender from New Brunswick, New Jersey
Craig Franczyk, a 29-year-old retail manager from Winnipeg, Canada
David Palmer, a 24-year-old DJ/astrologer from Huntington Beach, California
Erika Othen, a 25-year-old singer/cocktail waitress from Long Island, New York
JD Scott, a 26-year-old real estate agent from Los Angeles, California
Liz Parada, a 31-year-old model from Hollywood, Florida
Michael Allen, a 25-year-old actor/model from Miami, Florida
Michelle Mozek, a 21-year-old dancer from Dallas, Texas
Regina Villano, a 22-year-old teen pageant queen from Tabernacle, New Jersey
Taylor Bills, a 24-year-old former professional athlete from Irvine, California
Seasons
The series is exclusive to Vuzu, airing on Mondays at 19h30. There are eight episodes per season.
Season 1
Premiere: 16 August 2010 | Finale: 4 October 2010
Season 2
Premiere: 6 December 2010 | Finale: 24 January 2011