You Wanna Be on Top? A Memoir of Makeovers, Manipulation, and Not Becoming America’s Next Top Model

Former America’s Next Top Model contestant Hartshorne debuts with a gossipy exposé of her 2007 stint on the reality show’s ninth season. After showing up to set, she was blindsided by the harsh shooting conditions—she was unable to talk to her fellow contestants off-camera, forced to give up her phone and wallet, and rarely knew what time of day it was. Meanwhile, producers made her feel “like a whale,” jabbing at Hartshorne’s history of disordered eating by asking questions like, “Was it hard to be the only plus-size girl on set when all the other girls are so much thinner?” After being eliminated, Hartshorne was broke and rudderless. With the help of time and therapy, she decided to share her experiences online and in stand-up comedy. Though Hartshorne expresses gratitude for her time on the program more than once, she’s ambivalent about host Tyra Banks and the show’s cultlike atmosphere. Her revelations may not shock readers already familiar with the dark side of reality TV, but fans of America’s Next Top Model will appreciate this unvarnished peek behind the curtain. It’s equal parts upsetting and entertaining. Agent: Ayla Zuraw-Friedland, Frances Goldin Literary. (July)