Cory Wade Hindorff Weighs in on
Top Model Casting Alleged Homophobe
Adam Smith
The cast for Cycle 21 of America’s Next Top Model was recently announced, and to some gay advocates’ surprise it included Adam Smith, a 26-year-old Texan who, as Queerty points out, is the same Adam Smith who made headlines in 2010 for dragging an Emory student out of a party and calling him a “faggot.” (More on that story here.)
This is especially disappointing, considering the show broke ground last year when it cast Philly’s own Cory Wade Hindorff as the first openly gay contestant in the show’s history. And plus, hello, Tyra is a gay icon. What is she thinking?! I was curious about how Hindorff felt about the development, so I reached out to him via text. Here’s what he had to say:
G Philly: This is crazy, right, especially after having you on last season? I hope they mean to make a lesson out of him.
Cory Wade Hindorff: But I feel like it is common knowledge that there is a huge gay following for this show, as well as a huge gay influence. He has to know the brand to some extent. I don’t think he’s that stupid.
GP: It just bothers me that they actually cast him.
CWH: I understand why [they did it]. I am sure he is going to be subjected to gay culture left and right on the show, so in order to teach him what he initially thought was wrong, it’s kind of important for him to be there.
GP: Interesting take …
CWH: He is now being mentored by people like Miss Jay, who outwardly advocates free and honest self expression. … The purpose of the show is to shed light on the industry and mindset and the societal mindset.