‘American’s Next Top Model’ Messes With the Wrong Jewish Mother
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Marina Petrack, mother of America’s Next Top Model contestant Esther Petrack, wants everyone to know that her daughter will not give up Shabbat for the runway. The Jewish Chronicle reports that Marina, an Orthodox Jew, is blaming bad editing for the appalling suggestion that her daughter would forsake observing Shabbat to further her modeling career.
Esther, 18, was born in Jerusalem, and grew up attending a Jewish school in Boston. On a recent episode of the reality show, Tyra Banks, the show’s host, questioned Esther about her religious identity. Esther initially said that she planned to honor Shabbat but then said she’d be willing to break the laws if necessary. Esther’s mother claims that her daughters controversial words “I will do it” — a response to Tyra’s question about working on Shabbat — were the result of editing and the producers desire to “create a more scandalous storyline.”
“These words were taken from a long conversation about the principles and laws and how Esther was planning to observe them,” The Jewish Chronicle reported Marina saying in response to a blog post. Just in case other Jewish mothers were as outraged as Marina, she went on to explain that Esther is such an observant Jew that “she koshered a cooking pot in the Pacific Ocean” when on location for the show.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
