A model behind 'America's Next Top Model'

Los Angeles — Sometime last year, I saw a brief news bit on a certain Filipino who won an Emmy for producing The Tyra Banks Show. The inspiring report began with the words, “It is a story of rags to riches. Isang Filipino na nagtagumpay. Meet Emmy Award-winning producer Michael Carandang whose road to success led him to Hollywood.”

In the spirit of nationalism, I randomly tweeted something about being happy that another Pinoy was giving us yet another reason to be proud. I am awed by inspiring journeys, especially of Filipinos who are able to make it in the seemingly impenetrable world of Hollywood.

Coincidentally, actress G Tongi who lives, studies, and works in Los Angeles replied, “I can’t wait for you to meet Mike.” G knew I was headed for the City of Angels, and was so kind to go out of her way and actually set up a little get-together. I was thrilled!

After half an hour or so of catching up with G in the cozy Villa Blanca along Brighton Way in Beverly Hills, a tall young stylish fellow in a yellow sweater underneath a brown jacket, jeans, and signature sneakers walked in. G quickly waved, “Mike! Here!” Settling down, he told G, “This is where they film The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

Michael Carandang (Mike) joined us and joked as he was removing his coat, “Good I saw you, Justin Bieber there was confusing me a bit.” I jolted, “Justin Bieber? Where?” Mike laughed (looking towards the restaurant host’s nook), “No, that guy.” He does look like Justin Bieber!

Very warm and friendly, Mike immediately extended his arm, “Hi Ginggay, I’m Mike.” And I politely smiled, “Yes, I know.” He smiled back, “I know you, too. Well, sort of. I Googled you so I knew how you looked.”

I was sold. “You are a producer! And an Emmy Award-winning one at that!” I exclaimed, then asked, “You researched?” He answered, “I’m naturally curious. But more often, I tend to Google someone after we’d met. But G spoke so fondly of you. I was curious. So I did.”

That was about it for short talk. For hours there on, it seemed like we were old friends just catching up over wine and cheese. He drank the wine, I ate the cheese.

Proudly Pinoy: The Tyra Banks Show producer Michael Carandang shows off his trophy after winning an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show.

Mike’s childhood was spent in Batangas where he was born and raised until he was 13 when his folks Oying and Imelda decided to migrate to Indiana with the entire family, including Mike’s younger siblings Ace and Michelle. He shares, “We migrated to Vincennes, it’s a farm area. I actually helped my dad on the farm. In the beginning, I made $2 a day. My parents still live there. I was just with them during the holidays with Ace and his wife Kris, and Michelle and husband Corey. I became an uncle twice last year, one through my brother and one through my sister. I adore my nephew Kaeden and niece Charlie. Wow, Christmas was a lot of fun!” 

So how does one go from earning $2 a day to winning an Emmy?

Mike graduated from Indiana University with a major in telecommunications and a minor in business. After college, he moved to Chicago and got a job as a production assistant in The Jerry Springer Show. “Four months later, I was promoted to associate producer. Then 10 months later, I was promoted to producer. I was with The Jerry Springer Show for three years until new doors opened.”

And that door led straight into the catwalk of supermodel- turned-media mogul Tyra Banks. He was the show’s producer when they won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Informative Talk Show. After the four seasons of The Tyra Banks Show came to a close, Tyra got Mike to produce for America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). He laughs, “At The Tyra Banks Show, I was known as the ‘Top Model’ producer because I knew so much about ANTM. It was fate then that I ended up with that show.”

PHILIPPPINE STAR: So what’s Tyra Banks really like?

Mike Carandang: Malaki ang utang ng loob ko kay Tyra. Tyra has kept me employed for the past five years. I’ve been producing for her since May 2005, from her talk show to ANTM. Since I work behind the scenes, I see another side of her. Tyra is definitely an executive producer. She’s very hands-on. She approves everything. Sometimes nga, she’s an even better producer than most of us. We’ll pitch her how a segment should go and she will come up with a better way to produce it. She’s very smart.

Tyra is my boss so I interact with her that way. I don’t act too comfortable or too familiar. I know that I can be myself around her, but I never forget to be respectful of who she is. I think when a person gets too comfortable with their boss, that is when they slack off and forget to do their job. 

Michael with talk-show host Jerry Springer

The talk show was very tough. There were days I would work 30 days in a row. I slept in the office because there was no point in going home. I had to be back in a few hours anyway. It takes a toll on your creativity, and of course, your body. ANTM is a different beast. The schedule is better and I’m able to have more of a life. Mas masaya! I almost forget I’m working. I get to travel a lot like when we shot in Italy and Morocco. It’s more “me.”

What do you admire most about her?

She’s real. Yes, she’s gorgeous with or without makeup; pero, I admire that she tells the public the truth on what it takes for her to look like the way she does. Tyra is not ashamed to say that when she needs to be on camera, hair and makeup can take up to two hours. I think she was one of the very first celebrities to openly talk about retouching photos.

We did an episode on The Tyra Banks Show where she showed some before-and-after photos of her. Tyra was fearless, and I’m sure not a lot of celebrities would reveal that kind of a secret to the public.

Would you have any remarkable encounter that resonates?

In The Tyra Banks Show, I was one of 80 staff members who worked for her. So I really didn’t expect her to remember everyone’s names, especially during a first season. I saw her in the hallway and she smiled, “Hi Michael!” I thought that was really awesome. It made me feel good. Now, she calls me by my last name. She says, “Carandang” really fast.

How different was it working for Jerry Springer then and Tyra now?

Jerry is really nice, humble, and down-to-earth. He’s not one to act like he’s a celebrity. I’ve seen him eat at restaurants alone, without an entourage. He’s simple. But he’s also very generous. When I worked for him, he’d pull money out of his wallet as a gift for Christmas. Jerry doesn’t even celebrate Christmas. He’s Jewish.

Tyra and Jerry have very different styles. The show formats are also very different. Tyra is very hands-on and really invested in how the show is produced and who the guests are. Jerry, on the other hand, reacts to the guests whom the producers book, then interacts with the viewers on what they want to know. That kind of format also entails a different gift. 

You’ve been in the States for almost 20 years yet your Tagalog is flawless...

With supermodel-turned media mogul Tyra Banks

Salamat! My folks instilled in us Filipino values we fervently live by. Sense of family is definitely one. When I was 16, I had a call center job in Indiana. I convinced people to switch from one telecom to another. I remember spending my entire first paycheck buying gifts for my family. Pero, the second paycheck, hindi ko naman nakalimutan ang sarili ko. I bought myself a watch. But that sense of family first, that’s ingrained in us.

Going to church is another. It’s important to feed the spirit. It’s not for everyone, but dedicating an hour a week for the soul really goes a long way. I feel very blessed and thankful.

You did win an Emmy, that is something to be thankful for!

When they announced that The Tyra Banks Show won, it was crazy. We were seated on the last row so takbuhan kami. I think one of the producers tripped and fell. It was awesome getting on that stage, in front of everyone. Honestly, I don’t remember anything. It was all a blur. I was just grinning from ear to ear. Ang natatandaan ko, I had to stand somewhere close to Tyra para makita ako ng family ko sa TV. I knew they were watching. Grabe ang saya talaga! That was a Sunday. The day prior was my sister’s wedding. What can I say? It was a blessed weekend!

That’s so Pinoy, to try to get into the frame for your family to see you.

It’s got something to do with the “American Dream.” I owe it to my parents who sacrificed everything to give us this opportunity. It would be crazy to throw it away. As an immigrant, I had no sense of entitlement. Here, if you want to be successful, you have to work hard for it. Generally, Filipino immigrants don’t take things for granted. We would take any job to survive. It doesn’t matter how big or small, we’ll do it well — and with dignity — because we want to impress and move up.

Your family must be so proud.

I gave my parents the Emmy trophy. They deserve it. I was a pre-med student in college and changed my major. After college, I had no clue how the hell I was going to get a job in television. But they relentlessly supported me.

Michael with G Tongi and author Ginggay Joven-dela Merced in Beverly Hills

Just recently, I also realized there is another reason why I gave the Emmy to my parents. I didn’t want the Emmy to define me. I felt that winning the Emmy can easily symbolize the peak of one’s career and I don’t want that. I want to be able to do more and achieve more. Not seeing the Emmy every day keeps me grounded. In a way, parang tapos na iyong time na iyon, ngayon what is next for me?

Are there advantages or disadvantages to being a Filipino in Hollywood? Or does it even make a difference at all?

It’s all about perceptions. You can always find a disadvantage if you’re not a Caucasian in America. It’s really up to you to look past that and prove to yourself that you’re as good, if not better, than the rest of them. I see my being Filipino as an advantage. I’m very proud of my roots, and I think it made me unique and interesting to people. It helped me stand out.

I suppose it goes without saying you love fashion, too, and everyone who comprises the style world?

I am seduced by the fashion world. I think it takes a special kind of talent to be a designer, model, photographer, and so on. I have an appreciation for what they do and offer. I marvel at their creativity. I admire their capacity to empower a person.

ANTM has been stepping up the couture ante.

In Cycle 14, Andre Leon Tally (of Vogue USA) signed up, followed by Franca Sozzani (of Vogue Italia) in Cycle 15. Their participation naturally elevated the look of the show towards high fashion. In Cycle 16, we endeavored more “risks” so to speak, especially creatively.

I’m especially excited about Cycle 16, because for the first time in ANTM history, a Filipino designer will be featured on the show. I can’t wait for the Philippines to see that episode because I’m sure they will be very proud. Everyone in ANTM was so impressed — the crew, the talents, the producers, and of course, Tyra! I’m really proud to be able to bring Filipino talents on ANTM.

And of course, you can’t tell me who…

Unless you want me to lose my job (laughs). I took a chance, Tyra and my bosses bought into that risk. It was all worth it. The clothes were impeccable, like art works. But I’ll stop there.

And I do wish for the day though that a Filipina wins in ANTM.

What does it take to make it cause people spend a lifetime trying, and never get the chance?

This business has a lot to do with networking. It’s really who you know. I got in ANTM because of Tyra. But after that, I still had to prove that I deserved to be there. So I went above and beyond what was asked of me. I give my 150 percent all the time. And, you have to take risks. You can’t be successful without even going for it. You have to think outside the box and fight for what you believe in. You will make mistakes, but these mistakes will only make you better.