Are You Hot? Cruel reality show where models brutally judge people's looks resurfaces and horrifies viewers

Daily Mail​

11-06-2025

People have been left appalled after rediscovering a 2003 reality show where contestants had their physical appearance cruelly scrutinized by a panel of merciless judges.
Are You Hot?: The Search for America's Sexiest People saw a string of hopefuls line up to have their looks torn apart in the hopes of winning a $50,000 cash prize.
Contestants varied from traditionally attractive personal trainers and aspiring models all the way through to your average Joe.
The genetically-blessed judges included hunky Renegade actor Lorenzo Lamas, Kiwi supermodel Rachel Hunter, and fashion designer Randolph Duke.
The trio would judge the scantily-clad contestants on three different categories: face, body, and sex appeal.
Lamas even used a laser pointer, dubbed the 'flaw finder,' to highlight imperfections.
One woman was told that her hips were 'too wide,' while another was told to 'eat a cheeseburger' because she was too slim.
While judging one male contestant on stage, Hunter remarked, 'I'm gonna give you a five because you're way too muscular.'
She added, 'Like I said, it's too ape, gorilla looking. It's just too much.'
Fans on social media were horrified after recently rediscovering the series.
'I'd love to see how Rachel would have critiqued her ex Rod Stewart if they brought him on stage,' commented one.
'Never heard of this but OMG this is horrific. And people critiqued America's Next Top Model for being harsh, while this is literal body shaming,' wrote another.
A third wrote, 'Sign up for a show called Are You Hot? and ya gotta live with the answer!'
Are You Hot? was canceled after one season due to low ratings and viewer backlash.
While it was axed, it didn't stop Fox from airing an equally controversial series just a year later with The Swan.
The series took 'average' women who felt insecure about their looks and gave them extreme makeovers - which included plastic surgery.
However, the series came with an unbelievable twist.
The women didn't know they were actually competing with each other until the very end, when two of them were judged head-to-head to decide a winner.
One would then go on to the final beauty pageant and be crowned 'The Swan.'
The Swan premiered to high ratings and averaged around nine million viewers during its first season, but was canceled by its second season.
It's best remembered for starring Dr. Terry Dubrow as one of the show's plastic surgeons.
Dubrow went on to star in E!'s Botched and The Real Housewives of Orange County.