Centric Premieres Two New Original Series 'Model City' and 'Keeping Up With The Jones'

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTRIC brings viewers two all-new original series in 2010 -- MODEL CITY, premiering Thursday, February 18 at 8:00 P.M.* takes an up-close look at the world of Black male models, and KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES, premiering April 2010 follows the hectic, yet exciting life of Jones Magazine Founder and Editor-In-Chief Tracey Ferguson and her staff as they stay on top of a demanding media machine.

MODEL CITY follows the lives of four Black and Latino male models of RED Model Management NY, as they work to make a name for themselves while dealing with the various challenges of "making it" in the female-dominated modeling industry. Models Wendell, Ibrahim, Nelson and Zeric grant viewers exclusive access into their fast-paced lives, and their never-ending 24/7 grind to become fashion's elite faces.  The series documents the contrast of model's glamorous runway lifestyles with the realities of being a black model -- less jobs, more competition, as well as the general struggle to stay on top of the game while handling rejection, exhausting schedules, jealous girlfriends, and the personal insecurities that can come along with the job.

Each of the eight 30-minute episodes of MODEL CITY is executive produced by Sean Joell Johnson of LeftCenter Entertainment and Kelly Welsh of CrossRoads Media in collaboration with CENTRIC Executive Vice President and General Manager Paxton Baker and CENTRIC Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Development Essie Chambers.

CENTRIC's KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES brings viewers into the world of media queen Tracey Ferguson of Houston-based Jones Magazine. The 30-minute show follows the beautiful and sassy Editor-in-Chief of Jones Magazine as she juggles the demands of running a successful magazine, while staying passionate in providing a unique media product that caters to the rising group of professional, educated African-American women. This eight episode series is produced by Film Garden and is slated to premiere on CENTRIC in April 2010.

MODEL CITY CAST:

IBRAHIM

Blowing the stereotype that male models are "dumb" out of the water, Ibrahim is a multi-talented artist/painter/martial arts master, who is also a top black male model.  Despite his sexy looks which keep him booked on fashion campaigns and runways, he's a self-described "intellectual philosopher," who is constantly questioning life's greatest mysteries. Raised in the Nation of Islam, Ibrahim now lives in an "artists' collective" commune style building in Brooklyn with his Panamanian fashion designer/nanny girlfriend. When not painting in his studio, Ibrahim paints "live" at events around the city and is currently prepping for his first solo art show. Viewers see he tends to speak his mind and may not have an issue telling his girlfriend he may no longer be attracted to her or confronting fellow model Wendell when their personalities clash. Opinionated and profound, Ibrahim is one of a kind.

NELSON

Popular model on the brink of superstardom, Nelson is one of the top Latin models in the business today.  When fashion companies need a hot, edgy, urban look to be the face of their brand they seek out Nelson for editorial and campaign bookings.  Living in Westchester with a house full of roommates, Nelson goes into the city daily to also work as a hotel concierge to make ends meet.  Currently dating an older woman who wants to take their relationship to a more serious level, Nelson is having a hard time deciding on whether or not to make a commitment.  Being able to have your pick of gorgeous NYC women will do that to you.  Can this party boy player settle down and give his all to one woman or will his need for variety be the spark that sends his relationship up in flames? Nelson definitely has a lot to handle, but at least we know he will look hot handling it!

WENDELL

Raised in Harlem, 22 year-old Wendell is currently the industry's "model of the moment" and has the fashion world buzzing.  Discovered by RED NYC, a top tier New York City modeling agency, he's now a sought after model, who walks Europe's runway shows for the likes of Hermes, Thierry Mugler and Kris Von Assche, while his face can be spotted in high profile campaigns in the States and abroad.  Sexy and charismatic, Wendell possesses a confidence bordering on arrogance, and often boasts of being "the best" with the credentials to back it up.  Dating a Victoria's Secret's model and jetting off to Paris at a moment's notice is how this supermodel spends his time. Wendell also works hard to build his growing brand, both on and off the runway.  With an interest in acting, this model is about taking his game to the next level.  Possessing a quick wit, Wendell is not afraid to speak his mind and you never know what will come out of it.

ZERIC

Openly gay and proud of it, Zeric is an established working model who just recently signed with RED NYC model agency.  Single and happily dating, Zeric is completely comfortable with his sexual orientation and has been out to friends and family for years.  Originally from New York, Zeric has been modeling for several years now and considers his move to RED NYC to be the career boost he needs to compete among model's elite.  Laid back and chill, Zeric doesn't consider himself a gay male model, just a male model.  Not interested in living his life on down low, Zeric's courage in being out and proud while existing within the sometimes homophobic African-American and Latin communities often takes a lot of courage and self-acceptance.  

For more on MODEL CITY and KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, please visit centrictv.com.

About CENTRIC

Centric is a 24-hour music and entertainment channel that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of today's African-American and multicultural adult viewer.  With a finger on the pulse of an ever-changing beat, its compelling music content fuses Soul, R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, Jazz, Old School, New School and everything in between with today's hottest artists. It is a unique of mix of music, culture and lifestyle programming that embodies the lives, tastes and aspirations of the CENTRIC viewer: All you. All day. All night.

SOURCE CENTRIC

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