Hungry to take a bite out of modelling

Once in a while in the reality TV spectrum, there comes a concept that may not be new to us but is done in a heart-warming fashion. The subject may be something that we all know too well, but that doesn’t disqualify it from being entertaining.

Unlike Kendra or the Kardashian sisters, with Chelsea Settles (pictured) you feel like you can actually relate. The main character reminds you of yourself, or someone you know.

In her show, Chelsea introduces herself as a 150kg 23-year-old with a dream of becoming a fashion model. That alone makes the show interesting because we all know that the fashion industry is brutal when it comes to the size of the models that sell their products. Even if they were considering plus-size girls, Chelsea still wouldn’t cut it.

Still, she wanted to be part of the fashion industry and refused to let her weight deter her.

Moving from a small town outside Pittsburgh to the big lights of Los Angeles, Chelsea bit the bullet to try to do whatever it took to be “acceptable” in the fashion industry.

The show follows her efforts to lose weight, and transform her obese body to something closer to Naomi Campbell’s, without going under the knife or starving.

This feels like a Virgin Active commercial but the beauty of the show is that you get to “grow” with the main character and see how she deals with normal problems that affect you and I. As the weight drops and the confidence rises, doors of opportunity begin to open and again we learn that setting your mind to something can actually get you somewhere.

To make the offering a much more interesting package, Chelsea lets us in on her private life as well. Her long-term boyfriend is in two minds about moving with her to LA, something that might affect her progress in the City Of Angels.

To add more problems to her plate, Chelsea has an ailing mother who needs constant care. Should Chelsea decide to leave, it will be like turning her back on her own mother to seek fame and fortune. Then again, she also needs to fly out of the nest and see the world.

For that girl who lacks the drive because the world perceives her as unworthy of a shot at anything, Chelsea will show you how to beat the odds.

• Chelsea Settles Mondays at 9pm on MTV Base (Channel 332).