I would not call “America’s Next Top Model” my guilty pleasure.

In fact, I do not feel any guilt at all for gasping at Tyra Banks’ cliffhangers or taking time to practice the art of “smiling with my eyes.” I am passionate about “America’s Next Top Model.”

When I revealed this to my mom, she scoffed. She said it was silly to be passionate about something as “trashy” as “America’s Next Top Model.”

Sure, she’s right that it’s not purposeful literature, but it does make me happy and I shouldn’t feel embarrassed about liking it.

I’ve heard people say they listen to One Direction “ironically” or that “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” is their guilty pleasure, but those terms are really just a mask. People feel ashamed to enjoy things that aren’t taken seriously by others.

However, passion for anything is important.

When I went to see “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” a few years ago, I didn’t go because I was interested in Bieber’s life, it was because I was interested in the passion of his fans.

Why do they wait for hours in the freezing rain just to get a glimpse of him? Why do they scream whenever they see his face appear on a screen or when one of his songs comes on the radio?

While watching the movie, I realized it’s because they are passionate about him. That passion is a good thing. It makes people feel good, and I don’t want to belittle that feeling.

No one should make fun of what makes another person happy, whether it be reading classic literature or jamming to boy bands.