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« America's Next Top Model
Episode Recap: Viva Italia
Hello Top Model fans! So we're off to Rome. This is gonna be hiii-larious. These girls barely have a grasp on the English language so it'll be fun to watch them struggle with Italian. Even though we all knew it would work out for Fatima last week, I was kinda hoping it wouldn't and all of her hard work would be meaningless due to misplaced travel documents. Yeah, I'm just in one of those moods tonight.
The girls touched down in Rome and were blown away by what they've accomplished thus far. Lauren, as she tends to do every week, explained how she never expected to make it to this point and how she was blown away by it. If only the look on her face expressed that! You'd think as a model the girl would be able to convey the emotion she claims to be feeling. But then again, this is Lauren and we all know she loves playing the anti-model model. As the girls hopped off the bus and onto the Italian cobblestone street, poor Anya fell flat on her face. What a way to kick off the final 6. The driver handed the girls a Tyra-mail directing them to their new home and the place was straight outta MTV's The Real World. Anyone else remember when all the remaining girls were forced to share 1 hotel room? Was that cycle 1?
As the girls settled into their new residence, Fatima felt ill and tried to sleep it off while the rest of the girls dined on an Italian feast and talked smack about her. Anya felt sorry for Fatima and brought her food rather than joining in on the trash-talking. The next morning, Lauren awoke at the crack of dawn and start acting all punk rock by making a lot of noise and tossing luggage around the room. The other girls weren't too happy about it and made some comments trying to get her to keep quiet. Fatima tried to catch a few more minutes of sleep while the other girls read the newest Tyra-mail. The ladies rode segways on a guided tour around the city to observe the local fashion trends. At the end of the tour, the girls were presented with their challenge with designer Gai Mattiolo which was to recreate the fashions they observed on the streets of Rome. Although I thought Kat and Whitney sported the Italian look flawlessly, Mattiolo awarded Anya (again!) with the challenge prize. I need to throw in though how much it annoys me that Whitney has taken to complaining after not winning the challenges each and every week. I love ya honey but enough already!
When the top 6 got back to their new home, another Tyra-mail was waiting for them to let them know the Cover Girl shoot would be their next event. BRING IT ON! The looks on all of their faces as they realized the commercials would be an Italian would have made quite the photo shoot in itself. Lauren seemed to be the most concerned with it. Regardless, the next morning the girls were off to their shoot. As has always been the case, the girls were told to learn their lines for a commercial to be shot in Italian. As everyone predicted, Anya and Lauren pretty much butchered it. Kat seemed to do well but Mr. Jay thought she was a little lifeless. Dominique had the energy down but lacked any understanding of the words she was speaking. The director felt Fatima did the best despite admitting to being sick. And then there was Whitney. Mr. Jay really seems to dislike her. He was right that she didn't do well with the shoot but didn't he seem harder on her than anyone else? The girls went home and Whitney was pretty upset by the feedback she had gotten.
Later that night the girls were off to meet with the panel. Fatima was first to step up and Tyra was concerned that if she was the best of the day, the rest must be pretty awful. When Whitney stepped forward, Tyra said she liked it but everyone else agreed that she seemed to be phoning it in. The entire panel thought Anya did a pretty horrible job. It was the same story with Dominique when the judges cracked up throughout her entire commercial. Lauren was told she looked beautiful but obviously delivered the same awkwardness that has become routine for her. Kat was told she did better than everyone else but still not very good. Tyra tried to have the girls practice their flirtatious laugh before she sent them away and when Lauren didn't even attempt it, it pretty much sealed the deal that she'd be going home. The bottom two were Whitney and Lauren. One who overdoes it and one who doesn't even try. Hmm, tough choice. Later Lauren!
Alright...so we're down to 5. I'm glad Lauren made it this far but it was definitely her time to go. Most of us predicted that the Cover Girl shoot would do her in before this episode even began. I'm still kind of amazed Dominique is still in the game though. She really did look tranny-licious with that bright red lipstick on in the commercial. She may have the confidence to win this thing but I could never picture that face on any magazine cover. I'm officially backing Kat for the win with Anya or maybe Fatima as the runner up. So what'd y'all think? Do these commercials in a foreign language really help us figure out who has Top Model potential? Is Tyra a better judge than Mr. Jay?
And yes, you can still catch any past episodes in our online video guide!
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Apr 24, 2008 12:32 AM
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I really am sick of how Mr Jay dislikes Whitney. She was over the top, but at least she was present in the room! How in the heck did SHE end up in the bottom?? It should have been Dom, and Lauren, or Anya and Lauren!! Whitney is doomed, I can see the handwriting on the wall!!
Kat at least showed some spunk this week. Why is it that a quiet girl, is told she has NO personality, but a loud and out there is told she is fake?? It is sad that they judge them on these qualities! It is a modeling competition and I would love to see some real models on go sees be all bubbly and perfect!! It is their pictures and walk that get them the gig!
Kat, and Whitney are my faves, but I am not holding my breath, since Ms Tyra hates Kat and I don't know why!!?? That girl is GORGEOUS!!!
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Apr 24, 2008 12:41 AM
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I've thought all along that it's obvious that Mr Jay doesn't like Whitney. I think he's always been really negative to her, regardless of her performance. As for her complaining about not winning... they probably all do that and it just doesn't make the final product. She should be more careful though.
Thank goodness Lauren is gone. Why be in a competition where one of the main prizes is a Cover Girl contract, when you know...and repeatedly admit, that you are NOT the "Cover Girl" type??
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Apr 24, 2008 1:21 AM
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Tyra's comment about Kat's take was incredibly bitchy. Just because a girl wants you to say her name right doesn't mean she's a bad model.
I think it will come down to Anya and Kat, with Anya winning. She may have bad speech, but she has a wonderful look and a great personality. She's not allowing herself to get caught in all of the cattiness.
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Apr 24, 2008 7:30 AM
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There have been rumors that Tyra is sick of Top Model and this season, I can see it. She has been over the top herself with her bad Italian and her total meanness! She has had one on one talks with the girls in the past, a LOT, but not this season!! She seems to love making fun of them and putting them down. Some of the judgement hasn't been constructive criticism, just her being catty to them!
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Apr 24, 2008 8:49 AM
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I agree pamela439, Tyra has become cartoonish. I love Kat from day one but I think Anya will win.
Adam, I agree about Dom. I don't know how she has made this far. It's obvious Ms. Jay does not like her. He calls her a man or tranny every week.
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Apr 24, 2008 9:34 AM
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Has Tyra ever not been cartoonish? She was incredibly rude to Kat last night and I wonder if she knows that comes off looking nothing but ignorant and borderline racist when she consistently mispronounces someone's name and blows them off when they politely try to correct her.
I am relieved Lauren is gone. As soon as she started dispariging Covergirl I knew she'd get the boot. You can't really publicly express distaste for your potential employer and expect to get the job. I know she didnt mean it to be bitchy, but they could hardly hire a spokesmodel who says she's been dreading working for them.
Of the ones left, we all know Whitney and Dom have no chance of winning. I dont share the Whitney love, but even if I did, she looks too commercial to win. They made her way too Barbie-dollish with that makeover. And Dom, to quote Ms. Jay (the best judge IMO), hell to the no.
That leaves Fatima, Anya, and Katarzyna. I could see them giving it to Fatima, and definitely to Anya. Kat is clearly the strongest, but gets ignored for no good reason. I wouldnt mind if she lost and ended up like Elyse from season 1 - far more successful than the actual winner. Like Joanie and Shandi, I have a feeling they're going to overlook the best model in favor of the feel-good story Anya.
That being said, I don't dislike Anya at all. She deserves to win (though I dont know if she deserved to win all the challenges) and a big GIANT well done to her for not just staying out of the cattiness last night, but for standing up for Fatima who has not been the easiest person to like. She is a class act.
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Apr 24, 2008 9:56 AM
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PS, heres hoping next season we can lose Tyra and have Paulina and Ms. Jay as co-hosts. That would rock.
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Apr 24, 2008 9:59 AM
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I agree with everyone on the board, Tyra seems so over "Top Model". I saw this during the season 8 finale when, she was so lackluster about announcing the winner.
On to this ep! 
It is so obvious that Dominique is getting the Jade treatment! That God awful, hard to watch commercial was so reminiscent of Jade, season 6! The difference between Dominique and Jade for me personally is that as much of a space cadet as Jade was, she was still so much more beautiful and younger looking that Dominique! Give me 12 Jades any day over 1 Dominique! I read in an interview with Paulina that she had her favorites and it was pretty obvious who she didn't like. And Dom's the girl for very good reasons! She really should have landed in the bottom 2. In addition to being over the top in the commercial (AND the fact that EVERY one of the Italian designers on the show said she "didn't look fresh") she just didn't look pretty to me. With the caked on make-up, her face color did not match her body's skin tone. She also looked old AND crazy with her eyes!
Kat, Kat, Kat! You NEVER cross Tyra! Did anyone else catch the dirty looks Tyra shot her after Kat corrected them in her name pronunciation? I hope that won't cost her a spot in the top 2!
I didn't have a problem with Whitney's commercial as much as the judges. It was annoying, but I think that if the commercial director told her to lose that little laugh/giggle, it would have been a bit better.
I too was surprised (albeit not shocked) that Anya won the challenge. I thought that Kat for sure had won! Go fig!
Next week's photo shoot looks interesting! As much as I hate to admit it, Tyra makes a pretty competent photographer.
Quick note! Did anyone catch the "Farmer want a Wife" commercial? I live in Chicago and last week, the commercial started out, "If you like Dominique, then you'll love..." THIS week it was changed to "if you love to hate Dominique". I wonder if Tyra and company objected to the way they phrased the first one? Hmmmm.
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Apr 24, 2008 10:02 AM
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Oh! Also, Really Tyra? The Mona Lisa? Really?
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Apr 24, 2008 10:08 AM
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I'm not surprised that Lauren is gone - I liked her and thought she was stunning in most of her shoots - but she just seemed to lack any kind of spark last night. Dominique at least shows some enthusiasm and life, even if she can get on people's nerves most of the time. I really like Whitney - I think she has a connection with the average person more so than some of the other girls. Maybe that's why the judges aren't liking her too much. I think the finals are going to come down to Anya and Kat, which would be OK because I like them both!
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Apr 24, 2008 10:08 AM
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I have to agree with everyone about Tyra. Usually if she's a little mean, it's in a "tough love" way, but with Katarzyna it's like...damn. If you don't like her correcting you on how to pronounce her name every single time you call on her, then just call her "Kat"!
I love Anya, but I didn't really think she should've won the challenge. I had it going to Kat. But it was really sweet of her the way she took care of Fatima, very classy of her, like someone else has already said. But Kat and Anya are definitely my Top 2, hands down. I could see Fatima as being third, though. And I'm really starting to dislike Whitney. She's kind of driving me a little crazy.
Dominique really needs to just go. She's absolutely awful. The only contest she would win is "America's Next Top Drag Queen". And that whole commercial was awful. It was like a bad caricature of an Italian CoverGirl, done by a tranny. Ugh.
I'm excited for next week's. It looks like it's going to be really good. And that gladiator challenge looks like it would be so much fun!
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Apr 24, 2008 10:22 AM
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I thought that Lauren looked like Betty Davis in the commercial. The way she held her mouth, she looked very strange (and far from beautiful, IMO).
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Apr 24, 2008 10:35 AM
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pixiedarling I said the same thing about Dom's commercial. It was SO Jade when she was trying to do the commercial where they walked through a party improvising their lines- and all she did was spin around and say "fabulous!" the whole time.
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Apr 24, 2008 10:47 AM
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Why is Dom's foundation always so much paler than the rest of her skin? She looks like one of the glowing ghosts from scooby doo.
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Apr 24, 2008 10:48 AM
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