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« America's Next Top Model
Episode Recap: Where's the Beef
Oh boy! It's hump day and time for another session of Top Model mayhem. Of course by mayhem I mean loud screeching and loads of trash-talking. Last week, Allison was sent packing which eliminated a small portion of the cattiness in the house but we've still got a long way to go before this becomes a clean competition. This week, the girls finally got a chance to learn some things from Miss J and then utilized their newly acquired skills as they walked the runway in a Tuleh fashion show. Let's get to recapping!
The episode started out with a couple of the girls giving some friendly advice to Lauren about how she could stay in the judges good graces. Meanwhile, the leading candidate to win the title for cycle 10 villain, Fatima, sat alone and muttered to herself as she watched Aimis have fun with the other girls. I couldn't be more over Fatima constantly reminding us how badly she wants to win the competition. Every one of those girls is in it to win or else they would've dropped out with that other girl a few weeks back. If your only shot at success in this world is using your pretty face and petite frame to earn a living, it's gonna be a tough life. Consider learning Powerpoint or something as a fallback plan. Anyhow, a tyramail came in shortly after letting the girls know they'd be doing something related to fire. The girls were then taken to a fire station where Miss J tested the girls' ability to do a quick change and then walk the runway. Fatima was the only girl who failed to complete the wardrobe change. When it came to walking, Lauren and Fatima had the most trouble.
After returning home, the models were in quite the moods. Upon mentioning that she was going to be hitting the showers, Aimee felt the wrath of Marvita and Dominique who objected to the fact that she was going to be using one of the three bathrooms. When Whitney tried to come to Aimee's rescue, Fatima went on the attack and told the other girls to direct their comments to Whitney. I really had no clue why such a big stink was made but I imagine that so many girls got involved because it was an opportunity to get some more camera time. Some of these girls have yet to make a single comment in the confessional and yet every 5 minutes Fatima's got another thing to chime in about. Can you tell I'm starting to dislike her?
The next day the girls took what they learned at the fire station and used it as they walked in a Tuleh fashion show. Before the girls could being prepping, Miss J introduced suprise guests Ann Shoket (editor-in-chief of Seventeen magazine) and Jaslene (cycle 8's winner) who let the models know the challenge prize was a spread with Jaslene in Seventeen. Apparently Jaslene's not quite out of our lives yet. With only a few minutes to change into their clothes, some of the girls had wardrobe malfunctions (Whitney and Fatima) while others just didn't walk well (Amis and Lauren.) When the winner was being announced, Jaslene called on Lauren and asked if she really wanted to be a model. It seemed to strike a chord with Lauren who finally seemed to acknowledge how badly she wants to be in this game. They should work out a deal where Lauren will take walking lessons if Jaslene goes into speech therapy. Accent, schmaccent! That girl's speaking issues go way deeper. Anyway, I digress. Katarzyna was crowned winner of the challenge.
When another Tyramail flashed on the board, it was time for this week's photo shoot. The girls made their way to the meat-packing district where they informed they'd be photographed wearing slabs of meat as clothing. Did anyone else get the impression they're running out of ideas for these shoots? Although some of the girls gave good shots, it seemed like many of them were trying to figure out a good angle to approach such a bizarre theme. My girl Lauren rocked it by evoking Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies. Whitney also seemed to handle it well by acting frightened by the whole situation. Following the shoot, the ladies were told to prepare for another elimination.
As the girls lined up in front of the panel, Tyra decided to switch things up a bit by singing the judges names and the prizes they were playing for. It wasn't nearly as bad as her homecoming queen bit from the premiere but cringeworthy nonetheless. Just as Stacy-Ann pointed out before they left for panel, there was no doubt that Amis was going to get some major scolding for bumming it up for this week's elimination. These judges take everything seriously and she must have been crazy to think they wouldn't take notice of her lack of effort. But was it enough to get her sent home? Yeah, pretty much. After 10 cycles of this show, its clear that the one thing the judges can't stand is when a girl doesn't take the competition seriously and nobody makes a fool of Tyra Banks. Amis acted foolish throughout most of the episode both at the house with the other girls and even in front of Miss J at the firehouse lesson. When given the option to send home either Amis or Fatima, there was not really a choice to be made. Fatima's got the look and the drive (no matter how annoying she might be.) Later Amis!
In conclusion, I was completely content with the decision to send Amis home this week despite the fact that I'm still waiting to be wowed by some of the other girls like Stacy-Ann and Anya. Aside from my gripes with Fatima, I also have to say I don't think Dominique is really all that pretty to look at. She photographs well but whenever they show her moving around I question her appeal. I'm still standing by Lauren as my favorite and I'm really pulling for Whitney. Many of you disagreed with me saying that she looks fantastic with her new look but I will say it again. What do you guys think? Is it possible that this will be the year a plus-sized girl finally wins? Will Lauren's problematic walk earn her an early exit? Who's your early pick to win?
And if you happened to miss Jaslene's cameo or would like to relive her winning cycle 8, check it out in our Online Video Guide.
See ya next Wednesday!!!
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Mar 13, 2008 2:07 AM
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I am starting to hate Fatima!! I think Dom looks like a guy, or someone's mom and to call Whitney white trash? Reverse descrimination! I appreciate her standing up for the more naive model. Whitney and Claire are my favorites! Has anyone else noticed how closely Claire resembles Julia Stiles? She is fab!!
I think this was the most disgusting photo shoot ever! What were they selling? Isn't a shoot about selling SOMETHING?? Were they shooting for a calendar for the poor souls that cut up that meat? BLECH!!
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Mar 13, 2008 2:23 AM
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Im also starting to hate Fatima. And they need to stop calling her the new Iman. Just because Fatima hails from the same country as Iman, doesn't mean she is the new Iman. She can't hold a candle to her.
I also agree about Dominque. I couldn't stop laughing at the comment that Whitney made about Dominque..."Drag queens walk better than she can" When Dom said that was the best bottom 2 in Top Model History....no it wasn't. The best bottom 2 was when Tyra yelled at Tiffany in cycle 4. And noticed something about Dom, she reminded me Lisa the girl who peed in the diaper ....I think it was from cycle 5.
Anyway, I think Amis is an idiot. She got dressed in 2 minutes. She knew what the deal was when she got dressed like that.
The fashion show that they did, I thought the skirt Fatima had on was real cute.
I thought Jaselenes speech was ok. It didn't sound to muffled like it did in the past.
Im also liking Whitney and Lauren. I really don't see Whitney as Plus size. But she still is beautiful. Lauren is also beautiful. She reminds me of someone....I think the lead singer of Garbage. And you're right pamela439, Claire does resembles Julia Stiles. She is also one of my favs. Marvita comes in 4th for me.
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Mar 13, 2008 4:26 AM
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I truly agree with your comments about Fatima. She is definately a whinner.
I still can't understand a word Jaslene is saying. Auugh!!!! My favorites this season are Marvita (girl has a kick ass body). Her pictures are so fierce. Lauren looks so much like a true model. I like her as well as Stacy Ann and Claire. The rest are hit or miss to me. Great show last night though I wish the girls will stop all the screaming everytime they read a Tyra Mail.
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Mar 13, 2008 8:22 AM
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My biggest gripe currently is the mispronouncing of Katarzyna's name. In the beginning the judges tried a bit more, but everyone seems to have reverted to a harsh mangling of it. It'd probably be easier for her to shorten it to Kat or something for the competition, but if it's pronounced right it sounds so elegant, it's a shame it gets mangled.
My two cents.
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Mar 13, 2008 9:13 AM
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Say what you want about Jaslene, but she really is beautiful and who care if they can't speak. Look at all the other models, Hiedi, Iman, Noami, even Paulina couldnt speak well at first. Does it really matter anyway? Unless they are on Tyra, you never see these winners again after the year is up anyway.
I like Claire and Lauren.
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Mar 13, 2008 9:32 AM
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I keep hearing and reading people say that the winners of Top Model are never seen again, but that is not true. Yoanna from Season 2 went on to host The Look for Less on the Style Channel, she was the face of the CW for a while and she is going to be hosting a new show this summer. Eva got her own show, My Model Looks Better Than Your Model on BETJ and Rip the Runway on BET. She has been on a bunch of magazine covers and in a number of runway shows. Even Jaslene has hand a handful of magazine covers, she has her second billboard in Times Square and she walked at Fashion Week for Jillian, one of the Project Runway designers.
I would have given more examples, but this post is long enough. My point is that many of the winners and even some of the non-winners (I won't call them losers) have been getting respectable work since the show, work they probably would not have gotten had they not been on ANTM. Given the fact that some of these girls are shorter than average (Eva and Jaslene), their success is even more commendable. No, the show not likely to create the next supermodel, but then supermodels are such a small fraction of the models in the industry.
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Mar 13, 2008 10:55 AM
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You make a really good point YolTV...I think by naming this show AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL people automatically expect the winner to rise to the level of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and every other model who has become a household name. Plenty of the past contestants still get work but none of them have risen to super-stardom.
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Mar 13, 2008 11:29 AM
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Fatima is getting annoyiny for a girl who was picked as the early favorite on a lot of forums. I don't mind a brat or bitch but at least be able to back it up. So far her walk is bad and she has worked both the Jay's nerves because she doesn't listen. I liked that Paulina asked her if the photog had asked her to change her look and she said she didn't remember.
Not sad to see Amis go she was strictly filler. Now they can get rid of Stacy Ann and Dominique. While Claire has grown on me, I consider her too old to model just like Dom. I do expect her to make it overseas though. Whitney does look like she's being set-up as the first possible plussie winner. Kat and Anya are okay and Kat is one of the my picks for top 3 if Tyra doesn't pull the sexy card with her. Marvita and Lauren do well in pics but I'm tired of Lauren's "I'm so punk" schtick and Marvita is not a Cover Girl.
As to the photoshoots, my understanding is that Tyra comes up with these ideas. As for working models, I wouldn't include Yoanna, Eva or Adrianne in that list. Yes, they've done some tv but the modeling has been pretty much nonexistent for them. The ones who have worked as models consistently are C5 Nicole, C6 Dani(elle), and C7 Jaslene. Most of the other girls who have also worked consistently as models are girls who Tyra kicked off (Elyse, Mollie [Sue], Eugena (she just walked in several L.A. fashion week shows), Mel Rose, A.J., Natasha, Samantha, etc.)
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Mar 13, 2008 12:32 PM
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Sunworshipper--I couldn't agree more--the most annoying thing about last nights show was the ever-changing and mangling of Katarzyna. How hard is it to learn to pronounce a contestant's name correctly? She is one of my favorites along with Aimee and Lauren. Claire is amazingly photogenic definitely a prettier Julia Stiles or even a younger Bebe Neuwirth, but I'm afraid too old for ANTM. Whitney is photogenic but reminds me of Wynonna Judd not in a good way. Last season's plus-size Sarah was way more photogenic--too bad she was knock-kneed. I believe Kat pronounced her name Kat(accent) on Kat-ur-zheena. Tyra, sometimes seemed to get it right but most of the time said Kat tur(accent) zhu-nuh. Jeez!
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Mar 13, 2008 2:55 PM
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My fav is whitney. i do not like fatima at all! stacy ann's voice is annoying. lauren is just a hot mess all around. claire does not look like julia stiles to me. claire lost me when she said she drinks her breastmilk. uugghhh!! marvita's photos are nice but her attitude is not. she is tooooo rough. i like katarzyna. in general the girls this season suck. My all time fav was danielle.
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Mar 13, 2008 5:25 PM
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I really like Whitney too. So far I also think that Katarzyna has a good shot. I like Claire's look (even if the milk thing is weird) I'm so over Fatima and look forward to rejoicing in her elimination. I think this is an interesting group of girls though, and I think it's fun as I often change my mind about who I like by the time we reach the "overseas" trip. It'll be fun to watch!
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Mar 13, 2008 5:50 PM
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Just a few thoughts....I like Whitney but she is beginning to worry me with her overconfidence. Seems like when they start getting that way out the door they go! She better pull back that attitude or she is out!
Boy what a disappointment Fatima has been. Such a pretty girl but my goodness she sure is not delivering. And my, my she does like to stir the pot doesn't she!
And as for Lauren, I say send the girl home. If her walk has not improved yet I don't think it will and there is no way this girl can be a model if she can't walk. You would think that if she really wanted this that she would be living in high heels. Train yourself girl! Geez...
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Mar 14, 2008 12:08 PM
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I was relieved Amis went home (or rather, Amy. How stupid to make her change her name). She was so annoying. Was she trying for endearing? Cuz she missed.
I would also have been fine with Fatima leaving. I disagree that she has the look. I find her incredibly unattractive, probably due mostly to her awful personality. With her new makeover she does look alot like Iman, only without the class, charm, intelligence, or beauty  But since she's this year's villian I'm going to have to stomach her for a good 8 weeks I should think. I'm also all for getting rid of Dominique. At first I thought the drag remark was off base, but after they cut her hair I realized they were right.
I think Whitney looks very good, before and after her makeover. THey've gotta let a plus-sized girl make it past the 4th week at some point, so my money is on top three for her. Maybe. At least till the overseas trip.
What I dread is the fact that, because of that lame blond chick last week, there has to be a week when no one goes home, ala Jayla/Nicole's non-elimination before the London trip. I hope its late in the season so that two decent girls stay, instead of early on when I'll have to live with the disappointment of nearly being rid of someone lame only to have her undeserving butt saved by a fluke.
I still love Claire and want her to win. If she doesnt, maybe she can at least be like Elyse and end up being more successful (by far) than the real winner. I like Lauren too. Can she make it past go-sees though? I doubt it.
On a final note, I am so glad I mute or ff through Tyra. I missed both the singing and the moment in the seaseon opener that you mentioned. And I am so grateful for that.
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Mar 14, 2008 1:22 PM
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Oh, also forgot to mention that this has to be the worlds most offensive and tasteless photo shoot idea ever, and thats saying alot when you're talking about a show that has forced girls to try to make plastic surgery, smoking, homelessness, and murder look sexy. Add animal cruelty to the list! Bravo, Tyra Banks.
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Mar 14, 2008 2:46 PM
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