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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: ‘The Girls Go on Go-See Adventures’

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model

America's Next Top Model

Lisa’s elimination last week did not come without controversy.  Chantal found it shocking that Heather – who also bombed the commercial – was allowed to have her script fed line by line.  No other model in that home would have been given the same chance, nor would they have been allowed to remain after failing.  Meanwhile, Jenah found it frustrating that had turned into a ‘personality’ competition.  (Pleez – if this was all about personality, Bianca would have been kicked off a long time ago.)  She didn’t feel she needed to be as bubbly as Saleisha to be considered personable.

The episode got off to an exciting start when the ladies were sent on their oh-so-important ‘go-sees’.  This challenge is a good indicator of how successful the girls might be in the real world; it’s also a great measure of the competitors’ true personalities.  How well do they handle stress?  Are they good at taking instruction?  Are they quick on their feet?  If they’re lost, do they know how to get help?  Can they manage their time properly?  Do they prioritize well?  Do they know how to put their best foot forward?

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: ‘The Girls Go to Shanghai’

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model

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Although the girls were preparing for an exciting trip to China, Lisa was having a hard time shaking off her experience at the last judge’s panel.  Seeing herself in the Bottom Two really took a toll on her; she was strong for so long, and now she was slowly dropping.  Meanwhile, Heather was also feeling a bit nervous about her situation.  Her disastrous speech during the last runway challenge sent her spiraling and close to elimination.

After their 14 hour trip to Shanghai, the ladies were greeted by Miss Jay and Jay Manuel at one of the city’s picturesque locales.  From there, the girls were transported to their new home – a penthouse suite on the 63rd floor of a hotel.  Strangely enough, the room was only equipped with five beds for the six girls.  When Saleisha (’I don’t think I’m being spoiled’) refused to share her double-bed, a slighted Heather understandably stormed off.  This action, of course, prompted Bianca to once again pick on/laugh at the emotional roommate.  Not liking to see Heather ganged up on, Chantal finally encouraged two of the models to share the large bed.

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: ‘The Girl Who Starts To Lose Her Cool’

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model

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Although Lisa was ecstatic about having last week’s best photo, the (internal) pressure to keep up the good work really bothered her.  Meanwhile, Heather was feeling particularly bummed about Sarah’s recent departure; the weeks of eliminations were really starting to get to her.  Of course, Bianca saw each goodbye as another reason to celebrate.  She was far more realistic about the competition than sensitive Heather.

Later the girls met Benny Ninja (posing instructor) and the Director of Elite Model Management (North America) at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.  At the school, the ladies were paired with FIDM students who would work with them on their next challenge.  The girls were to act as muses for outfits created specifically for them.  Although each garment was built off the same basic dress, the individual interpretations had no limits.  It was simply up to each model to make sure her outfit reflected her unique personality.  Unfortunately, some of the girls were less vocal than others when it came to expressing their opinions.  Lisa simply told her designer that she loved to draw and show her legs; Heather told some weird story about feeling like a fire nymph amongst all her water nymph friends; and Bianca only managed to look confused by the proposed ‘Cleopatra on the Mediterranean Sea’ look.

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: ‘The Girls Who Crawl’

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model, Features

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Ebony’s surprise decision to go home really struck a chord with the other ladies.  Ebony knew she didn’t belong in the competition anymore – but did the other girls deserve to remain?  Ambreal’s second chance came as a mixed blessing; she now had to work twice as hard to prove she really belonged.  And what about Sarah?  She was brought into the mix as this season’s plus-sized competitor.  Should an unexpected weight-loss bar her from getting any further?  Would she need to establish her place on the sizing chart before becoming ?

This week, Bianca whipped out a new strategy to bring someone else down.  Instead of nitpicking on Heather’s flaws, she criticized her good looks.  (I believe this is called the ‘Oh Woe is Me’ Defense.)  Bianca insisted that the other girls, like herself, had to work harder than Heather because they didn’t possess her natural beauty.  They couldn’t just show up to a photo shoot and just ‘sit there’.  Heather, of course, took offense to Bianca’s bitter remarks.  She denied not doing ‘anything extraordinary’ for her photos.  She considered herself to be an artist who was always thinking about her shoots.

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: The Girl Who Gets A Mango

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model, Editorial, Features

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Note to future contestants:  If you want to become , it would be advisable to learn something from your time before the judges.  Realizing she received a loud wake-up call at the last elimination, Ambreal made a call of her own —to her dad for a little prayer.  Hoping to break from her side-profile tendencies, Heather sought posing advice from a surprisingly friendly Bianca.  Then there was sour-faced Ebony.  Although she felt her personality was far from dry (is that better than having a ‘prickly’ personality like Victoria?), she vowed to smile more for the judges.

Interrupting a lazy day at home, Jenah opened up the front door to welcome a surprise guest.  Much to the shaggy-haired model’s dismay, the hunky Tyson Beckford was standing right in front of her.  As the news rippled through their pad (Testosterone in the house!  Testosterone in the house!), bursts of shrieks and screams could be heard.  Once the girls were all quieted down, they all gathered round to listen to whatever he had to say.  The world-famous male model was sent by Tyra for a purpose:  he was there to give them tips on being a spokesmodel.  For their instruction, Tyson asked the ladies to grab any object out of the kitchen.  The goal was for them to promote any product thrown their way.  Interestingly enough, not only did he not demonstrate his own selling techniques, he apparently told them to sound like phone-sex operators.  From popsicles to glasses and mangoes, the ladies pimped their products without any shame…and Tyson loved every minute of it.  (I’m sure the CoverGirl reps will appreciate what the future winner ends up bringing to their table.)

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: The Girl Who Is Afraid of Heights

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model, Features

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With Victoria the academic gone, the girls were finally down to the Final Ten (a.k.a the time when serious self-analyzation begins).  Saleisha, still reeling from her spot in the Bottom Two (you know – that place she said she’d never be) committed herself to wowing the judges from this point forward.  Lisa – the admitted ‘overthinker’ – kept nitpicking at her problem areas and annoyed Sarah with her insecurity issues.  Meanwhile, Ambreal was feeling confident about her place in the competition.  She knew that she was ‘high up on the list’ and thought this was her time to shine.

And while it wasn’t unusual to hear the ladies make catty comments about one another, it was shocking to have that kind of talk come from introverted Heather.  But give a girl a few weeks in the competition and nasty habits will eventually start rubbing off on her.  Much to Chantal and Bianca’s surprise, Heather openly critiqued her roommates’ flaws.  In addition to pointing out her own physical awkwardness, she said Lisa and Janet both needed help on modeling their bodies.  She also said Ebony ‘needed work all around’ and told Bianca (to her face) that she had to pull her emotions out.  (Apparently Asperger’s Syndrome gives you a set of balls.)

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: The Girl Who Goes Bald

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model

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Back at home after Kimberly’s ousting, Victoria wrestled with her emotions about the competition in general.  Unlike her roommates, the college nerd didn’t spend her whole life dreaming about modeling.  Only recently did she realize this was something she wanted.  Meanwhile, Saleisha made it known that she would never be seen in the Bottom Two like Bianca (who was still shaken up by the last judge’s panel).

The next day the girls arrived at the Ken Paves (a.k.a ‘I’m Jessica Simpson’s BFF’) Salon for their highly-anticipated makeovers.  This has come to be my favorite part of the ANTM season.  It’s the time when untapped vanity rears its ugly head.  Some gal will eventually start crying because she doesn’t feel like the prettiest thang in high-school anymore.  But, as always, most are grateful for their improvements.

 

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: The Girls Go Rock Climbing

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model

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Bianca set off the episode on a very catty tone.  If she wasn’t giving Kimberly misleading critiques on her runway walk (why would she give her helpful advice?), she was labeling Heather (who was getting dolled up by the other girls) a ‘pity’ case or wishing Saleisha (her biggest threat) a quick exit home.  In other words—the show started off exactly like I had hoped.

Later the girls traveled to a ‘Fashion Madhouse’ where Miss J (appropriately dressed as a ‘mad’ nurse) welcomed them.  His goal of the day was to ‘cure them’ of their fashion ailments.  The girls were told they’d be practicing their runway walk (again!).  But instead of wearing lifejackets, this time they’d be wearing straitjackets.  Parading down runways in high-fashion couture can often feel quite constricting—hence their confining tops.  Their performances, as expected, were mostly blah: Sarah needed a longer strut; Jenah had problems with her chin; and Bianca couldn’t let go of her strong face.  But Miss J did compliment Janet for her sexy strut and Saleisha for her nice gait.

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: The Models Go Green

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model

Americas Next Top Model

After disembarking their Caribbean cruise, the thirteen finalists arrived in Los Angeles.  As a refresher, the wannabes included: Victoria, the geek who’d never been east of Chicago; Mila, the bug-eyed girl who always thought she’d be a model; Heather, the socially-awkward girl with the mild form of autism; Lisa, the exotic dancer who bounced around the foster-care system; and Ebony, the one everyone loved to hate.

They gathered in downtown LA’s fashion district where they met Jay Manuel.  He then directed them to their new mode of transportation—a 100% biodiesel tour bus.  Tyra, always one to be socially conscious, wanted to pay special attention to the environment in Cycle 9.  (I have a hard time believing those girls could care less about their recycled seats).  The ladies were then taken to their plush, yet not-so-green pad.  (So how exactly those huge monitors in the home being lit??)

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America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 9: The Girls Go Cruisin

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, The CW, America's Next Top Model

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Hallelujah!  The season premiere of kicked off in high gear this week with making personal phone calls to the thirty-three Cycle 9 semi-finalists.  After traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico, the ladies were blindfolded and shuttled to a secret location.  Once there, they found Miss J (dressed up as The Love Boat’s Captain Stubing) standing in front of a large cruise ship.  That’s right—those lucky bastards were getting a free luxury trip right off the bat.

They all got on board and were immediately thrown into work.  The lesson of the day?  Learning how to ‘work it’ with what you got.  The terrified novices were forced to demonstrate their unpolished runway walk—while wearing a burdensome life jacket.  To make matters worse, they had to stumble past gawking cruise passengers lounging in their chairs.

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