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Although they are a little traumatized by last week's dramatic elimination, the final three soldier on and face yet another set of go-sees, this time in Hong Kong. Oh, and see, Alisha would have nailed these. It is truly the saddest. Cutrone gets to administer the go-see challenge, and looks none too thrilled about any of it. Each model has four go-sees to attend, and will get $1,000 Hong Kong dollars for each one that they book. The exchange rate for that is, like, a buck fifty. Go buy yourself a nice pretzel with your winnings!
There is no clock-ticking-down weirdness and threat of disqualification, and the models have a huge advantage in the form of three male models/go-see escorts who take them from place to place. The whole time, Laura is very mental about her walk. This is because her walk is very bad. The go-sees break down as such: designer William Tang actually says that someone should show Laura how to walk, and really loves Annaliese. Crazy costumer Gregory Derham loves all the models, even though he also acknowledges that Laura has a bad walk. He makes Annaliese wear a skirt of sequined bananas, and she gets points for not punching him. Henry Lau is no fan of Annaliese but does like Sophie and Laura. And Marisa Zeman, who has a clothing line called Nude Is Rude, is another Annaliese enthusiast. In the final tally, Annaliese and Sophie each were the favorite of two designers. Laura booked two go-sees, Annaliese booked three, and Sophie booked all four. Cutrone doles out the Hong Kong dollars, and tells Sophie that, as the challenge winner, she'll be the face of Nude Is Rude for a whole year. She also gets clothes from all the go-see designers. I'm sure that Marie Antoinette dress from Gregory Derham will come in handy at some point.
After a night out on the town, the models head to their photo shoot, which involves wearing pink frilly dresses and posing inside a giant perfume bottle. Yes, this is an image for Dream Come True, the America's Top Model fragrance. As you may have heard, it smells like cupcakes. Photographer Jez Smith is on hand, as is Ben Bennett, the founder of Hatch Beauty and creator of Dream Come True. In addition to having a complex about her walk, Laura has a complex about being girly. This is really not her day. Sophie does a relatively good job on set, and really by default gets best photo of the week is thus is named a finalist. Both Annalise and Laura failed to capture the youthful energy (and play to the youthful demographic) of Dream Come True, and land in the final two. Even though Kelly finally admits to liking Annaliese a little, she is sent home, thus ensuring an American versus British showdown in the finale. Annaliese is a good sport about the whole thing, even though it is the opposite of fan-dabbey-dozy.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously: Eboni was eliminated by Tyra, and Alisha subsequently chose to eliminate herself. It was the saddest of times. Glumatronica! Now three bitches remain! Laura is the only American, facing off against Brits Sophie and Annaliese. And if anyone thinks Annaliese actually stands a chance of making it to the final two, you clearly haven't been watching this show at all.
We catch up with the final three at home, where they have landed after the double elimination trauma. Annaliese tells us that she knew if Eboni and Alisha landed in the bottom together, things were going to get dramatic. We flash back to sepia-toned Alisha bawling and declaring that she was walking away from the competition to get her spirit back, and Tyra being clearly unable to muster up two shits. If anyone gives less of a fuck about America's Top Model than the rest of the world, it is Miss Tyra Banks. Sophie says that in a weird way she's proud of Alisha, but at the same time all she had to do was hang on for two more episodes and she could have been America's Top Model. A self-proclaimed fighter who's been trying to model since she was eleven, Sophie tells us that walking away has never been an option for her. She also reminds us that she once had to work as a waitress. Oh, the struggle! The hardship! It's very inspiring. Annaliese tells us that she's a total underdog who nobody expects to win. Including me, as per the paragraph above. However, Alisha knows that she's a good model who makes up for her deficiencies in height and age through her personality. It is a true fact that a good personality adds three inches to your height and subtracts three years from your age.
Laura is, of course, the last remaining American, and is proud that she not only outlasted all of her countrywomen but the bulk of the Brits as well. She reminds us that she had to grow up fast, what with the unstable parents and the lack of friends and all that stuff. But her ability to make it as one of the final three is, she says, an example of the American Dream. I actually do think that the new American Dream is to appear completely oversexed on a failing reality show, so Laura should be a model (pun intended!) to us all.
There is Tyra Mail! "Get up and go for it in the pearl of the east. Fierce and love, Tyra." The girls quickly figure out that a go-see challenge is in their imminent future, and Laura just shakes her head. This is the third go-see challenge of the season, and Laura is sick of it. Annaliese explains that Laura has a complex about her walk. This is because her walk sucks. Annaliese doesn't say that, but it's evident by WATCHING LAURA'S WALK. Where is Miss J. to hurl insults at her? As Annaliese tells us that Laura needs to get over said walking complex or risk going home, we head to the opening credits! Aren't you sad you're only going to have to see this seizure-inducing mess two more times?
When we return, the girls ride on a bus and Sophie ruminates on how important it is to make it in America. If you make it in America, she says, you've made it worldwide. Whereas if you've made it in England, you've made it in England. Maybe in Wales, too? Anyway, Sophie sees this as her last chance for worldwide modeling domination. The ladies arrive in Hong Kong, and take a ferry upon which is the Queen of the Damned herself, Kelly Cutrone. Annaliese says, "That is a woman who does not like me at all." Cutrone is impervious to sparkling personalities! It's what allows her to keep her edge. She tells the girls that for today's challenge, they've called up the four most talented designers in Hong Kong. If that's true, I worry a bit for the Hong Kong fashion scene. The girls are indeed doing go-sees, and Kelly tells them that for each that they book, they'll get $1,000 Hong Kong dollars. That works out to something like $125 American, so clearly if they book multiple go-sees they'll be able to, like, buy some souvenir Hong Kong shotglasses and maybe a fridge magnet.
Cutrone says that when power girls travel they like to roll with some hot dudes. Also, if you set these models free by themselves in this city, there's bound to be some sort of international incident. Thus, they'll each get a male model escort who knows his way around the city and can direct a taxi cab driver. A little bit of awkward flirting happens in the back of the cabs, but for the most part the models are focused on banging out the challenge. Sophie first lands at designer William Tang, and gets a lovely pink dress to wear. She walks, and though she's can't read William Tang's poker face, he tells us that he likes her and that she has the figure to wear anything. Laura shows up , and William tells us that Laura needs someone to teach her how to walk. That can't bode well for a challenge victory. Laura reminds us again that she's not confident in her walk either, so the whole experience is nerve-wracking. Annaliese walks for William and he cracks a smile for the first time. He LOVES her, and tells her that she has just the right complexion for a red dress. Annaliese points out that being the only black girl left has some advantages, because if any of the designers wants something other than chalky pale, she's the only option. Annaliese walks in a little gold number for William, and he tells us that she has a very special flair before smiling widely and stating, "I love her!" So, I'm guessing that Annaliese booked that one and also has a new boyfriend.
Sophie goes to see Gregory Derham at the House of Siren. He is, I think, Australian, and also a bit ghoulish. He sizes Sophie up and tells her that she'd be very good in a Marie Antoinette inspired number. So, basically, one of Hong Kong's four most talented designers operates out of a Halloween store. Gregory loves Sophie, who really is a natural in the Marie Antoinette costume. We then follow Annaliese as she meets with Henry Lau, designer of Spy. She walks in his little store, and Henry tells her that her posing at the end was a bit shaky. He wants her to be more cool, which I think basically means like a robot mannequin. Unlike William Tang, Henry Lau is not a fan of flair. He asks Annaliese to walk three times, and she knows that this endeavor was not a success. Annaliese has a goal to book three, so knows she has to hustle on her remaining go-sees. As Sophie and Laura talk about how much pressure they feel in this challenge, we head to commercials.
When we return, it's nighttime. Laura lands at a label called Nude is Rude, and meets designer Marisa Zeman. Nude is Rude was started last year, and Marisa says that she's growing it throughout Asia and is looking for a face of the label. Marisa thinks that Laura looked good in the clothes, but her walk was not strong. Annaliese and Sophie pass each other on the street, and we see Sophie interview that Annaliese is a presenter and thus has presented herself well to the judges and clients. Her personality has gotten Annaliese to the end, says Sophie, but she's still not a model. We see Annaliese meet with Gregory Derham, who puts her in a Josephine Baker-esque banana-skirted lingerie ensemble. I suppose that's also a benefit of being the only black girl left? Annaliese says that it was nutty, but in a good way. Gregory thinks that Annaliese is wonderful, and had the requisite sass and bounce to pull off the banana costume. Laura shows up , and gets outfitted as a Chinese disco ball. Gregory thinks that she has great enthusiasm and character, but the walking and movements needs some work. We are getting a lot of data about Laura's walk, here! Can't someone give her a few pointers?
Sophie shows up at Henry Lau, and gets to don a floppy hat. Henry likes her very much, and thinks she has the face, confidence, and sex appeal of a Spy girl. Laura then walks for Henry, and it turns out he likes her primarily because of her hair color. Well, at least she's booked one! Sophie walks at Nude Is Rude, and Marisa thinks that the clothes suit her very well and that she's great. Annaliese tells us that Sophie's walk isn't all that amazing, and she can do better. She walks for Marisa, who loves her and says that she had just the right amount of attitude. Of all the models, Annaliese is Marisa's favorite.
With the go-sees over, the models meet up with Cutrone on the Aqua Luna, which is apparently Hong Kong's iconic junk boat. She announces that the designers loved meeting Laura and thought she had a fantastic personality, but a few were on the fence about her ability to walk and deliver in a show. Annaliese and Sophie both had standout castings. Two of the designers favored Annaliese overall, and two favored Sophie. Annaliese was exotic and bubbly, and the designers thought she had a fantastic look. Sophie charmed the pants and dresses and skirts off of everyone. Cutrone announces that Laura booked two of four jobs, which seems high to me. She gets $2,000 Hong Kong dollars. Annaliese booked three jobs, and so gets $3,000 Hong Kong dollars. And finally, Sophie booked all four jobs. She's the challenge winner, and gets a bonus of $4,000 Hong Kong dollars. She's also going to be the face of Nude Is Rude for the entire year, and will get to participate in both Internet and print campaigns. As if that weren't enough prizes, Sophie will also get a junk boat full of clothes from the designers. Not bad for three hours of work!
There is further good news, which is that the girls get to enjoy a night out in Hong Kong with their male model escorts. Even better, Kelly Cutrone is not coming with them. I imagine she would only skulk around all night and talk endlessly about the benefit of being "power girls." We cut to Sophie spraying champagne all over the boys, and everyone toasting and dancing and drinking even more in the club. And thus, everyone blew their cash prizes.
Back at the house, there is Tyra Mail: "Tomorrow will be a dream come true! Fierce and love, Tyra." Everyone starts jumping around as they realize that they will likely be shooting for the Dream Come True fragrance. I have never sniffed Dream Come True, but I can only imagine that it's as horrid as the new Taylor Swift fragrance, which I got in my Birchbox. I was stupid enough to actually put it on my body. Oh, how I paid! The morning, the girls meet up with Jay who tells them that at this point, it's anyone's competition. That is lies! But I guess you don't want Annaliese to give up quite yet. Jay says that the girls will indeed be shooting for Dream Come True, and the winning girl's photo will be used to help promote the fragrance in the year to come. The models will be placed inside a life-sized perfume bottle for the shoot, and then shaken around and sprayed by giants. If they can get over the terrifying giants aspect, the feel of the shoot should be very youthful and joyful.
Jay introduces photographer Jez Smith, who was also a judge on Australia's Top Model. He's the Nigel, I guess. While the girls are getting their hair and makeup done, Jay introduces Ben Bennett, founder of Hatch Beauty and creator of Dream Come True. Ben says that he's a tough client, and notes that fragrance imagery is often as important as the fragrance itself. Thus, it has to be captivating. And what is more captivating than a pretty lady stuck terrified inside a bottle as a giant gets ready to squeeze the atomizer? As Sophie is outfitted in a giant fluffy pink thing, she wonders if it's even possible for a Brit to win America's Top Model. Isn't that what we're all here to find out? Hasn't the suspense been killing you all season? Meanwhile, Jez tells Laura that this whole thing is supposed to be a dream, and that she shouldn't be too tough. Laura is concerned, both because she didn't do so well in the challenge, but also because she is not so into Barbie doll style. In fact, she used to burn the heads of her Barbie dolls. Being stuck in a bottle in a frilly pink dress is not, in fact, her comfort zone. As she wonders what she's going to do (set fire to her OWN head in protest?) we go to commercials.
When we return, Sophie comes out in the big pink monstrosity of a dress and gets in the bottle. Someone gives her the excellent piece of direction: "Your dreams just came true." Ben tells her that the onus is on her to show joy in her eyes and hopefulness in her face. Sophie really wants to stand out to the judges, and comes to set with her usual positive, happy self. Jay tells us she was moving well, and it was all magical. Laura is concerned, because she knows Sophie is going to rock the shoot. I mean, she seems like she's doing a fine job but she looks absolutely vacant. I guess maybe that's what you're going for with a perfume called Dream Come True? Maybe Top Model's second fragrance should be called Cliché Spray? Ben tells her that there were some things he liked in her shoot, but there was also a lot of repetitiveness.
Annaliese is , and Jay tells her to keep it light and happy. She also looks vacant, and not at all excited. Jez doesn't understand where all of Annaliese's bubbly, vivacious personality went. Sprayed into the ether by a giant, is my guess. Poor Annaliese is super cheesy, and tells us that she couldn't get her thoughts straight, and also couldn't manage to FEEL like her dream had come true. You know who would nail this shoot? A person whose dream it is to live inside a giant perfume bottle. Annaliese gets very emotional as she tells us she couldn't get past her own doubt, and then starts talking like she's already out of the competition. I mean, that's true, but it was also true while she was doing the go-sees and she didn't let it get her down then. With 20 frames left, Ben tells Annaliese that her sweet spot is her smile, and she should get it together. Her performance does improve, but Ben tells us that overall she was a bit stiff.
Then we have Laura. She confessionalizes that her dream come true is definitely not to be confined in a bottle in a frilly pink dress. Yes, yes, we know her dream come true is to have a 36-hour orgasm. Laura tells us that she can do crazy, and she can do edgy, but she's not a princess. I mean, that is something to get over at this moment in time. Laura starts off dreamy, but soon gets a little too sexual. Jay says that it looks like a stripper pole is going to come down. Ben tells us that Dream Come True is for the young and young at heart, and a lot of the joy was missing from Laura's performance. Furthermore, she looks more confused with each piece of direction that she gets. Annaliese tells us that Laura could be America's Net Top Model, what with her American citizenship and great photos. However, America's Top Model is a role model to a lot of really young people, and Laura has presented herself as a bit of a sex fiend throughout. Do you want your America's Top Model to be a skank? I mean, I do, kind of. And I probably would have wanted that when I was 13 as well. But I see the point. At the end of Laura's shoot, Jay says that this might keep her out of being in the final two. And with that, it's a wrap.
Back at the house, there is Tyra Mail of Doom. Someone will be eliminated, and get fed to the really lovely-smelling giant. Sophie tells us that she was brought up in the countryside with rabbits and sheep and, we learn via photo, the cutest ever shaggy dog. My dream come true would be owning that dog, and spooning him every night in bed. Anyway, Sophie made it to London to model, and has always worked really hard. And clearly she's going to win this whole thing, right? Annaliese didn't do so well in the photo shoot, and is hoping that her performance in the challenge will make up for it. She's here to inspire girls that you don't have to be at all like a model to be a model. Laura is not confident going into panel either, and says that it's been a whirlwind of a year. She's been struggling and fighting, and knows that has made her better and stronger. As Laura tells us that she can't go home, we head to commercials.
When we return, it's panel time. There are prizes, there are judges. Jez Smith is the guest judge. Laura is first up for evaluation, looking crazier than ever and a bit like she's had an unfortunate run-in with a light socket. Nigel is a big fan of her photo, saying that it's gorgeous, ethereal, and feminine. He sees expression in her eyes, even though she's not looking at the camera. Jez thinks that the photo is beautiful and Laura looks like a goddess, but doesn't think the client was convinced. Kelly asks what demo they were trying to hit, and Tyra simply says, "Younger." Jez goes on to say that they wanted elation and a youthful look. Cutrone admits that youthful is hard to do, then says that Laura's photo looks more like an ad for a plastic surgeon's office. Instead of looking like something that an 18-year-old would aspire to, Cutrone thinks that Laura is embodying what every 50-year-old woman who wants to look 25 is going to buy. Ouch. Laura talks about how this photo was difficult for her, and that she tended to slip back into her sexy comfort zone. Tyra says that the photo is beautiful and that she'd want to buy the fragrance. However, she's not the target demo -- she's the target demo's mama.
Annaliese is up . Before her photo comes up, she actually gets props from Cutrone, who says that she was proud of her go-see performance. She acknowledges that Annaliese has come a long way, and Annaliese says that such compliments mean a lot coming from her, especially. Upon Annaliese's photo, Nigel says that its beautiful, but she doesn't look like a model. Rather, due to the fact that she actually has a little muscle tone in her arms, she looks like a tennis star. He notes that Annaliese's ability to book so many go-sees shows the power of presence, which she has in spades. Jez says that Annaliese was vivacious and gorgeous and bubbly right before she came on set, and he expected her to be amazing. And theeeeeen... she was just fine. She froze up, and they wound up taking more shots of her than anyone else. However, Jez does give her commendation for not giving up. Cutrone agrees with Nigel that Annaliese looks a little muscular. She thinks that the photo is more youthful than Laura's, but still not particularly youthful. Tyra sums up the whole thing as "Michelle Obama meets Venus Williams meets an ad, captured in a bottle with a little Aladdin twist." You know, that. Her smile, however, saved the photo from being disastrous.
Sophie is up , and Jez says that the shoot was made for her and her upbeat, girly, soft energy. He thinks it's young and fresh and youthful. Nigel, however doesn't think that Sophie looks youthful. He does, though, think that it's a stunning photo. To be youthful, he thinks that she could have had more humor in the face rather than being so dramatic and ethereal. Cutrone thinks that it's more youthful than the other photos, but she wishes Sophie had done something with her dress to help frame her as young, hot and fun.
The judges deliberate. Laura's photo is high fashion, but Cutrone can't imagine any seventeen year old asking her mom to buy her this fragrance. Nigel, however, can imagine some sort of cougar mom asking her daughter to buy it for her. He says that Laura is a rock n' roll chick, and some of the rock n' roll models are a little hard edged. Jez says that Laura sees herself as a sexy, hip thing, but wasn't able to let go of that and drop the sex. Tyra thinks that teenagers want to look older, so there's a chance that they would actually like this. Annaliese nails the shot the most in terms of the vibe, says Nigel, but he still doesn't love it. It is, however, youthful and fun. Cutrone thinks that it looks like a jewelry catalog holiday bridal ad. However, she thinks that Annaliese has a good attitude and great spirit, and has made her acknowledge that a good headspace and a lot of personality can go a long way. Jez says that Annaliese may have gotten this far in the competition on her personality, but she fell flat as soon as she got into the bottle. Sophie is a good model, and photogenic, but Nigel doubts whether it's fun and youthful as opposed to fairy-esque. Jez says that Sophie did have the joy and elation that the client was looking for, and did a great job. Cutrone loves what Sophie is doing with her silhouette, torso, and hands, and simply says that she's a model.
With that, the judges have reached a decision. Three beautiful young ladies stand before Tyra, but she only has two photos in her hands. And those photos represent the girls who are the two finalists and will be walking in a fashion show for -- wait for it -- Forever 21. Remember that there was once such a thing as the high fashion season? Thank goodness ALT got out before he had to witness this. Sophie is called first, obviously. Laura and Annaliese step forward. One of them will be a finalist, and the other will go back to being a TV presenter in England. The judges love that Laura is different -- that she doesn't zig, but zags. But she was fired from a fashion show in Toronto because her walk sucks, which is a very bad thing. Furthermore, the judges are nervous that she is a one-trick sexy pony. When it's time to be young and soft and sweet, she gets lost. Then there's Annaliese. She started off as a catalog girl, but from week to week had some of the strongest photos in the bunch. Annaliese is not 5'9", but still managed to book three out of four fashion shows. However, the judges wonder if she's a real model or just has a fan-dabbey-dozy personality. So who stays? Yes, of course, it's Laura. For some reason people keep calling her a pirate. Tyra says that she's the whole package - she has modeling potential, and a personality that stands out. They are terrified about her runway walk, though, so she has some work to do.
Annaliese hugs Tyra, who acknowledges that she didn't think Annaliese had as much potential as she ultimately showed. But she has plenty of star quality, and Tyra wants her to go after it like crazy until her Dreams Come True. Annaliese then goes up and gives Kelly Cutrone a huge hug, while simultaneously covering up her own butt to avoid a crotch shot. She does seem like she'd be quite fun to be around. Annaliese tells us that she came into this competition as a presenter and commercial girl, and her journey has been extremely fan-dabbey-dozy. She's especially happy to leave with Kelly Cutrone finally liking her at least a little bit. She says that is one of the best prizes ever, which leads me to question her sanity. Her experience in this competition has made Annaliese realize that she can do more than she initially thought. She struts out, and we hear her song verse, and from now on it's all about the blondes.
week: Highlights show!