After six long seasons in cheerful, sunny California, the girls head back to New York. I can't tell you what a relief it is to see them on gray, grimy streets once again. We learn in short order that "kooky" Amy, upon Tyra's command that there could not be two girls with the same name in the competition, has changed her name to Amis. Well, it's no Wholahay. And I'm having a strange desire to rent a car right now. The ladies head to their new pad, which is filled with photos and quotes from past seasons, along with all the various causes that winners have stood for. Which, news to me, but let's go with it. There are two sleeping options: 1) a room with several bunk beds; 2) one giant bed. No one complains about it. Yet. The bitchery starts early as Fatima suggests to Amis that she might want to shut up and stop being such a clown all the time. Marvita takes note. A tour of the City leads the girls to Times Square, where they learn they will be taking part in an impromptu runway show for Badgley Mischka. Which, wow! No one has a great walk, but Marvita and Lauren stand out as being particularly terrible. Backstage, Fatima maybe/accidentally/unknowingly gives Marvita a tap on the face. Marvita takes note.
The girls head to Elite, where they get a brutally honest critique from none other than legendary supermodel Paulina Porizkova, whom they later learn will be replacing Twiggy in the end-of-table judging slot. Paulina tells Amis that she has zits, and Dominique that she looks like a tranny. I like her already. Later, Fatima tells Marvita that her face is smooshed. Marvita's response? "This ho is trippin'." I heart Marvita. The photo shoot for the week sees the girls dressing in their best Little Tramp costumes/skicaps to raise awareness about homelessness. Or, like, how one can still look fierce while eating garbage. They pose with actual homeless women, who totally show them up. The theme resonates with Fatima and Marvita, who make peace when they realize that they have similarly challenging pasts. Let's hope that peace is temporary. At Panel, several of the girls turn out pretty good photos, and then Kimberly, after hearing Miss J. compare her to a snotrag, shocks the room when she announces that she has no interest in fashion, doesn't believe in expensive clothes, and wants to leave. Tyra tears off Kimberly's head, eats it, and throws her bloody carcass onto Fifth Avenue. The other girls aren't off the hook, though, and Amis and Atalya land in the bottom two, with the unmemorable Atalya getting booted back to Brooklyn.
Previously on ANTM: A school bus full of bitches! Thirty-five girls were granted admission to Top Model Prep. One of these was Marvita, who totally failed the psych test last year but now has her anger issues under control. Except for those moments when she's about to pop a bitch. Fatima, who was a victim of genital mutilation, wants to use her newfound status as a Top Model contestant as a platform to raise awareness. And the final thirteen became fourteen when Tyra allowed Dominique to stay, because no season would be complete without a shenis.
And then, hey! It's a new opening. Featuring Tyra as a scary extra from Cabaret and the rest of the girls making like they're in the "Justify My Love" video. Fierce.
New York City! Those children of the 1990's out there can join me in the only refrain that can logically come after screaming "New York City!": "Deeeeeeee-Lite! Deee-Lite!" Say what you will, but I still live for World Clique. Marvita, 23 from San Francisco, tells us that she didn't make the cut last season, but it's official: she's back like MRSA. She adds that she was homeless before -- sleeping at friends' houses with nowhere to go. Well, if she was at a friend's house to begin with, it's sort of implicit that she did have somewhere to go, right? But this is splitting unwashed hairs. Suffice it to say that Marvita is very excited to be there. And then there's Kim, 20, from Worcester, Massachusetts. She tells us 1) that she's not a dumb blonde; 2) she feels very special, especially when she thinks of all the girls who would love to be in her spot right now. Oh, grateful model wannabe Kim! I sure hope she doesn't do anything to fuck things up for herself. Fatima, 21, from Boston, tells us that when she came to the U.S. from Somalia, she and her mother lived in a shelter. She's been through a lot of things, and now her whole approach is to be strong. I'll tell you what. I'm really glad that Fatima seems to be turning out to be a bitch, because my comedic hands are otherwise a bit tied with the whole genital-mutilation/shelter-living thing.
The girls head to a restaurant where Amy, 20, from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, reveals that, per Tyra's request, she has changed her name. Okay, first of all, they couldn't just go by "Amy R." and "Aimee Q." or whatever? That's dumb. And second, guess what Amy changed her name to? If you guessed Wholahay...you're a dreamer. But you're not the only one. What a missed opportunity. Rather, Amy has changed her name to "Amis." There's something amiss about that name. Lest you think that Amy is a fan of Martin Amis, or of the AMI Semiconductor Corporation, or the Atlanta Ministry with International Students, or James Cameron's babymamma Suzy Amis, she in fact just thought that Amis kind of sounded like "Amy." And, also, it's in the Bible. Or so she says. I Googled "Amis" and "bible" and got bupkis. Maybe she's really a fan of the classic TV show Amis and Andy. Amis asks Marvita why, in fact, she's named Marvita. Because she will cut you. You don't need to know anything else.
A bike messenger delivers Tyra Mail! It's printed on, like, one of those printer-ready invitation papers with the borders that you get at Staples. ANTM: Classing it up in it's tenth anniversary season. The Tyra Mail reads: "Welcome to New York, Ladies! Follow these directions to your new loft and you'll have cause to celebrate! Love, Tyra." For all you locals, Lispenard Street is involved. Not that I'm advocating any shenanigans. The girls arrive and the loft is tricked-out, per usual. Much squealing ensues. As Anya walks down the in-house runway with Amis, she looks at the giant television screen where they are being projected, real-time, and yells, "It's you and I in the future!" As Anya does not exist on the traditional time-space continuum, this statement is somehow bizarrely correct. There are lots of huge pictures of Tyra, and lots of huge pictures of top models. Claire explains the sleeping situation. There's one bedroom with a bunch of bunk beds, and one giant bed that a bunch of girls are supposed to sleep on together. If ever there was a season to cast a fetching baby dyke, this is it.
Amis explains that the theme of the house is, "What's your passion, and how can you apply it to the real world and actually benefit people?" Oh, my young naïf. The themes of the house are always, "Made to produce maximum bitchery," and "Doesn't Tyra look great when she's airbrushed?" But you keep dreaming. Marvita tells us yet again that she has a sketchy past, and was homeless when she was eighteen. This loft is the nicest place she's ever been to. I would say that might be true for a majority of non-homeless people, too. Fatima gazes upon giant photos of Tyra and thinks about the horrible experiences she endured while growing up. Looking at Tyra always makes me think about all the bad things that have happened in my life, too! But Fatima's horrible experiences involve genital mutilation. Mine involve, like, finding mouse poop in my kitchen cupboards. What I'm saying is, sometimes something seems bad at the time, but when you put it in perspective, you're just happy to still have a clit. If Fatima wins this show, she wants to use it as a platform.
Atalya, 18, tells us that she's never really been away from home before, and now misses her mom. Atalya is from Brooklyn. It's a journey fit to inspire even the most tuneless among us to start humming "Wild World." Atalya is also incensed that, though there is a clear "no smoking" sign on the doors of the Top Model loft, Amis, Fatima, and Kim had the nerve to go outside and start puffing. Some of the other girls confront them, and Kimberly explains that when she needs a cigarette, she needs a cigarette. She saw the sign, but figured that she was hurting nobody but herself. Gee, I wonder if Kimberly customarily exercises bad judgment in her life? Maybe we'll find out later on in the episode!
The girls hang out in the kitchen, and Amis talks. She's getting on Fatima's last nerve. Fatima tells Amis that she just talks and talks, and Fatima doesn't know what she's talking about. She adds that Amis should be careful, because people won't take her seriously if she acts like a clown all the time. Marvita gets a look like, "And these bitches make ME go to therapy every week?" Fatima adds that SHE doesn't think that Amis is a clown, but other people MIGHT see her like that. Amis tells Fatima that she says things in a way to irritate people and get them to react. Fatima apologizes halfheartedly. Marvita interviews that she doesn't know what Fatima's deal is, but she really has to watch her. For tips, probably. After Amis walks out Fatima mumbles to herself, "I didn't know I could actually make people feel upset. It's interesting." Ah, the famous first taste of the power of bitchery. Tyra probably got all misty-eyed when she watched this scene.
The Jays enter the house and tell the girls that they're going on a tour of New York City. Excitement! Fun! Mr. Jay explains about the tents at Bryant Park, like none of these girls have ever seen Project Runway before. Kimberly yawns. Mr. Jay explains that the tour trolley has one final stop. It's Times Square! Possibly the most irritating place on earth. And to make it even more irritating, the Top Model girls are going to take part in a runway show being staged there! And the designers? Badgley Mischka. Claire tells us she loves their gowns. It's an impressive score for our little ghetto show. The girls get wardrobed and make-upped. Lauren, 22, from Brooklyn, is a little nervous given her inexperience with high heels. Marvita is so nervous that she's calm. I think it's the meds, but let's not tell her that.
The Jays kick off the show to the gathering crowd, and the girls prepare to walk. Marvita is first out, and is suddenly so nervous that she's nervous. She looks pretty good, but can't walk for shit. Atalya thinks she did really well. Kim tells us that she walked down the runway in $500 shorts and a $700 purse. She says that she doesn't believe in spending so much money on an outfit. That little sucking sound you just heard was the nation gasping as it clutched its Mikimoto pearls. Amis clomps along and wonders what she, a big ol' ragamuffin, is doing there. Something tells me she's not alone in that sentiment. Oh, but she's not as bad as Lauren, who admits that she was freaking out. The other girls did more or less fine.
There is excitement as the girls head backstage. And then! There is an incident. Marvita explains that she was sitting on a chair taking off her shoe, and Fatima hit her in the face with her hand. We see some footage, kind of, except Marvita is out of the frame and you can't even see the grassy knoll. All we know is there is Fatima's hand up in the air at approximately face level. Then, Fatima looks to the side where said hand was, which is consistent with Marvita's telling that Fatima looked right at her after the hand touched the face. You know what Marvita doesn't like? Being touched in the face. She's pissed that Fatima didn't apologize. Marvita confronts Fatima, who is like, "Bitch, what are you even talking about?" She doesn't even remember Marvita's existence, much less the supposed face touching. Marvita says that Fatima is threatened by her because she's big competition, and is trying to provoke her because she knows that's the only way Marvita will get out of the competition. Fatima should thank her lucky stars for those Tuesday therapy sessions.
At home, there is Tyra Mail! And it's displayed on a ticker! This has the unfortunate effect of encouraging the girls to read aloud in unison. "It's critical for a new face to make a great first impression." No one knows what that means. Oh, but then! The girls head to Elite Model Management, where they meet '70s game show host/porn producer Neal Hamil, who is now the director of Elite. Today, he explains, they're going to get an honest assessment of their potential in the modeling industry from someone who really knows. This person is legendary supermodel Paulina Porizkova! Paulina looks awesome. I feel like Ric Ocasek is sort of her live Picture of Dorian Gray. She explains to the girls that when you're a model, you get critiqued like crazy, and it's often not only truthful, but hurtful. And it's her job to deliver a world of hurt with, it must be said, a modicum of glee.
Amis is first to be critiqued. Paulina just points at her and says, "Bad skin." Ha! And then she tells her to get a good dermatologist. Allison, the eighteen-year-old vampire from Waunakee, Wisconsin, doesn't think that Amis is very modelesque. This actually seems like a kind statement compared to what Paulina is spouting. To wit, she tells Dominique that she looks like a transvestite version of Robin Wright Penn! Neal Hamil totally does the gay gasp on that one before adding that they both want to take a brillo pad and clean her up. Hee! Paulina thinks that Kimberly is very High School Musical, but Paulina also senses a dark side that she wants her to bring forth. Oh, just you wait, my bitchy Polish amour. Paulina tells Marvita that she, like Katarzyna and Paulina herself, has a slightly smooshed face. She tells her never to bite down on her back teeth when she's being photographed, because it will make her face look square. That's a helpful tip! I never thought anyone could replace Janice Dickinson in my heart, but Paulina is making a move. Anya tells us that you just want to go and hug Paulina and get to know her and ask her opinion. Yes on the first two, but I'd like to keep up the illusion that I don't look like a drag queen, thank you very much.
Neal hands the girls the address for the first photo shoot. They head downstairs where a giant Hummer limo painted like a taxi meets them. It says "Fab Cab" on the side, which Atalya thinks is very cool. En route to the photo shoot, Amis says that Paulina was right on with everything. Amis owns her zitty skin! Atalya thinks it's exciting to know that they have potential. I don't remember hearing that at all. And then, there's Fatima. She tells Marvita that she and Katarzyna have similar faces, and that in fact Marvita's face is small and almost squished in. Marvita's response? "This ho is trippin'." I must confess that I've been on the fence about Marvita, but it was that moment that solidified my love. Marvita tells Fatima that she's never before met a mean African. Idi Amin doesn't count. She interviews that Fatima was trying to push her buttons and get the best of her, but that wasn't going to happen. But, let us all pray, it will eventually. Commercials.
And, oh, it's Saleisha's Life as a Cover Girl. The gist is that you can't be a Cover Girl whilst looking like Tootie. I somehow credit Queen Latifah for this excellent decision.
When we return, the girls arrive at the site of their shoot. Mr. Jay tells them that today they'll be putting a spotlight on a major issue -- homeless youth. And, in fact, they'll be posing with homeless partners. But! The models will be in "street clothes," while the actual homeless people will be in high fashion outfits. I certainly hope Professor Higgins has run through the proper vowel sounds with the homeless extras already. You know the show was too cheap to give the bitches a hot meal, too. Jay introduces Taz Tagore, the executive director of the Reciprocity Foundation, which enables homeless youth to go to college and start careers that they're passionate about. The goal of the Foundation is to make homelessness something that you can break. Marvita knows how it is to be homeless, and wishes she had something like the Reciprocity Foundation. Keep that business card in your back pocket, is all I'm saying.
The models meet the homeless youth, who look nothing like anyone I've seen under a bridge in my hometown. Anya thinks that these young women are inspirational to other women, just like America's Top Model is inspirational to women. I know it! For a while I was really inspired by the fact that a woman is running for president, but that accomplishment really paled compared to the fine application of a smoky eye. As the girls go through their styling for the shoot, we learn that homeless people favor glittery shadow.
Atalya is up first, looking like Judy Garland in the "We're a Couple of Swells" number. It's this sort of gritty realism that has become Top Model's hallmark. They don't shy away from the issues. Beneath that bowler hat and suit jacket is a hoodie and a flannel shirt. That's life on the street. Sarah McColgan is the photographer for the day. Maybe she's homeless too? Atalya is less than fabulous, though homeless Isis is rocking it down on a dirty mattress. Allison is , wearing the homeless favorite chunky cable knit sweater along with ripped-up tights and a ski hat. Allison has some Pilates training, which means her posing is less modelesque and more "early man." Well, early man was homeless too, so maybe she's really embodying the spirit of this whole thing.
Fatima is . While she poses, she remembers how embarrassing it was when kids made fun of her for living at a shelter. Sad music plays. She gets very emotional by the end of the shoot, which Jay thinks will make for a powerful picture. Backstage, Marvita tells Fatima that she knows Fatima's trying to sabotage her, and is keeping an eye out. Fatima says that people have stepped over her all her life, so when she met the other girls she felt like she had to put up a hard façade. Marvita has been through therapy, so she knows that Fatima needs to stop putting up a guard. She tells her to try being nice for a change. Fatima's not so sure. She says it's hard, and Marvita's all, "It ain't hard, girl." Marvita tells Fatima that she knows what it's like to want to be on guard. She's been molested and raped. Fatima is touched to hear Marvita's story, and to see how strong she is. Fatima sincerely apologizes to Marvita, and Marvita thinks that their problems are, for the most part, patched over. Oh, boo! ["Well, yeah, but if they're allies now, then there's a good chance they'll gang up on somebody before too long. And that will be pretty good." -- Miss Alli]
Dominique is , looking a lot more butch than the other girls. Jay says that she's going for gold. And then there's Stacy-Ann, 22, from Miami, who really can't imagine what it would be like to be homeless. Nonetheless, she rocks the red plaid headwrap. If you gave her a bottle in a paper bag to drink out of, her photos would be art. Claire, 24, from New York is , and is happy to be raising awareness about homelessness, and particularly about the segment of homeless people who wear beaver fur Russian hats. Whitney, 20, from Atlantic Beach, Florida, says that she's dressed in nothing that she would intentionally wear. But she understands the greater meaning. If she tried being homeless for a while, maybe she wouldn't have to live in the plus-sized ghetto. Then there's Amis. She is wearing a kicky scarf, as the homeless often do, along with rubber boots. It's like a Phil Collins video come to life! That is to say, she sucks.
As Katarzyna gets made up, Stacy-Ann tells her that she wouldn't be homeless for long. Ha! She's like Fancy. God, do I ever want to sing karaoke right now. She poses, and we don't see much of it. And then Anya, who sports a cable knit beret, is surprisingly one of the best girls of the day according to Mr. Jay. Then there's Kimberly. She's taking risks with her body language, says Jay, but her face hasn't changed once. Kimberly says that she doesn't want to smile, because she's trying to look homeless. And those homeless people are a dour bunch. Jay asks for intensity, but Kimberly gives him blankness. Lauren tries to use her awkwardness to her advantage. Jay says that in the whole world of modeling, Lauren feels like a fish out of water. Then there's Aimee, who wears leg warmers on her arms. Homeless people have to be creative! She has particularly garish makeup. She thinks she did okay, but hopes that at the very least someone did worse than her. Then we have Marvita. The shoot is hitting home(less) for her, which translates to Jay as her falling asleep. However, she pulls it together, and he thinks that she pulled from her life experiences and it read on film. And with that, the models head back home in their limo as the homeless girls are forced to walk back to their cardboard boxes. You know Tyra dropped, like, a Canadian nickel into their cup then beat them with a cane on the way back to her manse.
Tyra Mail! "Tomorrow you will have your first meeting with the judges." The girls jump up and down excitedly. At breakfast, Atalya asks Claire if she's nervous. Claire says she isn't; however, she is excited and worried. Which...is kind of the definition of nervous, no? Claire asks Atalya if she's afraid. Atalya's not sure. She interviews that she doesn't want to go home, because being on the show is teaching her all about independence. Meanwhile, Kimberly tells Fatima that she loves modeling and photo shoots and being on the runway, but she's not into high fashion. Kimberly, inspired by the awareness of important causes featured in the Top Model house, wants to take a stand against expensive clothes. Fatima looks at her like she is one crazy bitch. Which, she is. I mean, she's a bank teller, so it's probably in her best interest not to spend $2,000 on a dress. But if someone is putting you in that dress for free for a short amount of time, I don't totally see a reason to get all worked up about it. In short: Kimberly is an idiot.
We are welcomed to judging with a photo of Tyra dressed as a homeless person, lying on her back with her legs up in the air against a backdrop of -- I shit you not -- cardboard boxes, while a sign reading "Will pose for change" leans against her. Oh, Tyra Banks. She's just like you and me, but she's clueless, she's clueless. And she stands there singing for money, "Shake ya body, shake ya body, shake ya body, shake ya body." The girls enter, and holla for cycle 10. There are prizes: a contract with Elite, a six-page spread and cover of Seventeen and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl. There are judges. Nigel and Miss Jay, of course, who has a vest with all of the girls' names. I would be more impressed if he ripped out his actual hair every time someone was eliminated. Tyra notes that one of the judging chairs is empty. They're in New York City, she says, and so it's time for new beginnings. This means there's a new judge. And of course it's Paulina Porizkova! She's in a long purple dress and looks pretty great. Let's hope that she lives up to her bluntly mean potential.
Tyra notes that the ladies portrayed homeless young women for their photo shoot. This is an issue very close to her heart, because about a year ago on The Tyra Banks Show, she was homeless for a day. Yes, homeless people of America, Tyra has walked a mile -- or, like, twenty feet -- in your raggedy-ass shoes with the soles flapping all around. It messed up her pedicure and everything. She's very brave. Tyra says she became "that person" that she ignores every single day, because that's what she was taught. Way to take ownership of your heartless bitchery, there. This week, says Tyra, the contestants brought light to a very important issue and should be proud of themselves. They'll never be as proud of themselves as Tyra is, that's for sure.
Lauren is up first before the panel. They note that she looks nervous, and Tyra even says she seems like she's about to pee in her pants. It's because she learned that's what homeless people do to stay warm! Taking it to heart, taking it to heart. Miss J. and Paulina both love the photo -- she's got the bones and an interesting face. What she also has, says Nigel, are nerves, which are terrifying to a client or photographer. Paulina tells him to cut Lauren some slack, and he berates her for being a new judge. She calls him an old judge. Er, good one? Janice would just have thrown her empty vodka bottle at him. Paulina still has a lot to learn. Then we have Anya. Tyra says that, if Anya continues in the competition, she's going to be very hard on her because Anya's so good. She adds that the other girls should be nervous about her. We can only pray that Anya makes it to one of the commercial shoots.
And then there's Amis. Paulina says that her photo is one of an inexperienced model staring into light. It's boring. Nigel says that Amis is very expressive in front of them, and wonders why she can't bring it in front of the camera. Amis thinks that all of her nervous energy wasn't focused. Amis has atypical beauty, but no clue what to do with it. Then there's Aimee. Nigel thinks she looks incredible, even though she doesn't look homeless. Her face is fantastic. Then there's Fatima. Nigel thinks her photo is an extreme that actually works -- her face is heartbreaking, and it's stunning. Tyra notes that they're giving her praise for the one photo, but overall her film wasn't good. She recommends that Fatima exaggerate a little more in her poses. is Dominique. She's wearing a big bun on top of her head, and struts up to the panel. Miss J. says that she's so draglicious she can't help herself. Her bone structure is incredible, says Nigel, and the photo is beautiful. However, Tyra notes that she was hunching so looked a little short in her photos.
there's Allison. Nigel is drawn to everyone in the photo except for her. Mr. Jay noted that Allison's Pilates training hurt her. I think anything that encourages good posture is a detriment in the world of modeling. Whitney is , and Nigel is surprised and impressed by how great her photo is. Tyra says that Whitney looks like she has wind in her hair, and Paulina adds that all of the great models she's seen have automatic invisible wind machines. I want to hire a little elf to sit on my shoulder all day and just blow, so I can be like a legendary supermodel, too. Marvita is , and Miss J. reminds Marvita that she was terrible in the Badgley Mischka runway show. However, Marvita's photo gets a good critique. Nigel thinks that she has guts, and he's drawn to her. Tyra says that as butch and masculine as Marvita is in the photo, there's still some glamour in it.
Katarzyna is . Paulina thinks she looks beautiful and has great cheekbones and skin. Then there's Claire. Claire's picture is striking, except for her monster hand. Tyra says that Claire's film was stunning. Her face is gorge. Claire is one of my early favorites. Atalya's photo is kind of plain. She doesn't own it, and all the homeless bitches outshine her. Stacy-Ann is . Paulina thinks her photo is a little passé and reminiscent of '90s heroin chic. Tyra says that Stacy-Ann has about five poses that she does over and over again.
Last but not least is Kimberly. Tyra begins by mocking her outfit and patronizes her into taking off her headband. Miss J. then says he's glad to see her smile, because the other day at the runway show she looked like, and I quote, "A squished up snotty old snot nose rag." Well, that's quite specific. He continues that she looked bored to death and like she didn't want to be there. This leads Tyra to ask Kimberly if she actually does want to be there. AND THEN. It's the response that shook the world as we know it. Kimberly says that, to be honest, she's not really interested in "the whole fashion thing." Mouths are agape all over the place. It's like someone's leg just fell off. People don't know whether to look at the unattached limb or the stump.
Tyra barks, "Why did you come here? Why did you come here?" To learn about homelessness, just like the rest of them! Tyra takes everyone back to casting, where six girls were rejected and crying and dying to be one of the fourteen finalists. And here's ingrate Kimberly, saying that she's not passionate about modeling. The nerve! Kimberly tells Tyra that she's just being honest, and that she doesn't believe in wearing designer outfits. Tyra notes that you don't have to wear designer outfits as a model. Especially when, as is the clear path for Kimberly's future, you're modeling in the Wal-Mart catalogue. I wish Kimberly weren't so dumb, so I could get behind her. Tyra asks if she wants to go home. Kimberly says yeah, and Tyra goes, "All right. Go home." Seriously? That's it? Seeing herself having whackadoo freakouts on TV has really mellowed Tyra. Sad. After Kimberly leaves, Tyra tells the girls that it's a shame, because Kimberly's picture was really beautiful. That is revisionist history, because her eyes look like they're rolling back in her head.
Kimberly interviews that she always thought she'd love to be a model. She did like it, but overall doesn't think it's for her. Her heart isn't in it. I find it hard to believe that any young woman wouldn't feel passionately about being compared to a snot rag. She was not long for this world anyway, and I bet they were going to shave her bald or something similarly heinous. The judges tear up Kimberly's photo, and Tyra tells the other girls not to start resting easy, because even though Kim is gone, there will still be an elimination. Burned!
The judges deliberate. Anya isn't impressive in person, but photographs like a dream. Allison's body is lopsided from too much Pilates, and/or she looks like an Upper East Side princess who wants everyone else to carry her Prada bag for her, and/or she is a wannabe Gossip Girl. They are going to tear this girl a new one in the coming weeks. Marvita was busted on the catwalk, but busted through her picture. There's something warm and lovable about Amis, but she's not out of the ordinary. Aimee is fabulous. Lauren reminds Paulina of a young her -- she was a punk and sort of awkward and thought she was all cool. Atalya is pretty but unexciting and unmemorable. Nigel is a fan of Stacy-Ann. Katarzyna wears too much makeup. Claire is a good learner. Whitney is plus-sized, and has a plus-sized invisible wind machine. Dominique is a man. Fatima's photo was great, even if it was her only good one of the shoot.
The girls stand before Tyra. There are 13 of them, and only 12 photos in Tyra's hands, representing the girls who are still in the running towards becoming America's Top Model. Anya is called first, followed by Claire, Whitney, Lauren, Aimee, Fatima, Marvita (who has the world's shiniest face), Katarzyna, Stacy-Ann, Domninique, and Allision. This leaves Amis and Atalya. Atalya is pretty, but not much more. And I think we all know that pretty and modelesque are not the same. Whereas Amis is interesting and edgy, but that falls flat in her pictures. However, there's no crime worse than being pretty, so Atalya gets the boot. She doesn't know why she's the first to go and thinks it's a big mistake -- she has a lot of potential and didn't get to show it. Her family was really rooting for her, and it's going to be hard to go back to them knowing they'll be disappointed. And, like, the show probably didn't even pay for a cab. Oh, Atalya, look on the bright side. At least no one said you looked like a snot rag! Even though you kind of do.
week: Makeovers! And Allison gets Fatima all worked up about something.