It’s the finale! It’s pretty much the same as usual, minus the elimination at the half-hour point. Nicole and Laura are clearly thrilled to be in the final two, and both are pretty sympathetic characters given their nerdy awkwardness and sunny small-town disposition, respectively. Almost immediately, they get their Cover Girl commercial script. Laura, who we are reminded is dyslexic, is stressed about being able to read and memorize her lines, insipid as they are. Teyona is there to shill product and remind us that she exists. While Jay directs the girls on their commercial shoots, Nigel photographs them for a Cover Girl ad. Nicole pretty much nails the photograph. Laura struggles at first in remembering and delivering her lines. However, her natural pluck is a great asset in this situation as she relaxes, refuses to freak out, and eventually comes as close to nailing her lines as she’s going to get. Nicole, who was very confident going into the commercial shoot, starts to lose it a bit once she gets on set. Jay tells her that she comes off as a snooty child of privilege, and Nicole would rather pose with a bloody eyeball than seem like a snob. Eventually, however, she turns in a pretty likable performance. Laura looks beautiful in her photo shoot, but when Nigel asks her what she’s thinking about she replies, “Milkshakes!” He would like a little more emotion out of his models. The girls then have a Seventeen cover shoot by Gilles Bensimon, chaperoned by Ann Shoket, whose “Hi ladieeeeeeeees!” reaches dog whistle proportions.
The girls have some one-on-one time with Tyra, and we learn that Nicole would sometimes eat her lunch alone in a bathroom stall at school. That’s sad times. For her part, Laura talks about her love of Grandma Wanda Sue and how people always looked down on her for being dyslexic and poor. Both have overcome their struggles to be finalists on an irrelevant reality show. Celebrate!
And then it’s time to walk to the death in a Julia Clancey fashion show. Brittany, Erin, Jennifer and Sundai are going to walk in the show, too, and so is Eddie Murphy’s daughter. The theme has something to do with elements, and the girls have to brave smoke, wind, water and glitter smeared all over their bodies. Nicole walks like a hunchback, but it works for her in a bell tower sort of way. Laura is shaking from head to toe, but manages to make it to the end of the runway without looking too crazy. On one pass, the girls have to walk with a giant sheer piece of fabric over their faces, then remove it to dramatic effect at the end of the runway. No one falls off the stage, sadly. Finally, Nicole and Laura go before the panel. Their commercials, catwalk performance, and portfolios are reviewed. Basically, both young women did a consistently good job all season. But there can only be one winner. And it’s the year of the bloody eyeball! Nicole wins! It’s as it should be, and very exciting, except for the part where Laura bawls her shiny, glittery face off.
Discuss this episode in our forums, then see what we think were Cycle 13's Most Ridiculous Moments. And check back soon for the full weecap!
Previously:Fourteen "lucky" girls had the opportunity to compete to become America's first Petite Top Model. Tyra tells us that this crew has proven from day one that size does not determine modeling potential. This will all change the minute they try to actually get jobs. But nice try. The competition has been intense, and never more so than during last week's double elimination that sent whiny Erin and ptosis Jen home.
Will our winner be Nicole, the quirky, awkward artist from Louisville, Colorado? She has the stunning look and model poses to deliver one amazing photo after another, and also has a legendary bloody eyeball. Nicole's "subdued" personality has left some of the judges to wonder: a) if she can succeed as a spokesmodel; b) if she is constantly stoned. Yes to both. Or will it be Laura, the southern beauty from a Kentucky town so small and destitute that it cannot be named? From week to week, her personality has charmed the panel and the home viewing audience. Laura commands attention on the catwalk and takes some gorgeous photos, but looks like an extra from Hee-Haw in person. Seriously, it's like the cornstalks sprout from the crown of her head. And Laura is concerned with her struggle with dyslexia, which makes it difficult for her to do some of the stupider reading-based challenges. Will Laura overcome her obstacles for a second Cover Girl commercial? Or will Nicole be able to pump up her persona (much like her lashes) in time to prevail? We shall now find out!
It is another beautiful day in Hawaii, and Nicole and Laura celebrate being in the final two. Laura says that no one in Deliveranceville, Kentucky will be able to believe that she made it to the final two of America's Top Model. We see photos of Laura with her dad and with Grandma Wanda Sue, and Laura tells us that all of her family have known since she was little that she wanted to be a model. She finally feels like she's on the track to fulfilling her dreams. Nicole tells Laura that two months ago she wasn't even able to present a project in front of a class. But now she can talk in front of panel, and is maybe going to become America's Top Model. Nicole interviews, in a clip that I believe we saw last week, that she came into this competition awkward and unsure of herself. But now she's a Top Model finalist! Bloody eyeball and all.
The girls head home and jump in their pool. We then turn to an interview with Laura, in which she appears to have been crying very, very hard. She's looked like this several times throughout her interviews this season, which is, like, Blue's Clue number one. Laura says that her whole life she's felt like she's had to prove to everyone else that she can be successful. Now she thinks she's proven that. When Laura was in high school, everyone expected her to fail because she's dyslexic and poor. And I don't know about you, but I can't even stand the thought of anyone being mean to Laura. I'd like to go smize those haters out of existence. To have come this far makes her feel good.
Nicole interviews that she's gotten so much out of this experience, and is happy even for the tough stuff. She came into the competition having no idea who she was. But she's grown and learned a lot, and wants to keep going. Indeed, Nicole does seem to have a lot more confidence these days, and seems relaxed more than baked. Back in the hot tub, Nicole says that Laura was the first girl in the competition that she really related to. She respects Laura as a competitor, particularly because Laura fits the image of Cover Girl and Seventeen so perfectly. A drunken Laura says that at first she thought Laura was stinky, but then found out that she was in fact sweet and innocent. I think you can be sweet, innocent and stinky all at once. Tearful Laura interviews that Nicole has had great pictures and stuff, but isn't a lot of competition personality-wise. I hate to tell Laura that personality (lovely or hideous) can get you to the final two, but rarely does it allow you the chance to walk away with the title.
There is Tyra Mail: "If a model falls in the forest, will anybody hear it?" Well, not now that Tyra's lost the weight. There is an addendum! "Here are your scripts -- memorize your lines for tomorrow." The girls open their scripts and discover that the first line is in Hawaiian. Laura's heart is racing, since her dyslexia makes memorization difficult. She lies in bed in her underwear, practicing her lines. Nicole eats fruit and looks on. Nicole interviews that she does have an advantage, since Laura stresses out so much just about being able to read and memorize a line. But doing so in her underwear makes the whole process of stressing out so much more appealing. I do hope that Laura gets a Victoria's Secret gig one day. Her real tragedy is being born poor and Kentuckian rather than poor and Brazilian.
The girls head to yet another beautiful new location, where they are met by Jay Manuel. He is wearing a coat, despite the fact that Laura and Nicole are basically in tube tops. The bright green hue of the coat contrasts with his increasingly orange skin, thus giving him a bit of a radioactive tree in the forest kind of look. Jay tells the girls that they'll be doing a Cover Girl commercial and print ad today, and the winner's print ad will be on display in Wal-Mart stores across the country. And even Laura's hometown must have a Wal-Mart. And then Jay pulls Teyona from behind a tree so she can poorly deliver some commercial copy about LashBlast mascara. Big, bold, look at me lashes! All right! The concept of the commercial is that Nicole and Laura are good friends hiking and exploring in the lush, beautiful, tropical forest of Hawaii. And then it gets so hot that Laura decides to take off her tube top, and a giggling Nicole follows suit, and then a particularly well-endowed young pizza delivery guy mistakenly stumbles onto this scene, and then... well, take a minute to fill in the rest for yourself. But make sure that the concept of "LashBlast" makes it in there somehow. Amidst it all, Nicole and Laura always look sophisticated and glamorous. Because they're Cover Girls!
The girls head to hair and makeup where Teyona chats them up. Teyona asks Nicole if she's nervous, and Nicole says that, surprisingly, she isn't. She feels good and ready to represent the LashBlast product, which she's used for two years. Vincent Oquendo makes up Laura and tells her that her lashes are going to be LONG. Teary Laura interviews that the Cover Girl commercial is going to be a problem for Nicole, because she has a hard time reaching out to people and making them notice her. The girls chat about the commercial, and Jay pulls out a surprise guest -- Nigel Barker! Nigel will be shooting the girls' photographs. Because top models often have to multi-task, as Jay is directing one girl on the commercial shoot, the other will be off with Nigel shooting a photograph.
Nicole is first to shoot the photo with Nigel. He tells her that she has very deep-set eyes, so when she looks downward she can cast shadows. Bad for an eye ad. Nicole tells us that she doesn't smile all that often in pictures, so this is difficult for her. However, she makes it look natural. Nigel has 100 small orgasms as he takes her picture, and tells us that Nicole came to set ready to be photographed. Not only did she look amazing, but she also modeled really well.
Laura, meanwhile, gets ready for her commercial shoot. In case you forgot, she has dyslexia and the task of memorizing and delivering lines freaks her out. Jonathan Mannion is the commercial director. Laura starts her first take, and stumbles within seconds. She continues for a few takes, but doesn't look quite so convincing as she says, "So get your LashBlast on and say aloha, world!" The line "double the drama" also figures prominently. Laura tells us that when dyslexic people are frustrated, it just makes things worse. If she starts getting frustrated and panicking, everything will go downhill. With that, we head to commercials.
When we return, Laura tells us that Cover Girl is very tongue-tying. Don't tell me they have a new MouthBlast tongue extender. Because she's dyslexic, Laura was very scared about being able to remember her lines. But then she nails it. Well, relatively nails it. Jay tells us that he knows Laura struggles with dyslexia, but she had a really good attitude about it. Every time she stumbled and stopped she picked her energy up, so each line read had the energy he was looking for. Take eleven is a particular winner, and Jay high-fives Jonathan. Laura feels like she's defeated dyslexia. This shows all dyslexic people that it's hard work, but can be done. And shows all drunk people that you CAN be functional in high-pressure situations. This is a message of hope for me, for sure.
The girls flip, and Nicole heads to do her commercial shoot. Hair stylist Michael Kanyon does a few last-minute touch-ups. Nicole says that she has to remember to be herself. She messes up her first take, and gets a little jittery and less confident. Meanwhile, Nigel is photographing a very beautiful Laura. He asks her what she's thinking. Laura gets a big smile and replies, "Milkshakes!" Nigel asks Laura what else she likes besides milkshakes, and Laura replies, "Little baby cats!" She's a woman of simple tastes. And really, it's hard to argue with either of those unless you're lactose intolerant and/or allergic to kittens. Nigel tells her that most people would say that they were thinking about their boyfriends or a holiday they had, because those are the things that trigger emotions. Perhaps Nigel has never held a fluffy orange kitten in his own two hands. I am welling up with joy just thinking about it. Nigel tells us that Laura came to the set bubbly as ever, but when he asked her to think of emotions and things that inspire her, milkshakes were the best she could do. Because of this, Nigel seems to think she's dumb. To me, thinking of things that equate with happy fun times seems like a fine strategy for a smiley smizey ad. Shut up, Nigel.
And now back to Nicole. She looks beautiful for sure, but her line delivery is a little weird of tone. It almost seems like she has a little Ann Shoket in her, which we all know is a very bad thing. Jay tells her that she comes off like she's lived a privileged life and doesn't care about Cover Girl LashBlast. Nicole is disgusted that she sounds like a snob. She tells us that she really hasn't lived a privileged life, and would rather have actual boogers in her nose than sound snotty. I would rather have almost anything than have actual boogers in my nose. Seriously, I'm obsessed with having a clean nose. If any of you ever see me on the street and I have a booger in my nose, please tell me. This is a good rule of thumb for all people, because giving them a chance to get the booger out is a much greater kindness than remaining silent and letting them go about their day all boogery. But I digress. Nicole is on take 20. When she does the "easy, breezy, beautiful bit at the end," she kind of looks like she wants to gnaw off our faces. Nicole interviews that she was trying so hard not to be snotty that things got a little weird. Jay tells us that Nicole's performance level was low, and a little unlikable, and a little snooty. And that's not what Cover Girl is about. It is, however, what Alexander McQueen is about. Go forth to your wonderful couture career, precious!
Nicole and Laura are back at their house, talking. Nicole says that she's very awkward at meeting new people, and very shy at school. She can't talk to anybody. Nicole interviews that Jay told her that she seemed like a snob and that no one would buy mascara from her. I'm not sure exactly what one thing has to do with the other, except that Nicole has some communication issues. Laura tells her that she talks very intelligently, and pronounces words in a very precise way. Not everybody talks like that. Oh, but if they did! What a wonderful world. But Laura says that, because others speak like dullards, they might automatically assume that Nicole's snobby because of her precise diction. Nicole says that it's an uphill battle to disavow people of that perception. Tearful Laura interviews that Nicole takes some great photos, but is shy and awkward and bad at communicating with people. Nicole's awkward. Laura's dyslexic. Have you heard?
The day the girls get a knock on their door. It's freaking Ann Shoket, acting more retarded than ever. She sashays in the door and gives her customary, "Hi ladiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeees!" Except this time the pitch of "ladies" is ever ascending and reaches dog whistle proportions before we get to the final "s." Ann and her brightly colored shirt are there to announce that today the girls will be shooting their cover for Seventeeeen Magaziiiiiiiine. Both of them are beautiful, but only one can be on the cover of Seventeeeen Magaziiiiiiiine. The shoot is happening at the girls' house, so racks of clothing and lights and mirrors are all brought in.
And the photographer for the day is Gilles Bensimon! And I'm sorry, but I can't look at him without going slack-jawed in disbelief that he was married to The Real Housewives of New York's own Kelly Bensimon. What a freakshow, on all sides. He looks like a California raisin. Gilles takes Laura's photo first. She is wearing leg warmers on her arm, and a yellow bandeau over a pink and blue striped tank top. Ah, youth. Laura really wants to impress Gilles, and seems to do a good job of it. Then there's Nicole. Gilles asks for more and more, and Ann tells her to smile big. Ann tells us that both girls did well, and she's very impressed by what she saw today. According to Ann, it's anybody's game at this point. Got it, ladiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees?
Back at home, there is Tyra Mail. "By now you should know all the elements that make a top model. Bring it to the runway and work!" Laura has a feeling that the runway show is going to be crazy. Her walk has historically been stronger than Nicole's, so she's feeling good about it. For her part, Nicole is ready to forsake Laura as a friend, since she is also her competition. Laura doesn't seem like she's dying for the friendship, so I think everyone is fine with this arrangement. As Laura turns off their bedroom light, we head to commercials.
When we return, Nicole is practicing her walk and feeling confident about it. She says that she can do the technical aspects just fine, but it's the feeling that's important. Teary interview Laura is also confident in her runway walk, especially in comparison to Nicole. She's ready to do her little turn on the catwalk. The doorbell rings, and it's skinny Tyra! She's there to talk to the girls, and is seeking a little one-on-one connection. Where's the pizza delivery guy when you need him?
Nicole is first to have her one-on-one connection. Tyra asks how it feels to get this far. Nicole says that it's amazing, being 5'7", to be given a chance. Tyra notes that Nicole has a very quirky, different personality, and asks Nicole about being different in school. I actually feel that multiple seasons of The Tyra Banks Show have made Tyra a worse interviewer. Go figure. Anyhoo, Nicole says that she feels very awkward and isolated. She'll meet new people and want to be friends, but has no idea what to say. Nicole then says the saddest thing, which is that she has sat in a bathroom stall to eat her lunch so nobody would see her eating alone. That can't be sanitary. We get a glimpse of video of Nicole surrounded by her artwork, and there are some pretty good self-portraits. I hope she uses that Cover Girl money to go to art school. Tyra asks Nicole if she's ready to work it. Nicole is ready to work it, model H2T, and smize with her eyes. That last bit is redundant, like saying, "Smile with your eyes with your eyes." Or maybe smizing defies the laws of grammar. Nicole interviews that she has led a pretty sheltered life, and felt like she was losing herself when she first left her family. But she's learned a lot, and wants to keep going.
Then it's Laura's turn on the couch with Tyra. Tyra asks her what it means for her to get this far. Laura says that she's from a small town, and has heard her whole life that people from small towns aren't models. She says, "I guess they think [models] come from outer space or something." Tyra laughs a bit too hard and sends an emergency signal to her home planet. Laura has been constantly told that she's too short to model, but being in this competition makes it all feel more real to her. And being in the top two makes it feel really real. Tyra notes that Grandma Wanda Sue, who makes a lot of Laura's more hideous clothes, has a lot to do with Laura getting this far in the competition. Tyra asks what Grandma Wanda Sue would think about all this. Laura starts to cry and says she got a letter from Grandma Wanda Sue saying that she was so proud of Laura for making it farther than anybody in her family. Again with the sadness! I feel like Laura lives in an actual 1920's dustbowl. Life has been difficult for Laura with her dyslexia, and even teachers told her she was stupid. They would pass her just because they thought she was a hopeless cause. But to be in college and to be on America's Top Model is huge. Laura says that her grandma has always supported her, and is her best friend. Tyra tells Laura that her smile lights up a room, and that she's equally beautiful on the inside and the outside. Laura interviews that it's very important for her to win the competition, because she has a lot riding on it. Her siblings rely on her a lot, and Laura hopes and prays that she can pull it out.
With the one-on-one connections over, it's time for the runway show! The girls meet the Jays, who tell them that some familiar faces will be walking with them tonight. It's the last several eliminated girls -- Erin, Brittany, Sundai and Jennifer -- who of course are sequestered in Hawaii and might as well work as free labor. Jay claims that there will be a huge audience, and reminds Nicole and Laura that they're stomping to the death.
All the girls head to hair and makeup, and Teyona saunters over to continue her very important job of being utterly useless. The girls meet with wardrobe stylist Vanessa Geldbach to do a fitting, and she introduces them to designer Julia Clancey. Laura says that the dresses melt her heart. That would get sticky, which I don't think is so great for the garments. Bria Murphy, the daughter of Eddie Murphy, is also walking in the show. Some lackey is paid to ask Teyona for her autograph. The makeup people are going "heavy handed" on the glitter, which means that the girls get sprayed all over. It makes for an exceptionally shiny, greasy sort of look, which I'm sure is what Julia Clancey is going for. The former contestants weigh in on who should take the title. Erin says that, aside from herself, Laura would make the best winner. Jennifer and Sundai are also on team Laura. Brittany is a supporter of Nicole, but notes that Laura is the perfect Cover Girl. She's excited to see what happens.
Backstage, a very shiny Laura tells us that her dream is coming true, and she has a 50-50 percent chance of becoming America's Top Model. There really are quite a few people there to see the runway show, including Eddie Murphy himself. Nicole, who is shiny and wearing a pink doily, says that things are crazy and everyone's stressed out, but she feels good. The models line up, the runway lights up, and we head to commercials.
When we return, the runway show begins! Nicole says that Tyra believes in them, and she doesn't want to let Tyra or herself down. Teyona starts off the show, and is happy just to finally get some work. There is apparently an "elements" theme, as everything is red and we see a caption that says, "element: fire." As I say every season: it's no "Ghost Brides." Nicole is the first of our finalists to hit the runway, and steals the signature walk of Quasimodo. The whole thing is a little burly, but it kind of works for her. Nicole tells us that it's crazy for her to be so relaxed at this moment -- it shows how far she's come since she had crazy stage fright before entering the competition. Laura is to take a pass in a short, shiny dress. Tyra notes that she looks good. Laura isn't sure if the audience can see it, but she's shaking from her head to her heels. Her walk is okay, if lacking a bit of oomph.
Nicole makes it backstage, and Jay totally fake yells that they'll cut her out of the dress if they have to. Things get crazier behind the scenes, and Laura tells us that people are ripping off clothes and glitter is flying everywhere. She actually likes the chaos and feeds off of it, so can't wait to hit the runway again. The second pass is "element: wind," and the girls have to wear giant sheer wraps over their faces and walk into the best offerings of a wind machine. Nicole has a bit of a hard time getting her wrap off at the end of the runway, and tells us that the wind was no joke. Laura does a fine job managing the wrap, which she says is like a quilt over her head. She takes it off very smoothly at the end of the runway and gives her best Rachel Hunter look.
And then it's time for "element: water." The girls are all wearing swimsuits covered with sheer wraps. Jay tells the two finalists and the four bootees that he wants them all to pose together in the rain at the end of it all. The swimsuits and sheer wraps are not Julia Clancey designs, so it's okay to get them wet. They actually look super cheap. Nicole has gotten progressively less hunchbacked and does a pretty good job on her third pass. Laura looks like she's not quite used to walking in heels for some reason, but overall it's also good. The final six pose at the end of the show in a big, wet, slithering mass of estrogen. Julia Clancey heads out on the wet runway and wonders how she got herself into this mess.
Tyra heads backstage to hug the still-wet finalists, and tells them insincerely that they did a really good job. Or maybe that is sincere for her. At this point, everything she does probably looks and feels fake. The girls really want to debrief the experience, and Tyra clearly can't wait to get out of there. After another wet hug, she flits off in her Mrs. Roper caftan. Nicole interviews that she's nervous for panel. After all she's gone through, she can't imagine not winning. She's tried so hard, and to lose would be the biggest bummer.
And without further ado, we're at panel! Nicole is wearing the pink doily dress, which I did not think boded well for her. However, Laura's face is extra glittery and greasy, so that's no good either. There are prizes: a contract with Wilhelmina Models; a cover and six page spread in Seventeeeeeen Magaziiiiiiiiine; and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl. There are also judges: Nigel Barker and Miss J. Alexander. There is no guest judge. Suck it, Ann Shoket.
The girls are evaluated on their runway performances. Laura did pretty damn well, according to Miss J. He says he wasn't really surprised, since she always pulls a rabbit out of her hat. And then makes a stew out of it. That's how it is in Kentucky. Tyra was pleasantly surprised by Laura's performance, and says that she walks like a girl who has been doing Paris fashion week for a couple of seasons. And then there's Nicole. At first Tyra was confused about Nicole's lumbering stride, but she says that it was a signature walk. Nigel agrees, and says that if you're confident in the way you walk, pose and model, people will grow to like or love it. Or, at the very least, you won't be ignored.
And then it's time for a photo shoot retrospective. Both girls were fantastic as they reinterpreted baby pictures of themselves. Nicole stepped out and took a risk, and Nigel could see modeling potential. She also modeled H2T, and delivered fire. Laura's picture was stunning, sensitive and gentle according to Nigel. He saw potential for a softer, sexier side. , the judges looked at the lengthening shot. Laura's was not such a success. She looks quite short, says Nigel. Nicole was fabulous, though, and looks taller than Tyra. This was the first time that Nigel noticed Nicole's unusual proportions. What unusual proportions? Have we heard about these? Whatever their nature, they worked in this particular photograph. , the girls did a photo shoot with Tyra. No, not the blackface one. The scarves one. Laura's photo is one of Miss J.'s favorites. It's sexy but with a little secret. Tyra agrees that Laura worked it with serenity and romanticism, with a little touch of sensuality. Nigel loves the photo as well, and says that it's classically beautiful and that Laura looks like a Greek goddess. In contrast, Miss J. says that Nicole looks like a busted up Tinkerbell in her photo. But he likes it. Tyra had a ball shooting Nicole, and says that she really gives it and gives it and gives it to photographers. And she gave it and gave it and gave it to Tyra.
The girls also had Cirque du Soleil photos. Nicole got lost in a mime crotch. Miss J. thinks that she looks like some deformed letter of the alphabet, and Nigel agrees that it's an unusual pose. If she had put a leg up, it might have looked better. Laura, however, worked it. It's a "wow" picture according to Nigel, and is particularly memorable. She managed to stand out in a group shot, which is a difficult feat. Then there was the underwater shot. Laura was able to make shapes with her body, look strong, and project tension. It was a commendable picture. Nicole's picture is pure couture. Tyra thinks it looks amazing. Nigel says that Nicole remembered that taking risks is what it's all about. The photo is cool, dynamic, and high fashion.
And then it's time to see the Cover Girl commercial! The final product is, in fact, a little porny! And not at all horrible. The panel then reviews each girl's best take. Tyra watches Laura's and says, "Hold on... dyslexia who?" Laura acknowledges that she's proud of herself. Tyra asks how she did it, and Laura says she relaxed and didn't psych herself out. Tyra says that if she was the director, she'd look at that and see that Laura could do better and keep going. But the performance was commendable. Miss J. notes that the accent was a bit strong, and Nigel says that enunciation is key. He couldn't understand several of Laura's words. Tyra says that Nicole's best take was very likable and very natural. She loves to hear the sound of Nicole's voice. However, Nicole threw her model out the window. She has to remember to model in between the talking.
And then there was the Cover Girl photo shoot with Nigel. The judges look at Laura's first, and Nigel says that if he could wolf whistle, he would. Tyra agrees that Laura looks hot and sexy. Nigel tells Laura that her shot is stunning, and that her eyes are telling a story. Miss J. agrees that it's a great shot -- very simple and clean. Tyra thinks that Nicole's picture is relaxed but confident, and chill but focused. And that's all we get! Tyra is proud of both models. She says that there are so many girls who can look at Laura and Nicole and feel like their story is a part of them. I know, it doesn't make any sense. Did you expect something different? Nigel tells the girls that they've proved that it doesn't matter how tall you are -- they've got what it takes. And hey! They're finally allowed to wear heels! Awesome.
The judges deliberate. Miss J. totally can't see anything over his giant sleeves. He still can talk, though. He says that he loves Laura because she's country, but can flip like Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde. She can deliver a picture. Miss J. has issues with her body proportions, but she has face. Nigel says that both girls have body proportion issues, as do most models. But it's all about working with what you've got. Nicole has a narrow waist, slightly wider hips, and a very long neck. However, with the right angles she looks fantastic. Similarly, Laura is a beautiful girl and can master what she's got. Tyra says that Laura doesn't necessarily look like a model in person. But you put her in a picture or on the runway, and she transforms. Tyra asks Miss J. under what circumstances he'd book Laura. He says that you could book her in a commercial beauty situation. She has a money face. Miss J. would book Nicole for a fashion show, as long as she could control her shoulders a bit more. Tyra asks Nigel what he would think if Laura came to him for a casting. Nigel says that Laura has an extraordinary face, with the lips and the high cheekbones. She's a classic beauty, but with a twist. It's a rare find. If Nicole came to Nigel on a go-see, he'd think that she could be a model and has all the right features, but she's not naturally charismatic and can be a bit dull. However, she really turns it on when she comes on set. Miss J. thinks that Milan would love Nicole, and America would love Laura. Nicole isn't just a beauty model, but is a high fashion model. And with that, the judges have picked the winner!
Laura and Nicole return to learn their fates. Without much speechifying, Tyra announces that the winner is... Nicole! Nicole runs up to hug Tyra as Laura cries into her own hand. Oh, boy, does that make me sad. I mean, Nicole is clearly the rightful winner, but I fear that Laura will live out her days wandering barefoot on a dirt road somewhere, sweeping at rocks with a broom made of corncobs and mumbling incoherently. Tyra hugs Laura and tells her that she should be so proud, because the girl who walked in there was not a model. But Laura's a model now. She did a great job and made Tyra proud and is beautiful outside and in and blah blah cold comfort. Tyra tells Laura to go out there and continue to do the beautiful thing that Laura does. She does not specify if said "beautiful thing" is modeling. A sobbing and disheveled Laura (seriously, I think she started to pull her own hair out) says that her entire family is going to be so proud of her. They won't even care that she's not America's Top Model. Does anyone else have the urge to start singing "Coat of Many Colors" right now?
With inconsolable Laura out of the room, Tyra tells Nicole that she's a star and has "it." And she works for it. This makes Nicole special. And she gets to do a photo shoot with Tyra. Nicole tells us that this journey was incredibly hard. She had to learn to embarrass herself, and to speak. Sometimes she didn't think she'd survive it. She cried during casting week and didn't think she could deal with this. She never thought a dorky girl would win. But she is, and she did! Nicole entered into this competition as a shy, awkward redhead, but has evolved into a beautiful and charismatic girl. She's so confident in her ability to model, and has made her awkwardness a strength, creating her own signature style of posing. Tyra voice-over congratulates her, and tells her to represent for the shorties everywhere.
And with that, the season has come to a close. Except for the clip show, bitches! Be on the lookout.
Potes is too tall to be America's First Petite Top Model. You can sympathize by writing to her at potesypotes@gmail.com.