The girls head to their new home of Venice Beach, and manage to move in without any drama that we are privy to. We learn a few key facts. Kayla is an out lesbian -- the only one in the house, apparently. Anamaria has an eating disorder-- er, is on a "calorie-restricted diet" and "happy with" her emaciated body. And Ann wants to date a 60-year old warlock. She's in the right place, I guess.
The first challenge of the season has the girls walking in lovely Diane von Furstenberg clothes on a plexiglass runway suspended four stories in the air. They all wear harnesses so no one actually can plummet to her death, which I think really takes the suspense out of the whole endeavor. As a crowd watches below, the girls stomp and try not to look afraid. There are a few stumbles on the steps that lead to the runway, but the harnesses don't actually get any work. Kacey, who is nearly blind without her glasses, has a few nervous moments, but since season three taught us what's possible when a person has an actual degenerative eye disease, it's hard to be too impressed.
This cycle's first photo shoot has a message, per usual. Tyra is taking a stand against teen bullying, and so has the girls identify a word or phrase that was used to bully them. This word is then written all over their bodies, along with a positive reframing. For example, Ann's bullying word is "giant," but her empowering word is "Amazon." "Mrs. Warlock" was already taken. Kayla gets very emotional about having the word "queer," which was used to torment her, placed all over her body. But she's a smart girl and plans to use this emotion, along with the meaning of her empowering word, "free," to come up with a kick-ass photo. Terra gets freaked out by the fact that she's being a model, and has trouble bringing life to her luscious lipped "soup cooler" concept shot. Anamaria's bag-o-bones physique is problematic, and Jay tries to get her to pose in a way that hides her prominent ribcage. You'd feel bad for the girl if she wasn't such a hag all the time. Demi Lovato also makes a visit to talk about how bullying is bad and people called her a whore.
Panel is a glorious event featuring Andre Leon Talley -- looking like the glamorous warlock after whom Ann is lusting -- and Miss Diane von Furstenberg herself! Overall, the pictures are surprisingly decent. Kayla and Chelsey have great photos, but in a lovely development it's Ann who takes best-of-week honors. Soup cooler Terra ends up in the bottom two along with Anamaria. President of the CFDA Diane von Furstenberg says that beauty is health, and Anamaria gets sent home with the number of a counselor that she'll never use.
Previously on America's Top Model: Thirty-two bitches boarded a bus to Smizeville, and learned that they were vying for an Italian Vogue spread. Kayla showed up looking like a hot mess, but magically became kind of decent when her hair went from curly mop to freshly showered. Terra and Chris are going to get old real soon with their exhausting shtick. And Anamaria actually seemed to know what she was talking about. Fourteen girls are in it to win it!
We jump right in with our new models, who are strolling the Venice Beach boardwalk. Chelsey tells us that it basically lives up to every stereotype she's heard. Rollerblades, dogs, hippies. Anamaria, who is in possession of an extremely cocky walk, interviews that all of these girls are her competition. She notes that she's extremely high fashion, versatile, and irritating. That last part might be implied. Anamaria says that it might be her New York attitude, but she thinks she's fucking awesome. That makes one of us. Terra tries to convince us that it's an advantage to be in this competition with her sister, since the two of them will be able to pick off the others one by one. She hasn't yet realized that modeling isn't a full-contact team sport, apparently. Not that that wouldn't be great, particularly if styling tools could be used as weapons.
Venice Beach icon Harry Perry rollerblades up to the girls in his big-ass turban, playing the Top Model theme on his electric guitar. In the words of Chris, "Who is this fool?" Well, according to Wikipedia, playing an electric guitar on rollerblades while wearing a turban is, in fact, his vocation. Rhianna will probably be married to him by the end of the episode. After thoroughly scaring the girls, Harry Perry tells them that the fastest way to start their climb to the top is in their new house, which is right behind him. He looks back on a glass-walled structure and the girls grab their key and race in. Kendal, who lives in a mobile home normally, calls the place a glass palace. Or, as some may say, a fish tank. There are a lot of Italian Vogue covers on the wall, which ups the excitement for everyone. Chelsey says that her favorite part about the house is the runway in front of the window. For Rhianna it's the sandbox on the top level. That is certainly not the cleaning lady's favorite feature. Maybe some stray cats will make their way in and fashion it into a makeshift litter box. I would watch the hell out of those cats if they got their own show.
Everyone gets settled in to their new digs, and Chris tells us that it's hard to get used to all the different personalities. To wit, Chris tries to have a conversation with Ann. She opens by saying that they're going to find Ann a man. Ann kind of cracks up, but Chris is serious. She asks Ann what her type is. Ann replies, "Hobos are kinda hot." Chris is wearing a shower cap at the moment, which makes it all the more special when she says, "Big beard with a yellow ring around their mouth, yeah that turns me on." She diplomatically interviews, "Ann's different," and explains that she's nice and is just trying to hold a conversation. Those are her first and second mistakes. Chris asks Ann how old she'll go, and Ann says, "Sixty." She cracks up but you know she's totally serious and is going to, like, end up marrying Stephen Hawking. As if Chris's patience hasn't been tried enough, Ann adds, "He has to be a warlock. And he has to spit fire. And he has to know how to make sushi." Ann tells a nice story about being ostracized because she's so tall, but I think we're getting a little insight into the social dynamics at play. Though I can't say that I wouldn't at least try a warlock-owned sushi restaurant. Maybe she's on to something. Ann interviews that she's a weirdo. Thanks for clarifying. She doesn't go on to say whether it's by design or default. I'm not sure where I stand on that issue.
And then there's Anamaria. She tells Jane and Sara that her mom's always trying to get her to gain weight, but she likes how she looks when she's thinner. When asked if she's ever been thicker, Anamaria says that she previously weighed 135 and now weighs 110. Jane looks both disturbed and bored as she says, "You bitty." Anamaria interviews that she's on a calorie-restricted diet. It's how she keeps her weight in check, she says, and as a model that's how it should be. Well, at least we can now surmise that Anamaria is such a bitch because she's really fucking hungry all the time.
Several of the other girls get to know each other a bit better, and Kacey asks if anyone has a picture of their boyfriend. Kendal looks disdainful, likely picturing each of these girls with a handful of semen. Kayla asks if anyone else in the house is gay. Chris clarifies for us that Kayla is in fact gay, which is cool with her. Kayla is out and proud, and tells us that she would love to be the first lesbian to be America's Top Model. Oh Pigford, it's like we hardly knew ye. I'd wave my rainbow flag in support of Kayla, even though I guess I'd prefer the first openly lesbian winner to be able to find her way into or out of a room. I can't tell if Kayla looks much more attractive to me now that I know she's a lesbian, or if her straight, pulled-back hair is really that transformative.
The girls get their first Tyra Mail, which is cause for great excitement. It says, "Your rise to the top begins in Hollywood. Love, Tyra." The girls scurry off to the Hollywood and Highland Center, home of the Academy Awards. The Jays meet them there. Miss J. sports a Louise Brooks bob and tells the girl that this cycle the stakes are raised extremely high. Jay Manuel explains that they'll be walking in a Diane von Furstenberg runway show. Ah, wrap dress of my soul! But, the Jays explain, the stakes are extremely high in a literal way. They point up to a runway suspended four stories above the ground. It's clear, which is the second scariest part. The third scariest part is that the girls will have to do their own hair and makeup. I guess no one's really going to be able to see them anyway, so it doesn't make that much difference.
The girls head upstairs to get ready, and there's a total product placement for some sort of curling iron slash straightening device slash brush in one. I don't know that this is the most effective product placement, however, since we don't actually get the product brand. They should take some tips from The Biggest Loser. Although if Jennie-O turkey shows up on Top Model, I'm retiring from recapping for good. The girls get harnessed, which is a disappointment. Sara's with me, saying that she thought the deal was that if you fall, you die. It would save the trouble of an elimination ceremony, and wouldn't even be that much mess to clean given how skinny these girls are. Maybe we could start a petition for season.
With everyone in full hair, makeup, and wardrobe, Jay tells the girls that it's all about confidence. The Jays give a quick introduction to the crowd that's gathered below (who are primed for some serious upskirt views) and it's time for the show to begin! Ann is first to go, and tells us that she's afraid of heights, which is ironic since she's so tall. Her fear is completely apparent on the runway, as is her utter inability to walk in heels. She manages not to plummet to her death, though, so I guess that's a victory. Jay tells us that she was nervous-looking and awkward the whole time. Lexie is , and tells us that the runway is actually really unstable and kind of sways from side to side as they walk. You can actually see it bounce if you really look. As she walked, Lexie as wondering what would happen if she fell. Tears. Of laughter. And frankly, I think the producers of this show missed a golden opportunity to combine this with last season's swinging pendulum runway challenge.
Chelsey walks , and is very excited to be wearing Diane von Furstenberg. She manages to look relatively natural as she walks, except for her possessed eyes at the end of the runway. Chris walks in a dress that I would like to purchase immediately, and also doesn't fall. Anamaria is , and tells us that none of the other girls have the potential to take it to the level, so she doesn't have to worry about them as her competition. Her exact words are, "They're nobody to me." All charm, this one. A full-length view of Anamaria on the runway confirms that she is, in fact, bitty. Miss J. tells us that he expected the wind to knock Anamaria off the catwalk. She stumbles on the steps when she goes back inside, but there is no death-plummet involved. This challenge is a total bust. Sara walks , and looks absolutely gorgeous. I find her very strange, because sometimes I don't think she looks like a model at all, and sometimes she's totally stunning. Jay says that she was the girl who looked most believable on the runway. Miss J. looks confounded by this, but we never get to actually hear his opinion.
we have Jane, who is neither spectacular nor unspectacular. No one has any commentary on her, which I think may be a motif this season. We finally get the opportunity for a little excitement when Kacey takes off her glasses before it's her turn to walk. Since she can't see so well, she's pretty concerned. Jay tells her to use the pink lights on the runway as a guide, and not to go beyond the final pink light at the end. Kacey tells us that when she takes off her glasses lights just blur, so Jay's advice is actually useless, per usual. She's scared for her life, and says that her heart is literally pumping out of her chest. That slippery mess on the runway will make her walk even more difficult and chances of plummeting four stories even greater! As we cross our fingers, Kacey steps on the runway with a crazy look in her eye and we head to commercials.
When we return, Kacey is still scared for her life. And yet, after one crazy-eyed look, she stomps on the runway and works it. I mean, she still looks crazy, but she doesn't look at all fearful or afraid of falling. A triumph of the will! Perhaps she remembered that, not actually having retinitis pigmentosa, she would likely not garner so much sympathy and might as well actually try to do a good job. But for real: get some contacts. The answer was inside you all along! Rhianna walks and quite strangely has her hair over her face. After this episode I may revise my theory that she could win it. Whose version of doing their hair entails simply covering their face with hair? Also her picture later is pretty stinky, and her skin appears to be problematic. It's possible that, like Andrew Garcia's version of "Straight Up," she peaked early with "tumbleweed" and actually sucks. Liz walks and tells us that thinking about whether you're going to die and whether you look good in the same thought is pretty unsettling. Liz never has to worry about whether she looks good, because she's so freaking hot, even when she looks terrified.
Esther walks and I have to confess I'm a bit puzzled as to why she made the show. Maybe they're hoping for a religious meltdown of some sort, or just really want to make "big boobs" a recurring subplot for the season. Terra is , clomping down the runway like a linebacker. Chris interviews that it's good to have her sister there, but also hard since they're in competition. They're a little like the Williams sisters of the totally inconsequential realm. Miss J. states that Terra unfortunately did not have the walk. She also made herself look super matronly, which is never a good move for one of the older girls. Kendal walks, and gets a big edited-in cheer from the crowd and no additional commentary. She does look pretty stunning, though her walk seems unrem
arkable. Finally there's Kayla. She tells us in a very creaky voice (which I hope is temporary and not her actual voice, because it will drive me insane and I think we'll be hearing a LOT from her this season) that she's not normally afraid of heights, but was still scared on the runway. She manages to make it to the end of the runway and even takes it so far as to point at the audience at her turn. The Jays crack up, and don't even give her a lecture about the perils of runway weirdness.Backstage, the girls discuss the difficulty and craziness of their recent runway endeavor. Chris, in describing her terror, grabs her boob and gives it a little jiggle. This might be to comfort herself at the thought of what future challenges hold, given that they achieved such a high degree of difficulty right off the bat. Jane dorkily says that the Jays may hate her walk, but she had fun. Anamaria rolls her eyes and interviews that the other girls have busted walks, so she's not even paying attention. See, not eating makes you evil. Go, everyone, and have some nachos right now! Not being on a calorie-restricted diet, I think I shall do the same. The Jays tell the girls that they did a pretty good job for being four stories up, but there's still a lot to learn. There's no winner announced for this challenge. I guess they're all winners for not succumbing to nerves and gravity. Which, in turn, makes us all losers. Oh, the heady swinging pendulum days of glory! We may never see your like again.
Back at the house, the girls receive more Tyra Mail. "Ever been bullied? What's the one word that hurt you the most. Love, Tyra." Ann tells us that her hurtful bully word was "giant," of course, and recounts how regular-sized people at the mall will ask her if the circus is in town. And don't even get her started about that Jack asshole and his freaking beans. Chelsey says that she got made fun of for being pasty white. I mean, like, once. She's not even that pale. But I'm sure the hard knocks of being a gorgeous child and model at age fourteen were more devastating than we can imagine. Kayla says that she got made fun of for being the only gay girl. She fully came out by her senior year of high school, and tells us that it was a lot to go through. Indeed. However, she's out, proud, and ready to represent. It's hard not to like Kayla, with her doubly painful backstory and her perfect skin. I can see why Tyra wanted to give her a hug.
The morning, the girls head to Smashbox Studios in Hollywood. Jay tells them that today they're going to focus on bullying, which is one of the leading causes of teen suicide. Just ask Kelly Bensimon and her homemade PSA! If she and Tyra teamed up, it would be world domination for sure. We'd all be smizing with our satchels of gold and getting dumber by the minute. Mr. Jay is wearing a t-shirt that says "band geek," and says that he was bullied in school for, well, being a band geek. Hey, I was a pom-pom girl. Band geekdom is real. But, as the old saying goes, she who wore a turquoise spandex bodysuit and sequined leg warmers shouldn't throw stones. My, those were heady days. Anyway, Jay rips off his "band geek" shirt to reveal a shirt that says "creative genius." He tells the girls that the word "band geek" did not define who he became as an adult. And neither does "creative genius." Nice try, though.
The girls will be modeling bathing suits today, and will have the word that was used to bully them written all over their body. What they're trying to show in their photo is that the girls have shed that negativity and are now strong, empowered women. Also, hot girls in bikinis with words on them! Maybe the show just wanted to prove that it could reference a George Michael video other than "Freedom 90." Their photographer will be Deborah Anderson. She implores the girls to reveal who they are through their eyes and body language in the photo. Hair, makeup, and body painting is done. Isaac Prado is the body paint artist. I don't think this is his specialty, given the results of the body painting. I mean, basically it looks like they just needed someone who knew cursive. Liz's bullying word is "mutt," which Isaac correctly says is terrible. Anita Patrickson is the wardrobe stylist for the day. We get a shot of Anamaria being an asshole, per usual, but her particular assholish gesture really shows off her prominent ribs in her bathing suit. Lexie tells us that Anamaria is emaciated. Also, she's a real jerk. Lexie does not see her as one of the stronger girls, despite what Anamaria herself thinks.
Tyra enters the building wearing a shirt that says "big forehead." Uh, I think the correct terminology is "fivehead." Tyra says that she heard comments about this every day, and in every recap for a while, and then one day a girl in high school came up to her and said she could be a model. And so Tyra whips off her shirt to reveal another, tucked into her high-waisted pants, that says, "Supermodel turned businesswoman." She turns around to reveal, "...with a big forehead." I love when Tyra pretends she has a sense of humor! Kudos to the staffer who came up with that. I would have preferred "rib-eating megalomaniac" myself. All jokes aside, this shoot is very important to Tyra, given how important the issue of teenage bullying, and Tyra bullying, is to her. She wants the girls to come up with an opposite to the bullying word they'll be using. She asks Terra what her bullying word is, and Terra says that the mean kids called her "soup cooler" because she has big lips. That is, in fact, ingenious in its nonsensicality. I mean, what the hell? Tyra asks how you turn "soup cooler" into something beautiful and positive. "Eater of soup that isn't so hot it will burn your pretty big lips?" Terra can't seem to think of anything, so Tyra suggests "luscious lips."
Tyra asks Ann when she last cried about being called a giant. Ann says it was probably during her senior year of high school, though I'm guessing "ten minutes ago" would be a more accurate answer. Tyra also notices that the issue is still close for Ann, and Ann sadly says, "...Yeah." She mimics the mean giant impression that people would do. Growing up really is shit sometimes. Also shit: appearing on a reality TV show that is recapped. Sorry, Ann. Tyra asks Ann to think of a positive spin on giant, and she's at a loss. Tyra suggests "Amazon," which is of course the obvious choice. Ann is all smiles and tells us that a giant is a monster, but an Amazon is glamorous and awesome and cool. And don't even get me started on how beautiful bi-creatural Amazon/warlock babies are.
The girls finalize their hair and makeup, and we learn that "body paint artist" Marky Andrews also knows rudimentary cursive. Damien Carney is the hair stylist for this shoot. Esther is up first. Her bully word is "weirdo," and her power word is "independent." Photographer Deborah Anderson tells Esther that the emotion in the face is the pain that she's gone through, but the body indicates that she's come through it with aplomb. I guess that means that no matter how weird you are, a great rack equals success. Esther has a hard time with the posing, and Jay points out that her hand placement makes it look like she has a crab claw coming out of her shoulder. He's convinced that Esther's 30G bosom is never going to be a problem, however her paucity of modeling ability may be. Rhianna's bullying word is "stupid." She says that teachers have called her stupid, because they have a hard time understanding her. Tyra tells Rhianna that this is because she has an artistic mind without boundaries and borders. Rhianna's power word is "undefinable." I think she should have gone for, "just rather dull." Deborah tells us that Rhianna struggled during her shoot, and got stuck in the same position. So much for the artistic mind, I guess. Couldn't she summon a tulip or something?
Lexie is . Her bully word is "elf ears" and her power wor
d is "unique." I would have gone for "number one toy maker in the workshop." She seems to do a competent job, which is pretty good at this point. Chelsey's bully word is "Casper," and her power word is "fearless." I'm not sure what the two have to do with each other, unless she's trying to impart that she ain't afraid of no ghost. Her own ghost, in fact. Maybe it's a message of self-love? Deborah is very complimentary, even though Chelsea starts to look cross-eyed while posing. As she poses, it becomes clear that the body paint smears a lot if you touch it, which makes the whole endeavor look a bit more Carrie than I think was intended. Kacey's bully word is "oreo," and she explains that she was teased for acting, talking, and dressing white. She picks "Nubian queen" as her power word. Sadly, her face doesn't look very queenly and she winds up with the same, blank, disengaged expression throughout her shoot.Tyra sits down with Kayla, who can barely croak out that her bully word is "queer." She is very emotional, and starts to cry. Kayla tells Tyra that she came out in tenth grade and was bullied so much that she had to leave her school and go to a new one. I have to pause for a moment and note that Kayla is wearing the most waterproof mascara of all time. It's truly amazing. This meaningful emotional moment has been brought to you probably not by Cover Girl. But back to the real story. Kayla is scared to see the word "queer" written on her body, because she knows how much it's hurt her, and she doesn't want to break down in the photo shoot. But queer can be such a positive word! Name it and reclaim it. This has been one to grow on. As Kayla contemplates her impending breakdown, and Tyra vigorously hopes for it, we head to commercials.
When we return, Kayla explains that she picked "queer" as her bullying word, because she knows how much it hurt her. She tells Tyra that her power word is "free." Kayla tearfully explains that she's excited to see that word written on her body. Tyra says that she's taking the power back and recites the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." Except that this challenge is all about how words hurt you! And how other words make you feel better! I mean, not that you'd expect the internal logic on this show to be consistent for a change. Kayla says that talking to Tyra eased her mind, because Tyra is a "motherly-type loving person." Either Kayla is painfully naïve, or stone cold calculating.
Kendal is photographed . Her bully word is "lanky," which I always use as a compliment, and her power word is "fierce," which has nothing to do with lankiness. This photo shoot is dumb. Jane is , with perhaps the best bully/power word combo of all. Her bully word is "big face." Her power word is -- wait for it -- "big square head." And she's the Ivy Leaguer! Jane says that she's trying to prove that she can make a big square head awesome. Good lord. Terra walks on set and says she's feeling nervous. As noted before, her bully word is the inscrutable "soup cooler" and her power words are "luscious lips." And I have to thank reader Beth who emailed me to say that her husband noticed a TYPO on Terra's fucking BODY PAINT! Seriously, show! Terra is apparently reclaiming her power by invoking bullying activist Luscious Lips, who carried a thermos of room-temperature soup wherever he went. It was the lukewarm soup of justice and understanding.
P>Awesomely, none of the 42 people on set can spell either. In fairness, perhaps they are too thrown off by Terra's utterly terrible performance to notice. Deborah Anderson diplomatically says that Terra was "a little intimidated by the moment." In fact she's shaking and looks like she's about to cry. And then she does cry. She interviews that the competition is a lot harder than she thought it was, and in fact is overwhelming. Deborah tries to direct her, and Terra breaks down further. Chris interviews that Terra had a complete meltdown, and is frustrated by the fact that her sister is the first to cry and will probably go home. Terra goes backstage and tries to instill fear in the other girls so they will maybe do worse. She says that they're about to get a look at how hard it is out there, and that as soon as you get out there it's completely different. She knows that she's in danger at panel, and says that she's not going to make excuses, but rather try to learn from this really bad experience.Liz is , and while her bully word is "mutt," her power word is "biracial beauty." See, that's a good one. We don't see much of her, but what we do see is relentlessly gorgeous, per usual. Sara is . Her bully word is "manly" and her power word is "athletic." She touches herself all over, so her body paint gets very, very smeary. Deborah tells Sara that she has a very safe face that she keeps going to, and should try to take it to the level. Then there's Ann, with her giant/Amazon word motif. The length and miniscule girth of Ann's torso are really something else. Ann would really like to go a day without people asking her how tall she is. She should just get a t-shirt made that says, "6'2."
There are yet more models to go! Chris has "bony" as her bully word and "slim" as her power word. Jay seems to like what she's doing. Anamaria, per usual, has some stank commentary. She says that the other girls are pretty, but they're small town America girls and she wouldn't look at them twice if she saw them on the street. When it's Anamaria's turn to be photographed, we learn that "bucktooth" is her bully word and "sexy mouth" is her power word. We get a look at Anamaria from the back and side, and there are ribs aplenty. Jay says that his big concern with Anamaria is her body. He didn't see tall, slender body -- he saw bones. Jay tells Anamaria that she's so vascular, and should be aware that she needs to pose in a way that's softer and more feminine. Wait. Is he saying that she looks like blood vessels? Creative genius at work! Anamaria responds that she's been trying so hard to get lean, but it's not working. Well, that's not good, is it? Jay tells her that she doesn't need to get lean, while Deborah Anderson looks on with puzzlement and horror. Anamaria interviews, "I don't give a fuck about what you think, what you have to say. I know how I feel, I know in the mirror what I'm looking back at, and that's all that matters to me." She walks off set on her bony little legs, hip bones jutting out, Afterschool Special music playing. That can't be good.
And finally we make it to Kayla. As the body artists are writing "queer" on her, she says, "This word is so harsh." But it's such a good word, too! Kayla tells us that the shoot felt therapeutic because she had "free" written on her neck. Jay says that Kayla found a way to model through the pain, and she looked breathtaking. That was easy! I guess she got all the emotion out in her heart to heart with Tyra and was thus able to kick butt fearlessly.
And then out of nowhere Demi Lovato visits the girls to talk about how people called her a fat whore when she was twelve. And so she's affiliated somehow with an organization called the Pacer Center that has a website called teensagainstbullying.org. I still don't understand who the fuck Demi Lovato is, because I'm old. But if she continues to wear that hideous jacket, she deserves all the bullying she gets. As Terra worries about her future in peril, we head to commercials.
Before we get to panel, there's a little film of the backstage pre-panel scene, which involves Tyra air-kissing a sequin-cloaked Andre Leon Talley and Nigel Barker, and welcoming fabulous guest judge Diane von Furstenberg. I do enjoy her, and am a little surprised that she's suffering these fools. Tyra introduces the judges to the girls when they enter, and mentions that, in addition to being a legendary designer, Diane is the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). She goes over the exciting prizes again, too, and the girls drool and smile crazily.
Tyra explains the bullying theme of the photo shoot, and says that they're paying homage to every young person who's ever been bullied. That's everyone. I guess universally relatable themes are important. Lexie is up first for critique and proudly shows off her elf ears, which are totally covered in her picture. Her eyes look amazing, according to Nigel, and Diane likes the attitude inside that's showing up. Tyra says that's exactly what the exercise was, and Diane's totally like, "Well then let's call it a night and go have a nice rum punch." ALT says that Lexie looks great in the bikini, and Diane's right that the attitude she projects is killer.
Kacey is , and explains to everyone what "oreo" means. Diane tells Kacey that she does, in fact, look like a Nubian queen, and that she's showing both strength and vulnerability. Tyra doesn't think she looks like a model, though, but could pass for a gorgeous athlete. FYI, Kacey still hasn't gotten contacts. Jane and her big square head are . ALT says that her body is very, very gauche in her photo, but it's exciting to see her face. Jane has a lot of natural potential, according to Tyra, but needs to take it to the level. Then there's Kayla, who talks about how freaking hard it was to be the gay girl in Rockford, Illinois. Her voice squeaks and squeaks as she says that it wasn't easy to look at the word "queer" on her body, but smiles when she tells the judges that her power word was "free." ALT thinks that her photo is beautiful. Diane says, "Free is the most beautiful word you could choose, because nothing is more important than freedom. And if you look for the freedom, then you will fly. And you look a little bit like you're just about to fly." How could they not play George Michael right now? But seriously, Diane's on to something -- Kayla does look like she's just about to fly. Also, Diane totally wants to give her a hug. So does ALT. Tyra tells Kayla that she photographs absolutely beautifully, and is only going to get better because she's out and proud and honest. She sends her back to the lineup with an enthusiastic, "Now go on back and be happy!" Top three for sure.
Liz, the mutt slash biracial beauty, is . Nigel says that the photograph is funky and punky, and he likes the curve in Liz's nose. The great thing about a mutt, he says, is that you are so many different things. ALT is impressed with Liz in person, but the photo doesn't do it for him. Esther is , and ALT says that there's so much awkwardness in her photo that he can't relate to it. This from a guy in a sequined cloak! He does think that she's beautiful, though. Tyra reminds Liz not to push her giant melons out in a photo, and remains impressed by her ability to hide them under normal circumstances. Kendal is , and Diane tells her that she's glamorous and much more beautiful than her photograph. ALT commends Kendal on the naturalness of her gazelle-like stance, and the alignment of her colonne vertebrale -- also known as a spine.
Sara is , and ALT is not impressed with her photo at all. Tyra says that she needs to bring a little more oomph and high fashion to her face, so she doesn't just look like some sexy girl in Maxim. Something tells me that Sara would be just fine being a sexy girl in Maxim/. we have soup cooler Terra. Nigel doesn't understand the picture, in which she's holding one bathing suit strap that she's untied. It really is pretty weird. ALT says that she's projecting lusciousness, and not luscious lips. Tyra says that she might have considered holding the string in her mouth, to bring attention to her lips. Her Lucious Lips. Modeling is trying not to go with the obvious, Tyra says, and dismisses Terra in a friendly manner. Chris is up , and Diane tells her that she needs to go stronger in her photo. Nigel agrees that if you go there, you really have to go there.
Chelsey is , and looks cross-eyed and bucktoothed. Naturally, the judges love it. ALT says it's gorgeous, and that he sees strength and confidence. Tyra tells Chelsey that her eyes look possessed, in a good way. Like some kind of Casper revenge fantasy. In any case: raves. Rhianna is and ALT can't understand her "undefinable" photo. However, he does think that she has potential. Diane loves the word undefinable. She encourages Rhianna to lengthen her neck, and continue to be undefinable. I sure hope I can rock a style caftan and real tan like Diane von Furstenberg when I'm 110.
Anamaria is . Nigel tells her that she's very slim and needs to learn how to work her angles. For example, she should turn her bony pelvis away from the camera. Tyra takes this moment to get serious and message-y, and tells Anamaria that this picture was chosen because her body is covered. In her other film, her body doesn't look healthy, and it made Tyra very uncomfortable. We get a small montage of disturbing poses from Anamaria, and Anamaria says that the others might see it, but she doesn't. She likes her body, and says she likes looking in the mirror and seeing her abs. ALT looks horrified, while Diane von Furstenberg looks vaguely amused. She probably sees this shit day in and day out. Tyra says that there's a point where a designer or magazine editor would even say that it's too much. Diane pipes in and says that, as the President of the CFDA, beauty is health, and if you lose your health you lose your beauty. All the poor, ugly invalids and chronically ill people in the world shake their heads in dismay. Anamaria looks like she can't even believe this shit. Not so much the eating disorder part, but the fact that they've obviously cast her to make an example of her.
Finally, there's Ann. Despite the fact that she's proportionately just as skinny as Anamaria, the judges go apeshit for her photo. Tyra shouts out, "J'adore!" and there are cries of "amazing!" ALT sees an aristocratic, European vibe of elegance, and Diane tells Ann that she could be a big model. Ann says that it's overwhelming to hear so many elite people telling her she's beautiful because she's tall. Tyra reminds her that it's more difficult for a 6'2" model to get signed, but once she's in she could be huge. Metaphorically.
The judges deliberate. Lexie embraced her uniqueness, and ALT loves it. Tyra says that Kacey's picture isn't dreckitude, but it's almost there. Nigel thinks it's ironic that Jane's issue is her face, when her body is what caused all her problems in the photo. What showed in Kayla's photograph is vulnerability, and Diane thinks that's what makes it interesting. Tyr
a thinks that Kayla has something very special. ALT says that there's a dynamic in Liz's face, even though her body says nothing for the moment. Ann has the ugly duckling syndrome, which is vindicated by her picture. ALT says that beauty is about health, and Anamaria does not project healthiness. Nigel points out that there's a big difference between being naturally slim and very tall, like Ann, and someone who's staring at herself in the mirror and wanting to see her ribs. Diane at least acknowledges that Anamaria's face looks gorgeous in her photo, and she could definitely be a model. Terra's picture is terrible. Chris looks like she's trying to model, and not succeeding very well. Diane thinks that Chelsea's picture looks like a model picture. ALT says that Rhianna has great promise. As a fashion designer, Diane says that if she saw Kendal she'd book her right away. That's high praise. Esther looks a bit mature, overly ripe, and almost bordering on stale, according to ALT. Sara needs to move from Barbie doll to high-fashion Barbie doll. The panel praises itself for being so socially conscious, and Diane totally can't wait to get out of there.The girls return. The first name that Tyra calls is Ann's. She also had the best photo for the week, and looks totally shocked and thrilled. It's pretty cute. Kayla is called , followed by Chelsey, Kendal, Lexie, Liz, Jane, Esther, Chris, Rhianna, Kacey, and Sara. This leaves Terra and Anamaria in the bottom two. Terra is absolutely beautiful, and is a fan of Lucious Lips, but though her posing is strong it lacks focus and tends to err towards the obvious. And this season is about being Italian Vogue-worthy. And then there's Anamaria, who is a gorgeous girl but a bad role model, with her bitchy attitude and obvious eating disorder. And nobody likes that. Terra stays and is greatly relieved. Anamaria hugs Tyra, who tells her that she doesn't want Anamaria to lose work because she's too skinny. She says that Anamaria might be the healthiest girl in the world, which totally isn't true, and adds that it might not hurt to eat some avocado and bread with butter on it. Wow, Tyra. What stellar advice. I'm sure that will fix everything! Maybe Tyra should open up a clinic in addition to that camp for wayward girls.
Anamaria is shocked that she's been eliminated. Though the judges say that she's too skinny, she personally likes her body. If she gets told by multiple agencies that she's too thin then she'll consider doing something about it, but in the meantime she hopes that she'll make it on her own.
time: Makeovers! Lexie freaks out. And there seems to be a challenge elimination of some sort!
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