America’s Next Top Model 8, Episode 1: Goodwill Hunting

Michelene is the next girl to meet the judges. She has a ton of makeup on and the judges rip some flowers out of her hair. She says that she knows a little about fashion but wants to open a magazine and see a girl with as many tattoos as she has. The judges ask her how many she has and Michelene responds with, “Last time I counted, around 20.” How do you forget how many you have? I’ll say this – sometimes tattoos can be hot. Michelene has too many for it to be considered hot anymore.

Samantha, the country girl, is next. She’s just a small-town girl who admits to being a little insecure because she is missing a tooth in the back of her mouth. She has never modeled before or walked in front of people. Apparently she must hover or crawl in front of people. I like her, though!

Melissa is up next from NYC. She says that she’s not there to be second or third – she’s there to win! The judges inquire about her hair and why it looks a little ragged. Melissa tells the judges that a friend actually borrowed her weave, but when she found out she was going to LA, she demanded it back and sewed it back onto her head herself. The judges look mortified, and I can’t stop laughing! On top of it all, she actually shows the camera how it’s falling out as she pulls out some of the tracks and holds them up. I’ve officially seen it all! When she leaves the room, the judges comment that she has a strong face but is very short.

Dionne is a student, mom, pianist, had a pet tarantula, favorite food is spaghetti, favorite color is blue, and a whole bunch of other things! She talks forever and you can tell the judges are getting annoyed. They do eventually cut her off but don’t get any real information out of her. Man, this girl can TALK!

Natalie tells the judges that she is a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn and loves the movie Dinner at Tiffany’s. The judges get a kick out of that as Natalie backtracks and says, “I’m sorry, is it brunch?” I’m not going to say a word.

Saucy Jaslene is back and ready to see the judges! She says she is more confident this season, even though she was cut last time. Tyra says that she doesn’t feel that Jaslene is as crazy and fun anymore, and might be boring. Jaslene assures them that she is still a spicy Latina. They tell her not to do the catalogue pose that she did last year, and we see Jaslene do her walk that she says she does 24/7. I like her just as much as I did last season, but she does still remind me of a drag queen.

Jessica is from Inglewood, CA and ready to do something different with her life. She tells the judges that she can have a temper sometimes, as the judges go back and forth with her yelling at one another. This makes no sense.

Renee is a 20-year-old mother from Maui. She’s living in Palm Springs right now, though, since her husband is looking for work? I didn’t understand the way she explained it. She tells the judges that her husband and son are her world, and that she’ll take no prisoners in the competition. I kind of like this girl!

Back at the hotel, Kathleen tells the girls that she’s a farter and a belcher. All the girls chime in with their dirty habits and Cassandra says she’s from Seattle, so she doesn’t care what people think. Natasha gets involved, though, and tells the other girls that they should be ladies at all times, passing judgment on them. Renee tells Natasha that she is done with her being a know-it-all, and she won’t take her crap. Good for you, Renee!

Whitney meets the judges and tells them that she has a good head on her shoulders. She went to Dartmouth College and succeeded there, where she was in the minority. Now, with the other girls, she’s in the minority again, being a plus-sized girl, but she doesn’t think she’s fat – she’s gorgeous. I agree!

Jael knows that she’s not the hottest thing in the world, and she doesn’t follow the beat of any drummer. She looks white, but her mother is actually African-American and her dad is German/Jewish. She doesn’t know what she considers herself when the judges ask her, so she just says, “American.” Makes sense!

Diana is another plus-sized girl. She tells the judges that she wants to be the first plus-sized girl to finally win the competition, feeling that it would be a good statement to girls everywhere. The judges grill her about her childhood, and she reveals that she used to be a lot skinnier, but when she gained weight, her father came down on her. Finally she had enough and told him that he can’t talk to her that way. She doesn’t want to be stick skinny – she’s happy with who she is.

Felicia, from Houston, meets the judges and tells them that the other girls there have been calling her “Baby Tyra.” The judges feel she has a little bit of Beyonce going on. She’s not intimidated by the other girls, but she has her eye on a few. She says that Jaslene and her walk are something to watch, along with Melissa and her looks, but the rest of the girls? They’re just fun to talk to!

The judges have now talked to all the girls and it’s time to make a cut. Only 20 invitations are in a room behind Jay, and he says that those 20 girls will need to get ready for a party that evening, where their photos will be taken. There will be 13 girls without a photo. The Jays set the girls loose in the other room and they begin looking for their invitations. Kathleen sees hers and does a happy dance. So do I – I love this girl! Heather finds hers as well. Natasha can’t believe she made it, and Melissa says from this point, it’s on!