America’s Next Top Model 8, Episode 4: Strike A Pose

The girls have Tyra mail waiting for them when they get home from the shoot, and it says that tomorrow they will meet with the judges and someone is going home. Felicia says that if she gets a good review, she plans on dancing. Jael is worried since she didn’t do her best and she was traumatized during her show. Renee seems worried as well, but she had a good shoot, and I’d say that she’s safe for right now.

Time for panel! The girls file in and the judges are waiting, where Tyra reminds them of the prizes and introduces the judges as usual, including Mike Rosenthal, their latest photographer. She says their shoot was to breathe life into dead poses. Now, it’s time for individual evaluations and Renee is first!

The judges take a look at Renee’s photo and think she is poised and they love her jaw. All the judges like her photo this week and feel she looks great in person as well. Dionne is next and Tyra says that she is dressed as if she is still auditioning to be on the show. They look at her photo and they love the leg and the positioning, however, it turns out that Jay did the positioning. Nigel wonders what would happen if the photo was stripped – would Dionne still stand out?

It’s time for everyone’s favorite Russian, Natasha! Tyra and company look at her photo and feel her face needs work. She needs to switch it around, but she is given real compliments and actually understands what is going on. It’s refreshing! Diana is up next and Nigel loves the execution in her photo. They feel she has grown leaps and bounds from last panel.

Jael is next and Tyra says that she knows this was tough for Jael with everything going on. They look at her photo and Nigel loves it. He says that Jael is showing that she can manage under pressure and be versatile. Jaslene sashays up next and is showing her personality! The judges look at her photo of being pushed off the building and everyone loves it, especially Ms. J. who thinks that she nailed it with her eye contact.

Sarah steps forward next and the judges feel that she is struggling with her posing but she really got it in the face. Brittany’s electrocuted photo is praised by the judges and Tyra commends her for taking control and doing more poses. I have to agree – she really did take charge instead of complaining when her photos didn’t turn out the way she wanted.

Felicia is called up and the judges look at her photo. Nigel says that the other girls did some posing but she simply looks like she is dead. Tyra says that Felicia looks like she gave up and is stuck. Felicia looks shocked and isn’t sure what to say. Finally, there’s Whitney. Twiggy looks at her photo and says for the first time she can see a fashion model. Nigel says she doesn’t look dead, but that’s his only complaint. With that, it’s time to deliberate! Here’s what the judges had to say about each of the girls:

Natasha upped her game this week. Tyra says that Natasha has a big head, and for some reason, that’s a good thing since it helps the camera.

Dionne distressed Twiggy this week with her outfit and lack of presence. Tyra says that she had no “oomph” but she can still see something in here.

Nigel complains about Diana’s smile and Twiggy agrees. I don’t know how this is relevant, but whatever!

Jael has a lot of baggage that Nigel can’t get over as well. They think she might be a little too emotional right now. Umm, yeah! Her friend just died!

Felicia had some issues with the light, but has always done well. They think she is beginning to be a little cocky though, and isn’t really moving in her photos.

Brittany had a great photo once again, but they feel that she is making the clothing look a little chunky. Okay, another “where did that come from?”

Whitney had a very good photo this week, but still isn’t looking like a model to Twiggy. Oh, and you know that Twiggles – once you aren’t on her good side, you never will be.

Sarah is one of those girls that isn’t classic pretty, but she looks great on film, and the judges loved her photo this week.

Jaslene brought back the personality and the judges are happy with her once again. On top of it, she rolled out another great photo that has impressed the judges.

Twiggy says that Renee had the best photo this week and she loves her. Tyra thinks that Renee’s photo, coupled with how upbeat and fun she was in front of them really goes a long way. Wasn’t Renee just severely depressed?

Once the girls are back in the judging room, Tyra tells them that there are 10 girls in front of her, but she only has nine photos. The first name called this week… is Renee! Tyra tells her that she is shining through right now and had the best photo – the judges loved it!

The next girl called is Natasha, who freaks out since she is always called near the end. Brittany is called next and Tyra tells her that she has consistently taken great photos. Whitney is called next and then Jaslene. Jael is called next and she looks shocked. Diana follows and Whitney breathes a sigh of relief. Sarah is called down, leaving Felicia and Dionne as the bottom two.

Tyra says that she only has one photo and the girl not called will need to pack her bags and go home. Dionne has come into panel showing no inspiration to the judges. Tyra says that in a week where everyone took a good photo, the judges start looking at other things, like how the girls look outside of their photos. She turns to Felicia and says that she came in strong, but has been dwindling, making the judges wonder if she is falling apart.

The final girl called is…Dionne! When she goes to get her photo, Tyra tells her that she has to not only look good in the photos, but outside of them as well – she needs to show progression. Felicia is given a hug from Tyra and told that she is beautiful and unique, but needs more time to develop and understand her look and what high fashion is.

With that, Felicia gives the other girls their hugs, saying that she grew attached to them all and they are her sisters. She felt good to see them cry because it made her realize that she had an impact. Even though she’s sad that she didn’t go further, Felicia still plans on trying to model, ending the episode with a saying that I hate: “Everything happens for a reason.”

Next week, Natasha’s home life raises some questions – remember, she was 18 when she got married and her husband is 40. Can you say “mail order bride”? Also, Renee continues to irritate the other girls, especially Whitney, when she asks her if she thinks a plus sized girl could REALLY represent Cover Girl. Hey, I say the same thing! Here’s how I’m ranking the girls for next week:

Brittany
Jaslene
Whitney
Renee
Sarah
Dionne
Jael
Natasha
Diana

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