America’s Next Top Model 13, Episode 8: Kowabunga

Previously on America’s Next Top Model, the seven aspiring models got to try their collective hands at television interviews – with the help of comedian and reality show veteran ANT, host of the television show The Insider Lara Spencer, and star of the resurrected series 90210 Jessica Lowndes. Laura’s dyslexia was revealed and proved to be an issue with her interview attempt. Erin won the interview challenge and received a Seventeen photo shoot as her prize.

In lieu of the regular photo shoot, the models had to write their own scripts and perform in a Covergirl commercial shoot. Jennifer won the commercial shoot competition, followed closely by Nicole. Erin’s overconfidence proved to be an issue as she didn’t spend enough time memorizing her own script … and performed badly as a result. Surprisingly, Rae was sent home and Erin managed to stay in the competition for another week.

Six models remain, but not for long.

Missed anything? Check out my recap of the previous episode right here and also check out Phil Kural’s exit interview with Rae right here.

The winner of this season of America’s Next Top Model will receive a dream contract with Wilhelmina Models, a $100,000 Covergirl contract, and a cover with six-page spread in Seventeen magazine.

Now, on to this week’s episode:

We begin just after the previous elimination. In the limo ride back to the Top Model house, Jennifer and Erin discuss Erin’s narrow escape from elimination. Erin admits that her commercial was terrible. Erin also note that she thinks that she acts mature for her age (18) and is able not to show her true emotions. Brittany offers a contrary view and confides that she thinks of Erin as being immature, while she’s the mature one in the group (at 21), to the point where she has a hard time relating to the other contestants. (I want to be there when either of these two turns 30.)

Arriving at the Top Model house, the contestants find the place taped of with red danger tape everywhere. They also find workers in hazmat suits and a big “condemned” sign overhead. One of the workers turns out to be Tyra (of course), who rocks a white hazmat jumpsuit. The models are naturally surprised to see Tyra.

Tyra explains that their Top Model house is the most disgusting and dirty that she’s ever seen. Tyra takes the models into the kitchen and shows them the piles of dirty dishes and open food left strewn about. Then Tyra takes the models into one of the bedrooms and demands to know whose suitcase is overflowing with clothes. It turns out to be Sundai’s suitcase and Tyra claims that it would make a good home for a rat. Jennifer admits that she’s embarrassed about the condition of their Top Model house.

Tyra declares that the Top Model house is officially condemned and that the contestants can no longer live in it. Instead, Tyra opens the sliding door to the backyard to reveal hula dancers, fire dancers, leis, and tiki torches. She announces that everyone is moving to Hawaii. Naturally, the women jump up and down, screaming in delight. It turns out that the backyard is hosting a full-on luau with drinks, fruit, and sand.

Tyra ends the party by telling the models to hurry up and pack for their trip. Sundai is thrilled to be going to Hawaii as she’s never been able to travel. It’s a flurry of clothes and suitcases as the models pack. Laura reflects that she’s come a long way from her small home town.

Soon enough, the models are on a plane, then landing in Hawaii. They’re shuttled off in a black bus to the Hawaii Top Model house: a stunning mansion near the beach. One of the televisions in the Hawaii Top Model house shows the Covergirl commercial starring Jennifer (as she won the commercial competition).

The models find another television in the backyard showing Jennifer’s commercial … and then another television in a bedroom showing Jennifer’s commercial. Jennifer is pretty much all over the house … even in the bathroom. On further inspection, the models find a gorgeous backyard pool with fountain and a vast lawn. Back inside the Hawaii Top Model house, they find posters of Teyona – winner of the previous cycle of America’s Next Top Model.

All too soon, Tyra Mail arrives and advises that the models will need to catch their own “break.” Someone guesses that they’ll all be fishing.

Later that night, Erin works on Laura’s hair and sings a song that she wrote about all of the other contestants. Brittany offers that Erin is the most annoying person in the house as she continually talks and shrieks. Brittany says that she’s just about on her last good nerve. Erin observes that Brittany has a bad attitude and wonders why the judges continue to like her.

The next morning, the models make their way to the beach and find a clutch of surfboards. They’re greeted by Sofia Beschen and Buzzy Kerbox. Sofia is a petite model and an accomplished surfer. Buzzy (if that is his real name) is a surfing champion and model. Sofia states that surfing requires balance and body awareness – both qualities that a good model has. The women are going to learn how to surf.