America’s Next Top Model 13, Episode 10: Girls for Pele

Previously on America’s Next Top Model, the five remaining models continued their Hawaiian adventure and received instruction from supermodel Marissa Miller in how to be sexy during a swimsuit photo shoot without being too trampy. Our aspiring models then had a challenge which involved jumping off a rocky outcrop into the ocean. Nicole won the challenge along with a $5,000 pearl necklace and extra frames in the next photo shoot. In a bizarre schoolyard choice of selections, everyone but Erin also received additional frames in the next photo shoot.

At the photo shoot, the models were fully underwater in the ocean. Jennifer and Nicole excelled in the photo shoot, while Laura was in the middle of the pack. Sundai and Erin were the bottom two (Erin for the third week in a row) and Sundai was eliminated.

Four models remain, but not for long.

Missed anything? Check out my recap of the previous episode 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 last elimination on the way back to the Hawaii Top Model house. Erin, Nicole, Jennifer, and Laura note that they’re the final four models in the competition. Erin confides that she’s remained in the competition by the narrowest of margins for the last three weeks and that she has a difficult task in trying to make it to the final three.

Nicole thinks that Erin has the looks to be a model, but not the self-esteem. Nicole also thinks that she’s progressed a lot during the competition and lacked a lot of self-esteem at the beginning. She credits the pure joy of modeling as the reason she’s still around. She thinks that Jennifer will make it to the final two along with herself.

Arriving back at the Hawaii Top Model house, Jennifer sees her photo on display from the last photo shoot and is most pleased with herself. Jennifer feels that she’s proven that she can be a Top Model.

Laura reflects on where she came from to be in the final four – castrating bulls and cutting hay. She reveals that it’s her dream to be a lingerie model. In confidence, Laura tears up a bit when she thinks about the possibilities that making it so far in the competition could bring to her. She also hopes to show her siblings that they can also be successful by working hard towards their goals.

Tyra Mail arrives and gives a hint about “skirting the issue,” which all of the contestants guess is in reference to the traditional Hawaiian hula dance.

The next morning, the models are shuttled to a secluded beach and are met by a group of impressive-looking women in white bikini tops and colorful sarongs. Lovely hula music begins and the hula dancing begins. Our contestants stand nearby and relax to the music. In a flash, the music stops and the dancers whip off their sarongs to reveal white bikini bottoms. The music abruptly changes to a hula/hip-hop amalgam, which naturally takes the contestants aback. The dancers switch to a high-energy form of the hula.

Nicole has a bad flashback to the dancing competition held previously this season where she gave a rather dismal performance. She recognizes that dancing just isn’t her forte.

The hip hop hula demonstration stops and the models applaud in appreciation. The lead dancer addresses the models and introduces herself as Anna-Rita Sloss, a hip hop hula instructor. Anna-Rita tells the models that they need to be able to tell a story with their bodies in order to be a Top Model.

The hip hop hula lesson begins and the models attempt to learn a choreographed routine. Nicole lacks confidence in her ability to win a dance competition, but Erin is excited about her chances due to her cheerleading background.

Anna-Rita then teaches the models a series of traditional hula moves that they can incorporate into their own solo hula dance within the group hip hop hula dances. Each hula move has a theme, such as love, strength, fear, determination, and sadness. Those moves must tell a story.

The lesson has ended and Anna-Rita instructs the models to work on their own routines individually. Jennifer is confused as to how to incorporate the traditional hula moves into the overall routine.

The models take time to practice the hip hop hula routine and Erin takes the lead in trying to help the other contestants with the choreography. Erin quickly determines that Nicole may be beyond help when it comes to dancing. Nicole quickly determines that Erin really does get on her nerves.

Laura likes to dance and believes that she’s rather good at it. However, dancing in front of an audience – especially as part of a competition – makes her rather nervous.

Finally, it’s time for the hip hop hula competition and models find skimpy outfits waiting for them. Dressed for success, the models gather on the beach and are backed up by the squad of hip hop hula dancers. Waiting for the models is Miss J, who’ll act as co-judge for this competition with Anna-Rita.

Miss J. announces that the winner of the hip hop hula competition will get to return to Hawaii with one of the other contestants for a week-long all expenses paid vacation at a luxury resort.

Jennifer is up first and her story is about love, determination, and happiness. Anna-Rita likes Jennifer’s dance solo quite a bit, but feels that her hip hop portion was weak. Erin follows and her story is about being sad and lonely as a child, then emerging in adolescence. Miss J. thinks that Erin’s dance came across more as just being angry. Laura is next is her dance is about dreaming bigger than those around you think is possible. Miss J. is impressed with Laura’s dancing and understands her story as it was told. Nicole finishes with her dance and she’s a big mess. She knows she’s awful and finishes with a funny “taa-daa!” Miss J. takes his place in front of the cameras and lovingly mocks Nicole’s performance.

Anna-Rita is ready with her critiques. She loved Erin’s free-style portion, she liked Laura’s hip hop moves, she has little to say to Nicole, and wishes that Jennifer were more consistent. Anna-Rita and Miss J. are ready to announce the winner of the hip hop hula challenge and it’s Laura. She thanks Jesus … really. She chooses to bring Jennifer with her when she returns to the islands for her vacation.

Later, in the Hawaii Top Model house, Jennifer and Laura talk about their winnings. Erin is bitter not to have won, of course. Tyra Mail arrives and warns of pressure making the models feel like they’re going to explode. Erin notes that the next task is the last photo shoot before the final three.