America’s Next Top Model 18, Episode 2: “Can You Not Film Me Right Now?”

After Tyra’s recap of last week’s culture clash-off, our episode opens up with a reminder of the American model number lead of seven to six. The models are shown talking about their own team and how they are willing to do anything to get farther in this competition, ready to beat the other girls. This show is showing some nationality to the extreme!

Up next is Tyra mail. The girls run to the living room to hear from Victoria Recaño for ANTM TV. She tells the models an elaborate story that Tyra’s cell phone has been hacked and her emails opened. The emails have been seen across the world and the makeover plans for the girls have leaked. Victoria continues to tell the models that, of course, Tyra is shaking thing up this cycle by taking her inspiration straight from Europe, where funky hair is “ruling the runway.”

Panic ensues. All the girls immediately freak out about their makeover, wondering if their hair will be the hair to get cut to “boys’ length.”

After the commercial break, the girls go immediately to make-up. Jay Manuel is there to welcome to girls to the famous Sally Hershberger Salon. J. Alexander welcomes Sally (who charges $850 minimum for a haircut, by the way) and right away, the “shake-overs” (this cycle, it’s more than a makeover) begin.

Laura is given red, blue, and blonde hair. Sophie goes cotton candy pink. AzMarie is given a shaved design (but, since when did she have hair to shave?) of “ANTM” on the back of her head. Louise is the lucky girl to get the “boy cut” and is extremely reluctant to taking part in the makeover. She doesn’t want her hair to be any shorter or darker, as her agency back home expects her to look a certain way… Wait a second, weren’t these girls just talking about and saying they’d do anything to win?

Catharine’s hair is dyed magenta pink, while Alisha gets half of her head shaved off. Annaleise’s hair suddenly becomes an ‘80s tribute with her new teased look. Poor Eboni is burned with a curling iron and it becomes a huge issue. We actually see Eboni hiding from a camera, saying, “Can you not film me right now?” with tears running down her face. Ouch. I do feel bad for her, but isn’t that the point of a model? To live as if she is being photographed 24/7? I’m not sure asking for a camera to leave is the best thing to do in this industry.

After the makeovers are over, the models are happy with their new looks in general. However, Louise is not happy with her makeover. But, according to all the stylists, Louise looks great. After her makeover, Louise compares herself to Justin Bieber, by calling him “the Justin Biebs.” Gotta love those Brits. Turns out, she now thinks she is the queen of the competition.

After their makeovers are complete, the girls spend time in the mansion, talking about their new looks and the new drama to come from these new looks. Several of them feel they look like others within the house because of their new looks.

The models then run into the diner with AzMarie telling us there is a small surprise waiting for them. Two tables are set up (one for each team) with a note explaining that girls must eat food from the opposite country. Apparently, this is hard for the girls to fathom. After the initial shock of it all, the girls dive in and start eating as much as they can. Eboni says the food is “nasty” and starts vomiting it out. Is this ANTM’s way of telling us that the models do eat? The Americans win the competition (oh yeah, apparently it was a competition that we weren’t told about… I’m not sure what the prize is.).

Candace spends some time joking with Seymone about devouring the haggis, but Seymone justifies it all by saying she did it for her team. The fighting begins! Seymone is sick to her stomach, but did it all for the team, and yet Candace is not grateful at all. I agree with Seymone. You go, girl! Sadly, before the break, we do see Seymone sitting in front of a chamber pot (Brit shout-out), ready to spill her cookies (or in this case, haggis). Sorry, Seymone. Now that was true sacrifice for the game! These girls will do anything.

Here comes more Tyra mail! The note spells “concept” with a “k” (“koncept”), giving us the first glimpse into the Kris Jenner spotlight.

The next day begins as Jay Manual welcomes them back to the studio. Since the makeovers were rough for some, he feels the models need a “mom-ager” to help the models. After the introduction, out walks… Kris Jenner!

Kris describes the challenge and tells the girls they will be posing as toddlers – essentially, Kris’s toddlers. As Jay states it, the shoot will be “Kardashian + Addams Family.” The models head to costume and immediately begin putting on (in my opinion) the most bizarre and wacky “toddler” clothes I’ve ever seen. While still dressing, Kris and Jay walk in to introduce another aspect of the challenge. The models will also pose with Kendall and Kyle Jenner, Kris’s two youngest daughters, who are wearing outfits that resemble either “The Ring” or “The Orphan.” Either way, the costumes frighten me.

According to several confessionals, the Brits absolutely love the Kardashians! Maybe the Americans are over the whole phase but Sophie, complete with cotton candy pink hair, is thrilled to be in the presence of such a family. Annaliese and Seymone are first up to pose as Kris reads a story to the “toddlers.” Seymone looks great, but there is a certain spark missing from her. As for Annaliese, her posture while sitting on Kris’s lap could be better.