America’s Next Top Model 9, Episode 11: Swan Song

Regular recapper Phil Kural has run off to try to convince Tyra to change her mind about Heather, so I’m taking his place for the week. I’m sure he’ll be back here next week - possibly with a brand-new weave.

Previously on America’s Next Top Model, the five remaining girls went on go-sees. Heather got lost, and didn’t do well in the one go-see she made it to. Bianca won the challenge but didn’t do very well at the photo shoot. Jenah was sarcastic with Nigel and the judges took notice. However, it was Heather who was eliminated, leaving us with our final four: Bianca, Chantal, Jenah, and Saleisha.

The girls are still in Shanghai but getting ready to head to Beijing. Back in their hotel, they find Heather mail. Jenah interviews that she’s sad to see Heather go. Bianca reads Heather’s note, then hands it to Jenah, who says Heather had a great look but trouble communicating. Heather’s note says she hoped to make friends but made family instead. Bianca interviews that she wasn’t even really trying, so it doesn’t even matter that she’s not here. How sweet. Chantal reminds everyone that they’re in the top four. She interviews that it’s great that they’ve had the opportunity to go to two fashion capitals in just a few weeks.

In Beijing, the girls meet their tour guide, Kevin, who shows them a portrait of Chairman Mao. Bianca says it’s surreal to be in China and she’s learning a lot. Jenah says she couldn’t picture herself going home because she came to win. She interviews that it was great to be in the bottom two; “you should try it.” No, thanks. She admits that she’s really stressed right now and is trying not to let it tear her apart. Chantal interviews that Jenah is falling apart this close to the end. Chantal tells the others her whole life has led up to this and she knows this is her destiny. Bianca is sick of her talking about that stuff.

The girls arrive at a garden, where they see some people chanting and carrying Ms. J and Twiggy. Ms. J says Beijing is one of the new fashion capitals. Twiggy explains that they’re going to learn about China’s culture. In ancient Chinese history, there’s a story about the Four Beauties, which I’ll let you read about so I don’t have to recap the information. Saleisha interviews that the final four girls are all beautiful show-stoppers. Bianca is bored, but says, “When in China, do like the Chinese.” Ms. J tells the girls they’ll find out how the Four Beauties story relates to them soon, though Jenah seems to have already figured it out.

The girls head to their new home, which is a beautiful lit-up pagoda. They’ve graduated to double beds. Saleisha says that this is an experience of a lifetime, but it’s scary, too. They find boxes and Tyra mail telling them there’s a great mall in China. The boxes contain dresses worn by the Four Beauties, which the girls must wear in the morning.

When morning comes, the girls wear the dresses to meet Ms. J and Twiggy at the mall. Twiggy tells them they have to distinguish themselves like the Four Beauties. Their challenge is to modernize and individualize the outfits, using things bought at the mall, then model them on a runway.

The girls run off for an hour of shopping with about $200. Jenah’s sure they ticked off some people. Chantal’s Beauty had a basket, so she goes for a bag. Bianca’s Beauty put flowers to shame, so she finds a flowered bag. Saleisha is going off of the colors of her dress and is having a great time. Bianca goes to the other side of the mall, since the others haven’t been there, but there are just shoe stores. She runs back across the street, unhappy, and decides to tell Jenah to go across the street to get more stuff. Jenah listens, which makes Bianca happy. “Where is across the street?” Jenah wonders. That’s deep. Bianca interviews that there are no friends in the competition, only competitors.

Jenah is almost out of time and upset that there’s nothing on the other side of the mall. She’s done with the sabotage and psyching out. That’s not her.

When time is up, the girls meet back up with Ms. J and Twiggy, who are now with Seventeen’s editor-in-chief, Ann Shoket. Ann reminds them that one of them will be on the cover of Seventeen. The girls go off to put on their own makeup, and Saleisha is nervous about Ann being there. Bianca knows Jenah’s mad, but she doesn’t care. Jenah says it’s every woman for herself.

Saleisha is first on the runway. She says she felt herself becoming one of the Beauties. Ms. J loves her walk and her modernized outfit. Next is Chantal, who wanted a soft face. Twiggy likes her natural, smooth walk. Bianca wants to prove herself, and Ann likes that she used rosettes to raise her dress and show off her legs. Jenah wanted to look like royalty, and Twiggy likes that she turned an evening dress into a mini dress.

Ann tells the girls they all did great and have been working hard. She advises Saleisha to loosen up a little and show more personality. She liked Jenah’s modeling. Bianca obviously liked the music she was walking to, but she bopped a little too much and was too hip-hop. Ann likes Chantal’s shoes. No, that’s it. The winner is Jenah. She gets to pick a friend and both will have Chinese couture dresses made for them. She picks Chantal. Bianca claims not to care. Ann adds that Jenah also gets runway lessons with Ms. J, which is an ANTM first.

Later, Ms. J has Jenah and Chantal try on their dresses. Jenah’s is a beautiful blue and she loves it. Chantal’s is a really nice green and she hopes to find a place to wear it. Jenah walks in her regular clothes and Ms. J shows her the attitude she gives with her walk. Jenah says she learned a lot from Ms. J’s little tweaks.

Back at home, Tyra mail asks if a Top Model can be seen from outer space. The girls immediately know they’re going to the Great Wall. Later, they lounge on their beds and Saleisha says she’s tired of games and needs to concentrate. Bianca is ready for the competition to be over; she came to win, and she’s going to win and then model. She and Chantal bicker a little, and Bianca interviews that Saleisha and Chantal think they’re going to be the top two, but Bianca won’t leave until she wins.