America’s Next Top Model 2, Episode 1 – This Is No Garden of Eden

Heather is up and Nigel says that she is very comfortable in front of the camera. Mercedes can’t seem to follow directions, and he also says that Shandi needs to realize that she is a beautiful girl. Nigel tells the camera, as Yoanna is shooting, that she has a beautiful face, but her body needs some work. Jenascia is the last to go, and I must say, has the most elaborate costume of them all. As she is posing, Xiomara says she is screwing up. It’s quite obvious that she is still upset. Jenascia says that if she doesn’t get eliminated, “it’s on!”

Anna is at home, waiting for the other girls. Let me just say something real quick. Anna’s costume was far more revealing than the rest of the girls. If they want to keep referring to her as a “plus sized model” they need to cover her up more. Compared to the other girls, Anna would have been way more exposed, so I can’t blame her for not doing the shoot. When the others return home, Anna has Tyra mail saying that tomorrow is eliminations and only 11 will continue on. Heather states that all the girls go into competitive mode as they all remember this is a contest. Jenascia is nervous that she will be the one to go.

Tyra meets the girls in the elimination room. The judging panel is Janice Dickinson, our brutally honest judge and one time supermodel; Eric Nicholson, fashion editor of Jane magazine; and Nigel Barker, the photographer. Tyra reminds the girls what the winner will get: a modeling contract with the same company she is with, a cosmetics contract, and their own spread in Jane. Each girl will be judged on natural talent, potential, personality, their ability to be versatile, and lastly, their performance in the photo shoot. Xiomara is first up for individual evaluations. She was shocked at the runway show. The judges tell her what she did wrong and they look at her photo. April is next and Janice tells her she loves her face. Catie is told she looked stiff on the runway and that she looks uncomfortable in her photo from the shoot. Sara is told she didn’t do too bad, while Yoanna finds out from Janice that she has a classic face that was made for beauty. Wow, that’s a huge compliment coming from Janice. Camille is told to lighten up, with Tyra adding a comment in that she needs to add more booty.

Anna is up and she tells the judges that she is sure of herself as a plus size model. Tyra tells her that she looked more like a beauty queen on the runway. They then ask Anna why she didn’t do the shoot and Anna tells them it wasn’t ladylike. The judges are confused and ask if it had to do with religion, but Anna says no, she was just trying to be Christ-like. Janice is dumbfounded and puts her head down. I’m a little confused too.

Mercedes goes in and they tell her that they like her face, attitude, and pose in her picture. Shandi is scolded for not looking straight on the runway, and keeping her head down the whole time. Nigel says her photo is stunning, but they all tell her that she needs to change her style of dress, with Janice saying she looks too “college student.” Bethany is told she needs to fix her walk, and they compare her photo to Cher. I called it first! Jenascia is the last one in, and is told she moved a little too much on the runway and to show more gentleness on the shot. They then talk about her lateness and lay into her about that for a little while before Janice talks about her height – or lack thereof. They dismiss her and begin the vote on who to eliminate.

The judges like April, and agree that Heather has potential. Janice isn’t crazy about Sara. They think Camille rocks, but is somewhat cocky. Hmm, somewhat isn’t the word. Tyra says that Mercedes is her favorite and all the judges agree that Yoanna has a beautiful face. Jenascia is cute, but was late. Everyone agrees that Catie should stay. Xiomara may have too many teeth, but Janice says that can be fixed. I hope they don’t knock them out! Bethany is on the fence, and some feel that her cha-chas are to big. Shandi is unusual looking, and Janice wants her to stay so she can help her out. Tyra loves Anna’s figure. Her runway needed work though, and Janice isn’t happy that she didn’t participate in the shoot. Tyra says since she didn’t do the shoot, that doesn’t automatically eliminate her.

The judges reach a decision and bring the girls in. If Tyra calls out their name, they will receive their photo and continue in the competition. Camille is first. Shandi is next. Then April, Mercedes, Catie, Sara, Heather, Yoanna, Bethany, and Xiomara. Jenascia and Anna are left. They step forward. Now I’m already sad because these are two out of my three favorites! Anna is told they were disappointed she didn’t do the shoot. Jenascia is scolded for being late. Only one name will be called, and that person stays. That person is Jenascia, who looks like she is going to pass out because she is so happy. Anna is eliminated and as she walks out, someone says “bye, mommy!” I believe the other girls really liked Anna, and I did too. She states that she doesn’t regret anything, and can’t wait to go home to see her family.

Okay, closing remarks. First off, I don’t think Anna should have been eliminated just because she didn’t do the shoot. I do believe that was the main reason she went though. Jenascia being late? Although she is responsible for herself, I think it’s crappy that not even one of the girls could wake her up. That was just wrong. I’m a fan of Jenascia, Mercedes, and Xiomara. I’m not big on Camille or Catie. I’m very curious it see what, if anything, Jenascia says to April about not helping her. I think we are going to see sparks fly. This is going to be one very interesting show. I can’t wait until next week.

Phil Kural is a senior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@temple.edu.

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