America’s Next Top Model 2, Episode 5: Ethnicity Adversity

Xiomara is nervous about going under because she usually holds her nose underwater. She also has issues with opening her eyes. She isn’t having fun and Nole calls her a walrus! April does an amazing job and everyone is impressed with her. Shandi is upset and has issues with the water too. She’s scared and it shows. Mercedes is feeling really good, gets in the tank and does her thing. Everyone gives her props, and she deserves them. And with that, the shoot is over!

Since she won the reward challenge earlier, Mercedes, along with Sara, with each get a special gift, and as the elevator doors open, out pops both of their moms! Both of the girls are extremely happy as they go running over to greet their mothers. April sees these two blonde-haired, white moms and has no idea where Mercedes and Sara came from. It’s actually quite funny because she’s right. Then Tyra pops in with her mom too. Tyra’s mom sits down with everyone and tells the tale of how Tyra got into modeling. Then she goes on to tell them that they have to stay out of trouble and keep a strong connection with those that will love them if they win or lose. Tyra takes this moment to plug her summer camp, which teaches girls how to love themselves. She must have low enrollment and needed the publicity. With that, Tyra and her mom leave the loft so the girls can spend time with their moms.

Sara asks her mom how she thinks her dad will feel about all this. Her mom isn’t sure but tells Sara that he will love her either way. She has earned this and everyone in the family respects her. Shandi is sad because her mom is not like Sara’s and Mercedes’ and really doesn’t know her that well. Mercedes is talking to her mom about her lupus and starts to cry. Her mom is right there to hug her though and tells her to stay strong. After that, they are on their way as well. The teary moments end her, prepare for eliminations!

At the elimination ceremony, Tyra reminds them of the prizes they will win and the judges that will decided who is eliminated. This week’s special judge is Nole, the bitter stylist from the photo shoot, and his stupid dog is there too. This is just dumb. Before the judges look at their shots, though, the girls will have to do a 60-second demonstration on a new brand of makeup, ANTM, which they will be trying to sell to the judges.

Sara goes first and does fine in the beginning, but stumbles in the end. Janice notes that, and when her picture is shown, Janice says it’s a bit too “biceppy.” Um, I love you Janice. April goes next and is stoic in her presentation. The judges say it was like an infomercial. They love her shot this week though and say it doesn’t even look like she is underwater, which is very hard to do.

Xiomara messes up her presentation and they call her scatterbrained. They also tell her that her shot this week was horrible, and sad to say, it was. Eyes closed, limbs all over the place – it just wasn’t working for her this week. Shandi is nervous about her presentation and the judges notice and tell her it lacked confidence. They aren’t too fond of her shot either, with Nole stating that he hated it.

Catie does a good presentation and the judges like her picture this week too, especially the pose. Mercedes does great with her makeup sell and has all the judges smiling. They are torn on her photo though, with some liking it, and some not. Yoanna messes up big time with her presentation and Janice calls her shot the worst ever. Tyra says it looks like an adult ultrasound, and she’s right! Yoanna is in the fetal position, all curled in a ball!

Camille starts her presentation out with “Hi, I’m Camille, America’s Next Top Model” and says it like three more times. The judges aren’t having it and even when her time is up, she tries to keep going. They insist that she is done and then tell her that she is too arrogant. They look at her photo and tell her to have the eloquence that she has on film shine through in person. And with that, it’s time to deliberate.

They all feel that Sara is coming into her own, and I totally agree. I’m glad we got to see more of her this week because now I can actually say more about her than just thinking she is ghetto. April looks incredible in her picture, but they fail her on her presentation. Xiomara is looking heavy in the jaw, but some judges are still pulling for her, she has energy. Shandi has potential and Mercedes has charisma, even though her photo was dry this week. Yoanna had a bad photo this week too, and they don’t like Catie’s face in hers and she has to look more edgy. Camille is called a know-it-all, and they feel that this competition might not be for her. Janice wants her gone.

The girls re-enter the elimination room. Tyra tells them that she has seven photos and the one girl that doesn’t get her photo back will be eliminated. Sara is called up first. Then Mercedes and April, who is told she needs to let loose more. Yoanna is next and then Catie. Shandi is up next and Tyra tells her that she is making an amazing transformation. However, her photo this week was the best of the worst.

Camille and Xiomara, the last two girls, step up. The one name called will continue on. Camille has a problem with people telling her what to do, and that’s not good. Xiomara has personality, but she loses it when she gets to the photo shoot. Camille is called and Xiomara is eliminated. She hugs the other girls as she sheds some tears and heads back to the loft to pack her stuff. Of course, she didn’t want to go yet, and reminds the other girls not to be something they aren’t.

Next week, the girls are going to be doing some boy kissing, and they couldn’t be happier. Some of the girls are going to shed some tears, while Camille misses her cue completely. That’s incentive for me to watch! I have to admit, I’m going to miss Xiomara. She was one of my favorites. As it stands, I’m now pulling for Mercedes to win, followed by Shandi. I don’t know how I feel about April or Sara and I couldn’t care less about Camille or Catie. Both of them have issues. Well, you know where to find next week’s recap, and don’t be shy about sending me an email on why you love Camille, I’m dying to know! Until next week!

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

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