America’s Next Top Model 2, Episode 8: Ciao, Bella!

As I’m sure you recall, last week we got to see Shandi fighting with her boyfriend, and before that, a psychic saw right through Camille telling her that she needs to learn how to make friends. April and Yoanna fought for the spotlight in Tyra’s music video, but it was Sara that ended up getting the boot because she was just too sexy. Speaking of which, she addressed the sexy issue, along with many others in my interview with her, which I’m certain you probably already read, right? Okay, good! And now – onto the new material!

Yoanna is reminiscing about Sara as she sheds a tear. She knew Sara wanted to win badly and misses her. Then, she tells us once again that she lost about 45 lbs. right before the show started and doesn’t want her weight to be the reason she is eliminated. Camille is talking to Mercedes about what the psychic said to her. Mercedes shares the conversation with Yoanna, telling her that she should be friends with Camille because it looks like Camille wants to mend fences. I’m not sure if Mercedes is just trying to make everyone love each other, or if Camille really did want to be Yoanna’s friend. More on this later!

But first – Tyra mail! They girls are going to Tyra’s house, which is also the house of supermodels Giselle and Heidi. Okay, if you say so. They get to the house and it turns out the “house” is the IMG models office. Give me a break. Anyway, the gentleman they are speaking with tells them that over 100 models apply on a daily basis, and they sign maybe two of them a year. He then explains to the girls what a go-see is. Basically, it’s an interview for a job. In about one minute, they have to make themselves stand out and be memorable to the person conducting the interview. He quickly quizzes each girl to see how their reflexes are. As the girls leave and arrive back at the loft, April notes that all of a sudden, Camille and Yoanna are friends. Then we get a shot of Yoanna and Camille (or Ivory and Ebony, as Yoanna calls them) in the confessional together, goofing off and laughing.

The girls are off to Little Italy for lunch. While eating, Tyra shows up and asks them how they liked her house. She also tells Camille that she is wearing too much makeup and that in public, they should be a blank slate. After that, she begins to rap – which confuses the hell out of me, but at the end, she works in “you’re going to Milan” and then it finally makes sense. Everyone is so excited and Mercedes isn’t sure, but going to Milan may be better then sex, wait, no it’s not, um, yes it is, well, she’s not really sure. Yoanna is thrilled, and Tyra tells them not to forget to be edgy. Shandi is in shock as the girls find out they have one hour to get ready.

Scrambling ensues at the loft as the girls scurry to get packed. Mercedes is trying not to worry about her sickness as she packs her medicine. Shandi calls her boyfriend and tells him she is leaving for a while, not really sure of how he feels about all this. And just like that *poof* the girls arrive in Milan!

As soon as they get off the plane they receive Tyra mail. They go to D Management, where they meet the president of the company, David Brown. This business manages models internationally, along the lines of Tyra and Kate Moss. Mercedes really thinks she can do this. They find out they have to do five go-sees that day. Shandi is tired and has had little rest. They will be judged on appearance, personality, professionalism, and confidence. At the end of the day he will judge who the winner is. The girls each receive a portfolio with their pictures in them. Camille vows that she will show confidence, while Mercedes states that she is ready to win. Oh, and how will they be getting around Milan? On a Vespa, of course! Not to mention, it’s driven by some handsome Italian guy. All the girls are giddy because they get to be around cute boys – how mature. Each girl rides off to do their go-sees.

Yoanna has had this dream since she was little. She gets to her first go-see, but after she leaves, the woman remarks that she wasn’t too fond of her. Shandi is told by one go-see to be sexier. Camille is too busy flirting with her driver, but eventually gets to a go-see, and she says she made all the right moves. This is true, the guy liked her. Mercedes tells her driver she feels like she is in a movie, and after she leaves her one go-see, the woman tells the camera that Mercedes is too commercial for her. April is in business mode, saying that she is selling herself to the agencies.

Some go-see highlights: Mercedes does some dancing, Camille does some maneuvering as well, but not the right way. Her last go-see asks her why she came with makeup on. She tries to come up with a good excuse, but the man, who speaks English, and the woman, who doesn’t, aren’t having any part of it. Mercedes goes to the same person, later, and she feels like she is their bitch. Camille explains her walk to them, and Yoanna tells them she has no experience. Shandi says the duo was a pair of meanies, and as April tries to explain herself to them, Camille is told to go change elsewhere, not in front of them.

Each girl heads back to the agency, but Camille’s driver gives her a tour of the city as he flirts with her. He also carries her to the door! They hug, and he kisses her on the cheek, but that is all that comes out of it. He wishes her luck and goes on his merry way. Camille is happy though, and it’s actually nice to see her smile every now and then.