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

It is now 9:39 p.m., and the girls have not slept for many hours. They meet with Tyra and David. Mercedes says the Vespa was the best part, but the hardest part was that this was their first time doing go-sees so it was rough. Tyra has their results. Shandi was too shy, but could easily do high fashion. April is strong in her appearance, but not her presentation. Yoanna has a good face, but needs to work on her body. Mercedes is told she had a bad appearance, but a great personality. Camille had the best confidence. The winner is… you guessed it, Camille!

Mercedes is excited for her because she has yet to win a challenge. Since she won the competition, she will get to have her portrait done by an Italian street artist. She chooses to take Yoanna along with her. April says it feels good to see them getting along, and makes them feel like a family. Camille tells the camera she chose Yoanna to show her that she is gorgeous. Yoanna is happy that she gets to go, but upset about the body comment that was made to her. She starts to break down and tells Mercedes that it’s time for her to go home. Mercedes doesn’t want her to leave, and tells her to rest. Yoanna admits that she’s exhausted and Shandi says all the running around took its toll on everyone.

The girls arrive at their temporary apartment. It’s now 12:55 a.m. Geeze, they are never done. More Tyra mail! Their photo shoot is tomorrow, so be ready! Shandi isn’t feeling depressed because she has a picture of her boyfriend and that’s a piece of home. Camille tells the camera that she is killing Yoanna with kindness because that’s how she gets back at people. Wow, looks like this kitten has claws, and personally, I like it! Yoanna, ironically, tells the camera that she’s happy that Camille and she are friends now. Oh, I can’t wait to see how this turns out.

The next day, our model wannabes arrive in Verona. Jay Manuel is there to meet them, and tells them that the Arena they are in will be the backdrop of their photos. They will be modeling several styles of high end retailer sunglasses and their photographer will be Massimo Costoli. Each girl must exemplify high end fashion and look as elegant as possible. Oh God, Nole’ is back as the wardrobe manager. You may remember him from the episode in which Xiomara was eliminated, and how mean he was to everyone. I can’t even count how many times he tells the girls they are “fabulous” as they are getting ready, but Jay does a good job of noting it for me.

Yoanna is well-rested and ready to take on the world. She gets her sunglasses, which are Fior? I don’t know anything about sunglasses, so I’m guessing that’s right. She does some poses and Jay is there to help each girl out. Yoanna notes that she is living her dream. Mercedes and April are spying on Yoanna’s shoot, sizing up the competition. Nole’ compliments Yoanna on a job well done.

Camille feels privileged to be there. Jay tells her to stop forcing poses and even the photographer is getting frustrated with her. Shandi is not feeling this at all and Jay tells her not to try so hard as well. Nole’ and Jay both note that Shandi looks like Italian Vogue, with Nole’ adding that she is already a superstar.

April says she feels like fire and loves every minute of it. Jay feels that April has been the most consistent of all the girls. Mercedes notes that she’s trying not to be as cute as everyone thinks she is, and trying to brush off all the commercial criticism she has been getting. April feels that Mercedes may not be able to do high fashion. The shoot wraps up and the girls are free to go.

Camille and Yoanna are off to find their artist. He paints Camille’s portrait first and it’s very good. Camille likes that Yoanna is enjoying herself and Yoanna even says to the camera that she is having a blast with Camille and didn’t expect to. On that note, all the girls are headed to dinner. Camille toasts to happiness and Tyra walks in with Jay Manuel. They talk about men, modeling, and the long trip to Milan. Mercedes is happy that everyone is acting like a family.

As dinner ends, Yoanna goes to the bathroom. When Jay asks Camille why she just made a face, she says that Yoanna always goes to the bathroom after meals. Tyra goes on to say that eating disorders are serious, and they should keep an eye on Yoanna. Mercedes doesn’t like the fact that Camille just did that, and when Yoanna returns, and Tyra leaves, she approaches Yoanna and tells her what Camille said. Yoanna, infuriated, confronts Camille. Camille tries to deny saying anything, but Mercedes jumps right in there and say what happened. The two girls snip at each other, and Yoanna goes after Tyra and tells her that there is nothing going on. Tyra tells her that she has to be honest and confront the issue when it’s brought up. Yoanna says that she always questioned Camille’s motives, but is happy that everything is cleared up.

At the apartment, Tyra mail tells the girls that someone will be eliminated tomorrow. Mercedes hopes that her pictures came out well and Yoanna states that she knows she can do high end fashion modeling.

The five finalists enter the judging room. Tyra, reminds them what the winner will receive. She also introduces the judges as usual, and tells us the guest judges this week is Michael. If you are wondering who Michael is, it turns out that he was a spy on one of the go-sees. He was the really rude guy with the woman who spoke no English. Turns out they were spying on the girls at that go-see to see how they would cope with the pressure and the way they were treated. The judges are now seeing the reactions for the first time.