America’s Next Top Model: The Runway Ahead Special

Yes, the competition is over. However, what happened to the 12 finalists from America’s Next Top Model 2 since the show has ended? I’m sure you are curious to find out if Catie is still crying, or if Camile ever learned to lose the attitude. What about MY Mercedes, and did Shandi ever return to Walgreen’s? Most importantly, what has Yoanna been doing since she walked away as the winner? Boy do I have some news for you – so let’s take a look at what the girls have been up to. Oh, but real quick – if you never saw the first season of this show, UPN is going to run it all over again starting June 15th. I suggest you watch it. Then you’ll know the TRUE meaning of drama!

So anyway, Tyra tells us that the final 12 contestants from the show came from very different backgrounds and from all over the United States. They were all different shapes and sizes but they all had something in common: Each one wanted to be America’s Next Top Model. The vote each week was hard, says Tyra. Especially the final vote because the judges were fighting and going back and forth on who the winner would be.

Tonight, we get to start with MY Mercedes. They show us some of her audition video with Mercedes in the background talking about how when she was little she would sing and dance for her mom. Mercedes’s mom says that she is a fun girl and always plays with her little brother. MY Mercedes tells us that her mother is Italian-American and her dad is African-American. Also, her stepfather is Chinese. She lived in New Jersey when she was young and was a very rude girl because she lived in a bad area. When she moved to California, things changed. She was diagnosed with lupus, as we all know, and let it out to the other girls on the show during her interview with Janice. She says that people have been very supportive of her. Tyra notes that Mercedes has the “top model” personality they were looking for. Nigel adds that she is great, but they worried about her face being too commercial. Mercedes admits that she was disappointed when she was eliminated, and that it definitely “sucked.” However, it’s not over for her. She did the Mercedes Benz fashion show, and still has a dream of gracing the cover of Vogue. In addition, she wants to act and spread the word about lupus. Tyra says that Mercedes has signed with New Model Management and will have an upcoming ad in Seventeen, not to mention a part in an independent film titled Love Nest.

Next, we take a look at Sara. She is constantly recognized on the streets. Sara is very proud of her Persian culture, but her dad still thinks that for a girl to model makes her a “whore.” Her mom says that Sara and her father can’t come to an agreement, and feels that Sara missed out by not having her dad around. Despite this, Sara says she is proud of who she is and that she loves the industry. She is aware that she has the shape and the boobs. Tyra felt that Sara was one of the only girls that had the true “supermodel look.” We relive Sara’s elimination again and recall how emotional it was. She notes that it hurt her so much. She just finished a shoot with Maxim and stated that she loves the swimsuit look. Also, she wants to rock Sports Illustrated and for people to always look at her. Tyra adds that Sara snagged a meeting with Sports Illustrated magazine and her dream may just come true.

Tyra butts in here to tell us that there is a difference between a model and a “top” model. A regular model does the catalogues and the magazines, but the public doesn’t really get to know them. Now, a “Top Model” has the personality, they know how to dance, speak and represent a product. Most importantly, the public can relate to them and know them and really want to be their friend. Does that make sense? Don’t worry, it didn’t to me either. Moving on…

Catie is up, and we begin with her on a radio show, talking about how she gets recognized anywhere she goes. Basically, people yell: “Look, there goes Peter Pan, mom!” Actually, I added that last part. Anyway, she goes back to her high school and everyone praises her for “making it big.” Um, I never knew she made it yet. We see the drama of Catie’s hair getting cut off. Then we see her cry about that, and her fear of heights, and then she cries about something else. However, she realized she just has to suck it up and get the job done. She has always been open about wanting to be a top model. Her dad and mom both say she is a daddy’s girl, but this experience has helped her to grow. Dad also notes that he enjoyed the first couple episodes, but it got tough after that. We get a flashback of Catie being told she has the “style of a hooker” which sends me into hysterics once more. Even Catie says that she went downhill – fast. They show her elimination again and she talks about feeling rejected and that it didn’t even hit her until she was gone for two weeks that she was really off the show. She still wants to model, act, and possibly be a TV host. Catie considered the show as a warm-up for her, and she is capitalizing on the moment.