America’s Next Top Model 3, Episode 10 Sniping, Modeling, and Other Details

The girls are still in Japan, which is very cool. And they are sleeping in one of those capsule hotels, which is definitely not cool! Fortunately, there is a guide who has come to take them away to something far more sumptuous. The girls look a bit wary, considering they were expecting the bomb… and got capsules!

They aren’t disappointed; the new house is stunning and tranquil. Eva is struck by the gentle aura of the house, and says she feels the need to reciprocate it. Of course, the other girls misinterpret this as Eva being a snot. Ann says she was sooo close to Eva once, and now she doesn’t like what she sees at all. That crack Eva made previously about hoping Norelle’s pictures sucked hasn’t stopped chafing Ann.

The ladies are treated to a tea ceremony lesson. They are shown various cultural nuggets like properly presenting the tea bowl, when to bow, where to bow, what to say when you bow, how not to just start noshing on the sweets when they are given, even how to open the sliding door. Norelle struggles with this, even though their teacher is something of a taskmaster. “Everything in Japan is complicated!” Norelle sighs.

Amanda doesn’t find it complicated, she is moved by all of the gentile pageantry of the thing. Eva enjoys it as well, but she’s quick to point out, not like Amanda!

Little did they know this is an actual challenge. The idea of performing the tea ceremony themselves seemed cute, until there are grim-faced judges sitting on the other side of them. Our taskmaster teacher gives us a little play-by-play of all the mistakes the girls make, and there are many. Predictably, Norelle is a live train wreck (committing mistakes the teacher says she has “never seen before.” Meanwhile, Yaya, who fancies herself the international bon vivant, deftly answers in solid Japanese when one of the judges asks if she is enjoying her stay.

Of course, Yaya wins the challenge. Again. And, doesn’t she look pleased with herself?

Eva sighs to us that it’s a conspiracy. I adore Yaya, in fact, she’s my favorite, but I wish she were just a little less… I don’t know… sadiddy, as my mama would say.

Tyra drops in for a bit of dinner and dish with the girls. Tyra shares nuggets about not being too gossipy, and how there aren’t bitches, just wounded souls (it’s all just a bit much). Eva says she has been learning a lot about herself and how to deal with people, “even Yaya!” (Flag on the play!) That earns a couple of eyerolls from the girls. Tyra goes on about the sisterhood of modeling, and I’m expecting a great big rainbow to burst behind her!

Tyra leaves, for no real reason, and Norelle tells us it all suddenly goes crazy! Amanda says that when a weakness shows, “that’s when the lionesses are hunting!” Ann suddenly launches into Eva about being fake and talking crap about Norelle. To her credit, Eva doesn’t go as ghetto as she could have, and points out the things that Ann said about Norelle (big hips?). Norelle is looking at them like she’s watching a tennis match in hell. Ann denies ever saying anything bad about anyone (we all know better!). Yaya adds that Eva makes her want to learn more about psychology. To us, Eva asks what Yaya has to do with this? Nothing is settled.

On to the conventional challenges, Tyra has the idea that she will do a photo shoot in front of the girls to give a live demonstration of what she is looking for. While she’s getting made up, Norelle reports about the fight from the night before. Tyra says something like, “people are always going to talk about each other.”

Tyra, who will be modeling in a kimono, is doing a bit for T-Mobile. Tyra actually coaches as she models, telling why she is doing what she is doing, as she slips from pose to pose – it’s actually rather educational. The girls soak it in like sponges.