America’s Next Top Model 4, Episode 1: “I Went from America’s Most Wanted to America’s Next Top Model!”

Tyra starts the show by saying that her mom always thought she was born to be a model. Tyra went from geek to chic, but asks the question if top models are born or made? She doesn’t think they were born – she had to work for it. The last three winners of the show studied and struggled and went all out to achieve their dreams. 9000 girls sent in their videos this time around, so they better work it to show they deserve to be America’s Next Top Model!

We begin with 35 semi-finalists arriving in L.A. Noelle says she is ready to compete and Kahlen introduces herself as a small town girl who has never been to L.A. Brittany has always wanted this, while Brandy says it was her first time on a plane. The first thing I notice is the huge gap in her teeth. That might pose a problem down the line. Lluvy says that she was born in Mexico, but is now a California girl. Tiffany is there for a second chance, as we see a clip from last year when she got in a bar fight. She says that she is not a different person, but a better one. Mary is back too – she’s the plus-sized girl who said Toccara took her spot last season. She’s not wasting her time on this one.

The girls gather in a room and Lindsey says that they are all checking each other out. Jay Manuel walks in and greets them, along with Michelle, the casting director. Jay tells them that someone is the room is America’s Next Top Model. He asks them what they think he is looking for, and they shout out things like unique, real, and one girl even says “me.” Tyra comes up from behind them saying, “I know what I’m looking for!” The girls freak out as Tyra tells them that she saw all their tapes and knows that one girl thinks she was once a cat and is now a woman. She tells them that she wants pizzazz, as well as beauty on the inside and out. She can see right through the fake. Noelle is happy that Tyra came and saw them, and that’s how she knows that Tyra cares.

Tyra introduces us to Mr. Jay Manuel, the creative director of all the shoots, and Ms. J. Alexander, the runway coach and diva extraordinaire. Rebecca is the first girl in the room and says she is on her way to getting married, but wants to have some fun first. Tyra wants to know how she’ll transform, and Rebecca says she has lied and cheated to get her way in the past, but wants to be seen as sweet and innocent. Tyra likes her since she has some grit. I don’t like her at all, but that’s just me.

Keenya walks in and says she is studying biology. Her video shows her in Compton and she says that people always have a negative opinion and stereotype of Compton and she is there to show it’s not true. She would choose modeling over being a doctor because she loves the way she can express herself without saying a word. Wow, beauty and brains. I love her!

Kahlen is up next and says she has never seen the show since they only have three channels on TV where she is from and she works about 50 hours a week. She tries to walk and Ms. J looks appalled.

Lindsey comes in next and tells them that she is from a Mormon family, and when she told her family that she was atheist, her mom would have rather she was a lesbian or pregnant. The judges like her, but think her hair looks like a wig.

Jennifer meets the judges next and tells them that she had no confidence when she was young, but over the years has found a relationship with God that has made her stronger.

Brittany comes bounding in next telling the judges that she is always wired. Ms. J isn’t mad at her. She’s very outspoken and needs to be the center of attention. She feels like she was a drag queen in a former life, and Jay Manuel wants to put her and Janice in a room together since they look alike. I liked Brittany when I did my preview. I’m not so sure anymore. She’s beautiful though, that’s for sure.

Tiffany greets the judges again, and we find out again that she didn’t make it last season. She doesn’t throw glasses on people anymore, which is always a good thing, and she’s glad about that too. She’s happy with her man and her boyfriend. She does a little crying, and talks about how last season, her grandmother bought her two swimsuits because she needed them for the competition, and spend her last dollar, so her electricity was turned off. When she leaves, Jay says that she grabbed her problems and he believes that she wants to change her life. But can she be a model? I wasn’t a fan of her when I did my preview, but let me just say: I. LOVE. TIFFANY.

That night, the girls hit the pool. They play some truth or dare, and some girls get crazy. Mary says that she isn’t shy to show her body even though she is a plus sized girl. Lluvy isn’t into the whole dancing on poles thing, while Brittney takes off her top and prances around. She says she likes to have fun. That same night, the girls hit the town. Keenya says that if you are over 21, you get to go to one of the two hottest clubs in L.A, and if you are under 21, it’s a surprise. The over 21 girls go to White Lotus and the under 21 girls go bowling. I think that’s more fun! Brandy has no clue how to bowl, and Brittany and the other drinking gals toast to being 21. Noelle says that they young girls ended up having just has much fun and got to stay out later!