America’s Next Top Model 9, Episode 6: If You Can’t Stand The Heat, Get Out Of The Dumpster

Previously, the girls were flying high while posing in the air and on the ice. The photo shoot had some girls on top of the world, but Janet and Ambreal were plain old disappointing. Janet was sent home, making me sad because she was one of my favorites this season! Nine girls are left, so let’s see which one is the next to get the boot, shall we?

We begin this week with Ebony. She says that she hasn’t been doing so well in the photo shoots and not so great in the challenges. She feels that she’s always getting bad criticism, as we flash back to the past few weeks where she’s being torn apart. I can’t believe I actually like her! The judges are sick of her personality, so she pledges to smile more and come off as a good person. Jenah is standing right next to Ebony, and I must note that her hair doesn’t look like a total rat’s nest. I wish she could show up that way to panel.

Ambreal is talking to her dad on the phone and says that she’s not doing as well as she would like to. Dad tells her to be focused and do the best she can, and Ambreal asks for a prayer. Meanwhile, Bianca and Heather are talking outside about practicing. Heather says she woke up in a bad mood, beating herself up about not giving the judges a straight face shot. Bianca advises her to only give straight face shots at the next photo shoot, so she’s guaranteed to land one. Bianca then comments to the camera that she’s getting close to some of the girls, but knows that it’s a competition and she has to do well.

So there’s a knock at the door. I’m expecting Tyra, but when Jenah answers it, it’s Tyson Beckford, who even goes as far as to introduce himself like this: “Hello, I’m Tyson Beckford.” I’ve always believed that celebrities who introduce themselves by their first and last name are full of themselves. This is no exception. Ebony sees Tyson and begins queening out. All the girls go ga-ga as they enter the living room and take a seat.

Tyson says he’s there to talk to the girls about being a spokesperson, as Ebony comments to the camera that the judges don’t have to worry about her smiling since she’ll be doing it all day since Tyson is there. He tells the girls to each get an item from the kitchen, which they must sell as sexily as possible. Oh, yeah, since they are being told not to use their looks, but their brains, this is the perfect challenge!

Chantal sells a popsicle and sure is sexy! Bianca has something to water plants and Ebony can’t sell her object because she’s goo at the moment. Heather tries to sell a glass but melts when Tyson touches her, while Ambreal has a mango that Tyson takes a bite out of. Enough said. He reminds the girls that they have to stay focused and do their best, since they will all be household names. Yeah, okay.

Tyra mail tells the girls that as models, their faces will be recognized. Now it’s time for their causes to be recognized, too! The girls pile into a van and arrive at a studio, where Tyson is waiting for them with Elizabeth from “Keep a Child Alive,” which is an organization that helps fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa. She tells the girls that they normally use celebrities for the campaigns because they have a fan base. The girl’s challenge this week will be to split up in groups and make a 30-second public service announcement. Elizabeth is the client and the judge.

The girls get cracking and Sarah, Ebony, and Saleisha have an idea right out of the gate. Ambreal, Heather, and Jenah have no clue what is going on, while Lisa, Chantal, and Bianca decide to let Bianca create the idea, and they will follow with it. Sounds fair enough!

Lisa, Chantal, and Bianca are up first. Lisa sounds great, and I expected her to. Chantal flubs her lines a little bit, but Bianca is all over the place. She knows that she messed up, but realized that she has to get her thoughts out and just say the lines.

Heather, Ambreal, and Jenah are next, and Heather comments that no matter how much time they had, it wouldn’t have been enough. They hold up signs and I think they sound pretty good. Nobody messes up their lines and I actually like the posters as a visual as well.

Saleisha, Sarah, and Ebony are last. They talk about women the whole time, and prevention. Their message is strong and I really like the way that they tie the whole thing together. Something is weird about it, though, but I can’t really put my finger on it yet. Ebony says that she wants to win and is really excited for this prize.

Elizabeth thanks the girls and has some notes for each team. She tells Bianca that she said the name of the charity incorrectly, and that’s the biggest mistake you can make. Team two is told that they needed more life and really needed to understand and believe their message. Team three was great, but they talked about prevention, which is something the charity doesn’t do – they do treatment. Elizabeth says that the ad she would use belonged to – Jenah, Heather, and Ambreal!

Ambreal says that the win was important, and then as they step forward, out comes Lisa Price, the founder of Carol’s Daughter. She tells the girls that two of them will win a gift basket full of Carol’s Daughter products, valued at $500. Not too shabby! One lucky girl, pulled from a hat, will get to do a photo shoot right there for Carol’s Daughter, which will be art directed by Mary J. Blige. The big winner is – Heather!