America’s Next Top Model 9, Episode 9: “I’m A Queen Because…”

Last week, the girls were model muses on the runway and Heather fumbled when she wasn’t able to explain her dress. The judges were pretty harsh on her and she couldn’t handle it. At the photo shoot in the burning desert, some girls sparked creativity and others ran out of gas – Heather, again. The girls were surprised at panel to find out that they would be going to China, but not before one of them went home. That one ended up being Ambreal. Six girls are left; let’s see who bites the dust tonight!

We pick up this week with the girls packing for China. Bianca comments that they are all packing frantically and Heather says she has always wanted to go there. Jenah just throws things in her bag, which is the exact way that I pack too. Lisa dwells on being in the bottom two, saying it came out of nowhere. She knows she’s been strong, but is now fading. The worst part is that the harder she tries, the harder she falls.

Bianca asks Heather to move out of her way so she can get by with her bag. She then tells the camera how annoying Heather is and she hates that she has to baby her. What would Bianca do if Heather were eliminated? She’d have nobody to complain about! Saleisha is ready for China. The girls head out the door, with Heather bringing up the rear.

So the girls get to China that quickly – I love it. They arrive in Shanghai, screaming. They pile into a van and drive around, and here come the dumb comments. Bianca says, “Everything is made in China – I want to shop!” Her next quote is, “I love all the symbols, but I don’t understand them!” Chantal is next with, “I didn’t realize China was going to be so futuristic – I feel like I’m on The Jetsons!” I can’t make this stuff up.

The girls arrive to find Jay Manuel and J. Alexander waiting. Mr. Jay tells the girls that they are in an international market that they one day might be working in. Yeah, right. When they leave China, one girl will be America’s Next Top Model. Bianca tells the camera that she is leaving happy and doesn’t want to go home. Ms. J. sends the girls to their new apartment and wishes them good luck.

When the girls arrive at their new pad, there is Tyra mail waiting that says they are getting close to the end. At this point, the girls run though the house looking for beds. Turns out there are only five beds for six girls – how dramatic! Saleisha lays on the only double bed, which is obviously for two people. Heather doesn’t get a bed and is upset with Saleisha since she won’t share. Saleisha comments that she’ll only share a bed with a male. I guess she has different philosophies for different rooms, since she had no issues with taking a shower with Jenah and Bianca last week. Oh well. Heather is stomping around and is pissed off, while Bianca looks on, loving that Heather is losing it. Heather comments to the camera that the other girls walk over her and don’t take her seriously, but she won’t let it drag her down.

Chantal finally decides to cameo in this episode. She doesn’t like it when girls get ganged up on and that’s how she feels it’s going with Heather. Chantal mediates bedgate 2007 and asks if anyone wants to share the big bed. Bianca and Jenah say it’s fine with them. Bianca tells the camera that she doesn’t like that Heather is 21 and needs someone to stand up for her. Wait a minute. Bianca? Complaining about Heather? I’m so shocked! Tyra mail says that Tyra is sick of the bitchiness and fighting, so it’s time to kick some ass.

The next day, the girls head out to a Shanghai movie studio. Their tour guide, Louis, shows them around, until two other Chinese ninjas come out of the woodwork and attack him. Surprise! He’s not a tour guide, he’s a martial arts expert! This is so ridiculous. Louis tells the girls it’s important to move their bodies, so he will show them basic martial arts forms. Heather is already excited.

Louis shows the girls a bunch of positions using body control. Bianca isn’t happy since they are going too fast, and although she wants to stay positive, she’s sour about the whole thing. When they learn the poses, Louis has the girls change into robes and then tells them they will be using their new positions… while lifted in the air! Bianca covers her mouth as Louis says they will be hoisted into the air by wires and have to do each position as he calls it out. Heather is excited when Louis says that there will only be one winner, while Bianca mulls over her fear of heights.

Jenah and Chantal are first, and Chantal is excited while Jenah is nervous that she can’t remember any of the moves. While in the air both seem to do a good job, but Jenah says it was quite painful. Lisa isn’t happy about being off the ground, but knows it’s a challenge so she has to do it. Saleisha does great with the posing and says she just wouldn’t look down. All the girls think Lisa and Saleisha did a good job.

Now we have Bianca and Heather. As they get ready, Bianca comments that this is the only time Heather can kick her ass. She’s not sure if she can put her trust in strangers to hold her and I think it’s nice that Heather tries to support and help her. Bianca goes as far as to say that she wouldn’t go for a modeling job if it required heights. Louis tells her she will be disqualified if she doesn’t do the challenge, but she’s still not sure what to do.