America’s Next Top Model 8, Episode 3: You Can Make Over Someone’s Look, But Not Their Personality

Last week, the girls learned how to walk from Ms. J. Alexander and participated in a prom fashion show at a high school. The theme stuck, as the photo shoot for the week was themed “high school clichés.” Samantha had a hard time being “the girl with a reputation,” which is what Renee wanted to be (go figure), and she (Samantha) was sent home. There’s 11 girls left, and it’s time for makeovers, so let’s begin!

The girls are sitting around the house. Whitney and Diana talk about being the plus sized girls in the house, with Diana telling the camera that she likes having Whitney there to talk about things. She thinks they click well. Jaslene and Cassandra are talking in another room, and Jaslene tells the camera that talking with Cassandra really puts her at peace. Cassandra says that she can compete and still be herself and nice to people. As usual, Jael is in another room being weird. She says that she’s different than the other girls, but is still making the most out of this opportunity and trying to be the best model there.

Tyra mail arrives! It says that yesterday, one of the girls was cut, but tomorrow, they will all be cut! Right away, everyone knows it’s time for makeovers. Jael and Brittany talk and Brittany promises that she won’t get upset no matter what Tyra decides to do to her.

It’s 6:30 a.m. and the girls arrive at the salon, greeted by Ms. J., Jay Manuel and Neeko, a stylist who has worked with Tyra since she was 17. Cue Tyra in curlers! She says she wasn’t sure about makeovers this season since there’s a girl that cries every season… shots of Giselle, Catie, Ann, Brandy, Cassandra, Jade and Jaeda – each girl took her makeover a little too seriously during their season, thinking it was going to ruin their lives. The girls assure Tyra they are ready and she starts rattling out what they are getting done:

• Jael – Long and brunette.
• Cassandra – Losing her wig that is sewn on her head and getting a curly weave.
• Renee – Her hair is too long, and she’s going “Yoanna short.”
• Whitney – Losing her weave and getting hear to her breasts.
• Diana – Blonde and thicker.
• Felicia – Bangs with more layers.
• Dionne – Short like Kelis. Longer in the front, short in the back.
• Sarah – Dirty dark with much more volume.
• Jaslene – Getting some of her hair cut and thicker.
• Brittany – Big and bushy, she’s getting a weave.
• Natasha – Vidal Sassoon short. Also, she’s going chocolate.

All the girls seem happy and ready for the makeovers, but to prove a point, Tyra has them cut off some of her hair, as she gets all dramatic to show the girls that it’s not the end of the world – it’s just hair!

Tyra now leaves and the girls are on their own. Sara likes her new light brown hair and feels it’s bringing out her facial features. Dionne loves her hair as well, and says it’s nothing she would have ever done to herself before. Cassandra likes her new afro and thinks she can really handle it.

On the side, Brittany is complaining about her coloring process saying she can put up with it if she has to. Jaslene says that getting her hair cut off was like losing anger and resentment. She looks great! Renee is excited to work with her new, shorter hair, and I have to say – she looks great as well! Ms. J. is also getting a little work done and has his hair straightened. That thing needs a lot more than a new hair style to look better!

Felicia has a new darker look and she thinks it looks perfect with her new bangs. Personally, I liked her old style better. Natasha says she can work any look. Does this girl know how to not turn something into a compliment? Brittany is still complaining about her hair and never knew a weave took so long. Whitney comments that her hair is everything she ever wanted and more.

Diana says that she went blonde before but she did it herself. This time it looks better and she might stick with it. Jael is going through hell with her weave and Cassandra comments that she knows it hurts. In comes Jay to tell Jael, after she has been sitting for eight hours having the weave put in, that he talked with Tyra and they changed their minds – the weave wouldn’t help the cause so they are cutting it out and shortening her hair. Jael admits to being traumatized and starts to cry. I’m going to let this slide since the girl just sat for eight hours for them to take it out. Even Whitney says that she never went through anything like that and it must be like hell. Jael tells Jay she can get used to her new look – she’s a rocker. Good for you, Jael!

The girls get home and they have Tyra mail. It says that for those of you that didn’t make the cut today, they will have a chance to “make it up” to her tomorrow. Everyone thinks it’s going to be a makeup challenge. Brittany tries to scratch her new weave and complains about it in the confessional. Diana says that she knows Brittany wants sympathy, but she just doesn’t have time to give it to her. Whitney says that all Brittany does is cry, so she does the WRONG thing and actually tells her about it. I know Whitney meant well, but focus on yourself, not Brittany!

Jael checks her messages and has a message from a friend saying that one of her other friends passed away. She calls him back and finds out that their friend died of an overdose. Jael is upset, of course. She hangs up and the girls try to comfort her, but honestly, when you lose a friend, there’s nothing that can be said right away that can help the situation.

The next day, the girls arrive at a garden for their challenge. As they wait, Brittany tells the other girls that she thinks she has a stomach flu and might have to go to the hospital. Sarah and Jael urge her to compete though and tell her to pull it together. She does, as the girls are greeted by Roxanna Floyd from Cover Girl and Carissa from Seventeen magazine. They tell the girls that the spring collection from Cover Girl is inspired by all the colors of a garden, so the winner of this challenge will get to choose two friends and they will have a shoot in Seventeen.

First, the girls go through styling and pick out dresses. Whitney and Diana have some issues and Diana tells the camera that it’s tough since it’s all sample clothing and they are a little bigger. Next, the girls are told that they will have 10 minutes to run to five tables, each with a different kind of makeup on it – foundation, powder, eyes, lips, and nails.

The girls are set loose into the garden, and I really mean they are “set loose” – they are running around like crazy people. Brittany says that she does her best even though she still feels sick, spitting out some water to prove her point. At the one minute warning, Cassandra decides that her look is almost complete and she needs a little more eye shadow. She runs back to finish up, but ends up being a few seconds late back to the start. She’s disqualified from this challenge, which frustrates her because she thinks she could have won. I agree – she looks great!

There are a few comments given. Whitney is told that she barely looks like she is wearing anything, while Natasha put on a little too much. I agree – she looks like a hooker! Diana went a little too soft. They tell the girls that the person that won is the girl that used the makeup well and blended correctly. The winner is Brittany! She chooses Jael and Sarah to join her for the Seventeen shoot because they urged her to do this challenge. Jael is just happy to do something that will distract her from thinking of her friend.

The three do their shoot and Jael says that Brittany always looks great and the other girls are jealous. Renee looks on from the sidelines and says that she doesn’t understand what the judges see in Brittany. She finds her boring. Renee adds that Brittany can win all the fights, but she will be the won that wins the war.

Once again, the girls get home and find Tyra mail waiting for them. “Sundae isn’t always the day of rest!” Looks like the girls are going to be doing something with ice cream, which the girls figure out for themselves. At least the Tyra mail this season isn’t as obscure as past seasons – there’s actually a chance to figure it out!

Brittany sits outside and knows the other girls are talking about her. She hates confronting people, but still says something to Renee about it. Renee tells the camera that with all these girls in the house, you have to expect gossip. She tells Brittany that she has been nothing but genuine to her, telling Brittany that she’s acting like she’s in high school. Brittany retaliates with “I’m still kicking you ass in the competition!” Good comeback! Renee responds by giving her the middle finger. Yeah, now who is in high school?

Jael is still grieving her friend. Sarah says that Jael letting out her emotions is a good thing. Brittany talks to Jael as she cries by the pool, telling her that Renee keeps looking at her. Across the pool, Renee and Diana talk about their dislike for Brittany, with Renee telling Diana that Jael needs to grieve, and doesn’t need fake people like Brittany around her while she’s doing it. Wow, calm down Renee!

Jay welcomes the girls to their photo shoot, where he tells them that they will each be a treat in their photo. The wardrobe will be made strictly of candy, which means the girls are posing nude! Wow, even I didn’t see that one coming. Brittany is already nervous and the girls meet he photographer. They are sent into hair and makeup and Brittany tells the camera that her parents are going to be mad at her, but that’s something she has to deal with. Dionne comments that Brittany is being a child and there’s really no reason. I agree – everyone should know this is coming sooner or later.

Cassandra is up first and she is “jelly beans.” Jay says that she really needs to practice because she’s coming off as stiff. She needs to hold ice cream too, which is what all the girls will be doing. When Brittany sees this, she comments that her hand won’t react well to that. Sarah is up next and she’s “hard candy.” She does a great job and Jay likes that she isn’t second guessing herself.

Dionne is “candy cane” and says that she’s more comfortable naked, which Jay gets a kick out of. Brittany complains all the way up until her shoot as “banana split.” Renee just wants her to shut up. Diana is “gummy bears” and Jay thinks she is insecure with her body and needs some mirror time. Understandably, Diana isn’t comfortable because she doesn’t have such a slender body.

Renee is “candy necklace” and I think she looks great. Jay seems happy too. Whitney is “chocolate kiss” and she says she loves chocolate, so this is fun for her. Jael is “birthday cake” and Jay thinks she’s doing well for the first time and I don’t see anything special about it. Felicia is “lollipop” and Jay comments that he wants more from her in the face. She’s being too stoic.

Jaslene is “dulce de leche” and Jay comments that although she looks great, she’s still not giving any personality in her photo. Finally, there’s Natasha, who is “gumballs.” Jay says that there’s a model in her somewhere and she is slowly improving. Natasha walks away saying how hard the shoot was, but she’s proud of herself for doing so well. Of course she did.

Once home, the girls get Tyra mail that says someone is going home tomorrow. Cassandra is scared that it might be her since she was late for the makeup challenge and was disqualified. Jael says it will be overwhelming to stand in front of the judges to be critiqued while she is still upset. Whitney comforts her though, says a prayer, and it seems to calm Jael down.

The girls file into the judging room, where Tyra is waiting for them to remind them of the prizes and introduce the judges, including Neeko, the hair stylist and head of their makeovers. Let’s begin with individual evaluations, shall we?

Jael is up first and Tyra says that she loves her look. Jael begins to break down right away, telling the judges about her friend that just passed away. She assures them that she wants to be there and be professional, but she’s sad. The judges offer her some sympathy and move right into the photo! Wow, that was quick! The judges feel that she is commanding in her photo. Jael asks if she can dedicate it to her friend, and Tyra thinks that’s a sweet gesture. Geeze, now you KNOW she won’t be going home!

Natasha is up next and the judges don’t like her outfit. They look at her photo and feel her eyes are squinty. Natasha takes this as her photo is amazing and thanks the judges, telling them how great it looks. Tyra tells her that she’s a great saleswoman. Felicia is told that her hair looks great, but her outfit is too “video.” They feel her photo this week is breath taking and commanding. Girls can relate to her, but she really needs to soak up some high fashion.

Whitney is up next and the judges like her new, long hair. Nigel says that her photo this week looks forced in the face. Brittany steps forward and the judges love her new color and weave. She complains that it hurts and Tyra doesn’t look like she cares, actually praising Brittany when she does the “black girl pat” on her weave when it itches. I see girls do this on the bus all the time. Usually though, it’s a light scratch with a letter opener or a pen. I wish I was kidding. The judges look at her photo and feel it’s Fashion Week 2008. Tyra tells her there are no negatives. I have to admit, Brittany’s photo looks great!

Cassandra steps forward and has too much going on with her outfit. The judges look at her photo and feel she lost her neck. Tyra tells her to spend some time practicing her posing in the mirror. Renee didn’t work her new look and needs more edge. They feel her photo was good this week, but she has to connect more with the eyes. She was almost there, but just missed it.

Dionne was also off with her clothes this week. However, her photo makes her look tall and slim and everyone seems to love it. Diana steps up and they love her new look. In her photo though, the judges feel her face is great, but she has a problem with her posing and looks uncomfortable. Then Tyra goes into a spiel about sucking in the gut. Oh Lord!

Sarah looks great with her new hair and the judges feel she finally brought it this week in her photo. They even tell Renee to pay attention to Sarah’s eyes since she nailed it. Finally, we have Jaslene, who the judges say the camera loves. She looks great in her photo, but the judges don’t see a model in front of them. They want more personality and Jaslene tells them that she’s a “Cha Cha” at home. Tyra says that she NEEDS to show more culture, just like she shows culture when judging the girl’s photos. I didn’t know ghetto was a culture, but whatever. Now, it’s time for the judges to deliberate, and here’s what they had to say about each of the girls:

Jael had a tragedy, but still produced her best photo yet.

Natasha isn’t loved by the camera the way the judges love her, and they feel she has potential, but is there enough time to pull it out of her?

Whitney is pretty, but Nigel doesn’t think she’s model pretty. She’s called “singing in the choir” pretty, but Tyra thinks they are just hating.

Dionne is separating herself from the pack and is really one to watch.

Jaslene is picture perfect, but the personality isn’t there when she’s in front of the judges.

Sarah has it in the eyes and finally hit it this time.

Twiggy really likes Renee and all the judges all feel that she has flirty eyes with them.

Cassandra has a great personality within, but it isn’t translating in her photos.

Brittany is high fashion, but Ms. J. always feels like she’s on the verge of model droplets.

Diana is one of the prettier girls in the group, but she really needs to work on posing her body.

Felicia is becoming a “video girl” and needs to work on showing herself off in a more high fashion kind of way.

The girls walk back into the room. Tyra says that there are 11 girls in front of her, but she only has 10 photos. The first name called this week – is Brittany! Tyra tells her that the judges really loved her photo this week, and she really hopes that she can work with her weave and deal with it.

Jael is called next and she is told her photo was also beautiful. Jael is followed by Sarah, Dionne, Felicia, Renee, and Whitney, who Tyra tells that she really needs to start thinking more high fashion in her photos. Natasha is called next, followed by Jaslene. Tyra asks her why she was called so close to the end and Jaslene knows it is because of her personality.

Diana and Cassandra step forward. Tyra tells Diana that she is a beautiful girl, and as one of the voluptuous, sexy girls, she has to stand out. Instead, she’s fading. Cassandra is told that she has a great personality, and she’s the girl that gives all the other girls strength. However, even though she’s so well rounded, it’s not showing up in her photos. So who is sent home? The girl with the good photos that the judges can’t remember or the girl with the heart of gold who can’t show it in her pictures?

Diana is called forward and told that she is pretty, but it’s not just about that. Cassandra is given a hug by Tyra, and told to keep practicing. Aww, I liked Cassandra, but I called this elimination. All the girls give Cassandra a big hug and you can tell she is well liked because everyone is upset.

Back at the apartment, Cassandra says that she’ll miss everyone. She knows she has potential and thought she would go further, but even though she was sent home, she wishes she gave the judges more confidence. She appreciates the opportunity and knows that not many other girls had this chance.

Next week, the girls will face a challenge like no other – a bank heist (not a real one) – for a very good prize. Also, Renee will finally reach her breaking point, telling someone on the phone that she’s ready to beat all the girls down! Yikes! This is how I’m ranking the girls for next week:

Brittany
Dionne
Felicia
Jaslene
Sarah
Renee
Diana
Jael
Whitney
Natasha

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