America’s Next Top Model 2, Episode 6: I Am Baby, Hear Me Cry!

Last week, on America’s Next Top Model, Sara was worrying about what her dad would think if he found out that she was trying to become a model. April struggled to find some personality and embrace the fact that she is part Asian, while Camille, as usual, felt that she was right and everyone else was wrong. However, it was Xiomara that was eliminated, and sent my heart into a tailspin. Oh, and if you didn’t have a chance to catch my interview with her, don’t forget to check it out!

We begin this week with Catie asking Camille who she thought was going home when Camille was left standing there with Xiomara. Camille replies that she wasn’t nervous at all and didn’t think she was leaving. Catie feels that Camille is a very strong woman, but is emotionless at times. Then Catie complains about her hair, and of course, Camille has to reassure her that her hair is cool and she just has to work with it. Catie doesn’t want to change though, and hates having to fake everything and act like someone she really isn’t. I’m trying to be lenient on her knowing she’s only 18, but let me tell you, it’s tough.

At dinner one night, the girls compare stomachs. Mercedes says she has the biggest belly, and lets it all hang out. Everyone gets a good laugh. This girl really is beautiful, inside and out. Catie comments that Camille is putting ketchup on her pickles with a loud and obnoxious “Ewww,” to which Mercedes tells Catie doing something like that is not appropriate. Catie gets offended and is told that she is too sensitive. This is true.

Tyra mail! The girls are told to prepare for a black and white photo. Camille wakes up the next morning and her lips are swollen. Now, let me just say, she is not blowing this out of proportion. Those lips look bigger than Goldie Hawn’s did in The First Wives Club, and those things were massive, let me tell you. Anyway, Camille is telling April how much it hurts, while Mercedes fills us in that it’s probably an allergic reaction to something and Camille is very self conscience about it. In the car, Camille is still checking them out. Those suckers are huge. They finally get to the shoot and Jay Manuel is there to greet them. He lets all the ladies know they will be doing beauty shots that day, which is tough because they have to learn how to emote with their eyes. Bill Heuberger will be the photographer for the shoot, he has shot Miss Tyra Banks in the past. Jay asks Camille about her lips and she asks if she can hang loose to see if they deflate. Jay says she can shoot last.

During her shoot, Mercedes says that Bill was making some weird noises and making her laugh – which isn’t good in a shoot where you’re not supposed to be smiling. On a break, April is telling Mercedes that she is disturbed that Tyra said the judges don’t like her. Mercedes comforts April, telling the camera that she is going to have a heart attack by 27 because she lets all the little things stress her out. I love how Mercedes is becoming the narrator since Jenascia left. April is just scared that she will be eliminated and told that she didn’t have personality the whole time, but her shots were nice.

Meanwhile, Catie is taking her pictures and decided that she is going back to being old Catie. She’s sick of faking it and is more comfortable when she gets to be herself. Camille is up and she thinks her lips still look awful. Jay basically tells her she has to do it and just pretend her lips are fine. She eventually gets the shot done with Jay coaching her through. He thinks she gave it a good shot, but not 100%, which is what he wanted. After the shoot, the girls meet a manager at IMG models, Kyle Hagler. He tells them that today’s model needs to know how to act and model because they go hand in hand. Okay, Kyle, if you say so. [Editor’s Note: Hey, of course they have to act – both Moles on “Celebrity Mole” have been supermodels, after all!] After this, they are told that it’s time for acting lessons to sharpen up on the acting skills. Camille is still complaining about her lips and says she has to go to the store to get some medicine, as the other girls head off to the acting studio, and Yoanna says Camille is nothing but drama.

Shortly after that, the girls get to the acting studio. Tyra asks where Camille is and the other girls tell her about the lips thing. Tyra then tells the girls that some “very well-known” actress, Tasha Smith-Arquese, is going to help the girls with their acting skills. Never heard of her. Tasha lets the girls know that today they will find emotion within themselves. Each one of them will be open and honest. Tasha hands each of them a blank piece of paper. They are told it’s a Dear John letter, and it’s from someone who has hurt them in their lives – a father, boyfriend, etc. Each of the girls starts to tear up, and some begin to cry. This is very emotional, actually. Tasha tells them to shred the paper to bits and the girls do so without thinking twice. Tasha tells them that they have to use that energy in their acting. At this point, Camille comes strolling in all happy and nothing but smiles. She’s shocked when she sees all the other girls so emotionally broken down. Sara says it was her dad she was thinking about when she was crying.

Each girl now must sit face to face with another, and let loose on the person that has abandoned them. The person listening must repeat it back to them, in a softer voice. Sara goes off on Mercedes, yelling about how her father disapproves of her modeling, but she doesn’t care. Each girl goes off and does some yelling. I swear, this is amazingly sad! This is supposed to teach them to be brave and show their vulnerability, says Mercedes. Everyone is crying, except Camille, of course. When sitting down, she talks about her mother and how much she loves her. Tasha doesn’t want to hear that, and tells Camille to talk about someone that she hates, with Camille saying that there isn’t anyone.

This part is funny – Tasha tells Camille she knows there is tension with Yoanna, and since Yoanna is face to face with her, she should say what’s on her mind. Camille gently says that Yoanna causes trouble, and that she wants everyone to live in the house happily. Tasha gets even more frustrated and says Camille has a perfect mask on, but it makes her boring. Camille, now beginning to get pissed, doesn’t understand and thinks she is right, as usual. There will be a test tomorrow with each girl having to memorize a script and act out a scene. They must use what they learned today in order to make it full of emotion. Whatever that is, though, Tasha says Camille doesn’t have it.

That night, at the loft, all the girls are emotionally drained. Camille tells April that she has never seen her mom, dad, or even her grandmother cry. April feels that there must be something inside Camille that just won’t let her show what she is really feeling. Shandi and Yoanna are practicing their lines when Sara points out that there is a kissing scene. Everyone mocks the kiss, but Shandi just isn’t feeling the script. Each girl then goes on to mock the script and how unreal it is. Mercedes says that April was the only one really taking it seriously and studying the script word for word. April is coming out swinging with personality this time, so she says.

The next day, the girls arrive for their test. Tasha tells them the winner will receive a shopping spree at one of the most famous jewelry stores in NYC Their partner for the scene will be Mark Collier, actor on As The World Turns. I’ve never seen it, so I’m without comment this time. Yoanna notes that Shandi is thrilled at their partner and can’t wait to go. Mark tells the model wannabees to be honest and themselves in the scene.

We get some clips of the girls trying their best. April, Sara, Catie, Yoanna, a little bit of Mercedes. April is tearing up. Mark says he likes April. Shandi does her bit and Mark says that he thinks she is being open. He also says that Catie looks like she has no feeling, with Catie stating to the camera that she is half assing it. More of Sara and Mercedes, and then we get to see Camille. Mark says she changes the lines and that just isn’t right. Tasha looks livid in the seats as she watches. Camille feels that in order to be herself in the scene, she has to tweak the script and change some of the words. Will this girl ever learn?

Time for the kiss! Each girl gets her groove on, with Yoanna looking like she is going to swallow poor Mark! She tells the camera she was ready for it after all this time with only other women. Catie, on the other hand, isn’t. She gives him a little peck and when Tasha asks what happened, she says she has a boyfriend. Give me a break, it’s not like you’re going home with him. Camille gives Mark a hug, instead of a kiss.

As the scene ends with Camille, Tasha tells Mark that before she says anything, she’ll let him go first. He tells Camille that if she ever changes the words on a script somewhere, she’ll lose the job. Tasha feels Camille has learned nothing and she believed none of her performance – it was horrible. Camille respects her opinion, but feels that people are different and that she did a good job. Tasha calls her clueless.

Nonetheless, the girls step on stage to hear who the winner is. Tasha first lectures them on how yesterday reflected in today’s performances. She tells Camille that she wasn’t affected again, and tells Catie not to give up before it’s over. April and Shandi are told they were the two best, but there can only be one winner, and that’s April. She brought all her emotions out and really used what she learned the day before. So April wins the shopping spree, and is allowed to take one girl with her – which is Catie. She takes Catie saying that she is only 18, and when she hangs out with her, she feels young again. Yeah, because April is just so old. Give me a break.

Back at the loft again, Camille is on the phone with her dad telling him what a bad day she had when it comes to being judged. Catie asks if she can talk to her dad, and Camille gives her the phone. Then, Catie repeatedly asks Camille’s dad why he never hugged her as a child and never showed any kind of emotion. You could hear her dad’s nervous laughter on the other end. Catie is officially nuts.

Mercedes tells the camera that Camille just doesn’t take criticism well. Camille, on the other hand, doesn’t care, and says that she knows she is good, which gets an eye roll from Sara. Oh, and by the way, I officially like Sara. All the ghetto references and all, I’m officially on her side. Anyway, Camille says she takes all the judges’ criticism and just looks at it as positive. She will do acting if she wants, but right now, it’s all about modeling. Mercedes says, “Vote for Camille, she’s running for office,” as Camille states one more time that she knows she is good at what she does… and what do we get again? A Sara eye-roll, of course!

Time for April and Catie to head out to get some jewelry. A limo picks them up and takes them to H. Stern. April says she is feeling amazing and Catie is right there to help her pick out something nice. She tries on some rings, earrings, and bracelets, but ends up going with a very nice necklace that looks VERY expensive. Looks like someone is having a good day.

Tyra mail! It tells the girls to be ready at 6 a.m. for some shoot. At quarter after five, the girls are up and moping around. Catie is eating oatmeal for breakfast and thinks it’s disgusting. It’s plain oatmeal, and apparently she thinks that’s gross. Sara tries it and says it’s fine. Okay, Catie IS a baby. The girls get to the shoot and Jay is waiting for them as usual. He tells them that they are doing a TV commercial for Rollitos. I have no idea what they are. Basically, they will be put in the air again – hung on bungee cords and “running” on a wall, and have to act like they are all fighting for the last bag of Rollitos. This whole thing makes no sense. Catie, of course, is pissed. She hates heights and doesn’t want to do this. Sara tells the camera that Catie really needs to shut up because she is scared of heights too but isn’t thinking about it right now. Catie is now outside with Jay talking to her. She explains how scared she is but he tells her that it will be over before she knows. Wow, in the light, it’s obvious to see how tan Jay is. Dude needs to tone it down a little. Or is that his skin color? I’m confused.

All the girls get ready for the shoot in their sleek, black outfits. Camille says this shoot is important for her because she knows she has to show some emotion. They begin doing their shot and have to do some cat fighting up on the mat. Shandi is having a blast. Jay says that April is doing great, while the photographer of the shoot comments on how well Camille is taking direction. Catie is petrified and Sara says again that Catie is too emotional and everyone is going to eventually get sick of it. April gushes about how much she loves this shoot because she would love to be the character they are portraying. The girls have to do a talking segment, and Camille acquires some British accent. Where the hell that came from, I don’t know. Even the photographer is stumped. So Camille goes into some Cuban accent with Mercedes commenting that SHE is more Cuban than Camille is… and she’s not even Cuban, she’s Latin! I love you, Mercedes, I simply do. Oh, and speaking of screwing up, Catie is flat. And not just the chest, her voice too.

Tyra mail tells the girl that someone is going home tomorrow. Mercedes isn’t sure who is going this week. It could be Camille for her attitude, Catie for her immaturity, but one this is for sure, she knows it’s not April – she had a great week. April isn’t so sure though, and Sara says that at this point, it could be anyone.

It’s elimination ceremony time! Tyra greets the girls, reminds them of the prize, and introduces the judges, as she does every week. The week’s guest judge is Kyle Hagler, the IMG modeling manager they met earlier in the week. Each girl well be evaluated on her black and white face shot, as well as their acting talent and their performance at the TV commercial shoot. First, they watch the finished commercial. It’s actually not that bad, and has the girls running and bouncing all over the place. When it’s over, all the girls clap and laugh because they are so excited. But now, time for individual performances this week.

April is first. Tasha, our acting teacher, is back. She tells April she will be given a line: “I’ve never wanted anything more than this, and if I don’t get it, I’m going to die.” She has to use this line, to make the judges want her, sexually. Each girl does this, one by one. Camille of course, is over the top and stroking her hair. Janice isn’t impressed.

They also have to use that same line to make the judges laugh. Shandi tries, but Nigel says it almost made him cry. All the judges love Sara. Catie can’t make it funny either. Yoanna tries to make them laugh, but it doesn’t work, so Janice asks if she could just make them laugh, once! Yoanna does, by MOONING the judges! Everyone breaks down from laughter.

They look at Yoanna’s shot first this week. Everyone seems to like it. Shandi’s picture is too bland for Nigel and Tyra. April is smiling when she comes in and everyone is happy. Janice asks why she is happy of a sudden, and April says it’s from the acting. Her shot is nice. Mercedes has a beautiful picture, as usual, and Janice loves it. All the judges praise her. Camille is told she needs diction lessons, and that her shot isn’t that great. Of course, she has an excuse that she was laying down, so Tyra tells her she better learn how to lie down and show more neck next time.

Sara is told there is something wrong in the eyes, and that she needs more strength, and to stop looking so tired. Catie is up, and the judges tell her to mess her hair up a little. Then they start changing her, as usual. They say her photo this week makes her look like Peter Pan, and that she looks 13. Then Janice, with the quote of the week, says: “You look like a child prostitute.” Catie looks shocked and appalled, but I’m dying with laughter at this point.

They deliberate over each of the girls. They all love April and feel that Sara did great with the acting, but not a good shot this week. Shandi is the only one that can do high end fashion, according to Tyra. However, Janice feels that Shandi was a wannabee Paris Hilton, and needs to stop. Yoanna had a nice photo, but Nigel isn’t keen over her body structure. Mercedes is fun, and everyone liked her picture. Catie doesn’t have “oomph” according to Tyra. They want more out of her. Janice says that Camille knows everything, and they can’t change that. Although, Tyra says that sometimes photographers love the model-diva-bitches. All the judges call her rude and aggressive, but agree that she has beauty and drive.

The girls come back into the room and Tyra tells them that she has six photos for seven girls. The one who doesn’t get a photo is eliminated. April is called first and Tyra tells her that whatever she did this week, keep doing it – she’s doing great. Yoanna is next, followed by Mercedes, Shandi, and Sara, who is told her bedroom eyes are affecting her shots greatly. However, she did great with the acting this week.

Camille and Catie step up. Catie is sometimes too commercial and safe. Her new haircut was a way to help with this, but she may not be emotionally ready. Camille did horrible with the acting, and is told she is a cold-ass model. Even as Tyra lectures her, Camille is completely stoic. However, Camille is moving on, Catie is out. Honestly, Catie looks stunned. She hugs the other girls and tells the camera that she feels rejected. As she packs up her bags, the tears are flowing. She even states that she cut off all her hair for this sh*t, and complains that she chipped a nail. Looks like it’s back to L.A. for Catie, to work her ass off and get to the top on her own. Yeah, I can’t wait to see that.

Next week, Shandi misses her boyfriend and it looks like all the girls are having a night on the town. Oh, and the girls get to dance in Tyra’s first single, “Shake Ya Body.” I’m not sure if I’m irate or giddy, I’ll let ya know next week.

But first though, my closing thoughts. Is it me, or was it obvious that Catie was going home this week? We all know that as annoying as Camille is, she still does each shoot and doesn’t really complain, at least until she is told she is doing something wrong. Catie complained about everything, cried every ten minutes, and seemed to always be in such a miserable mood. I couldn’t have been happier to see her go. It was well deserved. My favorites, Shandi and Mercedes, seem to be doing well. Sara is quickly gaining my respect, and after next week she just might be a favorite. I’m neutral on April, and still don’t have a solid opinion yet. Camille? Well, I despise her so much that I love her! Which is sort of weird, but it’s true. Anyway, this is where I thank you for reading, and remind you I’ll be back next week. There, I said it.

Phil Kural is a senior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@temple.edu.

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