America’s Next Top Model 3, Episode 2: Let the Bitchiness Begin!

Previously, we got to see the semi-finalists fly to L.A. to pursue their dreams of becoming a top model. Each girl was put to the test in several grueling interviews. We met Magdalena, who put her life on hold to follow her dream. We also met Ann, a tough jock who believes she has what it takes; and Amanda, who revealed her secret that she’s legally blind to the other girls. Only 14 girls made it through, and tonight, the journey begins!

Two cabs fly down the street carrying the girls. Eva says she’s overwhelmed, while Ann says she came into the whole experience being very confident and feels that the other girls are probably intimidated by her. Oh God, here we go. Norelle says that Ann is amazingly beautiful and will probably be around for a long time. Leah says she’s never been to NYC, and knows that sometimes she can look “plain Jane” but has to prove to the judges that she can get beyond that. Kelle says she grew up in NYC and has been a city girl all her life. She also admits that she can come off strong and has always been told she has a presence, but wants it to be an easy presence. I’ll admit it – I love Kelle!

Tyra waits for the girls on a rooftop. She greets and welcomes them to the competition as the girls cheer. She then introduces them to NY, but also tells the girls that they will be getting no sleep tonight. A model never knows when her next job is coming or where it will be, and with that, she tells them that they are going to do a bikini shoot right away. However, it won’t be in NYC – it’ll be in Jamaica! The girls scream to the point I feel their heads might explode, and I worry that some might accidentally fall off the roof! Tyra reminds them that they are in a competition and standing next to their competitors, so work it out and make her proud!

Kelle is excited about the whole experience, but knows she has issues with fitting in. She says things are going well right now with all the girls though, and she’s happy with that. In the other car, we see Eva making fun of Kelle and saying that she’s getting on her nerves. Eva says Kelle is black, and needs to realize and embrace that. Kristi is at the airport and says that nobody has gotten any sleep yet and thank goodness they have a few hours on the plane to Jamaica. Eva says she doesn’t want a relationship or to be friends with any of the other girls, but she does love Ann because their friendship isn’t forced. Leah is thankful for the flight so she can catch up on some sleep. We also learn that Ann hates flying and when the turbulence starts, she freaks out. She keeps calling Eva over to her for help and Eva says that Ann is different than the other girls and is very emotional. Ann thanks God for Eva as Eva comforts her to sleep. Okay, this is getting weird.

When they land, the sun is shining, says Kelle. Magdalena tells the camera that she wants to be a model, but she’s in school right now and is worried about giving up her dream job after school if she wins. The girls arrive at the shoot and find Jay Manuel (Mr. J) and J. Alexander (Mrs. J). Mr. J. tells them that their shoot will be very edgy and right off the water. He introduces them to the crew and photographer, then tells them that Nick (the photographer), Tyra, Mrs. J. and himself will all judge the photos. Also, the house in NYC can only hold 13 girls, so one girl will be going home right after the shoot. The judges will make a second elimination when the girls get home based on the photos from the shoot. Magdalena is worried since all the girls look like tough competition, while Ann is tired and knows she needs to get herself together.

Eva is up first and Jay tells her it’s not a pinup. Cass is up next and Jay isn’t sure about her. Kristi goes third and the photographer tells her to not look like she has to fart. Amanda goes and everyone is impressed, then Kelle, who Jay says is starting to look “hoochi.” Aww, she is not! Magdalena is told that she has great legs, but isn’t working it. Leah is scared because she isn’t as secure with herself as the other girls. She tries to let go, but it looks like the judges have a lot to say to her. She’s called too self-conscious and doesn’t take direction well.

Yaya, my favorite, is working the camera and I’m definitely impressed. Jay says she blew him away. Jennipher is up next and told to move differently, while Toccara is starting to look a little “pinup-ish” herself! Jay thinks that the problem with her is that she’s letting too much personality come through on the shoot. Norelle works it out, while Nicole is told she looks hot. Julie goes next and they seem to love her too. Ann is the last girl to go and they say she’s starting to look like she’s in a porno. Jay calls her a big disappointment and compares her to a dead slab of meat.

After they are done with the shoot, Jay walks in and tells them that they can check into the hotel and after brunch in the morning, he’ll deliver an envelope with the name of the girl that is eliminated. That night, Jay calls Tyra on the phone to make a decision. They talk about Kelle and say she’s a bit hoochie. Magdalena was rough, while Leah’s shots were mediocre. Toccara did her thing, and they say Ann needed energy, but still looked great. Tyra feels they made a decision, and with that, it’s off to bed!

In the morning, the girls wait around in anticipation. They have their brunch, but honestly, if I were them I’d never be able to eat I’d be so nervous. Jay arrives and says a handful of the girls were good, a bunch were mediocre, and a few were really bad. The envelope he has contains the name of the eliminated girl, who must head to the airport and go home. Right after he leaves, Leah runs to the envelope to read it for protection in case it’s her name. The name inside is… Magdalena. She stands up and the girls all give her some love. Magdalena tells the camera that she’s happy she chased after her dream and she’s going to continue doing what she has to in order to be happy. I liked Magdalena and didn’t see that one coming!

After the elimination, the girls head back to NYC. Tyra arranged an SUV limo to pick them up, and they find Tyra Mail in the car. It tells them they are going to the East side, where there new home is. Right away, Ann says she wants to room with Eva, and nobody really says anything about it. Toccara isn’t happy with the whole thing since Ann is being abrasive, and Julie says that nobody ever agreed with anything. They walk into the place and it’s amazing. All the pillows have their faces on them. The rooms are themed, and one room, called “The Studio,” looks really hot. Leah loves the pink room and grabs a bed in there. Julie is obsessed with the Couture room, and puts her pillow on a bed in there.

Everyone starts looking for and claiming beds while Ann is waiting for Eva, who’s still looking around the house. Ann bitches that she wants to room with Eva, but that’s not possible anymore. She calls a meeting and all the girls go in the family room. Ann complains that she wasn’t able to room with Eva, while Eva looks like she doesn’t care and says she’ll take the bed in the living room. Eva tells the camera that even if she’s friends with Ann, she’s still going to be Eva. Ann flips out and tells all the girls to go f*#k themselves, then storms out. Toccara says its “tough titties” for Ann, which sends me into hysterics – I’m starting to like her. Eva ends it all by saying that she’s not going to bitch about sharing a room with Ann.

The next day, Ann pulls Eva aside to talk to her. Eva tells Ann that she can bitch and moan all she wants, but she’s not going to get pissed about a room situation. Eva even tells Ann, in front of some of the other girls, that she doesn’t know Ann yet. Ann goes into this frenzy about how much she loves Eva, and she will even be in her wedding. Okay, its official – Ann is nuts. Toccara says Ann is co-dependant on Eva, and Cassie agrees, saying that she feels Ann’s co-dependency will show in her pictures.

Later, Kelle takes some of the girls out on a tour of NYC. She says it’s good because the girls will get to know her better. Eva says Kelle is clearly an only child, based on everything she says. You know what – Eva REALLY needs to learn how to stop judging people. Toccara says Kelle acts like a typical preppy white person, and Jennipher says that Kelle is trying too hard. Everyone seems a little agitated with Kelle now, and I really don’t understand why! At the loft, the girls get a two-way pager with a message. There will be a special dinner tonight and everyone should be ready by 8:30.

Everyone is getting ready as Tyra walks in. The girls start screaming and Tyra breaks out the food. Over dinner, she tells the girls they are all special and each of them has something interesting to offer. She also tells them they will all get feedback, and need to figure out how to make themselves look great. Then, she makes them all talk about their imperfections – and girls love to do this. Ann says hers is the bump on her nose. Yaya hates her skin. Jennipher isn’t found of her booty, while Toccara says she has big thighs. Tyra talks about her first model agency loving the fact that she has a big forehead. Norelle says she hates her ears, and then Kelle, in a comment that upsets all the black girls, says that sometimes she looks like a monkey. Yaya and Toccara immediately look peeved. Tyra tells them they will work on all of this in the future. Cassie says it was great for Tyra to stop by and says that Tyra is totally on the same level as them.

Later, Toccara pulls Kelle aside and says she’s acting way too spoiled. Kelle says she worked hard for everything that she has and is not the bad guy. She realizes she can’t be friendly when people hate her right off the bat. Amanda has a talk with her and says it’s rough when people don’t know you or the whole story and start to judge. Kelle feels everyone is ganging up on her and Amanda gives her a hug, making Kelle happy that she knows she has a friend in the house.

Tyra mail tells the girls that it’s time to see the judges. Kelle is scared and Leah is petrified. Ann says her performance wasn’t up to par, and hopes she is spared. The girls head in to the judges where Tyra says they are ready to make the first cut. She tells them the winner will receive a modeling contract with one of the world’s leading talent agencies. Also, they will receive a spread in Elle magazine and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl. Next, Tyra introduces them to the judges. There’s Janice Dickinson, the worlds FIRST supermodel. Renowned photographer, Nigel Barker, and a new edition, Fashionista Nole’ Marin, along with his dog, Minnie. They will now do individual evaluations for each girl.

Yaya is up first. They show her photo and all say they love it. Tyra says the only complaint the photographer had was Yaya’s poor complexion. Whatever – Yaya is gorgeous. Ann is up next and her face is flawless but her body has no passion. They like Cassie’s shoulders, but Janice says in the photo, she looks two months pregnant.

Kelle is up and Janice says she doesn’t know what Kelle is modeling. Norelle is told she looks lost by Janice. Eva is looking a little too “music video” so Janice tells her to pick up a Vogue to see what she’s doing wrong. Jennipher is up and they say she had one of the best photos, but will probably have to cut off all that hair soon.

Amanda is up and Nole’ says he doesn’t like her body, but they love the face. Janice says she used to be able to do wondrous things with her face, but with the botox now – it’s just not possible. Julie goes next and they love her pose. They also love Nicole, but don’t get the whole pinky thing in her shots. Toccara is up and they love that she can embrace her body. Janice says that Toccara might be the one to give all the skinny bitches a run for their money. Leah goes next and they don’t seem to like anything with her photo, or what she wore to the elimination. Kristi is last and they talk about how they don’t like the hair, but the body is good.

Now it’s time to deliberate. Ann is first and they say they don’t really like her since she has no drive. They feel Toccara will break the mold this season, and that Nicole has potential. Julie doesn’t know how to give that extra something, while Amanda is a big question mark. They can’t believe she had a baby, and Janice calls her a bitch.

They feel that Jennipher isn’t “wow” but not a dog, either. I’m sure she’s glad to hear that. Nole’ calls Eva a ghetto superhero, and Nigel feels that Norelle is a mess. Kelle is definitely a couture diva, and has great skin. They aren’t sure about Cassie and feel that Leah is a bit too focused, but has a great body. They compare her to a soccer mom. Everyone likes Yaya, and Tyra says 60% of her photos were useable. Yes! Nole’ is mortified by Kristi.

The judges finally reach a decision and bring the girls in. They all line up and Tyra says she has 12 photos in her hand, and those photos belong to the girls moving on. Yaya is called first, followed by Kristi, Julie, Jennipher, Kelle, Cassie, Toccara, Nicole, Eva, Norelle, and Amanda. This leaves us with Leah and Ann, and only one will move on.

Leah is told that at her shoot, it was difficult for the photographer to capture her. Ann is told that at the shoot, she was so dead and it was obvious. She has to inspire her photographer. The girl not called must leave right away, and the girl that is called is – Ann, which means Leah is eliminated. Leah heads out in a fit of tears and gets out a good cry to the camera. She admits that she could have done better, and must not have given it her all. She won’t stop and knows she will be told “no” along the way. This is just one of those times, but she will persevere.

Next week, the girls get dramatic makeovers and everyone seems to be worried about one girl. Also, someone reveals a secret that could have one of the other girls eliminated. I can’t wait!

Now it’s time for me to categorize the girls. Each girl will be placed in a category. Either in the Like, Dislike, or Not Sure category. This is how the girls ranked this week:

Like: Yaya, Kelle, Norelle

Not Sure: Toccara, Jennipher, Nicole, Cassie, Kristi, Julie, Amanda

Dislike: Ann, Eva

And there you have it! I’ll be back next week to see what happens!

Phil Kural is a recent graduate from Temple University, with a degree in journalism. You can reach him at pkural@gmail.com with any feedback that you may have.

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