America’s Next Top Model 3, Episode 3: Just Because You’re Bulimic Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Model

Previously, the final 14 girls arrived in New York City. They were told they would be on their way to Jamaica, and Cassie struggled with her posing. Amanda showed promise and Julie hit a home run with the judges. Magdalena failed to connect with the camera and was the first girl sent home. In NYC, the girls moved into their loft, met the judges, and faced their critiques. In the end, it was Leah’s awkwardness in her photos that led her to be the second girl eliminated.

We begin this week watching the girls complain about eating. Cassie says she obsessed about her weight and what she eats. She’s determined to be a model and will do anything it takes to become one. Also, we see Amanda on the phone with her son, Elijah. She says he’s her light and what keeps her going. Also, we learn that he was conceived to the hour of September 11. That kind of freaks me out. She knows that she’s a loving, hippy mom and wants everyone to love one another.

Tyra mail! Basically, it tells the girls that it’s time for their makeovers. Julie playfully worries about her hair, but everyone seems generally excited. They arrive at the salon, and Jay Manuel welcomes them. He says that he is going to give them a makeover lesson using Cover Girl cosmetics. Also, each girl will be getting a new hair style.

Tyra arrives and informs each girl what they will be having done. Kelle is getting long, wavy extensions. Julie is losing six to eight inches of her hair. Tyra says she admires Yaya’s hair because it shows her African pride, but she will be losing the braids to make her more versatile. Also, she knows she is very self-conscious about her skin, but Tyra found a dermatologist for her, whom she will go see later in the day.

Ann is going blonde and Nicole is going red. Toccara will be getting a lift in her hair and more thickness. Kristi will be given a more edgy look, along with bangs. Jennipher will be losing most of her long hair and going very blonde. Jennipher is visibly upset about this, but feels a little better when she finds that her hair will be donated to Locks of Love. Cassie will have a weave for more thickness and Amanda will go icy blonde to match her icy blue eyes. Eva’s hair will be cut shorter and given more shape. Norelle will have most of her hair chopped off, and will be going to see an orthodontist to lose the braces today!

The girls hit the chair and Nicole says that some of them are excited, while others are visibly upset. Eva and Jennipher seem to be taking it the worst. Eva doesn’t want to look like a little boy and is worried that she will with shorter hair. She’s just getting used to it being as short as it is now. Amanda says she is trying to be giving, but some of the girls are really scared. Jennipher says her hair has always been a security blanket for her. The stylist cuts it off, and Jennipher automatically says she feels so much lighter. Toccara and Kelle talk about what some of the girls are going to look like. Amanda is really excited and Nicole says she’s very happy with her new look because it makes her look edgier.

In addition to their hair, Jay teaches each girl how to get a clean, fresh look. Kristi feels like a totally different person and Toccara is really pleased as well, saying that she could be bald and still be a goddess. Cassie loves her new full look. Norelle is worried about her hair, but is just going with it all. Ann is interested about what the blonde look will do for her, and when it’s done, she cries that it’s too short. Cassie is shocked because she’s never seen people cry about their hair. Eva says she’s okay and loves the results. Ann says Julie looks exactly the same, and Julie figures that’s a compliment because she looks so unique that they really don’t need to change anything about her.

Yaya and Norelle head out to the dermatologist and the orthodontist. At the dermatologist, Yaya gets some blackheads taken care of and receives some product. She then rushes back to the salon to finish up her hair, which she loves, feeling that it gives her a boost of confidence. Norelle is at the orthodontist and gets her braces taken out. She has to wear a retainer for a year, but that’s no big deal. She gets back to the salon to finish her hair and loves the results. She’s more comfortable with herself and feels she will be a great model. Amanda finishes up and does some poses for the other girls. Yaya says it looks like Amanda is a diva now. Amanda tells the camera that she feels sexier and more powerful, and that intimidates some of the other girls. After everyone is finished at the salon, they all head out to eat with their new looks.

At dinner, Julie tells the camera that Cassie is a Diet Coke freak. Amanda says that Cassie doesn’t eat too much, sometimes not at all. Cassie admits that if she didn’t want to be a model, she would eat everything. Eva says people are beginning to wonder.

Tyra mail! The girls head to an Indian restaurant and are greeted by Jay. He says that they are going to be tested on what they learned yesterday. Kiara, a Cover Girl, will help him judge. Julie is just happy to see some ethnicity in the business, and Kiara says that race really doesn’t matter these days in the business, because anyone can look unique. Jay says that the prize of the contest will be to go with Kiara and him to an industry party to meet people. They have to apply all their makeup in a moving limousine in ten minutes, while at the same time getting dressed.

The girls pile into the limo and Jay counts down. The girls begin rummaging through the cosmetics, with someone actually leaping over the crowd. All the girls are going crazy, and Jennipher says some girls are acting like maniacs. Yaya says she has to worry extra because she has to do her skin as well. Eva calls the whole thing a mess, and Norelle is scared because she doesn’t have a brush and has to do everything with her finger. They arrive at the party and Jay checks them out. He says they will figure out who the winner is and begins to inspect all the girls. Yaya is worried about her skin, while Amanda thinks she looks great and followed directions well.

Jay says the winner is based on natural skin look, and they congratulate Norelle. She is able to choose three girls to join her and she chooses Ann, Eva and Kristi. They all get to wear fashions by Anand Jon, who is hosting the party. The girls who didn’t get picked actually have to work the party! Cassie says they have to wear a very horrible outfit. Norelle says she’ll never forget this experience, as Kristi notes how much fun they are having at the party. Kelle breaks a glass in the kitchen and Cassie seems to be stressing out as she asks for a Diet Coke. I’m sure Diet Coke loves these endorsements.

The girls grab Julie and make her imitate her mom to the guests, while Julie tells the camera she can break many Indian stereotypes. When the Indian dancers come out, Julie breaks it down with them. Yaya is happy and says she’s glad to see someone that is proud of her heritage. The girls head out from the party and, in the van, Toccara makes a crack on Yaya’s skin, which doesn’t make Yaya happy. Amanda notes that the girls are starting to look at her as competition. Amanda? Why are you getting so cocky all of the sudden?

The girls arrive and Jay tells them it’s time for their beauty shoot. It’s all about a clean face, and Yaya is immediately scared. She’s very worried and insecure about her skin. Jay says that the girls will have to use their hands, and will use Nivea to make sure they look good.

Ann is up first and is told about her jaw. Toccara is looking great and Nicole really looks hot with that red hair. She says that she’s trying to give a face that she would give in the middle of sex. Eva looks okay, but not great. Kristi is told not to look like the Mona Lisa and has issues taking direction. Yaya is worried, but says halfway through the shoot she gained a lot more confidence. Jay says that Yaya really is a trooper. Jennipher heads in and does great, Norelle models off her new teeth, and Jay says that she has to look in the mirror and get more confidence. Julie works it, but is very confused, which doesn’t seem to thrill Jay. Kelle heads in and lacks expression. Toccara says that Kelle won’t give that extra something. Amanda says that, thanks to the makeover, she think she did great. Jay loves her as well.

Cassie is worried that the girls think she has an eating disorder. Apparently, she said something to Amanda that got around to all the other girls. Ann bitches to Jennipher and Eva about Cassie being bulimic. Cassie thinks she never should have mentioned anything since all the girls are talking about her now. She does her shoot, and Jay says that once Cassie gets validation that she’s doing a good job, she kicks in. Eva says that Amanda is a nut for saying something, and needs to stop being fake. Amanda just feels that Cassie told the wrong person, but Cassie doesn’t even care anymore – she’s there to win.

Time for dinner! Cassie approaches the group and says that if anyone has issues with her or her weight, then tell her. She insists she isn’t throwing up and Yaya says that she understands how people are being discriminating towards her. Cassie offers herself to any questions. Jennipher says not eating is rough on her health and Cassie admits to having weight issues, but isn’t throwing up. Ann insists that Cassie has an eating disorder, while Eva is pissed at Amanda and doesn’t trust her at all. Eva just feels that Amanda is intimidated by Cassie since she’s beautiful. Now we see Amanda on the phone with her mom, crying that she feels bad. She says it wasn’t her place to say anything, and now she looks evil.

More Tyra mail! Tomorrow the girls will meet with the judges and someone will be going home. Nicole is excited to see some of the girls go. She’s ready to narrow it down. Eva thinks Cassie will be eliminated if Tyra catches wind of all the bulimic talk.

The girls walk into the elimination ceremony, and Tyra tells them that it's time for their third cut. She reminds them of the prizes and re-introduces them to all the judges, along with this week’s special guest judge, Danilo – the hair guy. First though, it’s time for a test. Jay says that there is a pack of makeup on each girl’s bed. They have to apply a day look on one side and a diva night look on the other. They have ten minutes. All the girls scramble to get ready, and time ticks away fast. Before you know it, they are back in the elimination room.

Kristi is evaluated first. Janice says she looks like “Cousin It” with her bangs. Her photo doesn’t look too bad. But then they show it before it was touched up, and it looks awful. They aren’t happy. Eva steps up and Nigel doesn’t like the makeup. Janice isn’t fond of the nail in her photo and says it makes her look like a hooker. Cassie steps up and they love her photo – the un-retouched one as well. Jennipher goes next and they say they love her new look, but aren’t sure about her photo. Amanda is next and, when she’s asked where she came from, she says their dreams! Cheesy to the max! She loves her new look as well, but the judges aren’t feeling her makeup. They love her shot, which Janice says could be on the cover of “Danish Vogue.” Nicole is up next and they love the new hair color as well as her photo. Toccara steps up and everyone think she is amazing. Norelle goes next and Janice says she loves her teeth and makeup. They aren’t sure about her photo, though, especially the un-retouched one.

Ann goes next and, in her beauty shot, she has a remarkably similar look to Sara from last season. Julie goes next and they don’t really like her makeup at all. Also, they mess around with her outfit to make her look better. Janice doesn’t like her shot at all. Julie says she wants to start a manufacturing business and is using modeling to get there. Janice isn’t happy about that at all. Yaya heads in and they love her shot. Her un-retouched shot doesn’t look great, but it’s not awful. Kelle goes next and Janice loves her change. Nole’ isn’t happy with it, though, and he doesn’t like her shot either. Janice agrees that it looks bad before it was touched up. Kelle is upset because her skin always looks great in photos and the photographer chose the wrong photo. Tyra snaps back that she needs to stop playing the blame game and learn to grow.

Time for the judges to deliberate! Eva – Janice likes her. Nigel feels Jennipher looks very bland at times, but is a beautiful girl. They feel Ann looks like nothing, and that Yaya is a yes. Nigel notes that he doesn’t like Norelle, and all the judges seem to be unhappy with Kristi. Julie looks great in person, but Tyra is upset with her. Amanda looks flawless and Toccara has a great figure, even though Janice says no to her. Cassie looks okay, but not great. They know Nicole needs to pump it up. Kelle looks great as well, but Nigel isn’t sure about her personality. Janice even says that she would rather have Toccara over Kelle.

The girls come in, and Tyra says that there are twelve girls in front of her, but she only has eleven photos. The one not called will go home. The first name called is Amanda. She is followed by Nicole, Eva, Yaya, Toccara, Jennipher, and then Cassie, who is told like she was starting to give up. Norelle is called next and told to show off her new smile. Then comes Ann, and then Kristi, who Tyra says was looking as though she was beginning to panic.

Julie and Kelle step up. Tyra only has one photo. She says that both of the girls had the two worst photos and lacked passion. Kelle plays the blame game and doesn’t know how to take responsibility. She has to know she can do better. Julie says that she wanted to further her career somewhere else by using modeling. The girl called… is Kelle!

Julie is eliminated and heads out. She says she thought she would do better, but the truth came out. Julie notes that she had a bigger dream in the end and was honest about that, but is sad that it’s all over. Next week, the girls strut their stuff on the runway with the help of last year’s winner, Yoanna. A surprise runway show is a dream for Norelle, but Amanda worries that her night blindness will mess her up.

Wow, what a week! I wasn’t sure how I was going to rank the girls this week. Amanda took a dive, Kelle went down, while girls like Cassie and Jennipher took a leap ahead. This is how I’m looking at the girls right now:

Like:Yaya, Cassie, Jennipher

Not Sure: Kelle, Toccara, Nicole, Kristi, Eva, Norelle

Dislike:Amanda, Ann

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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