America’s Next Top Model 3, Episode 10 Sniping, Modeling, and Other Details

The girls are still in Japan, which is very cool. And they are sleeping in one of those capsule hotels, which is definitely not cool! Fortunately, there is a guide who has come to take them away to something far more sumptuous. The girls look a bit wary, considering they were expecting the bomb… and got capsules!

They aren’t disappointed; the new house is stunning and tranquil. Eva is struck by the gentle aura of the house, and says she feels the need to reciprocate it. Of course, the other girls misinterpret this as Eva being a snot. Ann says she was sooo close to Eva once, and now she doesn’t like what she sees at all. That crack Eva made previously about hoping Norelle’s pictures sucked hasn’t stopped chafing Ann.

The ladies are treated to a tea ceremony lesson. They are shown various cultural nuggets like properly presenting the tea bowl, when to bow, where to bow, what to say when you bow, how not to just start noshing on the sweets when they are given, even how to open the sliding door. Norelle struggles with this, even though their teacher is something of a taskmaster. “Everything in Japan is complicated!” Norelle sighs.

Amanda doesn’t find it complicated, she is moved by all of the gentile pageantry of the thing. Eva enjoys it as well, but she’s quick to point out, not like Amanda!

Little did they know this is an actual challenge. The idea of performing the tea ceremony themselves seemed cute, until there are grim-faced judges sitting on the other side of them. Our taskmaster teacher gives us a little play-by-play of all the mistakes the girls make, and there are many. Predictably, Norelle is a live train wreck (committing mistakes the teacher says she has “never seen before.” Meanwhile, Yaya, who fancies herself the international bon vivant, deftly answers in solid Japanese when one of the judges asks if she is enjoying her stay.

Of course, Yaya wins the challenge. Again. And, doesn’t she look pleased with herself?

Eva sighs to us that it’s a conspiracy. I adore Yaya, in fact, she’s my favorite, but I wish she were just a little less… I don’t know… sadiddy, as my mama would say.

Tyra drops in for a bit of dinner and dish with the girls. Tyra shares nuggets about not being too gossipy, and how there aren’t bitches, just wounded souls (it’s all just a bit much). Eva says she has been learning a lot about herself and how to deal with people, “even Yaya!” (Flag on the play!) That earns a couple of eyerolls from the girls. Tyra goes on about the sisterhood of modeling, and I’m expecting a great big rainbow to burst behind her!

Tyra leaves, for no real reason, and Norelle tells us it all suddenly goes crazy! Amanda says that when a weakness shows, “that’s when the lionesses are hunting!” Ann suddenly launches into Eva about being fake and talking crap about Norelle. To her credit, Eva doesn’t go as ghetto as she could have, and points out the things that Ann said about Norelle (big hips?). Norelle is looking at them like she’s watching a tennis match in hell. Ann denies ever saying anything bad about anyone (we all know better!). Yaya adds that Eva makes her want to learn more about psychology. To us, Eva asks what Yaya has to do with this? Nothing is settled.

On to the conventional challenges, Tyra has the idea that she will do a photo shoot in front of the girls to give a live demonstration of what she is looking for. While she’s getting made up, Norelle reports about the fight from the night before. Tyra says something like, “people are always going to talk about each other.”

Tyra, who will be modeling in a kimono, is doing a bit for T-Mobile. Tyra actually coaches as she models, telling why she is doing what she is doing, as she slips from pose to pose – it’s actually rather educational. The girls soak it in like sponges.

Now it’s their turn, and in some way, all of the girls try to emulate what they just saw. Ann continues to frustrate Jay, who says she is holding herself “like a linebacker.” Amanda is posing without any rhythm. Norelle seems lost about what to do with her hands. Eva seems to have mastered most of the nuances, prompting Jay to cheer, “She is working for the children like the rent is due tonight!” Curiously, we do not see Yaya model.

Time for elimination. The guest judge is a kimono designer whose name escapes me. She was also one of the tea ceremony judges. The girls have to do a walk for Nole’ in kimonos in a manner that is high fashion, but also respectful to the culture. No one offends the culture.

Ann sort of power walks, but she looks beautiful. Her photo, not so much. Amanda whips out a little fan at the end of the runway. Very nice photo. With those blue eyes, how can she miss? Yaya models beautifully, but the judges wonder why she pinned her hair up. She shakes her wild mane loose and the judges coo! The photo catches her flat-footed in an unappealing way in the kimono. Not her best.

Norelle does a reasonable runway walk, despite an open palm for no reason that seems to be asking for a tip or something. Her photo is cool. Nigel says she looks like a Japanese cartoon character (that’s good). The kimono designer says Norelle would be very popular in Japan (isn’t that ironic?). Nigel snarkily comments “yeah, but since it’s America’s Next Top Model…” Eva seems to sleepwalk through her runway walk. Tyra demands to know what her problem is. Eva says the competition is getting to her. Toughen up, Tyra says. Eva’s photo is beautiful though, smartly modeling on her toes to add height. Tyra notices this and compliments it.

The judges deliberate. Yaya seems safe, despite her bad photo tonight. Amanda is taking great photos, but her personality seems to have disappeared. Norelle is pretty, but is she a model? Tyra says she’s been cheering for Eva, but her sad sack routine really put her off tonight. Ann is still not getting it. Who’s going home?

Time for the photos. Yaya. Amanda. Eva (Tyra says Eva made it by the skin of her teeth, which she is about to contradict. Leave your problems at door! Eva gulps.)

That leaves Ann and Norelle. Tyra says one of them looks great in person, but photographs so-so. The other photographs great, but doesn’t look like a model. Tyra says the judges have been battling about this since week one, and they still don’t know which is more important. And she admits they still haven’t decided tonight, but somebody has to go. And it’s….

Norelle.

She hugs everyone, they cry more than she does. Norelle says she is eager to take all she’s learned and start hitting the agencies! She says she is okay, smiling that sunny smile!

Norelle is so cute, I’m sorry to see her go. Frankly, I thought Ann’s time had finally come. The message is clear, you can be beautiful without being photogenic. Maybe Ann is just trying too hard!

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for 16 years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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