America’s Next Top 4, Episode 2: Makeover Time!

We begin with Jay Manuel greeting the final 14 girls at the back lot of Paramount Studios. This season, the girls will be making their digs in Los Angeles instead of New York, so this is their first taste of the Hollywood lifestyle. Sarah is visibly excited as she says that she already feels like a movie star. Honey, you’re there to model, not to be an actress. Is it me, or does she not look like Sarah from The Real World: Philadelphia? Did I already say that? Am I repeating myself?

The girls are driven to another part of the lot where they see a police car and three cops – who end up being our judges, Janice Dickinson, Nigel Barker, and Nole' Marin. Nigel is equipped with a camera, and of course, Janice has a baton. She asks where the aliens are, and Nigel says he will shoot them when he finds them. It's already time for the girls' first photo shoot – they will be aliens taking over Manhattan. I thought they were in L.A.? I'm officially confused.

The girls get started and Kahlen is up first. She admits that Janice scares her and wants to ask her how many times she will make her cry. Tatiana inspires Nigel, who is impressed with her moves, while Lluvy looks to be falling flat with only one expression. Keenyah looks amazing, while Brittany has fun and Michelle is getting the hang of it. Rebecca is another one to watch out for, she looks amazing! Tiffany has a few problems, but overcomes them, while Naima admits that she is a trekkie and loves to dress up like an alien. Don't we all?

Brandy isn't happy with how long she has to wait, and Nole' looks like he isn't liking her attitude. Neither is Nigel. When it's time for Brandy's shoot, she struts up like the diva she is and tells Nigel she "Isn't feeling it" because of the delay. The look on Nigel's face is priceless! Brita does her shot and is nervous since her panties are sheer. Oh please. Some of these girls act so innocent. Noelle pushes though and gets the poses down, while Jay tells Sarah that she was the easiest girl of the day to shoot – but not to tell the other girls that.

After the shoot, the girls get Tyra mail telling them that it's time to go to their new place. They are driven through a rough part of town, and are scared when a gangly band of misfits approach them. Okay, maybe I exaggerated – it's just Magnus, who brings them into the Serious Clothing showroom. Once there, they are told their loft is on the other side of the door, so of course all the girls run into the house screaming and staking claim on their beds. I hope none of them breaks down this season like Ann did last year when she couldn't room with Eva.

Tyra arrives at the loft and greets the girls. She tells them that this year they are settling in L.A. because she wants the girls to see a different side of fashion – and this is where she first started with her mother. I swear Tyra's mom might as well be a judge, she is there so much. She informs the girls that they will experience a lot of rejection, but she will be there to guide them along the way. I have to admit, Tyra is one of the only hosts who really gets involved with the competitors. I like that about her.

The next morning, Brandy wakes up and is complaining about what they did to her hair yesterday at the shoot. Does she ever stop complaining? J. Alexander arrives and tells the girls that it's time for a weigh-in. What is this, a boxing match? Brita is immediately nervous because she says she recently put on 10 pounds and gets even more nervous when she sees she is the heaviest girl. The girls then get Tyra mail saying that "The Cut" will happen tomorrow at 9 a.m. All the girls are nervous at this point, and can't believe it's happening already.

The girls head to the fashion district, and Christina is nervous that someone is going home, as we see the girls head into the city. They meet Tyra, Mr. Jay, and Ms. J. at Prive’ Salon, and Tyra tells them of course someone is getting cut, they are getting makeovers! The girls get excited as they meet the stylists. Guy is in charge of looks, Miss Carmen is doing nails, and a very nice Asian woman is doing makeup. I can’t spell her name since I didn’t even understand how it was pronounced!

Sara is told she is getting a Peter Pan inspired cut. Michelle is going ice blond and she looks semi-happy about that. Noelle is getting her hair blown out, while Tatiana is going dark. Tiffany will be getting a weave down to her hips, while Kalen is getting her very first weave! Brittany is getting her hair shortened with heavier bangs and Christina will get a cut that will match her “Vogue” persona. Rebecca is getting edged out and Brita is going tight with waves. Lluvy looks like she is getting red hair, while Keenyah will get an older style with bangs. Naima is going honey blonde and Brandy is told that she is fierce enough to stay how she is!

Brandy is NOT happy. She wanted a drastic change too, and is disappointed. Naima says that since she’s going blonde, she now has an excuse to be stupid. Brandy is still ranting and Ms. J. notices. He tells Tyra and she says that since Brandy feels left out, they are going to hack her hair off. Brandy now seems happy enough, but the worst is yet to come.

Meanwhile, the other girls are going through some weaving, dying, and cutting. After they are done with their makeovers, each girl gets made up and has to take a topless photo to show off their new look. Kahlen is a bit uncomfortable doing the topless shot, but knew she would have to do one sooner or later. Christina likes the new dark look that she has going on, while Brita is just happy that she didn’t have to have anything crazy done. Keenyah has never had a weave sewn so tight into her head, but she says she is taking it like a pro. Noelle looks funky and she’s glad she can show a different side.

Michelle says she was warned that getting her hair bleached would hurt, but she didn’t realize it would be as painful as it was. Jay Manuel tells the camera that he knows she is going through some pain right now, while Tiffany tells the other girls that Michelle is being a trooper and that’s what she likes about her. Sarah takes her photo and loves her new Peter Pan inspired look. I agree, it looks great! Naima would have chosen to go very light or very dark with her hair, but the in-between look that they gave her is just right. Rebecca says that she always looked the same and feels like a totally new person, while Michelle tells the camera that she went through hell but loves her new look and is more confident now.

Keenyah didn’t think her hair would be cut as short as it was, and she questions the whole thing. Jay Manuel asks her whey she doesn’t like it and she tries to tell him, but he snips at her. That’s what I hate about Jay Manuel – he thinks he’s God’s gift to everyone and nobody should ever question anything he says or does. Get over yourself! There! I said it!

Tiffany is excited with her new look and looks great as well, while Brandy is still freaking out that her hair is now too short. Geeze, this girl can’t be pleased. Brittany tells the camera that Brandy needs to let it go.

We see shots of Brandy freaking out at the mirror that her eyebrows don’t match her hair. Jay is getting frustrated with her and tells her to calm down, then storms away and hands her off to Ms. J. Keenyah is now finished and feels foolish because she loves her new look and didn’t intend for drama to incur. She loves the hair.

At this point, Tyra comes in and gathers up all the girls. She says that part of being a top model is accepting change. She wants to commend 12 of the girls, but two of them really pissed her off and they should know who they are. She informs them that the next time she will see any of them will be before the rest of the judges. Brandy and Keenyah look especially nervous. Not Keenyah, I love her!

Back at the house, the girls get some Tyra mail. It tells them that tomorrow they will meet with the judges and one of them will be going home. Keenyah thinks that it’s going to be either her or Brandy. Tiffany is telling Brandy that she has to curb the attitude if she wants to go far. Tiffany has really shaped up. I really really like her!

Tyra welcomes the girls to their first judging session. She reminds them of the prizes that the winner will receive – a modeling contract with Ford Models, a spread in Elle magazine, and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics. Next, she introduces them to the judges. We have Janice Dickinson, the world’s very first supermodel; Nigel Barker, photographer extraordinaire; and Nole’ Marin, world famous stylist. First the girls will have their individual evaluations, based on their “alien” photo, and Naima is first.

Naima steps up and they look at her photo. They like her slinkiness and commend her photo. She’s still a favorite of mine! Noelle goes up next and they see that she changed her hair. They aren’t happy with that, but they love her photo as well. Christina steps up and they love her eyes. Michelle is next and Tyra commends her in front of the panel for how well she did with the bleaching of her hair. They look at her shot and think her body is fabulous but are concerned with her face.

Tatiana comes next and Nigel says that her moves during the shot were flawless. Brita follows and Janice asks “What kind of a name is Frita?” Tyra corrects her, as they look at Brita’s shot. Janice says she looks great in person, but the shot is bad, and she looks old.

Sarah steps up and the judges are all happy with her shot. Kahlen goes next and Nigel says that she was unbelievable during the shoot but Janice calls her very “Partridge Family.” Brittany is next in front of the judges and they love her shot, but Nigel warns her not to be so sexy, and to try to be more elegant next time.

Time for Keenyah to go, and she also changed her hair. She tells Tyra she knew it was a mistake to complain about the new hair and was really sorry. The judges take a look at her photo and seem pleased. Lluvy comes up and they say she looks sleepy, and has no growl.

Tiffany steps forward and they love her new hair, and her photo as well! Tyra says that when Tiffany didn’t make it last season, she mentioned that it would have been tough going from the streets to glamour girl. Tiffany says that she loves her picture and starts to tear up, stating that it’s hard being known as the tough girl, and finally being able to show people that she is pretty too, and she is!

Rebecca is next and they love her photo – even Janice. Brandy is the last girl up and tries to play it off like she loves her hair. Tyra calls her out on it and says Brandy was negative about the whole thing. Nigel even mentions that at the photo shoot, she was very snotty to him as well, which didn’t make him happy. They like her pictures, but Nigel says it wasn’t a pleasure to work with her. Tyra just wonders what happened to the thankful Brandy that they met in California.

Now it’s time for the judges to deliberate and when the girls are called back, they will tell them which girl is going home. Janice says that Brittany will stay and Tyra asks if that’s because she looks like Janice. Janice replies that she doesn’t have man hands like Brittany. Nole’ says that Tiffany jumped in and out of that cop car like she had seen those lights before, but they love her photo. Sarah has a strong face and Naima has a perfect sense of style. Lluvy’s new nickname is SUV, according to Janice, and says that she looks bad in her photo. Keenyah tried to change her attitude, but they think she is a Ms. Diva. Christina has zero sex appeal, according to Nigel, and Brandy is giving attitude and nobody wants her around.

Brita is sexy in person, but in her photo she looks very bland. Nigel adds that her weight is not proportionate. Kahlen worked in her images, while Rebecca looked great and the consensus is that they love her. Tatiana has a sort of “pugsley” face, but I’m not sure what that means. Noelle is pretty but has to bring it all home, while Michelle may be too big in the body and is starting to look like a drag queen – but still has potential.

The girls walk back in the room and Tyra tells them that she has 14 girls in front of her but only 13 pictures in her hands. These 13 pictures represent the girls that are still in the running. The first name called… is Tiffany. Tiffany is followed by Naima, Rebecca, Kahlen, Kristina, Michelle, and Noelle, who all but sprints up to Tyra!

Sarah is the next girl called up, and she is followed by Tatiana and Brittany. Only four girls left. The next girl called is Lluvy, followed by Keenyah – who admits that she learned a big lesson this week. Brita and Brandy step up. Tyra only has one photo and that is the girl that is still in the running. Brita walked into the room and all the judges knew that she was beautiful, but didn’t show it in the photo. Brandy is high fashion and edgy, but has a very bad attitude. The girl called up is… Brandy?!? Yes, I’m as confused as you are. Of course, Brandy starts to cry and Tyra tells her that she has to work on the attitude.

Brita walks out of the room and tells the camera that she is pissed about the judging and is regretting the whole thing. Her picture was horrible and she says it sucks that she has to go home first. Don’t worry, Brita, you are beautiful, and I don’t think it’s the last time we will see you. You were robbed – it should have been Brandy.

Next week, the girls strut their stuff for Ms. J., and (s)he doesn’t seem very happy at all! Michelle feels the pressure of the competition and lets out a deep secret. Plus, the most shocking judging scene ever! Is this turning into The Bachelor with the most dramatic rose ceremony ever? Oh, who even knows, I’m already a little peeved about tonight. Anyway, here is how I rank the girls as of now, the girl in last is who I think should go home next week. I’m never right though, so don’t take my word on it. See everyone next week!

Naima
Noelle
Tiffany
Keenyah
Christina
Kahlen
Rebecca
Brittany
Sarah
Tatiana
Lluvy
Michelle
Brandy

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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