America’s Next Top Model 4, Episode 9: Zoobilee Zoo!

Previously, after the death of a friend, Kahlen had to face her fears in a graveyard photo shoot. She was able to channel her emotions though, and came out with a fierce photo. Christina struggled with looking “lusty,” but it was Tatiana who was lacking the poise to become America’s Next Top Model and was sent home. Only six girls are left. Who is going home tonight?

Brittany and Christina talk about the last elimination. Michelle comes over to join them, and says that she thought she was going home. She says now she will step it up across the board so that she is not the next to go home. Tyra mail arrives and asks the girls, “Are you born to be wild?” Keenyah says that with only six girls left, everyone is stepping it up, but she wants it the most.

In the morning, the girls head out and Keenyah is scarfing down a donut. She admits that she loves carbs, but they are her enemy too. Brittany tells the camera that Keenyah has easily put on 10 pounds since they have been there, and she can snack like no other. The girls arrive and meet Ms. J. Alexander. He tells them that today they will learn from animals how to pose, and it will be part of their challenge. Christina is nervous about the animals, and says if any of them look at her funny, she is running. The gentleman with Ms. J. tells the girls never to run if an animal approaches them, dashing Christina’s plans.

First, the girls meet a leopard, and then a tiger. Even Ms. J. looks a little scared. Finally, the girls meet Bam Bam, a bear. Ms. J. says that he looks like his ex, with all the slobbering he’s doing. Naima is trying to figure out the animals and how to imitate them. Kahlen doesn’t care for the bear and he’s grossing her out. All the girls feed the bear marshmallows from their mouths – even Kahlen! She says that she wants to go home and brush her teeth.

Ms. J. tells the girls to pose like a leopard, and Naima says it’s dirty on the ground from the rain, but she gives it her all. The girls do the movements as well, and then do the tiger and the bear. Keenyah says she tried not to be so literal with the poses like Brittany was. Ms. J. says that the winner deserves it and it’s Brittany, since she even conveyed the faces. Hmm, looks like Keenyah should have taken it literally as well! Brittany is happy that if she goes home, at least she won a challenge. She’s allowed to pick two friends, and she goes with Keenyah and Christina.

Ms. J. says it’s time for them to meet the fiercest animal of all, and in comes Tyra! Tyra tells the girls that for her first runway show, she was told to act like a cat, and really did – frightening the designer. She informs the girls that for their next shoot, they will have models with them, and in come the mountain lions. However, Tyra isn’t feeling all this with the rain and all, so she tells the girls that they will have to do the shoot… in Africa! South Africa to be exact! Everyone is cheering as the girls only have two hours to get ready.

The girls get back and start packing and Brittany says that she is bringing everything. Keenyah says that anything can happen from here, and off they go and in they come. That was quick! The girls arrive and are shocked at how nice it is. Michelle is trying to connect with the other girls, and thinks she is a minor part in the group, unlike Keenyah and Brittany who dominate all conversations. She feels like they joke on her too much and make fun of everything she says. Christina says that they have no clue where they are going, as we see the girls arrive on a reserve. Tyra comes walking in to greet them, and tells them that fashion week is huge in South Africa. She fills them in on all the fashion-goings-on in South Africa, and Michelle can’t believe it. C’mon, Michelle. She’s acting like South Africa is this poverty-stricken nation.

All the girls start dancing with the natives and Tyra slips out. Kahlen is nervous but gets involved. When the dancing is done, they are told that it’s time for a safari. All the girls hit the desert and see a hippo. Kahlen says it weighs as much as Keenyah! Me-ow! Keenyah takes it in stride and says that Yoanna had weight issues, but she still won. Yeah, Yoanna also threw up her breakfast and dinner, and skipped lunch. You don’t seem to be doing all that!

The girls see giraffes, and Brittany wants to see some action. Michelle says that they are going to see the lions next, and are told not to make a sound or any sudden movements. She immediately says everyone looked at Brittany. They pull up to the lions and sure enough Brittany makes a sound. The lions approach their jeep and even though they honk the horns, that doesn’t stop them. Brittany doesn’t seem to get worried, as the jeep speeds off and gets out of the safari. That could have turned ugly!

It is now night and the girls arrive at a campsite. Brittany, Keenyah, and Christina are told they will go a luxury suite, while the other girls have to stay under the stars and build their own tent. Michelle says she is glad that she watches Survivor. Oh dear God. Naima worries about her hair, but appreciates that Michelle is being positive about the whole thing, but isn’t sure if it’s her wanting to be strong. The other girls head to their suite and say goodbye to Kahlen and Naima and reluctantly to Michelle. Michelle is glad the high maintenance girls are in the suite, as we see the other three have bugs all over the place in their suite. As the girls in the wilderness sleep, the other three have a bad night with all the bugs that found their way inside.

In the morning, the girls all meet up for breakfast. Keenyah tells Kahlen that she has gained 12 pounds so far. She wants a yogurt and Brittany is frustrated and says she wants to help Keenyah with the weight. Jay Manual welcomes the girls and says he’s taking them to their shoot. Each girl will be an animal that he thinks represents them. Kahlen will be the springbok, which is the national animal of South Africa. Christina is going to be an ostrich, while Brittany will be a giraffe. Michelle is a zebra and Naima will be a cheetah. Finally, Keenyah will be an elephant, and it’s clear that all the girls are holding in their laughter. Keenyah doesn’t understand what’s going on with all the fat things. First it was gluttony, now this! Hmm, Jay did say he picked an animal to represent each girl. Maybe he’s trying to tell her something. You know that bitter queen is always out to get someone.

The girls will be doing their shoot for Lubriderm, and a crocodile will accompany them. Time for hair and makeup. Christina is the first to go and Jay tells her that this shoot really matters since there aren’t many girls left. Christina does her thing and Jay is happy he gets some emotion out of her, saying it might be her best shot to date.

Michelle walks in and says she’s feeling good, but has some problems with her posing. Jay says that she is always told to drop her chin. Naima looks great and Jay says that when she poses, she take into account her whole body, calling her the silent killer.

Keenyah is freaking out since she doesn’t know how to be a sexy elephant, and her stomach is looking a bit big in her picture. We even get a shot of it bulging out. Keenyah says she’ll suck it in and move on.

In comes Brittany, who Jay says has a few extra things to deal with, since she has two canes, and she has a few problems, but her makeup looks great. Brittany says she was called a giraffe in middle school, and is glad that she is a sexy giraffe now. Kahlen is last and Jay talks her though it. He thinks she had the best shoot, and when she almost falls on the crocodile, we see her run like there is no tomorrow. With that, the shoot is over.

The girls go to dinner that night and everyone is happy. Everyone is laughing, but Michelle is being reserved. Naima asks her if she feels alienated and Michelle didn’t see it coming and doesn’t want the girls to think they are the problem. Naima says that Michelle has been with them all long enough to feel like part of the group. Brittany is pretty much over Michelle and says that it’s too late to get involved now.

Tyra mail arrives and tells the girls to go to their new seaside home, which is what they do. Once they look at the new pad, more Tyra mail arrives and says tomorrow they will meet with the judges and someone is going home. Keenyah says that she feels good, but could be wrong. Brittany says she has nerves in her stomach, but is hoping for a good photo.

The girls walk into the judging room. They are reminded of the fabulous prizes and the amazing judges. Gerda Genis, the photographer at the last shoot, is the special guest judge this week. For their challenge this week, each of the judges will give the girls an item and tell them an emotion to use when posing with the object. Michelle goes first and I have no clue what it is they hand her. Christina looks to flop, and the girls are given a drum and told to do “fear.” Nole’ tells the girls to be “aloof” and none of them know what that is, so they try their best. “Passion” is next and everyone seems to get it mixed up. You should see all the grins when they have to do “happiness.” This is NOT cute.

Time for individual evaluations. Michelle is first and they tell her they liked her pose for “fear.” They take a look at her photo and most like it. Janice doesn’t though, and says it’s not enough. Naima is told she was doing well with her poses, and while Tyra and Nigel love her photo, Nole’ and Janice want more from the body.

Keenyah is told to model her whole body when posing, and they tell her that her photo was great in the face, but they had to do so much work with fixing the body. Janice tells her how to disguise the gut, and Tyra goes on this rant about how this is the “fashion industry” so Keenyah has to be thin. This is the same Tyra who was encouraging Toccara to keep going last season, even though she was “plus sized.” Tyra is officially a hypocrite.

Christina steps up next, and they say some of her poses made her look crazy. They look at her photo and love it, but think there is something wrong with her lip. Tyra gives her some pointers on how to fix it, which makes all the judges love her. Brittany steps up and they say that although she won the pose challenge in L.A., she didn’t do well here. They like her more when she is quiet. The judges look at her photo and they think it’s ultra sexy. The makeup looks great, I’ll admit that.

Kahlen is last. They liked her poses, and her photo looks stunning. Her face is great and the body is posed perfectly. All this happens right after Tyra tries to get Janice to show “passion” with her, and Janice basically falls on top of Tyra and starts humping her like a rabbit. I think Janice was on something at this time, so I’m going to let it slide. Time for the judges to deliberate!

The judges weren’t thrilled with Naima this week, and think she is still holding back. Brittany has what it takes to win, but she is a walking exclamation point, and Nigel doesn’t like it. Michelle is weak in person, but has a silver lining. Kahlen got it down this week, and while Christina was a bit of an ice queen, she was on it. Keenyah is getting to be an elephant, says Nole’ and Janice tells him that it takes one to know one. Wow, Janice is on a roll this week. Nole’ isn’t bothered, and says that Keenyah is out.

Tyra welcomes the girls back in and tells them someone is going home. The first name called… is Kahlen. Tyra tells her that she’s becoming a lion. Uh-oh, looks like Kahlen might be the new “girl to beat.” Christina is called next, and Tyra tells her that she learned something today, and there are tricks to use. Next is Naima, and she is told that for some reason, when Tyra thinks of the girls, she always forgets Naima. She needs to do something to stick out more. Brittany is called next, and Tyra tells her that from week to week she is falling apart.

Keenyah and Michelle step up. Tyra only has one photo left, and that’s the girl that is still in the competition. She says that the two of them have very different strengths. Michelle has a very unique face, but can’t take the pressure, and the judges aren’t sure if she is strong enough. Keenyah isn’t being seen as a model, and as much as Tyra hates to say it, they are in the industry and if you don’t fit the clothes, you don’t get the work. It’s sad, but true, and I agree, but don’t be a hypocrite, Tyra. Tyra tells them that miracles happen, so hopefully one of them will shape up.

Keenyah is called, and she immediately gives Michelle a hug. Tyra tells her to get it together, as we see Michelle give the other girls hugs and head out. The judges yell her some words of encouragement, and off she goes. In her room, she says that she wanted it more than anything in the world, and with the advice and criticism she got on the show, hopefully she can change and be a top model. She’s more confident now and thinks she’s beautiful, which is something she’s never felt before. I’m not sure if this is good or bad!

Next week, the girls race to impress the fashion elite in South Africa, and Keenyah shows everyone how competitive she is. All the girls get a little catty when they have to critique the photos of the other girls. This is a recipe for disaster, and I, for one, hope I have a front row seat! Here’s how I’m ranking the girls:

Kahlen
Naima
Christina
Keenyah
Brittany

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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