America’s Next Top Model 7, Episode 2: Weavin’ Steven Makes The Girls Weavalicious!

Okay, before I get into anything, can I just state how irritated I am that during the opening credits of the show, when the girls are being “introduced,” they have the twins, Amanda and Michelle, in a frame being introduced together. That’s so annoying! They won’t allow them to be individuals! Okay, rant over. Last week, the girls moved into the house, and right away, Monique went on the offensive when she didn’t get a bed. At the photo shoot, Michelle rocked, while Melrose turned into a diva. However, it was Christian, and her lack of originality, who didn’t make the cut – and she was sent home. There are twelve girls left, so let’s see who is the next to go, shall we?

So it’s later the evening that Christian was eliminated. Michelle and Megan practice their walk and Michelle says that they are good friends and are pretty close. Megan says that they are competing with one another, but helping one another as well. Meanwhile, Melrose is cleaning the kitchen and thinking about earlier that night, grateful that she has another chance and the judges see potential in her. In another room, we have Monique, telling Eugena that she can’t stand Melrose because she’s so fake. Oh yeah, Monique is SO real! “Tyra Mail” arrives and tells the girls that Tyra needs two glasses of “J” every morning, and the girls will too! They immediately decipher that they will be seeing Mr. Jay and Ms. J. in the morning, and with that, they head to bed.

Bright and early, the girls begin to wake up, as we see each of their alarms going off. Monique says that she’s mad that everyone has their own alarm clock, since she’s still trying to sleep. Anchal is also annoyed – that Monique has an attitude and won’t give it a rest. The girls get into their limo and head to Oliver for breakfast, where they are greeted by Jay Manuel and J. Alexander. They all admit to thinking that they were getting makeovers. Jay tells the girls that they need to draw on experience. Using Megan as an example, he talks about her character during the auditions. She says that she’s an optimist. Jay tells the girls that if they can look vulnerable during a shoot, it will show and they will look great. On that note, Mr. Jay and Ms. J. head out.

The girls pile back into the limo and head home. At the house though, they are surprised by Tyra, who leads them into the living room, which has been turned into a salon. It IS time for makeovers! They came in normal, but will walk out as top models.

Melrose is the first girl to get the good news. To make her eyes “pop,” she will be going blonde. I can already tell she isn’t happy about this.

Megan will be going shorter and blonder. Big deal!

Since Eugena thinks she’s is better than the other girls from seasons past, she will be going longer and fuller. What does that have to do with anything?

Brooke is going chocolate brown. I like her as a blonde!

Anchal will have her hair shortened and layered. Also, she’ll have her forehead threaded and brought up a bit. That sounds… painful!

Monique is basically just getting longer hair, which she is disappointed about since she really wanted to be changed up.

CariDee will be getting a weave, which she is very psyched about.

A.J. will be going shorter, and more of a Linda Evangelista look. I think it might work!

Tyra knows that Megg has some curls under there, so they decided to make her curly and frizzy, which Megg is happy about since it’s “rock and roll.” Of course.

Amanda will be staying with straight hair, but it will now be fire engine red.

Michelle will changing from mousy to fire, with more volume. I don’t know what that means, but that’s what Tyra said.

Jaeda is last, so you know what that means… time for a shocker! She’s going short – very short! Halle Berry short!

After the girls get their makeover, they will be doing a photo shoot in metallic swimwear. I’m guessing this is for the new group photo.

So the poking and prodding begins. Of course, some girls are upset. Haven’t these girls read my Top Model Tips? Why, oh WHY are they crying and complaining about change? Haven’t they watched this show? Jaeda is crying and scared that she won’t be able to pull off short hair. She knew she was being held until last for a reason. Monique complains that she isn’t having enough done to her. However, the good news, is that Megg loves her new curls! She says she can do the head banger motion better now. Oh, jeez! Anchal says she feels great with the new forehead, and I have to say – she looks stunning! Melrose doesn’t think she’ll be a good looking blonde, and as much as I want to like her, it’s just not happening! Brooke has her new, darker look, and I love it on her.

Michelle says that she is bad with hair in general, so she’ll just go with it, while Amanda is disappointed that they got different looks, since they can’t confuse people now. Jaeda is still crying as they cut her hair off, and says that she feels too masculine. I think she looks AMAZING, and really does resemble Halle Berry. CariDee gets her weave and she’s working it like the rent is due! Eugena seems pleased as well with her weave. Megan says that her hair was done in two minutes and she loves it!

Jay Manuel is talking to Melrose now, saying that she always feels like she is in control, and that’s why she doesn’t want to go blonde. A.J. is also bitching about her color and that she likes spikes, not staying smooth. To be honest, I think she looked better before the makeover. She lost her edge. Monique cries because nobody has ever seen her without her weave on. Yes, I’m serious. She cries to Jay Manuel, who isn’t very sympathetic. In fact, while she is having her photo shoot done, Jay reams out all the girls, telling them that they are being insulting and their attitudes are disgusting. We get flashes of Melrose, A.J., Jaeda, and Monique, all of whom cried and complained about their new looks. That must be a record! However, I’m glad Jay told them off. Most girls would kill for the opportunity – yet they are complaining. Go figure.

The girls get back home and Megan talks to her girlfriend. I’m not sure if that means she’s a lesbian, or if it’s just a girl that’s a friend. I don’t even think I care, to be honest. She says that her blonde hair looks great, but most of the girls hated their new looks. Sure enough, we see all the girls complaining, but not Megg – she loves her new locks! “Tyra Mail” tells the girls that they don’t need makeup to look beautiful, so don’t wear any for the next challenge!

Time for the next challenge! The girls meet up with Jay Manuel, who tells them that they want the girls to impress with their makeup knowledge. For this challenge, the girls will have 30 seconds to grab the makeup they need on the table behind him, and then meet in the elevator. Next, they will get to another floor with dresses, and another 30 seconds, then another floor for shoes and accessories and another 30 seconds. If they miss the elevator on any floor though, they are disqualified from the challenge. The object is to come out at the top floor showing off a new, clean, young look, and they will meet with a Cover Girl executive.

Everyone runs for the makeup as time ticks down. When the 30 seconds is up, Megg misses the elevator. Next, it’s time for clothes. Everyone grabs a gown and they all make the elevator. Finally, when it’s time for shoes and accessories, it’s Monique that misses the elevator to the top floor and is disqualified. She is NOT happy about this. The remaining 10 girls get to the top floor and meet the Cover Girl executive – Queen Latifah and her stylist!

So of course, each of the girls gets a personal style critique from Queen. Michelle admits to not being sure about makeup, but Queen feels that even though she is very “whatever” about it, the look actually worked. Melrose gives off a great job but has terrible shoes on. CariDee tried to look like she was on the beach, but Queen says it’s the beach in the ‘60s. A.J. is told simply that she should have used more products. Eugena looks great and Brooke admits to going “prom queen” but Queen is happy with her look. Anchal is told how beautiful she looks, but needs to exude more personality. Megan has great lips and should have used more color, while Amanda was very aware with what she was working with. Jaeda is simply told “You worked it a long way.” What does that mean?

Okay, so we need a winner, right? Queen says that some of them did a really good job, but the winner is – Eugena! She used the most color and really applied and accented well. Isn’t it a bit of a wash that the girl who won the competition is African-American? I mean, it was made pretty clear that the Queen Collection is geared towards African-American women, so my question is: Did any girl besides Eugena, Monique, and maybe Jaeda have a chance of winning this? I think not! Anyway, I digress. Eugena is allowed to choose two friends and she picks CariDee and Jaeda. The three of them will have a Cover Girl photo shoot before the girls’ next challenge, which will be posted on the Cover Girl website. Not bad at all!

The girls pile in the limo and head home, and most of the girls note that they are avoiding Monique since she looks so pissed. Megg is disappointed that she didn’t even get to meet Queen. Monique walks into the house and straight to the phone. Melrose tells the camera, and the other girls, that she needs to get on the phone with her landlord at home soon, since she is trying to get back a deposit on her apartment. An hour and a half later, Monique is still on the phone, talking trash to her mom about everyone. The other girls are a little annoyed and try to get her attention. Of course Monique doesn’t care, and actually sticks her head out the door, saying: “I just LOVE this phone call!” Two and half hours have now passed, and Monique is still on the phone. Her mother tells her: “When they mess with a child of God, they are punished. You are a princess on the throne!” Okay, Monique’s mom is just as crazy as she is! Anchal, who is quickly rising in the ranks in my book, actually storms in the room and hangs up on Monique’s call. They get in one another’s faces, ending with Monique saying that she’s not there to make friends. She stays on the phone for another hour, even though she isn’t talking to anyone. Finally, she comes out when nobody is around, proclaiming to the house that the phone is free. Wow, this girl has balls!

We see some of the girls talking trash on Monique, saying that they plan on ignoring her. Monique feels that she’s being disrespected and will have none of it. Oh yeah, hogging the phone for almost three hours isn’t disrespecting anyone. Refusing to help clean the house isn’t compromising? Monique really needs to check herself. I can’t believe I thought I was going to like her! “Tyra Mail” arrives and tells the girls to be amped for tomorrow, since they will need to be edgy. Aren’t they always edgy?

Moving right along, the girls arrive at the Siren Studio for their photo shoot. Jay is waiting there for them, but first pulls out Eugena, the challenge winner, along with CariDee, and Jaeda. They have their own mini shoot first for Cover Girl. Eugena says that she doesn’t care if the other girls are jealous, since this is her time to shine. However, with that out of the way, it’s time to find out what the REAL photo shoot this week is.

Jay informs the girls that the three people doing their hair this week have been specially flown in to give them some crazy, outrageous styles. The theme for the photo this week is “Do you wear the hair, or does the hair wear YOU?” Three “weavologists” walk into the room, including, and I’m not kidding, “Weavin’ Steven.” He’s obviously straight. The girls get a preview of what their weaves will look like, and it is crazy!

The first girl in front of the camera this week is Monique, who actually has a spinning trophy on top of her head. In true Monique fashion, she complains about the fan blowing, which the photographer won’t shut off. She likes that the other girls watch her, since it helps her perform. Jay actually seems pleased too. Anchal is told that her look is really working for her. Why did I rank her as the next to go last week? Jay tells Brooke to be more crazy and zany, and while Amanda has a very red motif as a weave, Michelle is basically dressed up like Toucan Sam, but it looks great!

Megan gets spinning Princess Leia buns in her hair, and it looks strange. Besides, in a photo, how the heck would we know they were spinning? Jay tells her that she needs to look more vulnerable. Megg, on the other hand, is told to be more “quirky.” A.J. seems to do well, while Eugena is giving off a bit too much attitude. CariDee is told by Jay that she’s being powerful, and then we have Melrose, who Jay feels really redeemed herself. Jaeda is the last to go this week and she admits that when she tried to focus, she got angry, which is showing in her photos. I really do think Jaeda is one of the most beautiful girls this season! However, Jay sees no change of expression or emotion in any of her photos.

The girls arrive back at the house after the photo shoot, “Tyra Mail” is waiting for them. Tomorrow they will meet with the judges and one of them will be sent home! While the mail is being read, Monique rubs her hands on her boobs underneath her towel and then on Melrose’s face! Melrose, rightfully, is grossed out. She says it smelled like egg or spoiled pumpkin. Jaeda says that all the girls want Monique gone, and really hope that she is sent packing.

One by one, the girls file into the judging room. Tyra reminds them of the prizes and introduces the judges once again, including special guest judge, Tracy Bayne, who was the photographer for their last shoot. Tracy has done other work on the show, including the horoscope photo shoot for Cycle 4 and the falling fairytale shoot from Cycle 6. Wow, both of those were two of my favorite shoots on the show, so I’m excited to see what she turns out with the “Weavalicious” photo shoot!

Melrose is up first. The judges like her new makeover, and feel the blonde hair makes her look fresh and young. They look at her photo and Ms. J. loves the movement. Tyra likes the poses that Melrose used, and really feels that she went for it. Anchal is up next, and Twiggy feels that her new look is very modern, and she feels the same about her photo this week. I have to admit, Anchal is really beginning to grow on me. The girl is out of the world beautiful!

Jaeda steps forward, and Tyra tells her that it’s clear that Jaeda doesn’t own her look yet, and she wants her to handle it better. The judges look at her photo and feel that she is too aggressive. Megg stands before the judges and they love her hair. However, in her photo, the judges feel that her under bite is starting to come out. I don’t see it, but whatever. CariDee tries to impress the judges with the wet look, but she did it incorrectly. As far as her photo, Ms. J. loves that she is showing neck. I can already tell that CariDee is Ms. J’s favorite this season. He never has anything bad to say about her.

Eugena is up next. She pulls her hair up and the judges love it. Twiggy doesn’t like her photo this week though, and feels it’s a bit too masculine. Tyra adds that it’s the only photo from Eugena that even gave expression. Tracy says that Eugena was a “know it all” on set, so there was nothing she could do to help her. However, Tyra notes that Eugena won this week’s challenge. Michelle steps up and is told that her new look makes her look contemporary – they love it. Her picture this week is loved by all the judges as well. Amanda gets mostly the same kind of praise.

Everyone agrees that Brooke looks great with the brown hair. They think her photo this week is “good” but she is beginning to look a bit “cutesy.” Megan’s new blonde hair makes her eyes pop. At least, that’s what the judges say. Twiggy thinks that Megan’s photo this week is a bit “funny ‘50s magazine.” What the hell does that mean? Ms. J. wants more neck and Tyra says that Megan had the weakest shot of the bunch this week. That can’t be good!

When it’s A.J.’s turn, the judges love her new look and feel that she lost the “goth.” Her shot is called peculiar, and even though she worked from a different angle, she worked it out, even though her nose looks odd. Finally, we have Monique. The judges feel that she had a good picture, but her face is blank. That being said, she did better than last week, and the Jay Manuel comments to Tyra that Monique had nowhere to go but up from the last photo shoot. I have to agree! Now it’s time for the judges to deliberate.

Michelle is looked at as one of the strongest girls there. Amanda seems to be loved by all, but most of the judges agree that Michelle has more potential. Eugena is coming off as an amateur model and Brooke is beginning to look like just a cute cheerleader. Megg might have some terrible posture, but the judges see potential in her.

Nigel says that A.J. has what fashion people love. She has the skin and the qualities, but they want her to really want to win this. Tyra feels that Jaeda can’t be distracted, since it’s very easy to mess her up. Megan is beginning to look boring, even though she has a great body and poise. Anchal really connected with the camera this week and her self esteem is building quickly. I’m officially on the Anchal bandwagon!

Everyone thinks that Melrose was saved by her makeover, and while Monique is very beautiful, her pictures just aren’t standing up. CariDee might be looking a bit “drag” and really needs to work on it, although, Tyra loves the drag look. Ms. J. isn’t surprised, and neither am I, to be truthful.

The girls walk back into the room in front of the panel. Tyra tells them that she has 12 girls in front of her, but only 11 photos. The first girl called this week – is Melrose! I’m shocked… I really thought Michelle had it wrapped up again. Tyra tells Melrose that she really turned it out this week, and really did look like a model who would only wake up for $10,000. Anchal is the next girl called, followed by Amanda, Michelle, A.J. and CariDee, who breathes a big sigh of relief. Brooke is the next girl called, followed by Eugena.

The next girl called is Megg, followed by Monique, which gets more than a few faces and eye rolls. Jaeda and Megan step forward. Tyra tells them that she only has one photo, and the girl not called will need to pack her bags and head home. Tyra says it’s interesting, since both of them have short hair, and are so strong, but failed miserably during the challenge. However, maybe one of them can be found – Jaeda is given her photo. Tyra tells Megan that she needs to go home and put a mop on her head and model. Is Tyra on crack? What does that MEAN? Megan is bid goodbye and gives out the obligatory hugs to the other girls. She’s sad that she is going home so early and thought that she would last longer than this. However, she knows that in modeling you don’t get many opportunities to show what you are made of, so she wishes that maybe she should have shown more of herself and her character. I do too!

Next week, the girls get a walking lesson from Ms. J., and it looks to be on a tightrope. The battle between Melrose and Monique heats up, and looks like it might get physical! Loving it! I pegged Megan for the bottom two last week, along with Anchal. I was totally wrong about Anchal, and I really do think she has what it takes to get far. Here’s how I see things shaping up next week though, as much as it pains me:

1. Michelle
2. Anchal
3. Amanda
4. Melrose
5. A.J.
6. CariDee
7. Eugena
8. Megg
9. Jaeda
10. Monique
11. Brooke

Phil Kural is an office manager at a law firm, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. You can send feedback to him at pkural@gmail.com.

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