America’s Next Top Model 9: A Preview

Normally, Top Model cycles are pretty close to one another. However, it’s been a few months since Jaslene stomped her way to victory, so I have to admit that I’m a little eager to see some new girls pose, strut, and catfight their way into my life. It’s time for a new season of America’s Next Top Model to start, and I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one. All the girls are young, fresh-faced, and ready to take on the world. Let’s take a look at who Tyra has cast this season, and see if they really have a chance at winning this thing!

Ambreal – Ambreal is a 19-year-old college student from Dallas, TX. Looking at her preview video and her initial photo, there is really nothing about her to me that screams “Top Model.” She seems quite pleasant and it sounds like she has confidence, but I just feel like she is a little awkward looking and her pose in her preview photo isn’t so hot. I think she’s going to learn pretty quickly that it takes more than confidence to do well in this competition. My guess is that she’s out rather quickly.

Bianca – Bianca hails from Queens, NY, where she is a college student. At only 18 years old, I have to say that Bianca sure does have a lot of confidence. In her pre-season video, all she does is talk about how great she is and how the other girls will be no competition to her. She also states that she is just waiting at this point to be crowned the winner. I think we’ve found our diva! I’ll admit that Bianca has a nice pre-season photo, but her attitude isn’t going to serve her well, especially when the competition heats up. I could see her lasting a good while though. She might even be final three! Top Model? I don’t think so.

Chantal – A 19-year-old college student from Austin, TX, Chantal auditioned for the show because her boss said she should. She states that she wants to be a model and can’t wait to win, but I really don’t buy it. Her video is pretty boring and, honestly, her pre-season photo is very cookie cutter. I don’t anticipate that she is going to be around long at all. In fact, she’s definitely going to be one of the first three out. She’s just too boring!

Ebony – Oh my goodness, Ebony is crazy! A 20-year-old nursing student from Chicago, IL, Ebony comes across as that girl that annoys the crap out of you. In her pre-season video, she must say “like” and “ya know?” about 15 times each, not to mention “yeah” about 10 times. She says that she’s not the type to take any crap form other girls because of where she’s from, but she never says where that is! I’m a little confused by this one, and I’m not a big fan of her look either. I think Ebony is going to come across as the girl everyone loves and talks to, or the girl that they avoid because she is so annoying. I’m betting right now it’s the latter.

Heather – Well, I thought Ebony was going to the annoying girl this season – then I watched Heather’s video clip and I changed my mind! Heather is a 21-year-old college student from Valparaiso, IN. In her video, she states that the reason she tried out for the show was because everyone has told her for the past year, including friends, family, co-workers, and her boss, that she would do so well on the show. She tried out, just to appease them, and made the cut. I don’t think this girl has a clue of what is going on or what she’s in for, but the way she talked in her video, you would think she has been doing this for years. Her pre-season photo is mediocre at best, and I don’t count on her lasing further than five or six cuts.

Janet – Finally! A girl I really like! Janet comes from Bainbridge, GA, and she’s a 22-year-old aesthetician. What I like most about Janet is that she has a great smile, a very cute look, and it seems like a care-free attitude. I think she is going to do well because she is realistic, knows what she is getting herself into, and actually has a little bit of background in the industry. I’m definitely rooting for her and wouldn’t be surprised at all to see her in the final three.

Jenah – Jenah is an 18-year-old student from Farmington, CT. What I like most about Jenah is her enthusiasm for the competition and her drive to win at the challenges. I think she is coming into the competition with an open mind and taking things for face value. I think she’s going to be a strong competitor. Jenah said she works well in high-paced environments and under stress, so I think she is going to surprise a lot of people at how well she does. I’m a little concerned about her look, since it does look very “down on the farm,” but that’s not something a makeover can’t fix!

Kimberly – Okay, before I say anything else, can I state how much I love that Kimberly’s dream is to have a photo shoot with Shamu? I almost died when she said that in her pre-season interview. A 20-year-old college student form Ocala, FL, Kimberly reminds me a lot like Jennipher, from Season 3. They have a similar look and I think Kimberly is very sexy. She states that she’s a home-grown girl, but is well traveled and not small minded at all, which I think is going to serve her well in the competition. My gut feeling is that if Kimberly can make it through the first few cuts and make it to the makeover episode, she is going to be a force to be reckoned with!

Lisa – Hailing from Jersey City, NJ, Lisa is a 20-year-old dancer. What kind of dance? I’m not so sure. Lisa said she has been a fan of the show since the beginning, but was not a U.S. citizen, and had to wait until she was before she could actually apply. I’m not quite sure where she is from though, since I don’t really detect an accent. I know that dancers seem to do pretty well on this show, like Naima, Bre, and Yaya, but I don’t think that Lisa is going to follow in their footsteps. She seems to be a nice enough girl, but nothing about her really stands out for me. I’m afraid that Lisa is just going to blend in until she is eliminated. I really hope she can do something to stand out from the beginning!

Mila – Mila is a 20-year-old college graduate from Boston, MA. In her pre-season photo, I’m not going to lie – she looks like she is in a Lane Bryant catalog. The dress is not very flattering and her pose is terrible. In her video though, Mila comes to life and shows off a wonderful personality. I’m not sure how she is going to do though. All she talks about in her video is how she wants everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves. I’m afraid the competition is going to eat her alive unless she grows a spine – and fast. I think it’s pretty safe to say that she’ll be gone around the fourth or fifth cut, once she realizes that the competition isn’t all fun and games.

Saleisha – Love Saleisha! A 21-year-old receptionist from Los Angeles, CA, Saleisha never actually went to an open call for the show, but was scouted by one of the casting directors. I’m glad they found her! In her pre-season photo, Saleisha already looks like a top model – wind in hair and all! Plus, in her video, she states how hard she is ready to work at winning this competition, and it’s believable! Saleisha definitely has the look and the personality, now all she has to do is work on conveying things in her photos and challenges, and impressing the judges. I could not only see her making the final three, but she’s definitely my top pick right now to win the competition!

Sarah – Sarah is a 20-year-old college student from Heath, MA. I have to say that I really like Sarah so far! In her pre-season video, she states that she accompanied a friend to the open call audition, but ended up trying out as well when her friend pushed her to. She has no experience, but plans on using that as a positive, marketing herself as a blank slate and willing to learn what is taught. Smart – very smart! Sarah is very personable and it’s obvious that she likes to laugh. I think that if she can catch on quickly and grow each week, she has a definite shot of making it to at least fifth or fourth place. I’m not so sure she can win, but she will be given the tools to do so, so I guess it all depends on how well she utilizes them.

Victoria – Of all the girls this season, I would say that Victoria has the best “look” to be considered a top model. A little frumpy and a little awkward, Victoria is a fashion designer’s dream for “unique girls.” Victoria stated that she went to the casting call and almost left because she was hungry, but made the call-backs, even though she had nothing to wear and no place to stay. She figured it out and even had someone take a photo of her in her underwear to make it to the finals. She has no interest in fashion, but thinks that will help her. I doubt it – you have to know what you are getting yourself into, and I think Victoria is clueless. I don’t plan on her making it all that far – her unique look will carry her past the first few eliminations, but not much further than that.

So there you have it! A preview of the 13 girls who will be competing for the crown of America’s next top model. As of right now, my money is on Saleisha, and I’d love to see her take it all. That being said, I’m also a fan of Sarah and Janet, and it would be my dream as of right now to see the three of them in the finals. I think Bianca is going to be the diva in the house, and another girl to watch should be Lisa, should she pull it all together and come out of the woodwork

America’s Next Top Model 9 premieres Wednesday, September 19th, on the CW. Check your local listings for times, and don’t forget to work it like the rent is due!

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

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