America’s Next Top Model 9, Episode 2: Nice Girls Finish Last

Last week, we saw 33 girls board a ship on its way to the Caribbean, where they would sink or swim! We met Victoria, the girl with the brains and the beauty who wants to win this. Also, we unfortunately met Ebony, who had a terrible, terrible attitude. Finally, we met Heather, a stunning beauty who was diagnosed with a mild form of autism at a young age. Now it’s time to see the final 13 girls move into the house. Which one will be sent packing first? Let’s see!

We begin with Mila telling the camera that she always thought she could be a model, and can’t wait to give it a try. Lisa says that she has been through a lot and knows many different kinds of hurt. Janet wants to get out of her small town and is there to compete. Heather comments that she is sometimes awkward in social situation due to her minor form of autism, but she wants to learn. The season’s girls are so different!

Jay Manuel greets the girls at a mall, telling them they are in downtown Los Angeles, right in the fashion district. Victoria tells the camera that this is a whole new world for her. The girls follow Jay to their limo bus, which they find out is very “green.” Mila says that she supports anything that helps the planet. Jay tells the girls that they will have their first photo shoot the very next day, as he sends them on their way.

The girls arrive at the house and it is also very green. There are pictures of Tyra and Jaslene everywhere. Ebony says that she has to be more reserved for the girls to like her. She doesn’t want to be the one everyone hates. Meanwhile, the other girls are jumping in the pool and Lisa says that she has never seen a house like this. Heather is still inside though, as the other girls socialize. She writing poetry.

Kimberly hopes to make the other girls laugh and knows that her sense of humor will set her apart. Bianca says that the winner of the competition won’t be an exotic dancer, referring to Lisa. She feels it just won’t happen. Outside, Chantal sheds a tear because she is so appreciative to be there. Aww.

In the morning, the girls arrive at their shoot and meet up with Jay. He tells them that their first shoot will create awareness on the impact of smoking. Each girl will take two photos. A glamorous photo of them smoking, and their reflection in the mirror will be a side effect of smoking, where they will look really bad.

So the girls go through makeup and Ambreal is up first. Jay loves her posing and comments that her side effect photo is gross – which is good! Jenah follows her and comments that she doesn’t like smoking, even though she smokes. I don’t really care for her so far, to be honest.

Mila is up next and she says she wants it to look fun. Her side effect makeup is making her laugh during her shoot and Jay knows that she is struggling with being emotional. Janet goes next and Jay isn’t very impressed.

Chantal goes and I think she looks great. Her reflection photo isn’t so great, but Jay seems happy. In the back, Bianca says that Lisa is phony and tries too hard to be someone that she isn’t. While this is going on though, Heather and Saleisha are shooting together. Heather has some issues trying, and you can tell that she isn’t exactly comfortable, but both of them look great.

Jay thinks that Kimberly is just okay, while Sarah knows that this shoot is one that’s going to matter because someone will go home because of it. Very good, Sarah! Lisa and Bianca are still trading barbs in the makeup room, and you can just tell that there is a fight brewing.

Victoria comments that she is going to have to make up what she is doing as she goes along, since she has no clue what is going on. I think she looks really good though! Ebony struggles and Jay says that she looks like she is on the toilet, but she admits to being nervous. However, she tells Jay that she doesn’t want to be hated by the other girls. Jay isn’t buying that and wants her to let it all out.

Next up is Bianca and Jay knows that she is holding back. Her reflection photo looks great though. Lisa goes next and her legs are amazing. She tells the camera that she will make it one day – she just knows it.

Of course, this is when the fight begins. Lisa walks in the back, saying that she did good. Bianca makes a comment and Lisa tells her that she is full of herself. There is some finger wagging, and Bianca says that America’s next top model will never be a stripper. Victoria can’t believe that they are fighting and compares it to high school. Lisa is now crying, saying that everyone has their ups and down. Jay just peeks his head in and says that he knows a lot is going on right now, so go home and figure out how they are going to get along. What great advice!

Back at the house, Lisa says to Bianca in the hot tub that she wants to squash it. Bianca agrees and apologizes, but tells the camera that she didn’t apologize because she wanted to, she only did it so that it doesn’t get brought up at panel. It’s allegedly over, but I have a feeling that we haven’t seen the last of these two going at it with one another.

As the girls relax, Chantal says that Heather is over her head, and that having no social skills will hurt her. The other girls don’t understand her and Heather tries to explain. Mila tells the camera that she is open minded and wants to understand, while Janet says that Heather is spacey, and that’s okay – but she won’t clean up after her. Bianca, who is now becoming the bitch of the house, feels that Heather is on a delay.

In the morning, Ms. J. greets the girls on the balcony. He wants to talk about style, and brings up some girls from past seasons who didn’t have any, like Jade (Cycle 6), Christian (Cycle 7), and Cassandra (Cycle 8). He says they need some fashion basics, but need to keep their own personal style since what works for them won’t work for everyone. Therefore, he’s taking them to Old Navy!

The girls arrive at the store and are told that they will be allowed to get some basic items to impress the judges at panel. He tells them all to listen and pay attention. Also, Benny Ninja, posing extraordinaire, is there to administer the challenge. They have ten minutes to pick out an outfit, and the winner will be chosen at panel. He sets them free like a pack of wolves on a baby calf, and you can imagine the craziness.

Jenah says that you can tell Heather has no clue what is going on, while Bianca just wants to keep is simple. Ebony knows that the outfit might dictate if she stays or goes. Once time is up, Benny takes a look at how the girls did. Did Ebony even get a pair of pants?

The girls do head back to the house though, where Tyra mail is waiting. Tomorrow they will meet with the judges for the first time. Twelve girls will be moving on, and Heather knows that you only get one real shot. Lisa is proud of herself and Mila says that she is getting along with the girls and wants to learn more. Victoria, who is around some of the other girls, says that she doesn’t like that they make fun of Heather when she isn’t around – she doesn’t do that. You know, I’m getting to like Victoria more and more.

Kimberly makes snide comments about Heather, saying she is a clinger and if you show her attention, she won’t leave you alone and will need to be cut loose later. In reality, she feels Heather couldn’t possibly make it past elimination. While this is going on, Heather talks to her mom on the phone. She cries a little, but mom gives her some encouragement and lifts her spirits. Way to go, mom!

Time for panel! Tyra greets the girls and says it’s time for the first cut. But first, the prizes! The winner will get a modeling contract with ELITE Model Management, a six page spread and cover of Seventeen, and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics. Oh, and the judges! We have noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker, runway diva Ms. J. Alexander, and fashion icon Twiggy!

It’s time for individual evaluations, where the girls are wearing their model basics. Chantal is up first. The judges feel she has too many accessories and Nigel is distracted. They look at her photo and say she looks good, but has to be careful of her posing. Tyra does say that she was blown away by her photos though.

Jenah is told that her top is too big and her pants pockets are out of place. She looks uncomfortable in her photos and Jenah admits that after the shoot, she quit smoking. Ambreal’s earrings have to go, but her photo looks great! Her neck and skin are flawless, and I may have underestimated her!

Victoria is next and the judges feel she is too quiet. Victoria replies that she’s a little soft spoken, but she’s not insecure. The judges love that and adore her photo. I like it too! She admits that she will work on her charm.

Lisa steps forward and takes off her earrings. The judges love her legs and pose and think she looks great. I do too – her legs are amazing!

The judges feel that Mila has a nice dress, but not for her body. Her shot, to Jay, looks like she farted. She also doesn’t appear focused. Jay Manuel felt that she was being too humorous and wasn’t serious at all during the shoot, which Mila admits to. Sarah takes off her necklaces for the judges, as they fawn over her photos. Tyra adds that her photos were an inner monologue, and told a story.

Bianca is next and Tyra says that if it wasn’t for her hair, she’d look exactly like a model. They want more from her eyes in her photo, and less posing. Janet is told to lose the necklace as well, and when they look at her photo, the judges feel that her jawbones are amazing.

Ebony is told that she worked out her outfit, but when the judges look at her photo, they feel her legs are awkward. She admits that she doesn’t want to appear arrogant, but I can tell the judges aren’t buying it.

Kimberly looks great, but her hair is strange to the judges. When they look at her photo, Tyra makes the following comments: “Watch your hoochiness!” and “Don’t hoochify!” I’m not joking.

Saleisha and Heather step forward. Saleisha is told her outfit looks great, while Heather wore a little too much. They look at their double photo and love both of the girls. Saleisha looks so alive even though her eyes are halfway closed, while Heather’s face makes the photo. I have to admit – they look great together!

Now the judges will announce who won the challenge. The winner is – Saleisha! Her prize is a $1,000 spending spree at Old Navy, and she will get to be in one of their ads as well! I could totally see her in an Old Navy ad! Now, it’s time for the judges to deliberate, and here’s what they had to say about each of the girls:

Nigel feels that Chantal is perfect. He would just like to see a little imperfection in her at times as well, though.

To Twiggy, Janet doesn’t look like a model. In fact, she even forgot her name for a second!

Nigel feels the same way about Ambreal. She is beautiful, but he just doesn’t see a model in her.

Mila looked dead in her photo this week, and on top of that, Tyra feels like she wasn’t absorbing a thing that they were saying to her.

Saleisha reminds Ms. J. of Nik from Cycle 5. I can see it, but to be honest, she reminds me more of Yaya from Cycle 3.

All the judges feel that Jenah will slip by in the competition, but will end up losing big time in the personality department.

Kimberly still reminds Tyra of a girl in a hoochie magazine. I love that word!

Ebony has the height for Ms. J. Nigel says that there is a dark side to her that he would really love to see.

All the judges feel that Sarah has a great face, and Tyra says that she really does look like she knows what she is doing.

Lisa is loved by all and seems golden at this point.

Victoria is one of the best to Nigel, but Twiggy just can’t seem to grasp that. Probably because I can already tell that Twiggy is going to act like a stick is up her butt all season. Once she doesn’t like you, you are done!

Heather has a great face and photographs like a dream. Tyra explains her condition to Nigel, and everyone feels that she is very brave to be there right now.

Finally, Bianca has a great face, but really needs to come to life in her photos, or she won’t last too long.

The girls walk back in the room. Tyra says that 98% of models she has ever worked with have smoked. Therefore, there will be no smoking this cycle. She says that she doesn’t want little girls looking up to them and seeing them smoke, then thinking it’s okay to do. As of tomorrow, it’s banned, and I love it!

Now, she says that there are 13 girls in front of her, but only 12 photos. The first name called is – Heather! It’s obvious that Heather is shocked, and the other girls don’t look so happy. Lisa is called second, followed by Chantal, Sarah, Jenah, Saleisha, Ambreal, Victoria, Janet, Kimberly, and then Bianca. This leaves Ebony and Mila in the bottom two.

Both step forward. Ebony is already in tears and Mila is smiling. Tyra has one photo, and the other girl must pack up and go. Mila is told that she is a pretty girl, but pretty doesn’t make a model. Ebony is pretty, but didn’t put it on film. Both are told that they are probably told they look like models, but it takes more than that. However, one has more potential, and that would be – Ebony! She gets her photo and is told that she has the goods, so now she just has to put it out there and be confident!

Mila is still smiling, and gives Tyra a hug. Tyra offers some words of encouragement and sends her on her way. Packing, Mila says that she didn’t think she would be the first to go, since she thought she would win! She would like to stay, but knows that if you concentrate on the positive, the negative will go away. I’m not quite so sure about that, but whatever!

Anyway, Mila is gone, and I called it last week! I knew she wouldn’t last too long. I can’t believe how much I’m starting to like some girls already, like Saleisha, Heather, and Victoria, while I’m beginning to despise others, like Kimberly and Bianca. We’ll have to see how it pans out next week, when Bianca and Saleisha get into it, and the girls get the shock of their lives. Here’s how I’m ranking the girls next week:

Saleisha
Heather
Chantal
Ebony
Victoria
Lisa
Janet
Kimberly
Sarah
Ambreal
Bianca
Jenah

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.

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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