America’s Next Top Model 10, the Finale: Crowning the Winner

It’s hard to believe that the end of this show is tonight. It’s been a cycle of characters this time around. Who can forget Claire and her breast pump, gawky Lauren, and drag queen Dominique? Three girls remain.

The girls come home from the last panel and are enjoying one of the last few evenings in their Roman apartment. Anya tells us that she’s amazed she’s made it so far. She has gained a whole new confidence each week. She knows she’s a good model and she’s here to win. Fatima tells us that she is thankful that people find her beautiful. She grew up in a shack with no electricity and little else in her home country of Somalia. She’s awake now and knows she wants this.

Anya and my girl Whitney are cooking and are happy that they’ve both made it this far. Whitney tells us that they have had a great relationship the whole time in the house. She hopes the final two are she and Anya. Girl, I hope so too!

Tyra Mail comes and with it are lines for their next challenge, which is another Cover Girl commercial, which will be in English instead of Italian. This time the commercial will be part of the real campaign to be seen all over the country. There will be a photo shoot to accompany it, and the winner will see their photo in Times Square as well as in magazines and in WalMart. Oh, and Salisha is back to help the girls through the process.

Anya is nervous to the point of almost being in tears. She’s overwhelmed that it’s down to the final three and she’s feeling the pressure. I’m not surprised, since the last commercial she blew completely with her butchered Italian. Salisha and Anya are talking nearby and notice that Anya is to the point where she’s shaking with nerves. Whitney tells us that she’s never seen her like this. Anya doesn’t want to fail. Anya girl, I think you’re one of the favorites; you’ll be fine for now.

Fatima is up first for her commercial, with the Coliseum in the background. She looks beautiful and fresh, but her delivery is very stiff and rushed. Jay tells us that her looking so perfect and sounding so robotic makes her not seem human. It looks as if her last take went well, though.

Next up is Whitney. She tells us that this shoot is so important because if you mess this up, you’re not going to make it. She’s so close she can taste it. She’s not here to mess up, but to be the next Cover Girl. She stumbles through a few takes and finally nails it the last one. She looks so fresh today and much more natural than in the past.

Finally, Anya is up and she struggles right off the bat with the word “Arrivederci.” Jay makes her say it a few times and she seems to loosen up. She stumbles on her words, but comes across so breezy and natural. At the end, a light breeze comes up and flickers her hair just perfectly. She has charisma, but she’ll need to be taught to speak more clearly if she does become our winner.

Next up is the photo shoot. Whitney blows through hers with no problems. Fatima tells us that she thinks she is so relatable to so many people. Her pictures look wistful. Anya is last and once again, she seems nervous. This last round is really getting to her.

Looking at all three girls, I think Fatima will be the one to head home first. The other two left her behind this time. She tells us how much she wants it and wants the judges to see it. I also notice that Anya and Fatima seem to be getting the bulk of the confessionals tonight so far. I wonder if that’s a good sign for my girl Whitney or a bad one that she’s going home next. I can’t imagine.

At panel, the judges review the commercials and their Cover Girl photos. Whitney’s commercial was good, actually much better than in the past. Tyra tells her that she takes direction well. Paulina once again tells her that Whitney comes across as a beauty pageant contestant and thinks that she’ll go on to feeding starving children when this is done. Snort! Paulina does like the photo, though as do all the other judges. Tyra even calls it “stellar.” I’m excited because I think my girl is moving on.

Fatima’s commercial is a train wreck, though Nigel thought it could be good if she were hawking toothpaste instead of mascara. Paulina mocks it. Fatima’s photo is also beautiful, but she looks as if there should be a caption with it on how she’s looking for God or something. Her eyes are way too high and Tyra coaches her on doing the slight squint to soften her look. Tyra honey, it’s too late in the game to be coaching her now!

Anya’s commercial is almost incomprehensible with her odd accent. She stumbles through the whole thing and doesn’t get a full take. Surprisingly enough to me, Tyra actually likes it once it is broken down into segments that can be pulled apart. She’s fresh and real. The rest of the judges agree and I’m stunned. Her photo is good, but not great, to me. Her features seem strong this time, and the judges agree.

Tyra tells us that the winners will go on to a fashion show for Donatella Versace while they’re there in Rome. The dresses will be hand-picked by Versace herself. Wow, that’s exciting.

The judges deliberate. Anya’s shot isn’t her best and she looked dumb. Paulina thinks she can do better. Fatima wants it so much but it is taking control of her. She’s a beautiful print model, but doesn’t have the confidence. Whitney seems to have a façade, but Ms. J thinks that as a plus-sized girl she’s probably been beaten down over time and has to project an outwardly tough image.

Anya is called first and you can see her take a huge breath in relief. The final photo goes to Whiney and I grin. Good job girls. Fatima goes out gracefully and tells us that she wants to be a role model for young women and refugees.

Back at the apartment, it’s quiet with only the two girls remaining. There’s finally no drama. Anya tells us that Whitney looked so beautiful when she broke down in tears at panel and showed her vulnerability. Whitney feels as if she is a strong woman who has a thick skin from being teased by the skinny girls all through the years. She’s used to backhanded compliments like, “You’re so pretty for a heavy girl.” She wants to win this to show that a full-sized girl can win this competition.

After they each shoot their Seventeen magazine cover, they’re off for the big competition – the final runway. I can only imagine that they are nervous as they’ll be prancing down the runway alongside working models (and Salisha) in Versace gowns and in Rome. Once again, Anya tells us that she’s nervous. Whitney is also nervous and gets to thinking that she’s been in the bottom numerous times while Anya has never had that experience. Her makeup guy tells her that there is something to be said that she is the first “juicy booty” to make it that far already.

The show goes on and it’s full of lights and glitter. Anya looks ethereal with her hair and makeup. She also looks stiff in her first walk, though she is stunning in her chocolate brown dress. Whitney really struts her stuff and I worry that it might be too much and too distracting.

The second pass, Whitney comes out in a bright pink, flowing dress and once again powers through it. She looks fabulous and confident. Her feet get tangled in her dress, but she keeps moving. Anya does well, but she is limited by her narrow dress. She just doesn’t have the enthusiasm or confidence that Whitney does, but Whitney is a little over-the-top. Which will win this one? I think my girl has a chance!

Back at the final panel, the girls show up in their Versace dresses, Anya in the brown one and Whitney in the bright pink. After the usual monologue about the winner’s prizes and panel introductions, they dive into the show.

Ms. J says that Anya didn’t bring it as strong as she could have and should have. She looked like a wind-up toy. Tyra says that the light and camera love her face. Nigel didn’t like Whitney’s first dress, but she saved herself with the second one. Ms. J thinks she was powerful. Tyra was reminded of herself with her larger-than-life walk, but said that this is what put her on the map.

The panel also goes back through many of the photos through the cycle. The judging is close where each girl gets positive and negative comments. After looking back through them all, both girls are consistently good and both can do well. Once again, Whitney is easily directed and Anya has the most natural talent. Which one will take the crown?

After more deliberation from the judges, they decide that both girls represent something that they haven’t seen on America’s Next Top Model before – Whitney the plus-sized girl and Anya the high-fashion girl. Finally they come to an agreement.

The girls are standing in front of the judges and both look terrified. Whitney almost seems as if she knows she is going home as number two. She seems dejected. Tyra draws out, “America’s next top model is…” then reveals a picture of Whitney! I scream and jump off the couch. Whitney seems thrilled, surprised, and is downright giddy. She has that huge smile the size of Texas. I think she’ll be a great role model in a world where girls can be way too skinny.

I’m amazed and even a little dumbfounded that the show was able to push a full-figured girl through. Good for them and I’m thrilled that they took the chance on her. She is beautiful and has a big personality. I think she’ll do well and look forward to seeing her in the future. Thanks for sticking with me all season, folks! We’ll see you next season.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent America’s Next Top Model articles:

Kari’s favorite photos are taken spontaneously in photo booths. Which were your favorite girls for the week? Please send any comments, questions, and thoughts about America’s Next Top Model to her at flystorms2@yahoo.com.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find all of our recent articles on this show at our America’s Next Top Model page and take a look at our sections on Dancing with the Stars and Survivor. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about America’s Next Top Model, be sure to check out SirLinksALot: America’s Next Top Model!