America’s Next Top Model 7, The Finale: Scare Your Way To The Top!

Okay, excuse me, I’m already giddy! This season, we saw 13 girls take the competition to new levels, shaky grounds, and somewhere in all that mess is Fabio! Three girls are left, but only one can win. Will it be Eugena, the sassy siren from Southern California? We remember how cocky she was during the semi-finals, telling her the girls from last season were boring, and for all her boasting, she started out at the bottom of the pack. However, after being in the bottom two twice, she began to show life, but the judges still doubted her passion. Can she muster up the attitude when it matters most?

Will it be Melrose, the hyper confident designer? She showed that she knows about the business, and won the first challenge, but went all diva on Jay Manuel during the first shoot. However, she escaped being eliminated first and made the most of her second chance, winning challenge after challenge and delivering great photos. She has impressed the judges but pissed off her competition. Melrose will need to show a soft side if she wants to win this.

Could it be MY CariDee, the stunner from South Dakota who wants this more than anything? With her psoriasis behind her, MY CariDee’s humor and personality has helped her most challenges and has impressed the panel, until she took it too far and insulted Nigel. MY CariDee’s biggest asset became her biggest weakness. Will someone be able to pull the reins on her personality?

We jump right into things with the three girls standing with one another. Jay Manuel welcomes them and says that they will be doing a commercial and print ad for Cover Girl. Jay will be directing the commercial and the photos will be shot by Jim De Yonker, who did the Cover Girl photos last season as well. The winner of the competition will have their ad run nationally! Also, there is a real Cover Girl there to give them some advice, and it’s the winner from last season, Danielle, who now goes by simply Dani, according to her agency! Dani tells the girls to remember that they are a role model and have fun with what they do. Jay agrees and tells them to be grounded like Dani – he doesn’t need another diva walking around. Yeah Jay, aren’t you enough?

The girls head to hair and makeup and MY CariDee says she won’t over study and when Melrose is studying loudly and MY CariDee tells her she doesn’t want to listen, Melrose calls her a ho! Eugena talks trash on Melrose, saying that she and MY CariDee want to be the final two together. Melrose knows she wants this and has wanted it for a long time, yet has not heard Eugena say once that she wants to win.

MY CariDee goes first for her commercial, and messes up in the beginning. She’s thinking too much into it and Jay knows she is getting nervous, but once she loosens up she’s a bit hard to pull back in. That being said though, when she finally does get the commercial out, it looks and sounds great. I love it!

Eugena is up next. Jay tells her not to come off like a used car salesman. She does come off as a bit flat and boring at first, and even Eugena admits that she has to smile more and be herself. She looks great in the commercial when she finally does get it down and even Jay says that she did a good job. Finally, there’s Melrose. She’s a bit nervous and you can tell. Jay says that she is a perfectionist, as we see her continue to mess up. Jay gives her one more chance and she finally gets it down. Although, when she steps to the side to get ready for her photo, she begins to cry. Honestly, I don’t feel bad.

Jay says that Melrose really needs to let it go and stop evaluating the past. During her photo shoot, Melrose is a bit too technical and she knows she has to do very well. She’s happy overall that she got the job done though. MY CariDee does her photo shoot and she looks amazing! She’s trying to be blissful and relaxed and not to sexy and I’d say she’s succeeding! Eugena goes in worrying about her eyes and doesn’t want the judges to say she looks dead in the eyes. She looks great too! Finally the girls do a group commercial shot and they laugh like best friends, but Eugena admits that it’s funny because they don’t care for one another.

That night, the girls get Tyra mail. Tomorrow they will meet with the judges and only two girls will move on. Melrose says that it’s weird going before the panel with only three of them left. She just knows that she wants to hear her name called. Eugena says that you just have to hope that the judges like you and they want to see you move on, while MY CariDee admits several times that she is so nervous. I’m nervous FOR her!

The three girls walk into panel and meet the judges as usual. Also at panel is Victori and Lucchino, who will be designing their dresses in the final runway show. We see the girls’ commercials as a whole and let me just say that MY CariDee looks the best, followed by Eugena, and as usual, I’m not loving Melrose. It’s a great commercial though, and the judges love it!

Melrose is first up for individual evaluations. Her best commercial take is shown and Nigel likes that she can talk and smile at the same time. They feel she is a great speaker, but when her photo is shown, Ms. J. wanted more from her lips. Tyra says that she was disappointed from Melrose’s film and maybe she’s just not a beauty shot girl.

Eugena is up next and they look at her commercial and see personality from her. Nigel likes that she’s smiling in the commercial, but when he has her in front of him, it’s like her smile and expression disappears. They love her Cover Girl photo too. They feel she is smiling with her eyes and Twiggy says that Eugena pulled it out in the 11th hour. They ask her if she wants to win though, and don’t seem satisfied with her enthusiasm.

MY CariDee is told that she modeled while side did the commercial, but every now and then, she actually did a little frown with her face. They tell her that she has to slow it down and she will be there. However, all the judges love her photo and feel it’s very sophisticated. Ms. J. says that he likes her most this way. Tyra feels that her film was the best of all the girls and Nigel agrees. Now, it’s time to deliberate!

All the judges think that Eugena had her best photo to date with her Cover Girl photo, but they worry about her lack of personality. Even when they ask her if she wants to be there, they don’t think they are getting anything out of her. As far as MY CariDee, they feel that with her personality, you don’t know what you are going to get. They feel that if she can pull herself together, she will have it down.

Concerning Melrose, the judges don’t feel they got the best photo out of her this time around, but she has been consistently great throughout the competition and has the passion. She’s a perfectionist, but they aren’t sure if she is a natural, the way that Eugena is. Twiggy admits that walking in today, she had a good idea who would be leaving, but now she doesn’t know!

The girls enter the room again. Tyra says that she only has two photos, and they will be the two girls that will compete in a fashion show. The first name called… is MY CariDee, and she’s just as thrilled as I am! She’s happy to hear that she’s a finalist, as Melrose and Eugena step forward. Tyra feels that they are there for different reasons. Melrose took great photos through the competition, but this photo didn’t show that girl. Eugena, however, started out very rough, but about three weeks ago showed some great photos. That being said, the judges still aren’t sure if she wants to be there. The second, and last name called is… Melrose! MY CariDee shakes her head from the side, as Tyra tells Melrose that her photo was not great. Eugena looks at MY CariDee and they share a moment. Melrose is told that she is moving on and Eugena is sent on her way. She gives a hug to MY CariDee, which Melrose joins in on, but Eugena sobs with MY CariDee, who tells her that she will win it for her!

Eugena heads back to the hotel to pack her bags. She hopes that her performance this week spoke for her, and admits that if she didn’t want to be there, she wouldn’t have made it that far. I agree! I hate when Tyra gets rid of girls for “not wanting to be there.” Umm, if she didn’t want to be there, she wouldn’t have applied for the show, or would have said “no” when asked to try out! Ugh! She adds that it really is taking it’s toll on her to be sent home, but she did the best she could do. You know what? I really came to like Eugena! Once Monique was eliminated, she came into her own and I feel she DID show personality! I’m going to miss her and can’t wait to interview her!

The final two girls get back to the apartment, where MY CariDee reads a letter that Eugena left her, saying that a natural blonde needs to win this. She admits that it was sad to see Eugena go, and that she really was a caring girl. It’s time for the battle of the blondes! Tyra Mail tells the girls that she was only 17 when she had to fly off to Paris for her first international photo shoot, so cue Jay Manuel telling the girls that today they will be doing their photo shoot for Seventeen. The winner of the competition’s shoot will be used for a cover and spread! The girls meet the crew and guess what? Jay won’t be there to coach them! Thank the Lord!

MY CariDee goes first and says that she has always loved to be photographed, but was always made fun of because of her skin. The crew sees her as strong and confident, and I agree! Melrose, on the other hand, says that she needs to show some personality. She believes in herself and knows she can do this. The crew feels that she has a very unique look that could work to her advantage.

Right after the photo shoot, the girls get more Tyra Mail. It’s time to see if they have what it takes, and the girls realize that the runway show is right around the corner. First though, Tyra needs to pimp one of her friends. This time, it’s “Life Coach,” Michelle. Oh, give me a break! How old are these girls? I don’t think they need a life coach just yet! MY CariDee meets with Michelle and Tyra first, and she tells them that she can manage the stress of being a top model, since she has dealt with a lot of stress her whole life, and has always been critiqued. She has learned to take control of her self esteem, and has learned to take the sadness inside her and change it into humor.

Melrose says that through the competition, she has come back to who she really is. She tried to fit in with the other girls but just wasn’t being herself. She admits that sometimes she says things that just don’t come out right. Tyra and Michelle ooh and ahh over one another and this segment. Seriously, was there even a point?

The next day, the girls meet up with Jay once again, this time at some kind of cave. He tells them that they will have their final runway show there, and will need to be ghostly brides. Dani will be opening the show, and for their last walk, they will come tearing around the caves, screaming like banshees. Melrose says that she knows she can stand out more than MY CariDee. We see the guests begin to arrive and MY CariDee feels that she is going to win this, and hasn’t spoken a word to Melrose. Tyra greets the girls backstage and gives them some final advice before leaving and joining the rest of the judges. MY CariDee says that this is hers and both girls know that this is their last chance to impress the judges.

It’s now time for the runway show to begin, and I have to admit – it’s very eerie! Dani comes down the long runway first and looks great! Melrose is right behind her, and I have to say that she has the walk down to a tee! The judges seem happy with it as well. MY CariDee is out next and her walk looks great too, although it is a bit stiff. Her pose at the end is great though. As they get back for the first change, it turns into a mad house!

Their second walk down the runway is a bit different. Each girl as to stare at the girl passing her. I love it! Both Melrose and MY CariDee look flawless, and I have to admit that I love the dramatic stare and pause that Melrose and MY CariDee share. However, when they turn to walk away, MY CariDee actually steps on Melrose’s dress and rips a hole in it! Melrose, of course, freaks out. When she gets to the back, Jay has to talk some sense into her, and when MY CariDee tries to apologize and say it was an accident, Melrose doesn’t seem to accept it!

Finally the girls have their third “walk,” which is more like a run. However, we are treated to Ms. J. actually running down the runway first, screaming at the top of her lungs. It’s quite entertaining, but totally unnecessary. This was made for him, though! Melrose is out first and she says she used the craziness from the show to help her with the screaming. Twiggy and Tyra appear to love it. MY CariDee runs out next and looks a bit frantic to me. I love it, but I’m not IN love with it. The judges seem to be okay with it though.

Now it’s time for the final walk. Dani leads the group, and I love that Tyra has to tell her how to walk down the runway, with her hands on her hips. Always the mother, that Tyra. Melrose thinks that with all the disasters that happened to her during the show, she rocked it anyway and should win. Umm, she had a small hole ripped in her dress. How is that “all the disasters?” MY CariDee says that she just wants to prove to everyone that ever doubted her that she is a winner. You already proved it, girlfriend!

They don’t waste any time, and the girls walk into the final panel, both in very cute dresses! Tyra asks who would have thought that they would be the final two? I did! She reminds them of the prizes for the last time, which I’ll tell you since I haven’t mentioned them since the first episode. There’s a contract with Elite Model Management, a cover and six page spread in Seventeen, and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics. The judges are on hand, as usual, but this time – Jay Manuel has joined them! Will we EVER get rid of him?

There will be individual evaluations first, as the girls step up. First, we’ll see Melrose and her best walk during the show. Twiggy says she loved Melrose and Tyra feels that she didn’t overcompensate at all. Nigel loved her in the acting segment too. Ms. J. said that she was graceful and beautiful.

Now, MY CariDee. Tyra tells her that she needs to keep her walk pretty and strong, and that it looked like she was holding her breath some of the time. In her theatrical walk, it was all bit to crazy and there was no modeling. She was holding up the dress and really just needs to trust in her beauty. However, this judging is not just about the runway show – it’s overall. Therefore, it’s time to compare photos from throughout the competition!

We begin with the first photo shoot – supermodel stereotypes. Nigel says that MY CariDee did a great job with the “dumb blonde” look, but the judges felt that Melrose flopped with her “$10,000 model” stereotype. Jay even admits to thinking that Melrose was going home that week!

For their celebrity couples photo shoot, both of the girls excelled by far in front of the rest of the girls, and when it came to posing with Fabio, MY CariDee showed a more gentle side for the first time, while Melrose was sexy and not raunchy, which Jay says is something that Tyra can do easily. Kiss a** much?

The judges then compare the photos that Tyra took of the girls in black and white and feel that MY CariDee took it home since Melrose looked like she was thinking too much. Then there was the matador photo, where MY CariDee had a great photo, and reminded them of the girl they met in casting. Melrose could have done better and they feel that she was a bit forced.

Finally, there’s the Cover Girl photo. Both girls looked great, but MY CariDee really worked with the light. Melrose’s lips appeared to be a bit tight. It doesn’t end there though. Tyra tells the girls that normally the winner is based upon the Cover Girl photo and the fashion show. Each girl took one of these though. So of course, their body of work will be even more important, along with the challenges and tests they were given. Time for the judges to deliberate one more time!

Nigel starts right out and says that Melrose doesn’t have the “wow” factor that MY CariDee has. Tyra feels that even though the other girls didn’t like Melrose, her photos were great and that was her revenge. Jay says that Melrose showed that she wants to win. Twiggy feels that MY CariDee makes her laugh, but she a loose cannon. Jay adds that the industry loves extreme, and that might actually help MY CariDee, although Tyra adds that they won’t like her being crazy. Ms. J., who has actually been pretty quiet (I think it’s because he can’t handle having two queens on the panel), says that MY CariDee was acting like the runaway bride of Chucky on the runway.

Tyra feels that the bottom line is that one girl isn’t very likeable, but knows the whole industry and knows what she wants, while the other girl is very likeable, but they wonder how stable she is. Jay says that everyone on the panel is unpredictable in their own way, but Tyra adds, in what is her best quote of the season: “Please, I’m very predictable. Everyone knows I’m gonna have a weave, a lot of makeup and a dress cinched at the waist.” Sing it, sister!

MY CariDee and Melrose walk in. Tyra says that it wasn’t easy, since both girls have amazing strengths, but also have weaknesses. They are asked if they’d like to say anything and MY CariDee says that she loves this industry, and it’s a part of her life that she never thought she’d be able to get into. Melrose adds that she came a long way and she’s still shocked to be there, but very happy – it’s an out of body experience.

Tyra cuts right to the chase and says that America’s Next Top Model is… MY CariDee! I can’t contain myself! Neither can MY CariDee! She’s jumping all over the place and crying. It’s so sweet! She asks where the alarm is, since she’s sleeping.

Meanwhile, we see Tyra give Melrose a hug and tell her not to get deterred. Melrose tells the camera that she is pissed. She was misunderstood and was herself the whole time. She didn’t win, and all she did was get called a bitch for being herself. She’s in bum city right now. Meh, I’m over it!

MY CariDee is celebrating with the judges and Tyra tells her to NEVER do that face that she did at the runway show ever again! MY CariDee gives Tyra a big hug and shots that she did this. She’s a Cover Girl now and is so excited – her dream to be a model has come true. Although she was made fun of as a kid, now she’s America’s Next Top Model, and I couldn’t be any happier. I don’t think there could have possibly been a better ending for this season, and although I was beginning to think that Melrose right pull out the win, I never lost faith in MY CariDee!

Thanks to all the readers that sent me email every week. I’m glad there are people so obsessed with this show the way I am. Thanks to Jenn Brasler for covering for me last week – I was practicing my walk. Keep a look out for my interviews with the final three girls in the next coming days, and don’t forget to check out Jenn’s articles on why Eugena and Melrose aren’t top models and why MY CariDee IS one! I look forward to Cycle 8 next year! Until then, everyone have a fun and safe holiday! I need to go work it like the rent is due.

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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