So, the girls are in NYC. I love NYC. I've only been there once, and was a bit exhausted when I was there, but did love it. First scene involves all the girls meeting in a cafe with Amis chatting it up, but I'm a bit distracted - ever since the Super Bowl and that brilliant Tide-to-go stain commercial, I'm distracted by stains. Needless to say, Amis has a stain on her shirt. But it doesn't matter, because soon the girls are screaming and off to their loft. The loft is cool - I'm a bit baffled by the bunk beds and monster-sized bed, though. Some more screaming, but the girls settle quickly. A little bit of chit chat follows, and Atalya mentions that she is homesick. She misses her mom. She's from...Brooklyn. Brooklyn, New York. You know that bridge they keep showing when they show city scenes, Atalya? That's the Brooklyn Bridge. Hop in a damn taxi and you'll be at yo momma's house in 10 minutes, girl. But there I go again, foreshadowing the end of the show.
Next up, a tour of NYC with the J's. Some serious editing here, because the tour basically starts and stops before you realize they're even on a tour. They end up in Times Square and learn they are doing an outdoor runway show here. Pretty cool. And will be modeling designs from Badgely Mischka. Very cool. The runway show goes as expected - Lauren was awkward but I actually think Marvita was the worst. Whitney was a bit over the top, but I like her.
Back at the loft, the girls get their first Tyra Mail. Now. About the Tyra Mail. Granted, this is the 10th cycle, so it's hard to be brilliant all the time, but the scrolling marquee was weak. Why do the girls always have to read the Tyra Mail out loud? So we know they're literate?
Next stop is Elite Model Management, where the girls meet Paulina, and I'm excited because Paulina is quite catty and she's going to critique all the girls. You know, break them into the harsh world of modeling, and all. She critiques four of them and has had enough. Amis has bad skin, Dominique is a transvestite, Kim is too High School Musical, and Marvita has a smushed face. That's it. Hello? Claire? Anya? Fatima? Allison? Tyra? Break it down for us, Paulina!
The first photo shoot involves homeless people. Good lord, Tyra is going to start preaching, I know it. And yes, it's true: Tyra was homeless. For a day. For her Tyra Banks talk show. She earned $18 million last year and will no doubt earn more this year, and no one is thinking that a 'homeless photo shoot' might be offensive? I guess this is ANTM's one episode where they take a 'political stand'. I appreciate that it brings light to the issue of homelessness, but come on, Tyra poses for a picture, holding a can and a sign that says 'will pose for change'. I could have done without that. Unless change meant change and not money. But I doubt it. How about a donation to the Reciprocity Foundation, to help homeless people realize their potential and break the cycle, in addition to featuring them on the show. ANTM could have done just a little more to raise awareness...but anyhow, just my opinion.
The actual photo shoot is the usual thing, with some notable exceptions. I didn't know that if you do pilates, you can call yourself a dancer...and as much as I don't agree with the photo shoot concept necessarily, I did love Tyra's analysis of Allison - in that she's a wannabe Gossip Girl. Spot on, Ty Ty, spot on.
And Dominique - bless her heart. She's trying really hard to 'figure out where they (homeless people) are at emotionally and mentally'. Now, I don't know for sure, but I don't think they'd be thinking too hard about how to hold their head and how to change up their pose for the next frame of the shot and how to work Jay Manuel. But hey, I've been wrong before.
Finally we're at the judging table and Tyra is handing out pictures. Kim drops a bomb, Miss J's heart stops, and Kim leaves the show. Buh-bye, sister. I did admire her a little for walking out. Poor Atalya, I did feel badly for her.
My prediction for the makeover episode: Fatima is totally getting her head shaved. Maybe Claire as well.
Stay tuned.
A sampling for the true fans:
Australia's Next Top Model - featuring Kiss' I Was Made For Loving You
China's Next Top Model - something may get lost in translation here
Germany's Next Top Model - Heidi Klum speaking German; Seal still sings in English
Israel's Next Top Model - clever
jealous?
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