John-John is back with a look at the ANTM finale ... 

It’s hard to believe that we’ve made it through an entire pint-sized season of America’s Next Top Model. I mention the size factor because it has been shoved down our throats the entire season. This year – as you remember – has featured models that are 5’7” and shorter. Tyra Banks and company used every free moment they could to remind us of this. I don’t even remember this much repetition for anti-drug campaigns growing up. Anywho, the models were shorter than usual this season.

Finalists Nicole and Laura started the season finale chatting about their beginnings. Nicole was talking about her awkward shyness. Laura spoke of her humble origins. She also dropped in a line about her being dyslexic, which was not really an issue the entire season. But the magic of editing suddenly turned Laura’s learning disability into a major plot point. (My guess is that a lack of overall conflict between both girls had the producers scrambling for some roadblock to make the finale more compelling.)

The dyslexia immediately became an issue when the girls learned that they had to shoot a commercial for Covergirl. Uh oh. Dyslexia + a script + nervousness= potential disaster.

The rest of the episode really seemed to flash by in a blur. Mr. Jay Manuel introduced last year’s winner Teyona, who noticeably stumbled over her own Covergirl spiel this episode. Nigel Barker joined the two finalists for a beauty shot. Nicole did a fantastic job posing with Nigel. Meanwhile, Laura was struggling with her commercial. She commented in a confessional that being nervous made her dyslexia worse. (Not a good thing at all.) Nicole also struggled with her own nerves during her commercial. Then Nicole started sounding snobby during her commercial takes, according to Mr. Jay. You could begin to see some daylight for Laura.

Continue reading "Lackluster finale for pint-sized 'America's Next Top Model'" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 1:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

John-John Williams IV reports on this week's America's Next Top Model:

Erin started the episode lamenting about her disastrous Covergirl commercial from the week before. And for good reason, she was in the bottom two last week.

Tyra met the girls at their house to tell them that they needed to tidy up. She pointed out ants, dirty dishes, and scattered clothes. I was fully expecting Tyra to go on a huge tantrum about respecting the house. Instead she told the girls she was condemning the house, which would force them to take a trip to Hawaii. The girls quickly packed, boarded a plane, and were on their way.

After settling into their new ultra fabulous digs, and sharpening their claws – Erin and Brittany hate each other-- the girls met Sofia Beschen, a petite model and surfer, and Buzzy Kerbox, a surfer and model. The girls learned how to surf by the model-surfers. The girls were suppose to learn body control with their surfing lesson.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Down to Five" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

When Tyra Banks comes to the set of your America's Next Top Model photo shoot, you'd better be on your game.

Too bad Bianca had to learn that lesson the hard way. We'll get to her demise in a little bit.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Bad photo shoot sends model home" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Here's John-John Williams IV on last week's episode of America's Next Top Model (recap of this week's is coming soon!)

The episode started with Ashley and Lulu talking smack about resident bad-girl Bianca. I'm not saying that Bianca didn't have it coming with her horrendous antics in the past few episodes, but she had the last laugh.

The girls went to get a little runway coach from Miss J Alexander who was joined by Diva Davanna, a 9-year-old model, who knows how to walk the catwalk like nobody's business. The pint-sized beauty hit every pose thrown at her. She was really impressive.

The girls were paired up so they could learn to walk the runway alongside another model. This was pretty uneventful except for the crap Ashley was talking about Brittany during her confessional. Ashley said that Brittany's walk was "forgettable" and that her proportions were weird and made her look short.

Later that night, Bianca got a wake-up call when Sundai told her that Courtney, who was eliminated last week, talked crap about her with Lulu. Bianca later confessed that her feelings were hurt and that she intended to put up more of an emotional wall.

The next day, the girls put their new skills to work in a Kevan Hall fashion show. Ann Shoket, the editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine, made her annual appearance, and told the girls that the best catwalker would win a spread in Seventeen Magazine. The winner would also get to chose two competitors to join her in the shoot.

The girls had to walk the runway with much taller models to further reinforce the fact that they this year's contestants are 5'7" or shorter. (Enough already!) Brittany won the competition. (I'm not sure I really agree with that. Her walk didn't do anything for me.) She chose Kara and Laura for the photo shoot, even though Lulu and Ashley were critical of her walk the night before.

Lulu and Bianca turned their fangs back in the direction of Bianca later that night. Bianca was having a heart-to-heart conversation with Nicole in the hot tub, while Lulu and Ashley looked on from the house making a slew of comments about Nicole's naive personality and Bianca's fakeness. Later the two warned Nicole about Bianca. Nicole brushed it off and said in a confessional that Ashley was a "mean girl" and that Lulu was her sidekick.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Down To Ten" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

John-John Williams IV reports on this week's ANTM:

Poor Courtney! She came to America's Next Top Model with a broken foot. After last night's episode she left with shattered dreams. That's right. The lively cheerleader from Plantation, Fla., was sent packing after essentially giving up during a nude photo shoot.

The episode started with a surprise visit to Wilhelmina Models. The contestants each to complete an interview with the president of Wilhelmina Models, Sean Patterson. What they didn't know was that there would be an immediate elimination based on the interview. (I'll get to that in a little bit.)

During the interview, we learned that Jennifer has a lazy eye. (Ouch!)

Rachel was kicked out of the competition because Sean Patterson said she "didn't have what it takes to be a Wilhelmina Model."

Rachel was in disbelief. She started to cry.

"I expecting for someone to pop out and say 'Just kidding'," Rachel said in her confessional. "And they never came. I have to go home."

Continue reading "Double elimination on America's Next Top Model" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

I guess Tyra Banks is hoping that the saying “Big Things Come In Small Packages” will work to her advantage this season of America’s Next Top Model. This cycle, the host and creator of the show has opened up the competition exclusively to women 5’7” and shorter.

The publicity stunt might work to her advantage. Just because these women are pint-sized they are already showing they’ve got the same catty demeanor and dramatic antics that their taller, starved models. 

After we get a quick snapshot of the contestants during a little face-time with Tyra and her trusted sidekicks Miss J. Alexander, and Mr. Jay Manuel, the group of 32 semifinalist is whittled down to the top 20. There is one contestant (Simone) from Hagerstown, Md., but she falls to make the top 20. Oh well.
 

The girls find out if they make the first cut if they find a garment in their garment bag. (Ouch!)

After the dust has settled, and the undesirables have left, Mr. and Miss J lead a runway competition. The girls have to basically pose for the cameras at the end of the runway.
Sundai was horrendous: Her pose of taking one arm and pulling it over the top of her head was tragic. Amber – who winds up making the top 14 only to leave the competition for “personal reasons” -- chose not to take advantage of the five-minutes the contestants were allowed to put on makeup. It didn’t matter. Her bird-like features pleased the judges.

During the next cut, which takes the group from 20 to 14, Tyra – who looks absolutely stunning with a part down the middle of her bone-straight golden hair — says that she has to hold back tears because she understands how hard it is for the shorter models to make it in the fashion industry. (Try not to laugh too loud.)

During the second part of the two-hour season premiere, the models get down to business with makeovers and their first themed photo shoot. The makeovers, which are named Ty-overs, go as expected. Many off the girls are ecstatic with their new looks. At least one – Bianca – throws a fit over the fact that her eyebrows do not look good. (Give me a break!) The biggest surprise is that Lisa, who was not selected to the top 14, is chosen to replace Amber.

After the “Ty-overs” the girls get to see their new house, which has a doll theme. There is plenty of over-sized furniture to accentuate just how short the girls are. (Talk about shoving it down our throat.)

The photo shoot is an editorial interpretation of each of the contestant’s baby pictures. Erin does a good job because she “lucks” into the shoot, according to Mr. Jay. Rae has to wear plastic ballerina point shoes with an 8-inch heel. (Ouch!) She makes the most of the shoot and turns out a “stunning” photo, Mr. Jay said. Lisa is pretty lack-luster. Mr. Jay isn’t that pleased with her effort. Bianca has a horrible attitude on set because she is not pleased with her makeup. Mr. Jay said that her attitude carried over into her photo. (Not good.) Brittany’s first two-thirds of her photo shoot looked pornographic, according to Mr. Jay. She was able to tame it down by the end. Mr. Jay gushed over Ashley’s shoot, saying that she made the picture look expensive. Sundai disappoint Mr. Jay. He said she fell flat. Nicole turned out “hot” photos, according to Mr. Jay. Kara does a great job. Jennifer also does pretty good.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model' back with smaller contestants" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 3:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

John-John reports on the America's Next Top Model finale:

Aminat, Allison, and Teyona began the episode reflecting on their rise through the competition.

The girls had to tackle the kiss of death -- the Covergirl commercial.

Aminat was up first. She did an all right job after some pointers from Jay Manuel.

Allison was next. She was a little nervous, and it showed the first run through, but she wound up doing a good job.

Teyona was last. The pressure got to her. She was the only contestant to cry on set. Despite her breakdown, she got her composure back for the photo shoot.

Continue reading "America's Next Top Winner Is..." »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports on this week's America's Next Top Model:

A week after the girls went on go-sees in Brazil, the remaining four contestants learned to samba to help them move their bodies with confidence.

Judge Paulina Porizkova met with the girls and gave them a little feedback and pointers. She was especially hard on Celia, which was a sign of things to come. Paulina told Celia that she was extremely old to start a career in modeling and that she appeared desperate. (Ouch!)

Paulina was very impressed with Aminat during the practice. Allison was terrible. And Teyona danced like she had two left feet.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Down To Three" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Here's John-John on last week's ANTM. -- SKK 

Last week's episode began with the girls taking on the role of being a creative director for a South Pole Jr. photo shoot featuring one another. 

Aminat ran into problems when she was matched with her enemy Natalie. She took too long styling Natalie, which resulted in Natalie not being ready for the photo shoot. Mr. Jay Manuel wasn't too pleased.

Teyona exceled when she styled Celia. Allison also exceled when she styled Aminat. London struggled with Allison; Mr. Jay didn't like London's style.

Teyona won the challenge. As a result, she picked Celia and Aminat to join her in a Seventeen magazine spread.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Weight Gain Sends Contestant Home" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

A week after Jessica, the model who said she had never been called ugly, was sent packing on America's Next Top Model, early favorite Nijah got the Chanel boot home.

This week started off with Tahila moaning and groaning about her self esteem. A quick call home to her sister seemed to clear that. Whew!

Next, the girls got some runway training with Miss J, and former contestants Bianca “I Got Into A Fight With the Star of Hairspray” Golden and Chantel Jones. I found it really funny that Chantel was brought back to talk to the contestants about runway walks when she had one of the most disastrous runway moments in Top Model history. (She caused a man in stilts to tumble to the ground when her gown tripped him. It cost her the Top Model title.)

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Lack of tension sends contestant home " »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Six people were injured and three were arrested for inciting a riot after chaos broke out at this weekend's auditions for the next season of America's Next Top Model. According to reports, a car fire caused someone to yell fire, which began one wave of chaos, and later yells of "gun" and "bomb" escalated things.

Injuries were not thought to be threatening.

The New York Daily News story is here, and you can see raw video of the event above.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

After a pretty lackluster season, America’s Next Top Model came roaring back last night with a fresh crop of beauties vying to stand atop the catwalk.

Last night’s two-hour show was a series of cuts. The top 34 girls in the nation were brought to Las Vegas to be further whittled down to 13. (Talk about downsizing.)

There’s a whole goddess theme for the first round of cuts. Blah, blah, blah. Tyra Banks greets the girls with an entourage of Roman soldiers. (Major cheese!) She tells the girls she was looking for a successor to her throne. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Almost immediately, the claws start to appear. Enter Angelea, the drama queen. The 22-year-old from Buffalo gets into a slight altercation with our hometown girl Sandra! Don’t worry ya’ll, she doesn’t make it into the top 13. The scary thing is that Sandra does. (We learn in the second hour of the show that she’s not all sugar and spice…)

The 21 girls are further cut into the top 13 girls, who wind up moving into the Top Model house in New York City.

The group includes:

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model' back with a bang" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

The 12th cycle of America’s Next Top Model begins tonight! Yay! I’m sure we’ll see the normal dose of Amazon woman – some might even have a little attitude to boot.

Next cycle will most definitely be different. The show is currently casting for Cycle 13, and they have an unusual requirement. They are looking for women 5’7” or shorter. So, essentially the show is looking for America’s Next Top Actress ...

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

After a truly lackluster cycle -- with the exception of Isis and Sheena -- America's Next Top Model will be back for its 12th season this month. Here's the latest crop of hopefuls. One even hails from Maryland! The new season premieres at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 March 4 (it got bumped a week; thanks for the heads up, nm) on The CW. Click on this link to see the girls!

The cast includes:

Allison, 20, an artist from New Orleans 

Aminat, 21, a student from Union, N.J. 

Celia, 25, from Cynthiana, Ky. 

Fo, 19, a student from Albuquerque 

Isabella, 19, an aspiring model from Barboursville, Va. 

Jessica, 18, a student from Bradenton, Fla. 

Kortnie, 24, a nonprofit organizer from Houston 

London, 18, a student from Arlington, Texas 

Natalie, 19, a student from Palos Verdes, Calif. 

Nijah, 18, an aspiring model from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. 

Sandra, 19, a student from Rockville, Md. 

Tahlia, 18, a student from Phoenix

Teyona, 20, a loss prevention representative from Woodstown, N.J.

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 7:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Tyra Banks is hoping to lure a few more viewers this season by featuring crooners Clay Aiken and Ciara as guest judges on America's Next Top Model.

I say pull out all the stops, Tyra. The show is in desperate need of new life. Last cycle's winner McKey was lackluster to say the least. With that said, I question the addition of Clay Aiken. I mean, seriously? He's not exactly bursting with fashion-forwardness, sex appeal or "true" fame ...

The new season of Top Model premieres at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 on the CW.

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

I thought you might want to read this if you wanted to know a little more about Top Model's most recent winner, Brittany "McKey" Sullivan.

I read it because I really didn't get a sense of McKey as an individual on the show. She's probably one of the least personable Top Model winners in the history of the show. I'm not saying I don't like her. (She was the best model of the final three contestants.) She just didn't have the fire of Eva or the "oh, my gosh, I can't believe she just won" factor of Whitney.

Interesting notes: McKey says that she loves her new name; she feels that she was closest to Isis on the show; and she's currently closest with Sheena.

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

As I predicted, McKey won America's Next Top Model last night. She was simply the best.

Samantha was in second place; Analeigh, who struggled during a Covergirl commercial placed third. I'll have a more detailed recap later today.

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

I know what I'll be watching at 8 p.m. tonight!

After months of catwalking and cattiness, it's time to crown a Top Model. For me, the choice is simple. McKey should win the competition because she's been the strongest model of the bunch, beginning to end.

Yes, Analeigh is very pretty. Yes, Samantha is spunky, and she takes great photos. But McKey has been consistently good. I can't remember the last time she was in the bottom two. (I'm pretty sure she hasn't.) She has also been very good at staying out of drama among the other contestants. (That's probably a Top Model first.)

McKey will place first. Analeigh will place second. Samantha will place third.

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Isis King (left), the first transgender contestant on America's Next Top Model, will receive a sex reassignment surgery courtesy of The Tyra Banks Show, US Magazine reports.

The episode, which airs tomorrow, gives viewers a little more insight into King, who was born Darrell Walls. The 22-year-old hadn't received the surgery because of the high costs ($20,000 to $35,000).

"It's hard. I try not to think about it because it is something I'm really passionate about," she says on the clip. "I feel like I really was born in the wrong body, and it's just the one thing that makes me feel uncomfortable."

King is the Prince George's County resident who was eliminated almost midway through the current cycle of Top Model. King was extremely strong in the beginning of the season. (Tyra Banks and company basically hand-picked her to be on the show after Isis appeared on a fashion shoot last season.) But as the season progressed, Isis struggled with her confidence. (She was eliminated after failing the produce a stunning photo during a shoot that required her to pose in the water. She told the judges that she was worried about her man parts falling out of her bathing suit.)

(Photo: Michael Desmond/The CW)

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Poor Marjorie and her desperate attempt to be the "perfect contestant."

Week after week, her shy awkwardness was picked apart by the judges. There were a lot of tears and a lot of excuses. Her luck ran out this week when Tyra Banks and company gave her the boot. Samantha, the bubbly blond with the short, sassy cut, beat her out with her overall presence.

Continue reading "Marjorie eliminated from 'America's Next Top Model'" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 7:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

It was go-see time on America’s Next Top Model, and, as usual, some of the contestants had a problem making it to all of the designers on time.

The designers absolutely loved McKey. All four reported that they would book her for jobs. Unfortunately, she was five minutes late for the challenge, which disqualified her.

Analeigh took advantage of McKey's tardiness and swept up the challenge win. As a result, she earned $18,000 worth of clothes, accessories and other prizes.

Marjorie did horribly during her go-sees. She only made it to two of them; and she didn't get booked for either one. Once again she did a very, very, bad job selling herself. She wasn't confident, and it totally repulsed the designers.

Elina turned off many of the designers because of her tattoos.

The next day, the girls participated in a photo shoot photographed by Tyra Banks. The girls took two photos -- one natural shot, and one for which they were glammed up with a ton of makeup.

Samantha and McKey did the best. Elina did not shine. It came down to Elina and Marjorie in the bottom two. Elina was sent home because she simply had not demonstrated that she could loosen up and relax. She was too controlled through the season. Tyra remarked that Elina appeared to be more stiff recently (not good). So she was sent packing. Elina cried a little and vowed that she was still going to be successful (blah, blah, blah ... ).

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 8:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

The women were jazzed that they made it to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. But once they arrived, they found themselves racing through the city in order to get 25 extra frames during the next photo shoot.

Elina and Samantha paired up and won the extra pictures.

Later, Elina, Analeigh and Marjorie got in a bathtub (naked) and made a lot of noise, which annoyed the other girls who were trying to sleep.

The next day. the girls went to the Red Light District for their photo shoot. They were challenged with posing in outfits in the same display windows that prostitutes use.

Marjorie wowed Miss J Alexander. But the winning model pair -- Samantha and McKey -- were invited to come back to Amsterdam for an international fashion week.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Contestants go to Amsterdam" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

After a week without a new episode -- recap episodes don't count -- I was in the mood for more Top Model. I wasn't disappointed. This episode had everything that makes the show great. There was a good amount of drama, a fashion show, a CoverGirl commercial, a guest appearance and a surprising elimination. Wow!

The episode started with Elina, Sheena and Joslyn lamenting about their past performances. (Fans of the show knew that one was probably going to be sent packing.) Elina and Marjorie were complaining that it was hard for them to show emotion because it's not a "European" thing to do. The other contestants didn't seem sympathetic.

The next day, the girls learned the art of modeling garments while walking. They showed off their new skills during a Petro Zillia fashion show. The catch was that the girls had to wear body-length green suits that worked similar to a green screen. The audience watched a monitor, which essentially only showed off the outfit. 

Elina was extremely nervous. She complained that she couldn't breathe. But it didn't matter. She overcame her nerves and was named the challenge winner. As a result, she won a photo spread in Seventeen magazine.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': surprising elimination" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 6:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Seriously, you should have watched the season finale of Project Runway instead of last night's Top Model. Last night was the recap episode that usually promises to give you "never before seen" behind-the-scenes footage. It usually equates to all the stuff that should have been left on the cutting-room floor. Last night was no exception.

I'll admit, I didn't know how much of a jerk Elina has been all season. The producers have been doing some crafty editing showing her better sides. The clips last night show that she is extremely rude and closed-minded. She basically called Sheena stupid. She also said that Isis looked like a hyena and had no business modeling. Talk about being a Mean Girl!

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Jay Manuel and J. Alexander are close to getting their own spinoff!

The CW has reportedly ordered a pilot of Operation Fabulous staring Tyra Bank's sidekicks. It will be produced by Tyra Banks and Ken Mok. The two J's will travel the country giving women fashion advice. They will also give them makeovers and send them back into their communities with a new sense of self. (It kind of reminds me of Queer Eye For The Straight Guy.)

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Last night's episode was all about posing and personality. The girls met with Tyra Banks for a little one-on-one posing tutorial. Marjorie was deemed the challenge winner -- again!

Later, the girls went to a photo shoot where they portrayed characters at an awards show. Elina made a breakthrough during the photo shoot. It resulted in her tearing down her tough exterior and crying. Jay Manuel said it was her best photo shoot to date.

Sheena sort of struggled. Jay Manuel was not pleased with her performance. He said she didn't have enough emotion in her posing. (She's been accused of being too "hoochie" most of the season.)

Later in the episode, the judges gushed over McKey, Analeigh, Joslyn and Marjorie. The judge had reservations about Samantha, Elina, Sheena and Lauren Brie.

Marjorie's photo was picked as the judge's favorite this week. She posed as a woman having to use the toilet in her gown.

The bottom two comprised Lauren Brie and Sheena. Lauren Brie was sent packing. Tyra said she lacked the personality of Sheena. She informed Lauren Brie that it is important for the entire public to like her, not just her own circle of friends. (Whatever Tyra ... )

Next week, the contestants will do a commercial. Elina and Sheena will get into a tiff. I can't wait!

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

The first few minutes of this week's episode of ANTM, the cameras were glued to Samantha and Clark, who were on opposite ends of the confidence spectrum. Samantha was kind of in the dumps after her lackluster performance last week. Clark was beaming. She said there was no way she was going to be sent home. (Talk about irony.)

Speaking of confidence, or lack thereof, let's talk about Marjorie. She was so down on herself the entire episode. She kept on doubting her abilities. She also explained that this way of thinking is very European. (She’s originally from France.)

Joslyn was also lamenting that she hadn't produced a great photo recently. She said she was afraid of going home (foreshadowing ... ).

So, the girls went to a warehouse for their first challenge with judge Paulina Porizkova. The girls had to alter oversized outfits to flatter their bodies. Marjorie didn't do well to the point that she started to cry. Paulina comforted her, and the group moved on. McKey won the challenge, which resulted in her getting 50 extra frames in the coming photo shoot.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': another contestant sent home" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Just in time for Chrismukkah!

The America's Next Top Model video game will be released next month by Nintendo.

Players will guide their model through challenges and photo shoots. Models will also be evaluated on their catwalking skills. One model will be eliminated every week, and the last model standing is the winner.

The game comes out on Nov. 7. Will you buy it?

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Isis, the transgendered contestant who was given the boot last week on America's Next Top Model, is being honored at the 2008 Equality Maryland Jazz Brunch. The event takes place 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront, 700 Aliceanna St.

There's one catch: Tickets are $85 per person!

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Marylander Isis, the first transgendered contestant, was eliminated from America's Next Top Model after failing the produce a stunning photo during a shoot that required her to pose in the water.

Isis told the judges that she was worried about her man parts falling out of her bathing suit. It distracted her from her mission, which was a photo shoot where the models posed with the top of their heads peaking out of the water.

Isis cried during her confessional and promised to work on all the pointers the judges had given to her throughout the competition.

(Photo: Mike Rosenthal/Pottle Productions)

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Isis sent home after double elimination" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Marylander Isis, a transgendered contestant, was nearly eliminated last night in America's Next Top Model.

Isis was the bottom two because she took a bad photo during a challenge, which involved the contestants hanging from a ladder that appeared to be dangling from a hot air balloon. In addition to having bad arm placement in that picture, Isis looked very average during the judging. It was the second week in a row that Tyra Banks chided Isis for her appearance. Luckily for Isis, Nikeysha talked over the judges one too many times, and they sent the mouthy model packing.

Benny Ninja appeared in the beginning of the episode to work with the women on their posing. Elina made the most of the lesson when she won the first mini-challenge, which involved each contestant  posing with designer handbags. Sheena and Nikeysha crashed and burned.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Isis almost eliminated" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Last night's America's Next Top Model did not disappoint.

The show had a futuristic theme. Semi-finalists went to the "Top Model Institute Of Technology" to see if they made the cut (all wore futuristic, form-fitting body suits). Miss J Alexander, Mr. Jay Manuel and Tyra Banks got in the act. 

As the girls started to get to know each other, one contestant, Kacey, was very vocal in her opposition of Isis. Isis, as you probably already know, is the show's first transgendered finalist. In the end, it didn't matter what Kacey thought. She didn't advance to the finals.

Here are this year's finalists:

• Analeigh, 19, from Sacramento, Calif. The judges said she looks like a star.

• Brittany R., 19, from Henderson, Nev. Her mother is black; her father is Native American. 

• Clark, 19, from Pawleys Island, S.C. She's very confident. 

• Elina, 18, from Seattle. She's a vegan and is already developing a crush on Clark. Tyra says she's intimidating.

• Hannah, 19, from Fairbanks, Alaska. She is very innocent and grew up poor. 

• Isis, 22, from Prince George's County. Mr. Jay said she can be a high fashion model. 

• Joslyn, 23, from Lucky, La. She is one of the oldest contestants and said she's tried out for the show 30 times.

• Lauren Brie, 20, from Charlottesville, Va. Tyra says her face looks like an angel.

• Marjorie, 19, from San Francisco. She has a French accent. Jay Manuel likes her look.

• Brittany "McKey", 19, from Lake Forest, Ill. She does martial arts. Changed he name to McKey because of the multiple Brittanys in the competition. 

• Nikeysha, 19, from Bronx, N.Y. She flashed the judges during her audition.

• Samantha Potter, 18, from Woodland Hills, Calif. She has a horrible walk. She didn't know the names of five working models. Tyra kind of chewed her out.

• Brittany, 18, from Chicago. She changed her name to "Sharaun."

• Sheena Sakai, 21, from Harlem, N.Y. She said she's "not the typical Asian chick."

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Cycle 11 finalists revealed" »

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

It appears Tyra Banks is pulling out all the stops this year to attract viewers to America's Next Top Model. That means for the first time in 11 cycles of the show, there will be a transgender contestant among the finalists. AND, she's from Maryland!

Her name is Isis, and she hails from Prince George's County. I have often wondered how the show would deal with this if it ever became an issue. Obviously, Tyra and company feel that beauty is beauty, regardless of gender. 

In other Top Model news, I'm sure you've all heard this old piece of gossip: Cycle 9 villain/contestant Bianca Golden was involved in a fight with Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky in Turks and Caicos Islands. Blonsky's father was finally released from jail this week.

Posted by John-John Williams IV at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model, Maryland reality contestants
        

America's Next Top Model winner Whitney Thompson will be in town tomorrow to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the O's game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (though she probably will not be wearing the outfit above).

Seems kind of random until you consider that Whitney is the new representative for CoverGirl, a company with roots in Baltimore, and that the day's activities will also include a makeover tent on Eutaw Street.

(Photo courtesy of the CW)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model, Local appearances
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

As predicted, Tyra Banks and company gave the top prize to Whitney, the full-figure model from Florida.

I hate to write “I told you so,” but I totally predicted that Whitney would win. I also alluded to the fact that the judges thought Anya was stupid. (Did anyone catch Paulina Porizkova say that the Hawaiian beauty looked “stupid” in her Covergirl photo?)

Anywho, the judges eliminated Fatima after she delivered a “robot-like” Covergirl commercial. (Fatima was very gracious in her departure. She promised that the world had not seen the last of her. Blah, blah, blah…)

After Fatima exited the show, it was time for Whitney and Anya to take to the catwalk for the final challenge: a fashion show featuring Versace designs. (It wasn’t as exciting as it sounds.)
I was really disappointed in this year’s fashion show. There was no real heat coming off that runway.

Last cycle, Salesha and Chantel had a memorable runway show. (Chantel tripped a man on stilts. It was hilarious.) The cycle before that, Jaslene and Natasha stomped their way up and down the runway, which generated some serious heat.

This cycle, Anya and Whitney lacked the pizzaz and attitude that have become synonymous with the season finale for the show.

In past walkoffs, the camera would pan to Tyra, who would yell words of encouragement. This year, she was almost silent throughout the fashion show. (Tyra had to realize that this finale was pretty weak.)

If this is the best that the talent pool has to offer, I think that the show needs a new burst of inspiration.

What if the producers lured back past favorites who fell short of winning the title for an all-star season? (Heck, it works for MTV’s The Real World and Road Rules!)

I think an America’s Next Top Full-Figure Model season might work. What about a season featuring male models? I thought about a season featuring drag queens, but it appears that RuPaul is already piecing that show together as I type.

A note to Tyra and company: It’s time to give the waifs a break. Let the gene pools replenish. Then go back to the girls. Or keep same format. Just make the contestants dynamic. And don’t you dare give me the same lackluster finale I saw last week.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

I was wondering how many insults Dominique could absorb before bowing out?

Miss J kept on referring to her as a transgender man week after week. Even I thought it was cruel. (OK, no I didn’t. But if I had a heart I, probably would have objected.)

Anywho, Dominique was simply the weakest of the remaining contestants last week. It was her time to go. Dominique’s exit has set up a final three that has been fixed from the beginning.

I have a horrible suspicion that the judges are going to give the top prize to Whitney, the plus-sized model. Week after week, Whitney has informed viewers that a plus-sized contestant has never been named America’s Next Top Model. (It’s almost as if the show’s producers have enforced a quota so that the viewers will grasp the magnitude of Whitney’s win during the season finale. Frankly, this force-feeding method is insulting. It’s probably one of my biggest gripes with the show.) Whitney is pretty. But, she’s not the strongest contestant. She shouldn’t win.

Anya takes wonderful photographs. But let's face it. She’s kind of dumb. At times she gives Alicia Silverstone’s Clueless character a run for her money. Whitney routinely refers to Anya as “blonde.” Even Tyra all-but-called Anya “dumb” in an exchange on the judges panel a couple of episodes ago.

Fatima, on the other hand has overcome female circumcision. She nailed the Italian script during the Covergirl commercial a couple of episodes ago. She’s elegant, and poised when she speaks. Yes, she ruffles the feathers at times. She’s also judgmental as hell. But, overall I think the has the looks and the effective communication skills needed to be the face of the competition.
I honestly think that Fatima should win.

Guess we’ll see during the season finale 8 p.m. tonight on the CW.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 7:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

The girls did two photo shoots last night.

The first required them to dress as ancient gladiators. Whitney won and received a shopping spree. She took Anya along to share in the spoils.

The second shoot was the one that really counted. Head judge Tyra Banks stepped in as the photographer for this challenge, which added extra pressure on the contestants. (I think they knew that Tyra would pick up on every little nuance and problem during the shoot and bring it up during the panel judging. They were right.)

Fatima did a phenomenal job. Dominique surprised Tyra with a great shoot. Anya was also good. Whitney's posing looked "hoochified," according to Tyra. Katarzyna simply had the weakest photos. Tyra had to coach her too much. (It's a shame too, because I think Katarzyna was one of the stronger competitors.)

Continue reading "Down to four on 'America's Next Top Model'" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

Mistakes are gonna cost the contestants this far into the competition on America's Next Top Model. Lauren found out the hard way. She was absolutely dreadful last night, and it resulted in her being sent home.

The girls were in Rome, and while many of them hit the ground running, Lauren continued to work against herself by exhibiting extreme social awkwardness. First, she demonstrated her horrendous runway walk during a go-see. Surprise, surprise! Her Frankenstein walk did not impress the designer.

Anya, on the other hand, won the go-see and received a designer dress as her reward. Not too bad for the Hawaiian, who has been pretty solid.

Fatima also was wonderful. She excelled in almost every aspect of last night’s episode. The designer loved her at the go-see. Later, she delivered the best performance of the day shooting a Covergirl commercial, which required the contestants to speak Italian. She was simply amazing.

The judges agreed:
 

Continue reading "Lauren the next 'Top Model' sent home" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John IV Williams reports:

Fatima, who is not a U.S. citizen, was stressing because she lost her travel documents and was afraid that she would be eliminated from the competition when the contestants packed up and headed abroad for the remainder of the season.

The travel documents wound up being the least of Fatima’s troubles this episode. I’ll get back to that a little later.

Judge Paulina Porizkova made a quick house call and talked to the girls about the best ways to showcase themselves. This totally foreshadowed to what was going to happen a little later in the episode.

Continue reading "Fatima falters in 'Top Model'" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

Last week’s America's Next Top Model was a complete waste of time. New programming was put on a back burner and the dreaded recap episode filled the void.

I learned that Marvita likes to: walk around naked, play the guitar, and give massages. Yawn!! Who cares? Marvita was kicked off the show a few episodes ago.

God, please, can we have a little more excitement this week? Tonight’s preview shows Fatima dealing with some sort of “legal” troubles. It also shows Lauren cutting her finger during a kitchen accident. (I was most disturbed by Lauren’s storyline. A model should not be in the kitchen trying to eat any food! What was she thinking? It’s criminal!)

Let’s catch up after tonight’s episode …

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

Claire’s departure this week on America’s Next Top Model proves fast the mighty fall. After winning numerous challenges this season, Claire was kicked to the curb. We’ll get back to her in a minute …

This week, the girls went on Go-Sees, which are where models meet with designers for the equivalent of an interview. The models show off their portfolios, show off their signature runway walks, and model some clothes.

This year the models split into two teams for their Go-Sees. Claire, Dominique, Stacy-Ann and Whitney were on Team 1. Anya, Fatima, Lauren, and Katarzyna were on Team 2.

The show gave a huge plug to Sprint when they provided each team with a Sprint GPS phone. (How many models does it take to operate a GPS phone? A whole heck of a lot, I'd say, after watching this episode. Some of these girls were having some serious difficulties navigating their way through NYC.)

Anywho, the teams went on their Go-Sees, and Team 1 excelled.

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Early fave Claire gets cut" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

In the past two weeks we’ve learned that: It was time for both Marvita and Amy to go home; Fatima does not shave her underarms (a definite no-no); Claire has a mean streak; Dominique and Whitney are drama queens; and there is not a clear-cut favorite.

This is truly the first season of Top Model that has left me without a “wow factor” contestant.

Claire had been taking great photos until last week’s photo shoot. (She was really bad; and her personality appeared to change for the worst.)

Katarzyna does not seem like she is capable of shaking lose the cheap, trashy look that the judges keep commenting about.

Stacy-Ann has demonstrated that she only possesses a couple of poses.

Anya has been good. The judges love her – especially Tyra. But, I predict that she will struggle when it comes down to the spokesmodel challenges. (I can barely understand half the things she says.)

Keep catwalking!

P.S. Check out this clip of Dominique, Claire, Lauren and Whitney getting into a verbal jab fest:

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

On this week's Top Model, the girls went to a fire station for a little runway training with “Miss J.” The runway coach and show judge encouraged the gals to sashay up and down the runway with confidence. And he wasn’t afraid to join them to critique their bad technique. Gotta love Miss J and his/her ability to remain “fierce” and “fabulous” even in a room full of testosterone-filled firefighters.

Stacy-Ann, Katarzyna, Claire, and Dominique demonstrated very strong walks. Lauren was completely hopeless. And Fatima walked like a Clydesdale, according to Miss J.

Later, the contestants participated in a fashion show where they modeled Tuleh. Before taking the catwalk, the girls received a surprise pep-talk from Jaslene, the winner of Cycle 8. The girls learned that the best model during the fashion show would receive a photo shoot with Jaslene in Seventeen magazine.

Most of the contestants did a pretty good job, but there were a few pitfalls ...

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': bad walks and meat garments, oh my" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

While many of ya’ll were no doubt watching Project Runway last week, I was watching the other spectrum of the fashion industry — the models.

It was makeover madness on Top Model. And, I must admit that I was a little apprehensive when I heard that the models were heading to Wal-Mart for the makeovers. (Not exactly high fashion.)
I was pleasantly surprised, when I learned that the models were only going to the mega-chain to complete a Covergirl makeup challenge. (Claire won that one.)

The makeup challenge was only a tuneup for the makeovers, which were done at a local salon.

It wouldn’t be the makeover episode if a model was not displeased with her new look. (Remember Cassandra from Cycle 5, Jaeda from Cycle 7 and most recently Bianca from last season?) This year that distinction went to Fatima, who cried from the pain of her new long silky weave. I think the pain was worth it. The girl looks stunning. Can you say the next coming of Iman?

You know who else got a great makeover? Marvita. With the addition of a super long weave in the back, she went from semi-macho to glam.

Claire’s hair was dyed blond and buzzed along the sides for a cute alterna-chick look. Removing all that additional hair really draws attention to her face, which is a great thing. She has such an unusual look. Is she Russian? Is she of Asian descent? All that guessing is good. She’s memorable. She’ll go far.

I didn’t like Anya’s makeover. Her long platinum weave just didn’t sit right with me. Maybe it will take a few episodes to get used to it. Hope she stays around long enough to prove me right.
After the makeovers, the contestants got on a yacht for a photo shoot. This week, the hopefuls modeled lingerie from a clothing line by the legendary Elle McPherson.

I suppose the girls did decent for the most part.

Poor Whitney – the plus-sized model – was thrown into this God-awful outfit that completely covered up a good majority of her body. Her thinner counterparts on the other hand were dressed in traditional lingerie (Totally not fair; and Tyra made mention of this during the judging period).

Katarzyna looked a little cheap during her photo shoot. Judge Paulina Porizkova later said that Katarzyna looked like a Russian mail-order bride. (That ain’t good, folks.)

Allison – the Alyssa Milano look-alike from Waunakee, Wis. – bragged the entire episode that she had so much modeling experience. When  it came down to the photo shoot, she was over-posing and a mess.

Dominique was quite possibly the worse of the bunch. She was so stiff and nervous. Her totally lost the swagger she had shown up until that point. It wasn’t good.

Dominique’s saving grace was Tyra, who was not a fan of Dominique’s new shoulder-length hair style. It was the wrong color, Tyra said during the elimination round.

In the end Allison was sent packing. Her attitude totally stunk. She also made some racially charged jokes about black women to Fatima. (Can you say stupid?) She was also cocky as the dickens. She didn’t even say thank you to Tyra when she gave her a compliment. It was time for her to go.

Keep catwalking!
 

 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 1:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

America’s Next Top Model was trucking along with the expectable blips of excitement that fans of the show have come to expect. Then, bam! The ending completely knocked me off my seat.

I’ll get to that a little later …

The girls completed their first fashion show. Some contestants – Marvita especially – were dreadful. There was the obligatory catfight, where Fatima hit Marvita in the face. Was it an accident? Fatima says it was; Marvita wanted to open up a can of whoop….

After the girls' first runway challenge – it was held in Time Square -- they went to Elite Model Management and got a taste of Paulina Porizkova.

The Dancing With the Stars alum wasted no time speaking her mind. She said: Amis (used to be Amy) has bad skin; Dominique looks like a transvestite; and Marvita has a scrunched face. Basically, she was fabulous!

“You are going to be critiqued like crazy in this job,” Paulina told the hopefuls. “It’s not only going to be truthful, it will be hurtful. You might as well get used to it right now.”

I was going into last night’s episode hopeful that I would not be forced to watch: Tyra and the two “J’s” pretended to drink breast milk; Claire admitting to drinking her own breast milk; and Shalynda and Shaya (they’re both gone) attempting to fight Fatima.

I was pleasantly pleased by the appearance of Paulina, who is a welcome replacement for that timid Twiggy. Paulina’s sass is exactly what Top Model needs. The show’s judging has been hurting since Janice Dickinson departed for the “greener pastures” of the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency.

The girls' first photo shoot had a homeless youth theme. Marvita and Fatima both revealed that they had been homeless at one point in their lives. The two kind of patched things up after that. (We’ll see how long that lasts.)

During the judging we learned that Anya is one of Tyra’s favorites; she took a great photo. Claire did a fantastic job! Katarzyna is a force to be reckoned with. Whitney did her thing. Fatima was strong. Dominique also did pretty well.

And then model mayhem. Kimberly pulled an Ebony and asked to be removed from the show! She said she wasn’t a fan of high fashion. (Gasp!) In addition, she didn’t think that it was right for people to pay $2,000 for an outfit.

Tyra, and the rest of the judges were none too pleased. (Miss J ripped up Kimberly’s photograph; Tyra eventually used the ripped picture to fan herself.) Some of the contestants looked on in disbelief.

To be honest, I didn’t think the Reese Witherspoon – I totally think Reese is prettier -- lookalike had much of a chance. (You can read my rant about Ebony’s abrupt departure last year to get a sense of how I feel about contestants who ask to leave the show early. I won’t devote any additional keystrokes to Kimberly. )

Tyra then announced that there was still going to be an elimination.

Atalya, the 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, was given the boot. This really wasn’t all that surprising. Most of the judges had hinted that they didn’t care too much for her.

In the season premiere, Tyra said: “Her audition photo: wrong.”

Enough said about Atalya.

Who are you’re  favorites this season? Share yours, and I’ll respond in the comments section.

In the meantime, keep catwalking!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

Apparently there is trouble brewing over Saleisha’s recent win on America’s Next Top Model.

Show fans are posting comments and digging up links about Saleisha’s relationship with host Tyra Banks.

Enthusiasts are objecting over the fact that Saleisha – the Ciara-double -- has appeared in a Wendy’s commercial and has modeled on Tyra’s talk show.

Some seem to think that these are clear violations of the show’s rules that dictate that contestants cannot have professional modeling experience.

I’m pretty sure that neither a Wendy’s spot or a catwalk on Tyra’s talk show qualifies as “professional.” But after my Dec. 13 post about the "accomplishments" of Top Model alumni, maybe these prior experiences should have disqualified Saleisha. It seems that all past winners have been doing is appearing in future seasons of Top Model and showing up in scant ads for companies that are anything other than top couture.

In all seriousness, while these reports have raised my eyebrows a bit, I can’t say that I am in an uproar.

All you have to do is watch the final runway showdown. There is no way that Chantal should have won after the "great fall."

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams reports on the America's Next Top Model finale:

I swear I don’t have a crystal ball and I’m not a psychic, but I did accurately predict the exact placement of our top three models this week. (Check out the comment section of my Dec. 10 entry.)

I’m not going to brag—too much. I told you so! I told you so!

Now that that is out of the way….

After Jenah was eliminated – thank goodness – Saleisha and Chantal battled it out during a Qi Gang (a top Chinese designer) fashion show. Chantal held her own until the “great crash.”

I thought the Caridee/Melrose collision in Cycle 7 was pretty bad, but Chantal definitely takes the top spot. Poor thing was walking down that long runway when the train of her dress got caught underneath one of the performers standing on stilts. The performer collapsed to the ground; Chantal slipped, gasped, and looked back in horror. I think that sealed the deal.

Although Chantal -- a pretty girl with an adequate catwalk – was strong through most of the season, she was no match for Saleisha, who has gotten stronger and stronger in recent weeks.
 Saleisha simply tore it up from the beginning to end of the fashion show.

“I’m going to bring it,” Saleisha said right before she walked the seemingly endless runway, which was staged near the Forbidden City in China.

Continue reading "Chantal stumbles; Saleisha sashays to 'Top Model' title" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

We all knew that Chantal and Saleisha were safe because most of last night's episode focused on Bianca and Jenah. 

Jenah should have been sent home! Yes, she has taken great photos. But she has been struggling of late. She has been sarcastic with judges, and she has expressed an overall desire to go home. I believe in granting wishes …

Bianca, on the other hand, really seemed to want this thing. Yes, she acted extremely immature and catty on the show. But, I truly think she is immature, and catty in real life. At least she was being true to herself. Jenah kept saying that she was trying to find herself. What the heck did she mean by that?

Saleisha and Chantal appeared to have found their groove. Their pictures have been strong. And Saleisha in particular looks like she has got this thing wrapped up. She keeps on getting better and better.

I’ll let you watch this YouTube clip for more info from the episode. I want to use the rest of my keystrokes to: give Jaslene some props, scold CoverGirl, and share news about the show.

After two weeks of bashing Jaslene’s management, I want to give them some props.

During her latest CoverGirl commercial, Jaslene finally did something to make us a little envious: she made the cover of Latina magazine.

No, it’s not Vogue, Elle, or Vanity Fair, but it is also a vast improvement over appearances at Wal-Mart and at an Orioles game.

Not so fast CoverGirl, ya’ll have some explaining to do!

How is it possible that Heather – the model that was booted off the show last week – was this week’s CoverGirl model of the week? She isn’t even in the competition anymore. I think that this CoverGirl competition is seriously flawed. I also think that Heather has been getting a sympathy vote because she has a form of autism.

On to the juicy news:  Twiggy won’t be returning as a judge next cycle! See ya!

Supermodel and Dancing With the Stars alum Paulina Porizkova will replace her. (And it couldn’t come at a better time!)

Twiggy is leaving the show due to “scheduling conflicts,” according to several reports. Read more here.

Personally, I don’t think the show will be hurting by the loss of Twiggy. She has been very blah at times. She has never added the same spice that Janice Dickinson brought to the show.

I don’t know much about Paulina’s personality, but I hope that she is a true diva. The show is in need of a Simon Cowell-type. Hopefully Paulina will last longer than she did on Dancing With the Stars. (She was voted off during the first round of the fourth season.)

America’s Next Top Model can’t rely on contestants to have piss-poor attitudes. (Sorry Bianca!) A true iconic fixture – a judge – will add a little somethin’ somthin’ to the show. Hopefully Paulina will be that missing ingredient to spice up the fashion gumbo that we call America’s Next Top Model. Twiggy was a little to bland for my taste.

Keep catwalking!!! See you next week for the finale!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

Heather was finally given the boot on America’s Next Top Model. She totally screwed up on this week’s challenge — a Go See.

For all you Top Model newcomers and fashion beginners, a Go See is where models meet with designers for the equivalent of an interview. The models show off their portfolios, show off their signature runway walks, and model some clothes.

Heather only made it to one Go See in a six hour period. She then missed the deadline for the challenge, which disqualified her.

In the end, Heather’s amazing photos couldn’t save her, and the judges sent her back to the states. (The girls are still in China.)

We’re down to four models, and I’m feeling kind of blah.

In past years I have looked at the girls and said “Now that’s a Top Model!”  This year, I’m not so sure. Chantal seems a bit inexperienced and unsure of herself. Jenah is lucky that she survived this week’s episode. She managed to sass judge Nigel Barker, and get disqualified from the challenge. In addition, she didn’t make much of an impression on the designers during her Go See. (Several were turned off by her personality.)

Bianca is stunning -- at times, but she has a piss-poor attitude. And Saleisha is pretty, but I’m not sure that she has that “model” look.

There are only a couple of episodes left – Dec. 12 is the season finale -- and I feel that the girls are much further behind past cycles at this stage of the competition.

Has the model well run dry? Or am I being too tough on the contestants? Lemme know.

Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention Jaslene’s latest CoverGirl commercial that appeared amid the episode.  In this week’s commercial, it shows Jaslene throwing out a pitch at an Orioles game at Camden Yards. Excuse me! When was Jaslene in Baltimore? How did I miss her? And why was she throwing out a pitch during an Orioles game? Couldn’t she have picked a town with a better team?

First, a Wal-Mart appearance; now an Orioles game. What’s next? A high school fashion show during the Jerry Springer Show or in the infield at Preakness? Jaslene, it’s time to get better management…

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 8:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:
 
While chillin’ in the comforts of my mother’s home in Syracuse I got a chance to watch the most recent episode of Top Model. I also watched two past seasons of Top Model (Darn MTV and their ANTM marathons! )

I’ll cut to the chase. Lisa – the towering, slender beauty from New Jersey – was the first to pack her bags during the girl’s trip to China.

She never seemed to be able to build up her confidence, and it was to her detriment.

Even though she showed flashes of brilliance throughout the competitions, (remember the Enrique Iglesias music video challenge?) she bombed badly in past episodes. Her public speaking skills were a real problem for her.

While we’re talking about public speaking, lets talk about Heather. Oh my God!!!!! She is absolutely dreadful in this department. Granted, she has a mild form of autism, but that still should not be used as an excuse to keep her in the competition. Don’t get me wrong, the girl takes gorgeous photos. But, her spokeswomanship was horrendous. She flubbed almost everything, and had to be fed lines during a recent commercial. It was really, really bad.

I admit that I have no idea who is going to win this thing. Lisa was one of my favorites. The judges really seemed to like her. Heather takes strong photos.

I think this thing should be between Jenah and Saleisha. Saleisha has that girl-next-door look that is so hot in modeling right now. Jenah takes amazing photos. But listen to the way the judges rip into her. Ouch!:

Chantal is also very pretty, but that may be her downfall. Some judges believe that she is too pretty to be considered a high-fashion model. (Try not to shed too many tears for her, folks.) Bianca is immature and a tad bit evil. She can’t be anybody’s “Top Model.” I honestly think the judges are keeping her around for ratings.

We’re getting to the end. I heard the other day that the show’s season finale will be in December. What will we fashionistas do then? Will Christian still be on Project Runway? 

One thing's for sure, this darn writer’s strike will not affect our favorite reality shows. Thank goodness!

Keep catwalking!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

Ambreal’s nine lives ran out in the last episode and she was finally eliminated. After hovering near the bottom two spots for the past couple of weeks it was time for her to go. Don’t feel too bad for Ambreal. She’s a Howard University grad. She’ll end up just fine. (Real objective….)

Anywho, this was the crash and burn episode.

Heather had serious problems reciting a few words during a fashion show and was completely horrible. Lisa was also a mess. It was hard to watch both girls. They have such a presence, yet they are so lack in self-confidence. I think that both girls need to relax a bit, and believe in themselves. (Check out the video and watch the girls crash and burn.)

Maybe our pair of self-esteemers need to steal whatever is running through Saleisha’s veins. The girl is not lacking in self-confidence. That inner-strength is helping her win challenges. Just look at how she tore up that runway in the most recent show. She did a good job delivering her little speech and she was on fire when she worked that runway.

The contestants then went to the desert for a photo shoot a la Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

The most important thing was the judge’s reactions to the girls this week.

They were almost in total agreement about giving Ambreal the boot. They were also pretty high on Jenah and Saleisha. Bianca got some good comments.

The girls also found out that they are heading to China. That should be interesting. I never really associated China and couture. Oh well… The previews forecast more problems for Heather and Lisa during their CoverGirl shoot.

Speaking of CoverGirl… Did anyone catch Jaslene’s most recent CoverGirl commercial. The commercial included clips of Last year’s Top Model winner signing autographs at Wal-Mart!!!! What the heck was that about? A Top Model should be endorsing Chanel, and Cavalli, not the low, low prices of cheese and crackers. Call me a snob if you want. I’ll just call myself right.

Keep catwalking!!!!! 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

Last night, the beauties were on the set of an Enrique Iglesias music video.

I was surprised that the girls showed as much self-restraint as they did. When Tyson Beckford was on a couple weeks ago, the girls went goo-goo over the male model (see video above). 

Anywho … the girls were on the set of Enrique’s new video and were asked to portray vampire-like characters. Heather and Lisa shined. Ambreal was too “hoochie,” according to Tyra. Jenah was disastrous. Chantal and Sarah fizzled. 

There was a “scary” moment during the filming of the video. Heather had a Marie Osmond moment, and passed out. Turns out she was overworked and needed some rest. Heather got some liquids and rebounded. Once again she did a great job. Heather is really a contender to take this thing…

In the end Sarah was out. The judges essentially thought that she had the Goldilocks syndrome. Sarah was too small to be a plus-sized model and too big to be a traditional runway model. Poor Sarah simply could not get her body just right.  

When Sarah was eliminated she sobbed uncontrollably for what seemed like a television eternity. Felt kind of bad for her.

Sarah’s departure leaves the America’s Next Top Model House with seven contenders: Ambreal, Bianca, Chantal, Heather, Jenah, Lisa and Saleisha.

Who do you think has the best chance at winning this thing?

Keep catwalking!!!!!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

Last week’s episode was kind of a bust!

Instead of airing the episode that was alluded to the week before – the one of the contestants passing out during the taping of a music video -- an episode that recapped the first quarter of the season took its place.

The recap episode revealed a few things:  

1. Jenah chipped her tooth while swimming in the pool.

2. Chantal and Bianca got into an altercation.

3. Heather and – wait for it – Bianca got into an altercation.

4. Jenah is a little bit of a practical joker.

5. Ebony is truly crazy. Wait, we already learned that from her suicide mission two weeks ago!

I included a clip of Bianca's antics, Saleisha's stress, Ebony's craziness, and Jenah's prank against Sarah.

Anywho, I was talking about Top Model with a few of my friends the other night. After commenting on what a fool Ebony was for sacrificing herself, several names popped up as the top contender this year.

One friend thought that Chantal and Sarah had the best shots at the top prize. Another said Heather was going to sit atop the heap of models.

My money is on Jenah and Lisa. Jenah takes great photos. She might not be all that polished during judging, but her photos have been fierce. Lisa also takes good photos. I think that Lisa has more potential to get better as the competition goes on. That is not a good sign for the other contestants. 

I know we are a few months away from the season finale, but I wanted to know your favorites.

We’ll catch up after the next episode this Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the CW.

Keep catwalking!!!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

Last week’s episode of America's Next Top Model was a stunner! My jaw is still dragging on the ground. I have never seen an elimination quite like that.

For those who missed out, Ebony -- the 20-year-old nursing student from Chicago -- told Tyra that she wanted to be removed from the show!

What a complete idiot! Ebony had a legitimate chance of advancing in the competition. She cited a need to be with her sisters and father. Whatever -- Ebony, looks like you’ll have plenty of time to catch up with them in the Windy City.

Ebony’s suicide mission -- check out the video below -- saved Ambreal, who was going to be sent home. Ambreal sobbed uncontrollably with relief and joy. Check out Tyra’s reaction in the YouTube video. You know that she wanted to scream at Ebony. But Tyra surprisingly stayed composed and calm.

Continue reading "Ebony crumbles in 'Top Model' shocker" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

Need any last minute Halloween costume ideas? Cut your hair really short so that it appears to be buzzed, and add a pair of horns. Voila! You too can become Bianca! She’s beautiful, and evil.

In last week’s episode, Bianca once again gave Lisa a hard time. Sarah – sporting some horns of her own -- threw some salt at Lisa as well. (Lisa – stop letting these girls get to you. Their mind games are throwing you off your game.) 

“Never dull your shine for anyone else,” Tyra later advised Lisa during the judging. 

Last week’s challenge required the girls to poise while pair figure skating. 

I’m not going to go into great detail about this challenge. (I have included a YouTube video of the challenge.) To sum it up, Lisa kicked butt and won the challenge.

I swear this should have been the Halloween episode. Aside from the costume idea that Bianca inspired, the photo shoot required the models to poise as gargoyles atop a skyscraper. 

Lisa excelled once again.

“You brought it to this picture,” Nigel Barker told her during the judging. “Great body shape,” Twiggy said.

Ebony – with a newfound sense of confidence – had an unbelievable shoot.

“How in the hell does she do that?” Jay Manuel – the show’s photo shoot consultant -- asked.

“That was amazing. I can’t believe she was that good.”

The judges also liked Ebony’s photo.

“Fabulous,” Twiggy said. “I think this picture is absolutely stunning.”

Bianca, Jenah and Chantal also turned out great photos.

The bottom two wound up being a battle of the short and sassy. In one corner, Ambreal, the Howard University student from Dallas. The other corner featured Janet, the athletic-looking beauty from Bainbridge, Ga.

Janet – as you may remember -- is the contestant who gave Tyra a mock bikini wax in the season opener.

Ambreal – who was essentially unnerved by the challenge of the week – cried before the shoot even started. She never seemed to recover. It showed in her photos.

“It just feels like the devil is really after me right now,” Ambreal sniffled.

Janet showed little body control during the photo shoot. The judges ripped her to shreds.

“She just doesn’t look like a model to me,” Twiggy said.

Ouch, Twiggy!

Check out the YouTube video of the skating and the judging. And of course, check out tonight’s episode at 8 p.m. on The CW.

Keep catwalking!

Skating challenge:

Judging:

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

I was in my kitchen the other night making satay shrimp skewers with a coconut-peanut sauce – funny how watching this show makes me want to eat -- when I realized that the model makeovers were almost complete and not one model had shed a tear. Thought too soon! Bianca messed it up and let the floodgates loose when the stylist buzzed off her damaged hair.

Even though Bianca has been a terror, I still felt a little bad for her. Having so many girlfriends, I can understand the importance that women place on their hair. Hair is such a touchy subject for women. Can you remember the fallout that Keri Russell received after she chopped off her curly mane on the hit WB show Felicity? I’m sure she shed a few tears about that. And for the record, Russell hasn’t chopped off her hair since …

Anywho, Bianca was sitting in her stylist chair crying her eyes out because she was under the impression that true beauty was measured by the length of one’s hair. Couldn’t be further from the truth. After the stylist was finished buzzing Bianca’s hair, she looked fantastic. Actually, I think the new hairdo will give her an advantage in future rounds — if she makes it that far!!! She now has versatility. Her face, which is very strong and unique, can carry either a long style or a short sassy look. Watch out, competitors!

Continue reading "'America's Next Top Model': Tears and Tulips" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Are you ready to get your catwalk on?

We’re only a few hours away from tonight’s episode of Top Model.

Tonight features the makeovers – my favorite!!!

I can’t wait to see what the stylists do to Bianca’s cheap red weave. I wonder if they will add extensions to Janet’s short locks? What will they do to Ebony to give her a much needed dose of confidence?

Below, I’ve posted last week’s judging panel and elimination to give you a quick overview of the contestants. Enjoy!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV weighs in on this week's America's Next Top Model:

As predicted, the 18-year-old from Queens, N.Y. lashed out at more models and displayed even more of her insecurity. 

In addition to arguing with Saleisha, she also purposefully gave bad advice to poor Kimberly. We’ll get to her in a bit.

Plain and simple, Bianca is poison, immature, and filled with drama.

Wednesday night, Kimberly – the 20-year-old from Ocala, Fla. -- became the show’s second catwalk casualty and was sent home.

But before that, Miss J. Alexander – dressed as a psych ward nurse – showed the girls how to walk on a runway. After some quick tips – including a few much-needed pointers for Bianca – the girls were ready for a mini challenge.

The girls participated in their first fashion show modeling Colleen Quen’s designs. Quen’s a hot new designer, but I wasn’t really feeling her dresses last night.

Anywho, Quen chose Saleisha as the best model during the show. As a result Saliesha won a spot to model in Quen’s upcoming debut show in Paris.

Saleisha – the 21-year-old receptionist from Los Angeles -- was filled with confidence leading into the challenge.

“This runway is going to have fire on it when I come out!” she said.

The girl was not lying! She was fierce on that runway!

During the same show, Ebony – the 20-year-old nursing student from Chicago -- and Sarah – the 20-year-old “plus sized” model -- collided on the stage while passing each other.

Roy Campbell, this week’s guest judge who also acted as emcee at the fashion show, remarked that Ebony caused the collision on purpose.

“I didn’t like that at all,” he said.

This week’s main challenge was a rock climbing photo shoot with fashion photographer Matthew Jordan Smith.

The girls looked beautiful as they twisted and contorted their dangling bodies for the camera. Did I mention they were draped in gorgeous gowns?

Victoria – the 20-year-old Yale student – said she got her inspiration by imitating “a sea nymph on acid scaling the wall in the sunshine.” What the heck? Anywho, she took a great shot.

Jenah – the 18-year-old former rock climbing instructor -- used her experience to her advantage and arguably took the best photo of the night.

Heather – who has a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome – once again delivered the goods.

Bianca and Kimberly were in the bottom two this week.

The judges were basically speechless when it was time to critique Bianca’s photo. Trust me, it wasn’t the good type of speechless. Miss J Alexander remarked that Bianca looked mean. [We’ve already established that she is mean.] Judge Nigel Barker said that Bianca looked uncomfortable. Tyra Banks actually liked Bianca’s photo.

Poor Kimberly didn’t stand a chance. Judge Twiggy said that Kimberly looked like she hit the wall.

Line of the night came from Miss J Alexander: “I don’t feel that she has any nutritional fashion value.”

Next week – Top Model makeover week -- is my favorite in addition to the season finale. That means no more cheap red weave, Bianca! Hah!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

To get you geared up for tomorrow night's show, I decided to share a few of my favorite Top Model clips.

Cycle 4 gave me a lot memorable moments.

Who could forget Rebecca Epley fainting during judging? I know she had a headache after that fall.

What about when Tyra went crazy, and started screaming at Tiffany Richardson? That scene still makes me say: “Tyra! Did you have to scream at that girl like that?”

Check those out below.

What are your favorite Top Model moments?

It’s a little too early in the Cycle 9 to chose a YouTubeable moment. But I still wanted to know which model out of this year’s crop has the most potential to show up on YouTube like this? My money is on Bianca. She’s mean, jealous of the other girls and filled with drama. In other words, she’s poised for a YouTube moment.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 5:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

Was I watching Top Model last night or a public service announcement?

First the show got its green on – I'm talking environment here. Judge Jay Manuel announced that the participants would be carted around in a gas-friendly vehicle for the entire cycle. That's nice ...

When Tyra Banks announced that the contestants were banned from smoking for the entire show, I thought she was joking. A smoke-free catwalk? What are the contestants going to do to keep their minds off of food?

Tyra better watch out before all her models will be fighting it out to be the new spokeswoman for Lane Bryant ...

Oh yeah, Mila is the first model out! Thank God! Her perkiness killed me. She was so ditzy/perky that she laughed throughout her fashion shoot, which was about the dangers of smoking. Really funny, Mila.

Despite the public service announcements, Tyra Banks has hit the ground running with this year's cycle.

I'm not talking about the actual show here. Her hit-or-miss weave is a hit this year. (Remember that fire-engine red disaster a few cycles back?) Wednesday night her weave was a golden brown color. Her bangs, which are oh-so-hot this season, ladies, shielded her legendary "five-head."

The two Js – Miss J. Alexander and Mr. Jay Manuel – are back to dish out their collective four cents about the latest batch of beauties. Nigel Barker -- that famous British photographer – is also back for some much needed man-candy. Oh yeah, Twiggy – lifeless as she can possibly be – has returned to jury/judging duties.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV is helping me out with the overdose of reality that's on right now with recaps of America's Next Top Model:

The hair extensions are back, the couture is hot, and the models are, well, skinny.

America’s Next Top Model is back for Cycle 9. This year promises to be the same cut-throat catwalk-a-thon that fashionistas have grown to love.

After the first episode, I’m so excited to see how this season will unfold. Yes, it is way too early to predict a winner, but I think a few girls are already standing out.

Lisa: This exotic dancer sounds a lot like Alicia Keyes – her speaking voice, that is. She’s a pretty girl. But that might be a problem. Past winners have had a very distinctive look. I’m not sure if she’s got that. I’ll have to watch how she photographs.

Ambreal: She’s from my alma mater, so it’s safe to say that she has proper fashion training from her daily struts up and down “The Yard.” She has strong African features, which should play to her advantage.

Chantal: She’s tall, she’s a fashionista, and the judges love her. Enough said.

Ebony: One person has to be the Queen Bee. She has the confidence and goods to get her far. Her attitude sucks. But she is stunning. She won’t be making any friends among the girls anytime soon. But who cares if you win the top prize?

Janet: This sassy southern girl with the cute hair cut walks with a confidence that should strike fear in her opponents. In the season opener, one judge remarked that she is a finished product.

Mila: So perky I wanted to vomit! But, the judges really seem to like her. She should advance pretty far in the competition.

So, who’s going to be this year’s Jaslene, Eva, Yoanna, or CariDee? Keep coming back each week for more of my thoughts and tidbits about the show.

Just a reminder: The show airs tonight at 8 p.m. on The C.W.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 6:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model
        

Remember twins Michelle and Amanda from America's Next Top Model? They are appearing in the film From Within, which has been filming in Havre de Grace. Sun photographer Glenn Fawcett captured them on the set.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: America's Next Top Model, Local appearances