America’s Next Top Model?

Our plus-size, full-figured, normal-person model Whitney!  It was a tough road as Whitney had been in the bottom two for a few weeks.

First with the final four needing to step it up, the challenge was work behind the camera. Their test was a shoot with Paulina, and while Whitney seemed professional, Fatima with her relaxed manner won an extra 50 shots.

And the whole gang could have used more shots as the 50s style glamour shoot was a weak week for all. Whitney missed being in the bottom two for the first week in a while, but while Fatima’s ‘tude is turning off the judges, tranny looking Dominique was sent packing.

And then the final three did the usual Covergirl commercial and photo shoot. Whitney was still seeming a bit overdone and fake in the spot but her photo was top of the bunch. Anya had great moments in her commercial even with her weird Hawaiian accent but would need some serious editing, though Paulina said in her photo she looked dumb. But it was robotic Fatima who though lovely looking didn’t seem like she’d be able to take direction and was sent home.

Then for the final runway show the ladies were joined by last year’s winner Saleisha to wear Versace. We all thought they both were doing some weird arm things but in their two looks Whitney was able to step it up. Anya had taken great photos and won challenges throughout the competition but at the end of the day it wasn’t enough. Personally I would have liked to have seen Whitney crack the exterior a little more for her commercial but she definitely got my vote.

We’re narrowing down the ladies, just a few more and we’ll have another top model. And what does that mean, not much… So what’s happened? So while Lauren was being raced off for cutting into her thumb, Fatima lost her travel documents and as a non us citizen was trying to lock those down before she’s dropped from the competition for not being able to travel…

Paulina gave the gals a test interview and set them loose on a red carpet and cocktail party. Whitney and Stacy Ann both came across as fake, Dominique couldn’t come up with the dress designer’s name and Lauren inappropriately swore. But who surprised me most? Crazy accented Albino Anya impressed with being personable and being herself. She won her second individual shoot, this one for 7-up and in addition to her lemons and limes she actually got paid a little 10k check.

And the shoot was a little airport action where the gals did a group shoot taking turns being the key gal. Everyone except Fatima of course who was off getting her papers in case she was chosen to travel internationally. Though getting those papers was almost was got her eliminated. Fortunately for her they thought that overall she was stronger than Stacy Ann who was too darned perky to seem real and didn’t seem to be pushing it on the shoots.

Good thing Fatima got those papers because the ladies were off to Roma! So the gals did a little Italian meet and greet with a designer who gave a little mini challenge, of I don’t know, who he liked most… and picked Anya. That weird girl has got something.

And then on to the Italian speaking Cover Girl commercial. No one was good, but Whitney continued her fake presentation by being over the top, and Lauren was so awkward and lifeless it was almost too painful to laugh, but I couldn’t help myself. It was like someone was trying to be the opposite of everything they were supposed to be doing. So although they dragged the final two moment out with Whitney, no photos could cancel out Lauren’s terrible in person walking and talking.

Then we learned a little local skills, gladiator style fighting. The skills were of course were put it to the test in a shoot. Whitney won the challenge and took Anya on a shopping spree for her win. Then Tyra shot the renaissance castle shoot. And Fatima who says she is going to get called first… did. And for those called last… Whitney seems a bit stuck, lovely but still a little too sexy… and Katarzyna was nice, but just seems to fade back not popping in person and in her photos.

So I have to say of the girls left I like Whitney best, and I love it that a plus size girl is finally staying in the game, but based on past performances she’s not the favorite. Dominique who is noted as ‘not fresh’ in person (i.e. old) and is super annoying, seems to have been able to pull off some good shots. And albino Anya who has the oddest in person presence just seems to step up again and again. Fatima looks great in person and on film but her holier than though attitude might be translating to her shots whilst she rests on her laurels. So who will win? Who cares. But I’ll still stay tuned for the next two episodes…