Style Fix

Someone needed to do something: I talked a big game about keeping you update with America’s Next Top Model, but haven’t said a word in nearly two months.

I have still been watching, but have been less than impressed with this cycle and thus have not had the motivation to rehash the episodes each week. Now, however, with the contest in the final rounds - only five of the 13 finalists are left - and with filming moving to Shanghai, China, it’s time I lead myself back to the path on which I first began.

So, my fashionably intriguing friends, it’s total recap time. Here are the highlights and low points; hits, misses, and dismissals, that have occurred in ANTM Cycle 9 since my last update on September 27, after Mila was the first model-wannabe to “pack her bags and immediately leave the house.”

Episode 3: Runway practice took place in old, rundown psych ward to emphasize the atmosphere as the girls were wrapped up in straight jackets, forcing them to focus their walking efforts on their lower half. Later, Jenah and Heather kicked butt in a high fashion, rock climbing photo shoot. Though a couple of the girls struggle, Kimberley got sent home.

Episode 4: Makeovers! But no one cried … at first. After digging into Bianca’s cheap weave, it was decided that there’s too much damage to save any hair. So they take her totally bald - and she looks awesome! The photo shoot turned the girls into plants. Most of them were dainty flowers, but Heather stood out with her fierce portrayal weeds. It was a sad week for me, because Victoria turned out to be a snooty brat and the judges sent her packing for that very reason.

Episode 5: Trampolines, ice skating, a man that calls himself Benny Ninja: that about sums up the first half of the show. Lisa won the challenge and got to do an accessories photo shoot with Cycle 6 winner Danielle. After choosing Ebony and Janet to go with her, and having the others gossip about her being unworthy of the win, Lisa continues having a strong day. Most of the girl rocked it as a rooftop gargoyle, but Janet went bye-bye in the end.

Episode 6: Tyson Beckford appears just long enough for the girls to go ga-ga, saving a mango that he took a bite of. After making public service announcements as their challenge, they pose as … garbage. Yea. But wait, not just any garbage, it was all recycable. Interesting. Ebony, who posed as bubble wrap (which has more personality than her), finally nixed herself. Ebony’s self-sacrifice saved Ambreal who was the judges choice cut.

Episode 7: As it aired on Halloween, it was a recap show that included some unseen footage. It was actually worth watching. I won’t spoil it in case you missed it, but here’s a hint via the episode’s title: “The Girl Who Runs into the Glass Door.”

Episode 8: This one was memorable, but disappointing. It was more like watching Making the Video. All of the models left in the competition got spots in Enrique Iglesias’s new gothic, vampire music video. It left me wanting more recycable trash photos. Plus, Sarah got cut because she was no longer big enough to be plus size. What a waistful episode.

Episode 9: This one was an episode of Project Runway! Come on, Tyra, just give me ANTM! The models paired with a fashion design student who made them an outfit that they then had to sell on the catwalk. Heather lost her cool after performing poorly. Then they all posed in the desert with a burning car - atleast that hasn’t been done on Runway, yet. Shown here is Chantal’s photo from the day. At judging, it was announced that they’d be moving on to China. After the excitement died down, they sent Ambreal home. Oops, nevermind Ambreal, you’re not going with them.

Episode 10: The most recent airing, this one sent stripper Lisa home - can you believe she made it this far? Tyra hates when people associate naked stage dancing with modeling. But she earned it after crying through the filming of her Cover Girl commercial. The picture here, of Jenah in a grey tee, is my fave out of the entire season.

And that, dear readers, is where we are at today.

My predictions don’t take a lot of thought (I didn’t read any spoilers! This is just my guesses): Chantal, Jenah, Heather, Saleisha, and Bianca are left. Bianca is as good as gone. Heather has been the people’s favorite all except one week, but probably won’t last ’til the complete end because of her social skills. So even though she has the best look, she’ll be next to go home. With Chantal, Jenah, and Saleisha in the top three, Jenah will be out - she’s awesome, but unfortunately often a slightly weaker version of Chantal.

But who wins? Chantal or Saleisha? That I can’t decide. Any thoughts, now that I’ve done a total recall?

This post is my entry in week two of Project Blog on Reality on Bravo. Don’t forget to vote for me now through Tuesday!