Sunday, October 26, 2014

ANTM: Gloves On!

Last week on “ANTM”: Ms. J showed up for a private lesson with Lenox, Shei and Raelia. He then revealed they would all be going to Style Fashion Week and everyone freaked out. Betsey Johnson was one of the four designers casting for runway. In the end, everyone but Denzel was cast in at least one show. The models than did a photoshoot for some hair products. Mirjana annoyed everyone on set as she fought with partner Keith. At panel, Will rose to the top while Lenox and Denzel fell into the bottom. Denzel was ultimately eliminated. But there was more! Tyra brought in the eliminated contestants, saying it was time to reveal the results of the comeback competition. Social media brought back Chantelle and Ben. But wait! There’s more! Tyra only has one ticket to Seoul, so one of them isn’t really coming back. Who gets to stay? Who has to go? Find out!

Wanna be on top?

Ben and Chantelle hug each other as they await to learn their fate. Who stays? Chantelle! I called it! Ben congratulates her with a hug and then Tyra congratulates her with her own hug. Chantelle is so grateful to the fans and vows to win. Adam believes Chantelle is now a threat and Shei agrees. But Shei says Chantelle didn’t even look at the other contestants when she was eliminated and calls her a sore loser. Tyra reveals there is still a challenge and photoshoot standing between them and Seoul. Only seven models will go to South Korea. Someone will be eliminated and there is no second chance. Everyone looks serious.

CREDITS!


At the house, everyone welcomes back Chantelle. She gasps as they see Will’s shot. We repeat the whole “beat by a boy in high heels” thing and Will’s like “bye, Denzel.” Will will get a special treat and picks Raelia as his friend. Raelia goes on about winning. It’s a bit difficult to understand. She needs to enunciate.

They ask Chantelle what it’s like to be back. She says she got a taste of the other side and then had to come back. But it’s for the competition. This doesn’t sit well with the other models and Lenox notes that her statements seem odd. Shei doesn’t see her as competition and that others deserve it more than she. Chantelle says that it feels like a real competition now. And confesses that she feels the chill in the house but she’s been dealing with bullies all her life.

In the kitchen, Shei checks in with Mirjana to see how she’s dealing with Denzel leaving. She seems to be okay but then starts crying in confessional. And she realizes that she has no friends left in the house. She’s been focused on Denzel and a bit combative to the others that no one seems to like her. Raelia calls her a fish out of water.

The next day, Keith asks Adam about front flips. He does one but face plants on the lawn. Ketih calls him a nut. But that he’s good at partying, not so much modeling.

The model mobile brings the models to Yu Tsai. He introduces them to Cobra Snake or Mark Hunter. And he reveals they are in a former slaughterhouse with a dark history. They will walk down dark hallways and Cobra Snake will take their photo. The model who keeps his or her composure the best will win. Yu Tsai turns off the lights and the night vision comes on the camera as the models enter the haunted house. Because that’s totally what this is because next week’s Halloween.

They just walk in and Raelia’s already freaking on. She and Chantelle are scared of the dark. They then hear someone call Chantelle’s name and freak out.

COMMERCIALS!

Chantelle answers the call and enters the hallway. She says she feels pressure to win as the comeback girl. There are dolls, mannequins and actors in the hallway. The others are listening to Chantelle’s screams and freak out. Chantelle encounters Yu Tsai and Cobra Snake and poses. Yu Tsai is impressed.

Mirjana is next. Keith thinks she’s going home next. But she seems to nail the shoot. Keith is called next. He smiles the entire time in preparation. Good strategy. Will bids the models farewell as he enters the hallway. He’s used to it and starts almost flirting with an actress. Shei is next and screams and curses the entire way. Shei went with the party method and pretended to party as he shot her. Adam decides to scare the monsters instead of the other way around. I don’t think Adam’s going to make it.

Raelia and Lenox pray before Raelia is called. She gets more annoyed than scared by people who are touching her. But then she gets all turned around and Yu Tsai has to yell at her to face the camera. She manages to get a few shots. Anyway, Lenox is last. Yu Tsai says she was scared and it showed in her pictures.

Cobra Snake praises Chantelle and Shei. So who wins? Chantelle. She celebrates but no one is thrilled for her. Shei does have a good “I didn’t win but the camera’s on me so I have to look happy for the winner” face you see at awards show.

At the house, they go to check out their scores. Raelia and Lenox are on the bottom with Will. They all have 6’s. Raelia freaks out in the Tyra suite and Lenox tries to talk her through it. She knows what it’s like to have low challenge scores. Lenox tells Raelia that she is an awesome model. Raelia cries saying she’s not going home to nothing. She’s there to make a better life for herself and her family.

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Anyway, Raelia focuses on Mirjana. She says that now Denzel is gone, Mirjana is trying to be friends with everyone. Raelia is not buying it. Adam seems to be as she rubs some sunscreen on his back. Meanwhile, Keith and Chantelle flirt.

Will’s Tyra treat is to get a chance to call his parents. Except then he realizes that they are in the house. They hug him and he starts crying. He towers over his parents. Shei welcomes them to the house and then Raelia tears up a bit. Will’s mom says he’s the best hugger and the others agree. His dad asks him about the makeup and Will says that it’s not that bad. Dad is a football coach and asks about six feet heels. Dad is like “How tall were you?” Will says that while he’s out, he’s never been himself in front of his dad. But Dad seems to be trying to accept his son and watches as Will dances with Keith. Dad’s proud of him though.

Ms. J and Yu Tsai crash the models’ sleepover. And it’s not for a fun teach. It’s to talk about HIV/AIDS. Ms. J has a personal connection, losing many people—including his sister. He says that after abstinence, condoms are the most effective prevention method. Yu Tsai says the theme of their photoshoot is “No glove, no love.” And they will be wearing couture gloves. They are sent to hair and make up.

Tyra surprises them. She reveals that they will be posing with themselves and she is doing makeup. Adam says he’s so happy to make this far and to go to Seoul. Tyra’s like “You have to see.” There is still an elimination. After some more “Chantelle doesn’t deserve to be here”—this time from Lenox—Yu Tsai introduces Erik Asla. He’s back as photographer.

After some advice from Erik, Lenox goes first. Tyra reminds her about her neck but Lenox seems to be doing good. And doesn’t have any problems with the nudity. After they get the first shot, they put it up on a screen so Lenox can pose with herself. Yu Tsai praises her for listening and she impresses them.

Tyra checks on Mirjana, who admits that she is missing Denzel and that she has a boyfriend back at home. Tyra says she feels like a real makeup artist and says all that’s missing is some gum. Mirjana admits that she told her boyfriend about Denzel but that he was cool with it—after being upset, of course. Mirjana admits in confessional that Denzel’s departure has thrown her off her game.

Tyra tells Mirjana not to lose her neck. They try to guide her through the shoot but Tyra says she’s not focused. Mirjana then talks with Lenox about a conversation she had with Chantelle. Lenox asked her if she was ready to dive back in and Chantelle shook her head. Mirjana says that if Chantelle doesn’t want to be here, she should go. There are others who do and are working hard. Chantelle overhears them and says she just has to ignore them.

Chantelle is next. Erik asks her for some energy. Yu Tsai wants some fire in her eyes and Tyra asks for a smize. Yu Tsai says she’s angry and he doubts her lasting power in this competition. Lenox pleads for Chantelle to go home.

COMMERICALS!

Shei goes next and she asks to change her gloves, to have one white glove and one black glove to match her hair. Tyra is happy to see her speaking up and coming up with a good idea to make the shot better. Tyra demonstrates a shot and Shei copies it. Will, meanwhile, is still nervous to be naked in front of people but his parents’ pride gives him confidence. He seems to have a good shoot. Raelia works hard at her shoot before we see Keith. Yu Tsai wants strength but Keith is looking limp. Tyra says he’s too stiff and Yu Tsai yells at him to wake up. Keith says he knows Yu Tsai wants to get the best picture but he’s getting mad at the comments.

Adam follows Keith. He jumps up and is excited to get to pose shirtless. Tyra seems excited too. Tyra loves Adam’s shots and says he got it in his second frame. Yu Tsai tells Keith to study Adam and Erik reinforces it, saying it took him one minute to get a shot it took Keith fifteen. Keith realizes he could be on the chopping block.

In the house, Mirjana tells Chantelle that she heard she (Chantelle) doesn’t want to be there. Not from Chantelle but others have told her. Chantelle wants to know who but then decides she doesn’t want to know. Everyone is sitting upstairs and Lenox admits to saying it. We see footage of Lenox asking her the question and Chantelle saying she was enjoying be out but, you know…Everything about Chantelle does scream “I don’t want to be here.” She tells Lenox not to put words in her mouth and she never said that. Lenox, instead of arguing implications and inferences, says she did that say that. Chantelle says Lenox is stirring the pot and she doesn’t want any of that.

COMMERCIALS!

Panel! There are judges: Kelly Cutrone and Ms. J. His hair this week: 80’s. There are prizes! Chantelle is up first. Tyra asks her how she feels to be back and of course, she says she’s so grateful and it feels awesome. She thanks her fans. Behind her, the others roll their eyes because that’s not what she’s been telling them. Hopefully, they keep their mouths shut because we know Tyra doesn’t like people who throw their fellow contestants under the bus. Ms. J likes the shot and Kelly likes the contrast in the shot, with Chantelle’s skin and the background. Tyra though says she feels a barrier and reveals that Chantelle just breezing by her fellow contestants after being eliminated didn’t go unnoticed. Chantelle says she was about to cry but Kelly says she feels like Chantelle isn’t being sincere. Even in her thank you to her fans. Tyra asks if people have told her she’s cold and if the barrier is due to her skin condition. She admits that that’s the cause. Tyra tells her to let it go and that it’s a safe place. Score: 9, 9, 8.

Mirjana is next. Ms. J is not feeling it. He says she has a face to launch a 1000 ships but she’s not delivering. Mirjana thinks she delivers in the second shot but Kelly disagrees. She doesn’t feel she’s a fashion model. Tyra says Mirjana is struggling and can be a versatile model…she’s just getting weaker. And she doesn’t know why. Scores: 7, 7, 6. Lenox follows. Kelly loves the parallels. Tyra praises how she threw her own hair but then realized her arm after. Scores: 8, 9, 8. Adam is next. Tyra tells him to relax. I’m missing part of the shot due to my screen. I didn’t tape this in HD. Tyra praises how quick he got the shot and using the biting his lips thing. Adam calls it “Blue Suede Steel.” Okay. Scores: 8, 9, 7.

Keith is next. Tyra wants to know what happened on the set and even now isn’t feeling any energy. His left shot is a strong shot but not the right one. Tyra asks how he felt with Yu Tsai and praises the fact that he has the armor to handle the more combative parts of the industry. Scores: 7, 7, 8. Will follows. He says it was the best to be with his parents and says Dad was cool with the heels. Ms. J doesn’t feel Will’s shot but Tyra loves it. Kelly doesn’t love it either. Ms. J figures out that Will is not comfortable naked and Will admits it. Kelly points out he’s hunching his back again. Tyra says he needs to lose that and needs to get comfortable in all types of clothing (or not). Will’s still a baby model and can’t make demands about being covered up. Tyra tells him his boy is beautiful. He just needs work. Scores: 7, 8, 7.

Shei is next. Ms. J and Tyra love the shot. Tyra praises her for coming up with some direction on the set. Ms. J says sometimes models have to speak up and Shei admits it felt like she owned the shoot. Kelly, though, doesn’t like the shot. Tyra feels like she has to make up for Kelly, who temporarily lost her mind in her opinion. Scores: 8, 10, 6. Raelia is last. Kelly says her body is beautiful but the arms and legs are weak. Tyra says Raelia wanted to please but only got a few good shots. One comment calls her a Price is Right beauty and has some good humor. Raelia is like “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Scores: 7, 7, 8.

Tyra dismisses the models so they can add up the scores to determine who is going to Seoul and who isn’t. We go to…

COMMERCIALS!

ELIMINATION! Best photo goes to…Chantelle. She is joined by Shei, Lenox, Adam, Keith, and Will. That leaves Mirjana and Raelia in the bottom two. Mirjana: Started off strong but lost her fire. At this point, contestants either go up or down. Raelia: Has fire but is she just a runway model. So who goes to Seoul? Raelia. She sighs in relief, accepts her picture and hugs Mirjana.

Mirjana says she guesses she lost it and doesn’t think it has to do with Denzel. Tyra says she hopes not and that Mirjana should not get down over a boy. But in her confessional, Mirjana admits that Denzel’s departure probably did play a part. She says she has no regrets as she leaves.

Tyra bids the models farewell and says she’ll see them in Seoul.

America’s Next Top Model:

Adam
Ben
Chantelle**
Denzel
Ivy
Kari
Keith
Lenox
Matthew
Mirjana
Raelia
Romeo*
Shei
Will

*Contestant was disqualified
**Contestant was brought back


I wonder what the Top Model version of the rubber room must be like that Chantelle wasn’t too thrilled about leaving it. Then I realize that it’s probably just the pressure. It can’t be as stressful in the Comeback Competition than in the regular competition. I don’t think the other models are ever really going to warm up to her and Kelly does already think Chantelle’s not as thrilled to be back. Not sure about Tyra.

I’m not surprised Mirjana was eliminated. In fact, I called it to myself last week. She’s been getting weaker and weaker. And her behavior last week turned a few people off on set. I think she just needs to mature a bit and she’ll find her career.

Next week: Looks like a recap episode

Two weeks: SEOUL! Lenox can’t dance! Adam’s drinking problem!

Quote of the Episode

“This is a trap. This is not America’s Next Top Model. I’m about to die.” –Lenox in the slaughterhouse

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