Last season, Tyra Banks shook things up by picking petites, or girls under 5’7”, to represent the crop of top model contenders for Cycle 13. Cycle 14 returns to the status quo — tall, toothpick-thin girls and one “plus-size” model, Alexandra, who looks more healthy and athletic than plus-size. That’s the fashion industry for you. Eight girls remain: Angelea, Alasia, Jessica, Brenda, Raina, Krista, Anslee and Alexandra.
This week, the girls plunder Seventeen magazine’s closet and choose the ideal — and in Alasia’s case, less-than-ideal — outfits for their body types. At the weekly challenge, their task is networking in a roomful of fashion people. Their one-on-one time with Tinsley Mortimer focuses on personality, and Jessica impresses Tinsley the most, winning the challenge.
Prompting one of the many catfights of the week, Brenda calls Angelea “uneducated” in the limo. Later, while attempting to emphasize her high social standing, Brenda brags about the number of “uppity” parties she’s attended, misapprehending the meaning of the word and exposing her own ever-so-cliché ignorance.
This week’s photo shoot centers on “fierce” NYC attitude, with the models posing inside a moving subway car, each a representative of a different personality. One is a fashionista, another is a student, another is a club hopper.
At panel, Brenda and Alasia stand in the bottom two, and Brenda is sent home.
I have to say that a revival of skyscraper-like models (and they certainly are tall — Brenda towers over Tyra at judging) has changed little in the general atmosphere of the show. Bitchy girls are bitchy girls, whether 5’5”, or 5’10”.
So far, I find myself rooting for the Alexandra and Raina, who seem the most down-to-earth, and even Angelea — because despite her confrontational attitude, the girl can take amazing photos.
Predictions
I don’t see Alasia lasting much longer. She may be a “diamond in the rough,” as Nigel puts it, but she seems too clueless to pull it together. Angelea is a major contender, as are Raina and Krista. Alexandra’s and Jessica’s outcomes are less certain. I feel they could go either way, to success or failure, at this point. I saw so little of Anslee that I practically forgot her, and if she’s that forgettable, it’s doubtful she’ll attain top model status.