Top Model
has hit the Cycle 11 with its two hour season premiere - and based on the first half of the episode, it's fairly clear Tyra & Co. really want to emphasize the whole "looking toward the future" theme of the show.
At the start of the episode, the new batch of girls are greeted at the "Top Model Institute of Technology" by the J's - or shall we say Alpha Jay and Beta J mdash; sporting some seriously tight silver metallic jackets and white hair. When the girls finally relax with their squealing of excitement, they all put on some exceptionally flattering spandex outfits and wait to be photographed. A few ridiculously cheesetastic special affect later, Tyra appears in some black bra-dress type get-up and gives us her Oscar-winning Tyrabot performance.
We finally get to meet the models and see what their stories are - and I have to say, casting really may have out-done themselves this season. As far as the girls who make the cut, here were the ones that stick out in my head: There's the cocky underwear-toting girl who can't even name five designers [Brittany B./Sharaun]. The gal who was almost sold to a Saudi Arabian [Annaleigh] is definitely one I won't forget (if for no other reason than her awesome street smarts). Clark-with-no-e reminds me of Serena on
Gossip Girl, except bitchier (I secretly hope they shave all that blonde hair during makeovers). Then there's Frenchie who just rambles [Marjorie] and, as we heard about a couple weeks back,
pre-op transgender Isis. Sheena does really look like Kimora and I'm a fan of her Harlem charm. The Alaskan bumpkin [Hannah] is going to get eaten alive by the other girls, and she probably should steer clear of the scary vegan [Elina]. (Note: Never trust anyone who only wears black and pants because she "doesn't believe in gender specific roles.") The flame-haired cage-fighter [Brittany/McKey] seems, well, interesting. And the chick who just can't help but flash her boobs at anyone who will look [Nikeysha] made an impression the judges (though maybe not a good one). Of course, we can't forget about the Harvard lit grad [Susan] clearly slept with someone in admissions if she couldn't even think of one literary heroine.
On the second part of the premiere, we start with the girls entering their house which is sick as always. Right off the bat, the girls bombard Isis with questions on her transition, but I really love how she's so secure and dove right in that pool with a swimsuit. Clark and Hannah chat about how uncomfortable they are about Isis. McKey decides to beat up on some pillows ultimate fighter style right before the always screaming provoking Tyra mail arrives! Btw...did anyone else notice the look on Tyra's face on the mail photo this season? Can't say I'm a fan.
The models pull up to the Magic Castle for their first challenge. Out comes a magician and two lovely assistants (who happen to be the J's), but guess who appears out of thin air? Why, it's Nigel and Paulina! All the judges disperse around the castle and the models run around to get in their quality one-on-one time with each. Sharaun, who "is America's Next Top Model," leaves an impression, but probably not the kind she wanted. Nigel seems to be a fan of Isis, but can't quite put his finger on what stands out about her. Meanwhile, Marjorie basically comes across as a blithering bucket of nerves.
For their first serious photo shoot, the girls are tasked with the challenge of making different political issues look sexy at the voting booth. Marjorie represents immigration and Brittany has military - both did well. Clark has bureaucracy, but has no clue what that means (awesome). Shame she can't pull off the ole "smiling with the eyes." McKey can't make environment look sexy and so tries going the Rocky pose route which Tyra ends up liking (where as I thought it was kinda weird). Hannah has nuclear weapons and has a good pic to show for it, but Elina's foreign policy shot has to be my favorite (even though she scares me). Isis tackles privacy all while the peanut gallery is being bitchy with their snippy comments right behind her - but no worries, she blocks it out and still kills it with an amazing shot. Sheena has to have a "hooch" codeword with Jay to bring it back a bit during her energy shoot. Joslyn covers the unemployment issue and got the best compliment: "it's almost Tyra Banks hot." (I think she's Ms. J's pet). Annaleigh does healthcare well, and Sharaun's homeland security doesn't impress the judges in the slightest. Samantha has economy, while Lauren Brie goes the education route. Nikeysha has a tricky one with the cloning, but her real challenge was keeping her mouth shut during judging.
And the gal who had to go home - Sharaun. Oh the irony, huh? Based on pictures alone, I would have got rid of Clark, but clearly I knew that wasn't going to happen considering her personality. So all-in-all, I think we may have a strong season to come based on these gals. What was your take on the episode? Let's start the discussion now!
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Top Model has hit the Cycle 11 with its two hour season premiere and based on the first half of the episode its fairly clear Tyra Co really want to emphasize the whole looking toward the future theme of the show At the start of the episode the new batch of girls are greeted at the Top Model Institute of Technology by the Js or shall we say Alpha Jay and Beta J mdash sporting some seriously tight silver metallic jackets and white hair When the girls finally relax with their squealing of excitement they all put on some exceptionally flattering spandex outfits and wait to be photographed A few ridiculously cheesetastic special affect later Tyra appears in some black bra-dress type get-up and gives us her Oscar-winning Tyrabot performanceWe finally get to meet the models and see what their stories are and I have to say casting really may have out-done themselves this season As far as the girls who make the cut here were the ones that s
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