by Michelle Spigner

On the season finale of America’s Next Top Model, it is down to the final two girls and one last runway challenge will determine will become America’s Next Top “Petite” Model.

It is between the Laura the southern girl from Kentucky whose bubbly personality charmed the judges week after week. Laura has the commanding face and dominates the runway but in person she just doesn’t look like a book-able model. And Nicole the quiet but quirky artist from Colorado who amazing poses made her a panel favorite week after week.

Laura is just so ecstatic to be here and to have gotten so far. She thinks her family will be so proud of her. She feels like she has already proved to the people back home that didn’t believe in her and she has already proved that she can be successful. Nicole’s confidence has really improved and she is more comfortable with herself. She really feels like she has discovered who she is and grown as a person.

The girls receive a Tyra mail the reads, “If a model falls in the forest. Will anybody hear it? Here are your scripts. Memorize your lines.” It is another commercial and the first lines are in Hawaiian.

The next day meet Jay Emanuel in the Hawaiian forests who tells them that they will be doing a CG commercial and have a photo shoot. The winning shot will appear in Cover Girl displays in Wal-Mart stores across the country. Season 12 winner, Teyona is there to coach them.

Nicole is up for her photo shoot first and Laura is working on capturing her perfect commercial. Nigel Barker is the photographer for the day.  Nigel thought Nicole modeled really well and brought a lot to the shoot. Laura started out okay in her commercial, but kept getting frustrated which made her dyslexia even worse. However, Jay Emanuel thought she picked it up really well had great energy. Laura calmed down and got a great take in.

Laura was up next for her photo shoot, but she didn’t bring the emotion and energy that Nigel was looking capture. Nicole was up next for her commercial and delivered her lines but struggled to have energy and personality behind her words. Jay thought she sounded a bit stuck up. She worked to get more approachable but she still came off unlikable.

The girls return home and receive a knock on the door. It is Ann Shoket, Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen Magazine. She explains that they will be doing their Seventeen cover shot right then at the house. Ann is really impressed by the girls’ performance and cannot tell who will come out on top.

The girls receive another Tyra mail that tells them that the next day they will have their runway challenge. And receive another surprise guest.... Tyra! She is there to have a one-on-one with the girls. Nicole is up first and she explains to Tyra that she feels that she has come so far. From an awkward girl who often let her shyness get away from her making friends to a finalist. Laura is happy that she has proved that people from small towns can be models and the reality of it is finally hitting her.

The next day the girls arrive at the set of their runway show. Jay Emanuel and Miss Jay Alexander have a surprise for them... they will be joined by the rest of season 13 Top 5 including Sundai, Jennifer and Brittany.

The lights hit the runway and the music begins. Season 12 winner Teyona opens the show and it is up to Nicole and Laura who follow to bring the same intensity.  The next look is accessorized with an Amber chiffon piece of fabric covering their bodies as a tremendous wind is pushing against them. At the end of the runway they have to pull it away, deliver a fierce look to the camera and keep going. The finale look is a water scene. The girls are modeling swimwear and walk down the runway rain as rain pounds down. The girls have to worry about not slipping in addition to keeping it fierce.

Tyra comes back stage to congratulate the girls and prepares them for the next day’s panel. The next morning the girls meet with the judges. The judges begin the discussion with the girls’ runway performance. Miss Jay thought Laura looked like a very experienced walker and Tyra thought she did well. The judges thought Nicole had an awkward walk but it works as a signature that will not be ignored. The judges take the girls through their entire went ANTM portfolio and recognized the girls shining moments.

Next, the judges review their Cover Girl commercial and Tyra applauded them on a job well done. Tyra was thrilled with how well Laura did with her dyslexia but the judges asked that she work with enunciating through her accent. Tyra thought Nicole was very likable, but she forgot to model throughout her shot.

Next, the judges discussed their Cover Girl ads. Tyra thought she looked hot and her eyes told a story. Nicole looked relaxed and confident. Tyra is very proud of the girls and the fact that they have proved to so many girls like them that they can be successful as models too.

The judges deliberate. They think both of the models have body issues as far as body proportions, but they are concerned with how they work them in pictures. The judges think Laura has more book-ability than Nicole and can be very commercial. Nicole on the other hand looks like more of a model in person and has the strength in her pictures.

The girls come back in. And Tyra announces that America’s Next Top Model is... Nicole! Following her win, Tyra and Nicole have a final photo shoot. with Nigel.


(Image courtesy of the CW)


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