“Be My Friend, Tyra”

by Michelle Spigner

Tonight, Tyra introduced the 14^th cycle of America’s Next Top Model with an extended 90-minute premiere featuring final casting, makeovers and a sneak peak at the girls’ first photo shoot.

Casting took place in LA where Tyra, Jay Manuel and Miss Jay Alexander met with the 32 semi-finalists to see which thirteen girls had serious model potential. Tyra comes out to meet the girls to much screaming and excitement. She introduces the girls to the Jays and shows them her fictional MyFierce page. She has received friend requests from all 32 of the girls, but will only be accepting 13. She asks the girls to make their own Myfierce page complete with a profile picture and a video featuring their Netwalk.

The girls start with a photo shoot. They get 3 shots to capture a perfect pose. Next, Miss Jay evaluates their runway walk. The girls wait to meet with the judges individually and get to know each other while they wait their turn with the panel. And just like any group of girls they begin to decide who they like and who don’t. Mean girl Angelea is back from the cycle 12 semifinals and it looks like she will be stirring up drama again.

After all the girls meet with the judges, the first cut is made. The girls approach monitors with their name and pictures on them that reveal if their Myfierce friend request is pending or has been denied. Twelve girls are denied, leaving twenty to compete for the thirteen coveted spots. But, they still have to go through one final test to see if they really have what it takes to be a model, or if they are just a pretty face.

In the final challenge, the girls must do their own hair and make-up in just a few minutes and pose in a photo shoot in the style of a famous supermodel. This is a chance for the judges to see which girls are really serious about the fashion world and have done the homework. Some girls pass with flying colors and others fall flat.

The judges call the girls to panel to announce the finalists. Tyra shocks all the girls by choosing only 12 instead of the usual 13. The 12 spots go to….

Naduah- a strong young woman who gains her strength from having grown up in a cult

Jessica- the sweet southern girl who is a teenage wife and mother

Simone- the 2010 version of Clueless’ Cher

Raina- the sweet blonde athlete with a strong brow and chiseled eyes

Tatiana- the volunteer mortician who wants to turn in her lab coat for designer duds

Alexandra- a plus-sized model who is the grisliest tomboy you’d ever meet

Krista- is the “older” model (although only 24) who is hungry for the modeling world

Brenda- the military academy graduate with lots of modeling experience

Alasia- the spunky, outgoing girl who never thought she would be in the running to be a top model

Anslee- the quiet wife and mother who put off applying to ANTM to raise her daughter

Gabrielle- who knows the fashion industry like the back of her hand and is determined to be number #1

And, Angelea- the mean girl with the strong look and a thing for starting drama

 

After giving the top 12 finalists, Tyra explains that a 13th girl will be joining them. Apparently, there were only 12 models out of the 32 who really had model potential.

 

The cycle 14 competition will take place in the Big Apple and the girls arrive in NYC to meet an LA personality, Perez Hilton. Perez takes the girls to the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Tyra joins them and introduces the 13th girl, Ren. She is an earthy with a punk-rocker vibe, who has trouble fitting in with all of the outgoing personalities.

 

Next, Tyra sends the girls off to one of the most fun parts of the competition, MAKEOVERS.

Mr. and Ms. J guide the girls through the process of their hair transformations at the Sally Hershberger Salon. Some girls get short cuts, other long extensions. One trend seems to be to turn the bubbly blondes into seductive brunettes. As usual, the tears began as inches of chopped off hair hit the floor, but by the end all the girls appreciated their makeovers. Well not all of the girls… Krista hated her look and is upset that Tyra seemed to put no effort behind her transformation. The stylists took Krista’s short ‘do, slicked it back and gave her a ponytail extension. She’ll just have to work it.

 

Next, the girls explore to their posh New York loft and thankfully there are enough beds for all the girls to sleep. But even with everyone, having their own place to lay their head there is still drama. Angelea seems to be at it again. The girls just don’t like the mean vibe she gives off, or how she just stares angrily at people.

 

The girls receive their first Tyra Mail that reads, “Top Models get maximum exposure. U must learn how to cover yourself.” This one barely seems like a secret.

 

The girls arrive at the photo shoot and Jay Manuel greets them. He is standing beside a manikin decked out in clothes and accessories by Custo Barcelona. But the girls won’t get a stylish outfit like the manikin, they will pick only one of the items on the manikin and the rest of them will be nude. The girls’ jaws drop as the credits begin to roll. We’ll have to see how they do on their nude photo shoot next week.

 

America’s Next Top Model airs Wednesdays at 8pm/7c on the CW.

(Image courtesy of The CW)

 

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