by Mike Bandy

 

Top Model began expectantly enough, with the girls arriving home to find Kasia's screencap from the commercial, and she was really happy to be called first. Dalya said that she did amazing, and feels that she can be a strong competitor, because she's been modeling since she was 16. Alexandria said that she's a positive, artistic California girl, and doesn't like when people don't get her. Molly was thinking of nothing other than getting the weave off of her head; it's uncomfortable, it's repulsive, and it's giving her a rash. Will she get to leave it behind?? Read on...

 

TYRA MAIL!!! "Every good lesson starts with a good foundation!" Did we have ANY doubt this would be about makeup??

 

Cut to Mr. Jay and makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, and the CoverGirl challenge! Each girl would be in a group of three (what is with the emphasis on groups this cycle??) and would have to perform a commercial for CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk foundation. One girl would write, one would direct, and one would be the talent. The winning team, based on who gave the best information about the product, would have their video posted on CoverGirl.com.

 

The teams were: Alexandria, Molly, and Monique, who were assigned a daytime/casual look; Hannah, Jaclyn, and Dalya, who were assigned a bold, colorful eye look; and Kasia, Brittani, and Mikaela, who were assigned a red carpet look. Alexandria was the talent, but she acted more like the director (Monique) again, much to the chagrin of her teammates. They pulled off an okay commercial; Jay was really impressed by how patient Monique was and how well she dealt with pressure. Dalya was the talent for her commercial, and director Hannah decided that they would make the shoot really conversational. Dalya didn't really pull it off too well. Kasia, Brittani, and Mikaela, with the latter as the talent, did a really good job of presenting the product, and were declared the winners of the challenge.

 

TYRA MAIL!! AGAIN!! " Tomorrow, get ready to take a walk on the wild side!".

 

Back at the house, while Alexandria was on the phone with her boyfriend, Monique and Molly hatched a plan to read her diary and find out what she really thinks about the rest of the girls. Monique ran in and read it out loud, saying "It's bad! It's bad!" while the other girls all laughed. Meanwhile, Alexandria's story is that her mom and dad split up because of abuse, and she had to grow up really fast. She felt that if the girls knew that, they might be more sympathetic.

 

No time for tears, though, because it's off to the old L.A. Zoo for the next photo shoot, where they would be transformed into fashion versions of animals! Baldomero Fernandez was the photographer, and the girls wore faux fur designs by Rachel Zoe, who would be the guest judge at panel. They would also have another accessory, an absolutely adorable baby Jaguar named Murato. So began the fierceness!

 

Some girls who did well, according to Jay, were Hannah, Brittani, and Jaclyn. There were a few who struggled; Kasia couldn't really keep hold of the animal, Dalya went back to remedial modeling poses, and Molly looked sleepy.

 

Here comes panel, and Rachel Zoe! BTW, what the hell was Tyra WEARING?? It was some sort of sweater set/businesswoman's attire on the top, and then dominatrix gear on the bottom. I love her and all, but I just didn't understand! Anyway, on to the photos. Hannah pulled off an amazing profile shot, and Jaclyn pulled off a strong shot as well. Kasia's shot was pretty well liked by the judges, despite not being able to control the jaguar, and Brittani's looked expensive. Dalya appeared to just be standing there, and Molly's shot didn't wow the judges, but if she survived, she'd get the weave taken off completely! Talk about incentive, right?

 

After a pretty standard deliberation, the call outs went as follows:
1. Hannah (this recapper agrees - her shot was STUNNING!)
2. Brittani
3. Jaclyn
4. Monique
5. Alexandria
6. Kasia
7. Mikaela

 

Would Molly, her weave, and Dalya please step forward?

 

Molly has had hair trouble, but that can't be an excuse for her bad photo, where she did not seem present. Dalya has more experience than a lot of the girls, but she has such a desperation to win that she stands in her own way.

 

Molly gets to stay in the competition (yay for exorcising weave demons!), and Dalya was eliminated.

 

Tyra said that she has experience already, but her strength has to come from inside. Dalya said that she can't believe this was the shoot that she went home. She said she doubted herself, and it's the worst feeling that she won't be able to move on. She let herself get in her own way.

 

Next week, the models get to meet their public! This oughta be good, y'all.

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of the CW)