Tyra Banks dubbed this cycle as the Future of Fashion. While originally it seemed that she was referring to the girls, it appears that she meant the whole show. With the introduction of the girls new transportation and Tyra’s announcement at panel, this cycle promises to provide some interesting twists and turns.
The twists and turns didn’t end with Tyra though. Even in the first episode, we’ve got name calling, a catfight, the girls talking about one another behind their backs and an emotional phone call home. Some things never change.
After far too much “Tyra” shrieking last episode, it was time for the competition to begin. The girls are introduced to their new, environmentally friendly limo bus and taken to their environmentally friendly LA mansion. The catwalk should provide practice for one of the many issues the judges comment on every season.
At the house, Ebony has taken the feedback on her strong personality rubbing the other girls the wrong way and toned it down. Heather has a hard time fitting in. While the girls in the house may not understand it, Asperger’s Syndrome is a disability in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders that is characterized by difficulties with social interaction and limited interests. After overhearing numerous comments about her, with the dinger having to come from Kimberly, she makes an emotional phone call home to her mother who encourages her to keep going.
At the photo shoot, the girls are told that they will be doing an anti-smoking campaign, so to speak. There will be two shots, a glamorous one and then one that shows one of the many side effects of smoking. While a fight breaks out after Bianca (who’s quickly taking Ebony’s place as the mean one) attacks Lisa’s (who is now from Jersey City, New Jersey) exotic dancing history, Mila has a hard time keeping a straight face about hair loss from chemotherapy. What exactly is funny about it, we’re not sure.
For their reward challenge, the girls are given tips by J. Alexander and then have to shop Old Navy under Benny Ninja’s watchful eye for an outfit to wear at panel. One of the funniest lines all episode? Benny Ninja telling Ebony he thinks she mistook his words as she stands at the end of their time with no pants on!
At panel, the usual gang of Twiggy, Miss J, Tyra and Nigel critique both the girls pictures and wardrobe. Saleisha is proclaimed the challenge winner and Tyra proclaims that this season will be a no-smoking season. This should definitely add some interest as the withdrawl develops. As Tyra stands with 12 photos in her hand, Heather is called first. In the end, as Ebony and Mila stand before her, she reveals that the first girl who will not continue on to being America’s Next Top Model is Mila. Guess the judges couldn’t understand what was so funny either.
-Cali*girl
Nice recap! Not sure about that Mila. All that laughing during the shoot was really weird. I always feel bad for the girl who has to go first, but she may have been a good choice if she can’t be mature enough to handle serious subject matter like the effects of smoking and chemotherapy.