A Dash of Advice

I've said it before and I'll say it again, those Kardashians know how to hustle! Top Model's guest judge this week is none other than Kim Kardashian. Tonight she'll be dishing out her opinion to the Top Model hopefuls. Their challenge is to effectively write and present a commercial for Cover Girl. Kim, who has done some modeling herself, will be judging their skills along with the other judges. She says of the experience, "Being around Tyra and Miss Jay and Nigel — they have these great personalities and this awesome collaboration going on because they’ve been doing it for years. It was really cool that they trusted me to come into their circle and give my different opinion. I think the girls were excited and they had definitely watched my show. Even though Tyra and I may have had differing opinions, I learned a lot from what she had to say which was awesome for me."

photo via people.com

Quotable...

I was watching Top Model last night and this stuck with me. Too funny!

"Keep it cute, or put it on mute!"
~Aminat, ANTM contestant Cycle 12


via cwtv.com

ANTM - Where are they NOW? - Part 2

In this second edition of ANTM - Where are they NOW? We take a look at Ms. Toccara Jones. She was eliminated in the eighth round of cycle three but, the judges loved her plus-size attributes and plus-size personality. She signed with Wilhelmina Models as a plus-size model and has been working both on the runway and on the small screen. She has been booked by many leading publications including ESSENCE and has done commercial work for Target, New York and Company and Laura Ashley. She's a regular on-air personality on BET. Her biggest job to date, in my opinion is booking the all black issue of Italian Vogue. It was a historic issue and it sold out so quickly it had to be re-printed to keep up with demand. That's where these pictures are from.

Saliesha Stowers was the winner of cycle nine. The former receptionist from Los Angeles, has since signed with Elite Model Management and L.A. model management. She's been seen gracing the pages of top magazines like Seventeen magazine, InTouch Weekly, OK! Magazine and ESSENCE. You can also catch her on the runway working it out in L.A., Miami or New York. She was recently seen strutting her stuff for designer Pamella Roland at New York Fashion Week spring 2009.

Nik was one of my favorites from Top Model. It took a while to stop saying she was robbed! It seemed she had everything they look for in this business. She's exotic looking, tall and thin. In any case, she was a finalist in cycle five. Since the show, Nik signed with Fusion Model Management in New York. You can find her hitting up red carpet events and on the pages of numerous magazines, including ESSENCE.

Keenyah Hill seems to always land on somebody's red carpet. After the cycle four contestant made it to the top three before she was ousted. Currently, Keenyah is still pursuing her modeling career and word has it she's signed with NEXT Modeling Agency, where she has appeared in countless runway shows and print ads.

Photos:essence.com &brownsista.com

ANTM - Where are they NOW?

When America's Next Top Model hit the air it had all kinds of promise. I mean, here was Tyra Banks (a top model in her own right) giving everyday girls a chance to make it to the top. The question is, after all of these years, have any of them really made it? In this two part post we catch up with some of the standouts of cycles past and ask where are they NOW?

Fatima Siad from cycle ten was one of my favorite contestants by far. Her Iman-like look and her compelling story (victim of female circumcision) made her a standout. The Somalia native used the show as a platform to help raise awareness about circumcised girls in Africa. Since then, we have seen her in various national magazines and as one of five “ANTM” contestants competing on Tyra’s “Modelville” for a $500,000 modeling contract.

Another of my favorites, Bre Scullark from cycle five was the NYC girl with the fierce strut. “Top Model” judge, Ms. J even named her walk one of the best in the business. That's a HUGE endorsement! Maybe it was those words from Ms. J that helped her land a contract with Ford Model Management in New York. Her gorgeous mane has helped her ink ad deals with Soft Sheen Carson and Pantene. Not only has she graced the pages of ESSENCE, but her impressive runway credits now include both Valentino and Nicole Miller. Work it out then, Bre!

Another NYC girl, Bianca Golden made herself known on the show when she lost it over her makeover. Shaving her head was a huge deal for this diva with the bright smile. So what has she been up to since ANTM? Well, aside from the tabloid drama of fights in the airport, the cycle 9 alum has signed to Major Model Management and has appeared in numerous runway shows. This past September, Bianca walked under the fashion tents for the debut of “Project Runway” runner-up Korto Momolu’s New York Fashion Week spring 2009 show. She has also appeared in a number of magazines, including ESSENCE. You can catch Bianca on Tyra Bank’s new show, “Modelville.”

Maybe the most successful of all the ANTM winners Eva "The Diva" Pigford" has forged ahead with an enviable career. The cycle 3 winner has branched out into acting and walks the red carpet just as much as she does the runway. Her persona in the acting world is Eva Marcille (her middle name). You may have seen her on Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” and as the host of BET-J’s “My Model Looks Better Than Your Model.” While she's definitely a fashion girl, she seems to have set her sights on the small screen for now with a role on the Young and the Restless where her characters' name is Tyra. Purely coincidence.

Photos:essence

ANTM Cycle 11 Episode 9

Cold, cold cold. That’s what ran through my head during the elimination this week on top model. Wow! It was truly a shock to me. What happened, you ask? Well let’s start at the beginning. This week Elina and Marjorie team up to separate themselves from the rest of the girls in the house. Their bond is based on their European background and the issues they have adjusting to American life as immigrants. Fair enough, right? The other girls don’t quite get the big deal and are overall ignored by this new-found bond. It comes off as the girls playing some sort of blame game. Every time they are misunderstood they blame it on their background. In some respects I get it, on the other hand it’s annoying. On to the rest of the show. The girls met up with Ron and Richard Harris, the twins who first appeared in cycle 6 of the show. They teach the girls how to pose with articles of clothing. This led to their challenge. The girls find out that they’ll perform in a fashion show for Nony Tochterman. They don green body suits under the garments so that the green screen effect allows the girls to seem invisible and the garments float in air. With only the clothing being seen, they have to WORK to sell it! The girl who wins this challenge will land a holiday spread in Seventeen magazine. Most girls did well. Our dear Marjorie walked out in her dress without noticing that it had fallen down to her waist. Just a little bit embarrassing for her. On the bright side, her new BFF (Elina) won the challenge and chose Marjorie and Analeigh to join her in the photo spread. Back at the house Joslyn isn’t feeling well and keeps complaining of a cough and nausea. Not a good sign. The girls learn that they will be doing the Cover Girl commercial. Since past contestants have stumbled through the commercial lines, they decide to give the girls the advantage of a teleprompter. Despite being sick and eventually vomiting on set Joslyn gets through the commercial. Her performance, however, was lacking. Following the shoot, the girls head off to panel. During panel, Tyra pulls out a pair of clogs and announces to the girls that they need to be able to walk in anything to be a top model. After the girls struggle in the clogs, some even falling, Tyra announces that the girls will be taking a trip to Amsterdam. All but one of course, because someone is about to be eliminated. The judges like the Cover Girl commercials from Analeigh. Tyra exclaims it’s the best in the history of the show. I agree. They also like Sheena’s performance. It’s Samantha, Marjorie, Josyln, McKey and Elina who fall short in their eyes. The bottom two are Elina and Josyln. Elina is having the same issue she’s had throughout the show, she won’t release control. They judges have a big problem with that as this isn’t the first time they’ve had this critique. As for Joslyn, Tyra is impressed with her for making it through the commercial while being sick and says she couldn’t tell that Joslyn was ill in the shoot. She call her a survivor. She then tells her that since she’s a survivor, she’ll survive this and Tyra hands Elina the final picture. Joslyn is eliminated! Now refer to my opening line. What is up with that? That was cold! I find it odd that a few bad weeks could kill her chances, but telling Elina the same thing from day one, without improvement, doesn’t hurt her chances at all. This was a Top Model shocker and in this case, I don’t like surprises!

Photos:the CW

ANTM Cycle 11, Episode 8

This is the in case you missed it, review episode. Touting never before seen footage. So what is it we haven't seen, you ask? Elina gets upset when Clark goes home. Apparently, she was really crushing on the girl. It's revealed that Britney and Isis had some sort of close sisterly relationship. I could see that. Isis was cool and laid back from what I could tell and easy to like. We see Nikeysha getting her rhyme on in the hot tub. Sheena who's known as the hooch gets on McKey's case about being too butch and not girly enough. Interesting. Speaking of McKey, she seems to be the cook of the house and Clark is skeptical. Clark thinks McKey is out to make all the girls fat. Yep, I'm sure it's all a part of her evil master plan. We see Sheena freak out over her hair during the makeover. Her hair literally fell out. Hannah keeps Alaskan pixie dust in her room. Not sure what that is…but maybe that shouldn't have been revealed. I thought Hannah was pretty normal. Naïve and annoying but, normal. This pixie dust thing puts a new spin on the situation. Elina the ice queen calls Isis a possessed Hyena and tells her she need a bucket of makeup on her face. This was interesting… there were a lot of shared baths going on in the house. Lauren, Clark and Samantha all shared bath time. Marjorie and Analiegh also get in on the bath time action. Um, these are "grown" women, right? Why are they sharing bath water? Ugh! The girls also get attacked by a bee.McKey tries to save the bee and the girls laugh at her. In a creepy moment, she responds "all serial killers start by killing something small". Huh?

Photo:CW

ANTM Cycle 11, Episode 7 Recap

On this week's episode of ANTM the girls have to find their signature pose. They have a photo shoot that's coached by none other than Tyra and she helps them discover what poses work best for them. I think just about all the poses look odd. My guess is I'll need so see them in the context of a full on shoot? After the shoot Tyra reveals to the girls that this was actually a challenge and the winner is…. Marjorie. She describes her signature pose as the hunchback of Notre Dame. Interesting. For their next challenge the girls meet up with Mr. Jay at the Orpheum Theater. The concept for the photo shoot is unscripted things that happen behind the scenes and in front of the camera at awards shows. The girls have to act out these scenes. Yep, they have to show some emotion. This challenge seems to have been created just for Elina. She has a hard time letting go and feels the need to be in control of everything, including her emotions. Marjorie poses in the bathroom. She's a model who has to pee and can't get out of her dress. That hunchback pose comes in handy and she nails it! Refer to my prior comment about seeing these poses in context. Samantha stands at the podium as a model who can't read the cue cards because of the spotlight in her face. Lauren Brie is an actress who trips going up the stairs to accept an award. She didn't do so great. Very stiff. McKey is the star whose up for an award and didn't win but must smile for the cameras. I wasn't so sure about her at first but, this girl is beautiful! Sheena must be a starlet whose dress is stepped one. Joslyn is a star who finds out another celebrity is wearing the exact same dress. On a side note: Joslyn on average kinda could be your everyday girl but, put her in front of a camera and this girl is a MODEL! Analeigh is the entertainment reporter with an attitude and she is completely on point! Now for Elina. She had to be a starlet who can't stop crying while accepting and award. She struggles at first and Mr. Jay starts talking to her about what makes her cry and digging up feelings that bring on the waterworks. It was kind of part therapy session, part photo shoot. After this, I'm sure she's got the top spot in panel. Then I'm proven wrong! Marjorie just can't be stopped and gets the top spot at panel. The judges actually question Elina's tears. And she's left confused wondering what more they want from her. I agree with her. The girl has come a long way already. In the bottom two are Lauren Brie and Sheena. In the end Lauren Brie is sent home because her personality doesn't shine through.

Photos: CW

ANTM, Cycle 11 Episode 6 Recap

This week on ANTM the girls have a challenge with Paulina. She shows them how to adjust clothing for a photo when the clothing doesn't quite fit. It was pretty interesting. They used everything from water bottles to clips and rubber bands to make the outfits look appropriate. During the challenge, Marjorie's insecurities really came through and she had a mini-breakdown. If this girl would just have an ounce more confidence, she's guaranteed to win this! Samantha also didn't do so hot in this challenge. She altered the outfit so much that it was unrecognizable. Not a good thing. For the next challenge, the girls had to act out "natural" disasters. I say "natural" because one of them was a black out and a car crash. Totally beside the point, so I'll move on. Samantha was a tidal wave and she rocked it out! Marjorie was the other stand out but unfortunately she wouldn't have gotten there without the help of Mr. Jay continuously coaching her along. As for the worst picture…I'd have to go with Lauren Brie and Clark. These two looked like they didn't know where to go with the theme of the picture. So who stays and who goes? Well at the end of the day it was Clark who didn't really impress judges. She didn't seem to be improving and maybe thought being pretty was good enough. Turns out, it's not.

Photos:CW

ANTM Cycle 11, Ep. 5 Recap

This week on America’s Next Top Model girls got a chance to strut their stuff. They met with Ms. J at a bowling alley of all places to work it! Most of them do OK. Elina’s walk will improve when she allows herself to lose control. Samantha has the opposite problem. She’s bow-legged, so she has to get more control of her legs to perfect her strut. Then there’s Hannah. She’s the last weak link when it comes to the catwalk. After more practice with Ms. J the girls are off to their challenge. It’s a runway show! This is where they throw us for a loop. The girl who does the worst in the show will be sent home. No picture, no panel, no Tyra. She’ll have to leave immediately after the show. Before they prep for the show, the girls are told of the final twist. While they’re strutting on the runway, they’ll be blindfolded! Most of the girls rocked it. Samantha somehow managed to throw her dress up at the end of the runway. The designer was beyond insulted and made it very clear he wasn’t feeling her. Showing way too much! Hannah couldn’t hide her fear as she tried to work it blindfolded. At the end the runway show, Ms. J and Mr. J decided Hannah was the weakest link and she was sent packing. Then it was on to the photo shoot. The shoot took place at the house in the pool and was shot by none other than Nigel Barker. He photographed the models' eyes with their nose and mouth immersed in water. Joslyn struggled with her photo. Turns out she was having issues because she can’t swim. Isis also struggled with this shoot. She couldn’t keep her mind off of other things. She was in the water with her no-no parts taped up and covered with four bathing suit bottoms. Still, she couldn’t focus and kept wondering if something would come loose under water. Sheena and Analeigh worked it this week and delivered great shots. In the bottom two were Samantha and Isis. Samantha was there mainly because the designer had issues with her lifting his dress on the runway. Personally, I think this was an accident but he didn’t see it that way at ALL and went on and on and on about it. In the end it was Isis who was sent home because she just couldn’t keep her focus. Well, you gotta give it to her. She still made history by even making it on the show. Rock on, Isis!

Photos: cw.com

ANTM Cycle 11, Ep. 4 Re-cap

This episode begins with Brittany and Analeigh talking about their weaknesses which means one thing – one of these chicks is going home. After the dramatic shenanigans (fairy tale speak, tiaras and pizza) of our girl Tyra, we're told that the girls are getting makeovers! The girls do the usual freak out and I personally think they need to get over it. You know this is coming and none of you were shaved bald, so zip it. Prime example is Elina. She's the most dramatic of all. Her makeover was pretty simple. She got a weave! Her issue with the weave it that it made her a red head. Big whoop! Your real hair is still underneath. Ms. Jay essentially told her the same thing. The girls are then whisked off to Wal-Mart where the are told they have to give an impromptu commercial for Cover Girl. The winner gets a display in Wal-Mart. Hannah aces this one. For this week's photo, the girls head to the beach. Isis is worried her no-no parts may be an issue in a bikini and her worry comes through in the photo. This time the photo shoot was a little more challenging too because Ms. Jay wasn't directing the shoot, the girls had to rock it on their own. Hannah had this crazy eye thing going on and couldn't seem to keep them under control. Brittany, who keeps being accused of being too pretty was, well… too pretty. She wasn't working with the photographer at all and looked painfully awkward during the shoot. Analeigh struggled with her posing too. That's been a big issue with her because the girl is an ice skater. She's expected to be more graceful and swan like. Brittany and Analiegh are shockingly in the bottom two. "Too pretty" Brittany is sent packing!

Photo: cw.com

ANTM Re-Cap Ep. 3

Tonight's episode saw the return of Benny Ninja, the master of posing. He takes the girls to a studio where they pose in tubes made of sheer fabric that hangs from the ceiling. Everyone looks a little odd but Sheena. Who knew this girl was a contortionist. She worked it out and impressed Benny Ninja. This is a boost to Sheena who is always accused of being too hooch. Don't worry… the praise is short-lived. To put their new posing expertise to good use the girls will pose for designer ---. Their challenge is to pull off model like poses with her accessories line. Sheena thinks she has this one in the bag and she probably did until she posed with the designers bag in her crotch. Total insult. Almost as bad as Nikeysha who before even beginning to pose let everyone know she had to use the bathroom. Not a good idea. In the end, Elina won the challenge and a whole bunch of accessories. Back at the house, the girls are hanging out in the hot tub and decide to play truth or dare. Sheena was able to show off her "dancing" abilities and Elina got her dream granted and kissed Clark on a dare. While all of this is going on our resident Alaskan, Hannah is clearly uncomfortable. Then to further drive home the point – Isis innocently floats over to Hannah's corner of the pool and Hannah pushes her away. She's made her boundaries clear. She makes it known that she wouldn't hang out with characters like these in everyday life. She also professes to be a "typical white girl" – whatever that means. This brings on the race discussion. We knew it was coming. She's later asked point blank by Joslyn and crew if she's prejudice. She's outraged and the thought and burst into tears. She's consoled by Analeigh and McKey. I wonder if this is the last we'll hear of this? For their next challenge, the girls are taken to an open field where they're told their photo shoot will be them hanging from the ladder of a hot air balloon. Yes, hanging from a hot air balloon on a ladder! Lucky for them the challenge is modified since the weather didn't cooperate. The end up hanging from a ladder held up by a crane… whew, much better! Turns out we haven't heard the last of the race issue. This time the girls continue to discuss among themselves but no more confrontations – YAY! In panel, the standout is a question about Sheena's boobage. She's asked if they are real. She says yes and goes back to her spot in judging. Then before they dismiss the girls, Sheena steps up and says she needs to share something with the panel. Let's all take a guess at what it is… her boobies are fake! She just had to get that off her chest. For some reason this works in her favor because the judges forget about her lie and instead appreciate her honesty – even though they knew she was lying. After deliberations, Nikeysha and Isis are in the bottom two. The back talking Nikeysha gets the boot!

Photos: cw.com

ANTM Season Premiere Re-Cap Eps. 1 & 2

America's Next Top Model Contestants

The season opener of America's Next Top Model wasn't its most highly rated but the buzz building around it was definitely its most controversial. Weeks leading up to the season premiere there had been talk about a huge first for the show. For the first time in the show's now eleven cycle history one of the contestants, Isis, would be transgender. Certainly a buzz builder! I watched not for the controversy but because ANTM is one of my favorite shows! As a fashion lover and former model, this is my kind of TV. The cycle kicked off with a sci-fi tone and promised to switch things up for this the 11th cycle. In usual Top Model fashion the contestants were cut down from 33 until there were only 14 standing (three of which were named Brittany). Isis was also among the lucky girls to make the cut. When it was revealed to the girls that Isis was actually born a guy, some of them took it in stride while for others it was clearly a problem. One of the girls made her disdain clear by saying America's Next Top Model isn't for drag queens. Ouch! One of the shockers for me this cycle was the lack of a plus sized model in the final bunch. I think that's a first. The other shocker was Joslyn. The southern belle tried out for ANTM at least 30 times before making it to the actual show! That's dedication. For the challenge the girls had one-on-one interviews with the judges to try to make a good impression. The purpose of these meetings were lost on a few of the girls. Sharaun being one of them. Her overly dramatic introduction of "I am America's Next Top Model" turned the judges off. After the challenge, there was a photo shoot. The politically themed shoot was Top Model's nod to the upcoming election. Sharaun showed up in the bottom two, not so much for her picture but more because she freaked the judges out in the interviews. Standing next to her was Nikeysha. The judges questioned Nikeysha's leg placement in her photo and she interrupted them every step of the way. While her picture wasn't a deal breaker, her continuous interruption during panel almost sent her home. After all was said and done, Nikeysha got to stick around provided she keeps her mouth shut. Sharaun was sent home. When she got the news she broke down like no one I've ever seen in ANTM history! She fell to her knees and was barely able to get up and hug Tyra good-bye. She really wanted it, maybe too much.

Sharaun

Photos:CW.com