America’s Next Top Model Review: 3 Awful Jumpsuits to Go

So we are down to five girls which, by my calculations, means after tonight we have three episodes left. Out of the five girls, there is one I like, another that I can handle, and I pretty much can’t stand the other three.

The girls are still in New Zealand, and the countryside is gorgeous. The challenge this week was a photo challenge, shot on part of the Lord of the Rings set and overseen by an actress who played one of the hobbits. The girls had to model in front of a little hobbit door, but make it look realistic and comfortable. Jessica has been freaking out about being in the bottom two, about constantly hearing how commercial she is, and she’s also missing her little boy and child. She didn’t do well in the challenge. Neither did Alexandra or Raina, really. Krista won the challenge for the third week in a row, much to Angelea’s dismay.

The real photo shoot concept was cool, playing with concepts of shadow and light – with Tyra as photographer! The entire idea was high concept, from the girls’ flimsy clothing, to the shadows on the hill, to the clay caked in their hair. Angelea, Raina, and Jessica struggled. For the second week in a row, Krista and Alex pulled out lovely photos.

The mood at the house has shifted and chilled, with less outward confrontation and more snide, behind-the-back remarks. Somehow Alex and Krista have become friends. It reminds me of how the powerful people on Survivor make alliances. Right now, they are certainly the favorites to make it to the finale. Angelea has been frozen out, Jessica was in a fretting madhouse of her own making, and Raina annoyed everyone, including me, with her false chipper friendliness.

When it came down to panel, I started to have some hope for Jessica. It turned out to be false. The judges talked about how upbeat she is, how much they like her, how far a good attitude will take you, and how nice her long shots are. In the end, Krista won best photo, Alex won runner up, and Raina and Jessica ended up in the bottom two. My girl Jessica, the last likable girl on the show, went home. It makes me sad.

The good news is – we only have three more Tyra jumpsuits to endure. This season.

For more about the fashion, judges, or photographers, click here.

Season 14, Episode 9: Hobbits vs. Models (originally aired May 5, 2010)

For more on America’s Next Top Model, click here.

Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

Photographs courtesy of The CW, Tyra Banks/Pottle Productions.