America’s Next Top Model Review: Alexandria Reigns in La La Land

Now that the petticoat has shifted in the Top Model House, not only are the girls swapping enough sugar to be in an ad campaign for sweet tea, but now Brittani and Alexandria have swapped reasons for shedding her tears.  Although the cat claws have been retracted, Alexandria still has nine lives on ANTM.

After least week’s elimination, en route to their next teachable moment with Tyra, Brittani realized it would be advantageous on her part to come to Alexandria, hat in hand, and apologize for saying what she said when she said it.  Upon arrival to an art gallery, Tyra had all the girls’ photos displayed throughout the gallery, taught them how to pull together a portfolio, and advised each girl on which photo accentuated her likeness the best.  At the end of the lesson, Tyra held up the letter C and told the girls to get their portfolios. In a pun-like fashion, Tyra told them she needed them to “see” where they’ll be going over “seas,” and inside their portfolios were the rest of the letters of the international location where they’ll be going.  In a Scrabble-like, or Words with Friends-like fashion, the girls spelled out Morocco.  However, the catch is, according to Tyra, the go-sees determine which girls will go to Morocco.

Back at the Top Model House, Kyle Hagler from IMG Models instructed the girls on the Go-See Rules: 1) 4 go-sees in 4 hours; 2) 3 p.m. deadline at Lana Marks; 3) Top 3 earn a bonus, which is a 5^th go-see with Lana Marks.  At each go-see, they have to dress like one of the archetypes that Tyra taught them two weeks ago: bombshell, girl next door, couture, & athletic.  They each had to pack one bag that would prepare them to dress as the respected archetypes.  Each girl was given a car, driver and map book, although the driver was not able to help them with the map book.  Once Jaclyn admitted she mostly talked throughout her probably one good lesson of learning to read a map in school, she added an additional challenge to her go-see and immediately became new the poster child of the infamous high school question: when will I use this in real life?  On the other hand, Alexandria the ambidextrous, being the only native Los Angeleno, saw this as her challenge to win.  After getting lost and found through the streets of L.A. all the girls arrived at Lana Marks on time.  Molly, Alexandra, and Kasia were the best because they made it to the most go-sees and got the best comments.  According to the designers, Hannah’s runway walk needed work, and Brittani and Jaclyn only made it to two go-sees, so the three were excused from the final go-see with Lana Marks. While Alexandria might not be a house favorite – Molly’s disgust for Alexandria showed up on her face while Alexandria was posing and Lana Marks noticed it, and Kasia came off rehearsed during her go-sees – Alexandria won the go-see challenge, which means she will be featured in a Lana Marks campaign in over 100 countries. She will also receive a gift bag of items from the days’ designers, as well as an exact replica of the Cleopatra clutch, which is valued over $2000 and was worn by Angelina Jolie at last year’s Oscars.

The L.A. landfill served as the backdrop for the girls’ eco-friendly couture photos, shot by Nigel Barker and designed by fashion designer Michael Cinco.  In lieu of last week’s panel, Brittani was a bit apprehensive as she planned to shoot with Nigel; however, Nigel graciously came over to Brittani before her shoot and assuaged her fears and reminded her that he and the other judges have faith in her.  Brittani, being the consummate professional, once again created that intimate trajectory between the eye of her soul and the lens of the camera and pulled off a great shoot, and thereby, a great photo.  Still rockin’ and rollin’, Alexandria ascended the ladder toward her imperial Top Model reign for the week and was crowned not only as the winner of the go-see challenge by booking four out of four go-sees, but she also had best photo of the week.  First, it was the weave.  Next, it was Alexandria.  Now, it is the – albeit, justifiably – rancid landfill.  During her shoot, Molly’s complaining and disgust made its way to the ears of Nigel as he was shooting her, and it didn’t fair well as it solidified her place in the bottom two with Jaclyn.  Even though Tyra hypocritically told the girls that their go-sees would determine who would be going to Morocco, Molly who only booked 50% of her go-sees is still in the running to be America’s Next Top Model, and Jaclyn, who booked 100% of her go-sees was sent home.

Cycle 16, Episode 8: “Lana Marks” (Originally aired April 13, 2011)

To look at this episode from another angle, check out Desiree Neall’s recap here.

Get fierce with Tyra and the girls on America’s Next Top Model, Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW

Images courtesy of The CW