America’s Next Top Model Review: The Wild, Barren, and Desert Morocco
April 30, 2011 by Savannah DuBois
Filed under Television
The dry Moroccan desert served as the spirit of this week’s ANTM performances as a few of the models delivered wild and uncultivated work at the go-see and the photo shoot while the one of the girls’ work teetered between vegetative and barren, and Tyra forsook her warning to one of the girls.
Upon arrival to Morocco, the top five models toured the streets and marketplace and met up with Mr. Jay Manuel and Miss J. Alexander where they learned they’d be treated to an authentic Moroccan lunch and taken on a fashion tour of Morocco. After lunch, the girls arrived at a local boutique and met Vogue fashion editor and ANTM judge Andre Leon Tally who introduced the girls to Marrakeshi fashion designer Noureddine Amir. Each girl tried on a dress and walked for Andre and Amir. Since models usually wear sample sizes, which are around size 2, unfortunately, Kasia, almost brought to tears, ran into the classic conundrum all ANTM plus sizes models have encountered at one stage of the competition when they modeled clothes for a designer – finding something, anything that will fit her voluptuous body. Although Kasia did not have a size 2 body, she had a leg up on the other models who made the classic model mistake of forgetting to bring their heels, and Alexandria even wore socks while modeling her gown. Although it wasn’t a challenge, she didn’t have heels, and she didn’t put her hand on her hip at all, Brittani, according to Andre, came the closest to having a runway-ready walk. Away from the boutique, Andre met the models on a Moroccan rooftop, shared tea with them, and chatted about the competition before he told them that the rooftop actually sat atop their new home in Morocco.
For their first Moroccan photo shoot, the girls arrived in the Marrakeshi desert where Jay Manuel introduced the girls to their photographer Michael Woolley. For the shoot, the girls were styled in a mix of “traditional costuming and European sophistication.” Having gotten past the drama with Alexandria and the judges, Brittani reclaimed her spot as one of the most inspirational and enjoyable models to shoot and watch work. Jay Manuel even noted 
that she’d “gotten her mojo back.” Molly finally learned to go with the flow of not only the camel but the photo shoot and delivered a great shoot minus the negative attitude. While Alexandria thought she was “feeling the moment,” Michael Woolley thought she was “overdirecting” herself in the shot. Hannah, who in the past has been the forgotten and unmemorable one, brought her electric bull-riding skills to the Moroccan desert and became the model favorite of the photographer as she brought the spirit and energy that he said he initially wanted for the shoot.
Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, joined the judges as the week’s guest judge. As each model received her critique, they watched the pendulum once again shift Brittani back into the #2 position as the judges loved her “androgynous,” story-telling photo. Alexandria, although she arrived at judging looking more model-esque, delivered a stiff photo, and Tyra finally noted that she got word back again that Alexandria was talking back to the photographer. With Alexandria trying to take over the photo shoot, yet again, and Kasia loosing her spark, Molly received best photo, Hannah rounded out the top 3, and Alexandria and Kasia were left in the bottom two. Even though Tyra admonished Alexandria weeks ago that if she received word again just once more that Alexandria was trying to take over a photo shoot again, she would be sent home; since Alexandria had a stronger portfolio than Kasia, who was the only model to come prepared with heels in tow for the Moroccan go-see, Tyra hypocritically announced that Kasia would be the first model sent home from Morocco.
Cycle 16, Episode 10: “Franca Sozzani” (originally aired April 27, 2011)
Get fierce with this season of America’s Next Top Model, Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
To look at this episode from a different angle, check out “An Oasis of Fashion and Culture” by Desiree Neall.
Images courtesy of The CW
I completely agree that Tyra is being hypocritical. This is not Alexandria’s first time in the botton 2. Kasia is the most prepared model to enter the show. She knows her stuff and she knows how to pull off a great photo.I believe that Alexandria should have been sent home this week due to her lack of manners and falseness.Kasia is a very experienced model that has a big career ahead of her. I also think Hannah should have been called first as a reward for getting a good photo. She’s improving,isn’t that what Tyra likes to see ???
I actually am rooting for Brittani to win. I like watching her work. There have only been a few models in ANTM history who I actually like to sit and watch them work, and they are usually the winners: Eva, Dani(elle), Nik (second runner-up), Jaslene, YaYa (second runner-up),
How was Tyra being hypocritical? Unfortunately, kasia had to be eliminated at this stage because her photos were indeed weaker than Alexandria’s, she looked really uncomfortable on the camel, admitted to lacking in confidence despite her repeated mantra of being happy with her body, AND more importantly, Franca Sozzani said point blank that Kasia is not a model and would not appear in her magazine, one of the prizes this cycle. Kasia had to go, as there was no one else that could, despite Tyra’s reservations about Alex’s attitude and threat to banish her should it resurface.
Last week Jaclyn, this week Kasia? Now all my favourites have gone home! It’s a shame, I couldn’t care less who wins the cycle now. Bad judging, Tyra.