Sep 4 2008
Air Date: September 3, 2008MEET THE CONTESTANTS
After thousands of auditions, Tyra and the J’s have decided who they want to represent America in this cycle. It wasn’t easy, but the new contestants are: Brittany R: a half Black, half Native American beauty. Brittany S: a serious redhead with mixed martial arts skills, now to be known as McKey. Please don’t call her Mickey. It’s mcKEY. She can kick your ass if you get it wrong. Then there is Brittany B. The Black beauty that has renamed herself Sharaun. To reinforce, there were three Brittanys, now there is one Brittany, one McKey and one Sharaun. Moving right along, there’s Hannah, the sheltered girl from Alaska that grew up with no water, heat or electricity. Lauren Brie, who didn’t make much of an impression, but I did notice her hair and skin all kind of ran together. I’m sure that will change if she makes it to makeover week. Clark, this season’s beauty who has to talk about and judge everyone else. Samantha, the only one who looks like she actually eats, but in a healthy way. Jocelyn, who auditioned over 30 times; and finally made it. Her high-pitched, over enthusiastic voice is going to be a problem though. Annaleigh, another one that faded into the background on the first episode. Nikeysha, who I know nothing about other than she seems really timid other than saying “Heeeey” when you first meet her. Sheena, the self-confessed hood version of Kimora Lee Simmons. Seriously. Marjorie, the French girl filled with self doubt, Elina, the resident bisexual that already set her sights on one of the other girls and then Isis, the first transgender contestant, who rocks a bathing suit better than I do.MOVING IN AND GETTING TO KOW EACH OTHER!
The two J’s meet with the girls and take them to their new digs. The mansion, in Los Angeles, is absolutely gorgeous. I just hope they keep it clean this season. Past seasons they’ve gotten a little stank. There is a hallway with pictures from Tyra’s Fierce Awards too. After they get settled, the girls have some obvious questions for Isis. She admits that she is able to “hide” certain things with tape. Sharaun (f/k/a Brittany B) says that America’s Next Top Model will NEVER be a drag queen. Apparently Sharaun has never read any of my recaps warning of karma. Just saying…As Isis swims she strikes up a friendship with McKey, who loves her spirit and drive. Off to the side, Hannah and Clark say they are uncomfortable with Isis and her situation. Clark goes as far as to say that in the south you don’t run into he/she’s everyday. Her words, not mine. Clark, there ARE transgender people all over the south, you just don’t know it. My words, not hers…Hannah says that there is no place in the competition for Isis.TYRA MAIL
The ladies receive mail telling them that the next day will be very intimate. When they arrive at the Magic Castle Hotel and Club the next afternoon, they meet up with the two J’s, Paulina and Nigel. The judges conduct interviews that will be used in their final judging. Sharaun does not impress Nigel at all with her over confidence. Marjorie gets so nervous I pray for them to cut to a commercial. When asked by Nigel who her favorite photographer is, she stutters until she finally says that he is. Jocelyn asks Miss J what his advice would be for the best catwalk, and he says to keep her day job. No one will ever walk like he does. When asked by Paulina how she would handle an over-aggressive client, McKey says she would kick him in the balls and keep it moving. Isis is the one who impresses Nigel most, but there is something about her he can’t quite put his finger on…After the interviews, the ladies return to the house to find gift boxes with the essentials: black heels and little black dresses. Thank GOD everyone can at least walk in heels this season.FIRST OFFICIAL PHOTO SHOOT
The girls receive a message from Tyra stating that fashion isn’t the only way to make a statement. They find that they are involved in a shoot to make voting attractive to the younger generation. The ladies get varying background stories and try to make voting sexy. Frightened French Marjorie ironically gets immigration. She does well despite being nervous. Brittany’s military stance is awesome. Clark doesn’t understand the meaning of bureaucracy until she sees red tape on the set, but still doesn’t give a good performance. McKey can’t pose until Jay Alexander tells her to use her martial arts. Of course Clark has to say something negative about McKey’s performance, and says that McKey is a gonner. Isis does a great job with privacy, and of course the other girls hate, saying she needs to shave and snicker on the set. Jay has to remind Sheena not to be hoochie. Jocelyn reminds Jay of Tyra in her photos. The rest of the performances are pretty much forgettable.FIRST ELIMINATION
Prizes are announced and the judges are introduced. They love Marjorie’s pictures. Miss J tells Sharaun her problem is she can’t keep her legs closed, based on her wide-leg stance in her picture. Nikeysha shows she can’t shut up long enough to take a critique as she keeps cutting Tyra off. Tyra tells her she needs to put a sock in it. Jocelyn’s picture is FIERCE, which is good because she doesn’t quite impress in person. Sheena is told that she needs to model the opposite of what she is wearing to tone down the hooch factor. Isis nails the shoot on the head with her shots, giving Sharaun a reason to roll her eyes. Karma…As the judges deliberate, Miss J says that is seems Nikeysha has already let the competition get to her. Paulina and Nigel finally find out that Isis is a man biologically. In the end, it’s Nikeysha and Sharaun standing before Tyra with Sharaun being the first young lady to go home. She drops to the floor in tears saying she isn’t ready to go, but like I said, watch what you say because KARMA is a …witch……Nikeysha vows to shut up and allow the judges to critique her and step up her game. I’m thinking this will be a good season. See you next week!
