Cycle 15, Episode 6: Patrick Demarchelier

The lengendary. The renowned. The incomprehensible.The girls start out with a bullshit challenge that's really just a plug for Walmart and CoverGirl.  Later, they head to Rodeo Drive for a photo shoot with legendary French fashion photographer, Patrick Demarchelier.  If you're not wet by his very name, you're not into fashion! Demarchelier also serves as guest judge on this week's panel.

A Growth Moment
We get an insight into Giraffe (Ann) this week, who is developing a sense of self-confidence and learning a lot about herself through the competition.

"I actually do feel like a model, and I'm not just the gangly girl that sits in the back of class.  I really do feel pretty now. I'm really happy I'm here." – Giraffe (Ann)

Truly moving. This shift in self-perception is something she will carry with her for the rest of her life.  It's beautiful to watch Giraffe (Ann) grow and begin to cultivate a strong sense of self.  It's not all roses though, because she now faces the challenge of putting her personality out there.  Typically the quiet, shy girl, she's not used to standing out in a crowd:

"I’m 6'2" and I'm pretty tall.  I think that being shy around people is kind of a defense mechanism because if I just stay under the radar then people aren't going to notice that I'm tall and they won't make fun of me for it or ask me questions about it like everyone does." – Giraffe (Ann)

Now that she is aware of this unconscious psychological strategy, she has an opportunity to work on it and tear down some walls. I have hope for her because she recognizes this is "homework" rather than some inherent flaw she can't control.  The only question is – can she do it fast enough?  If she can't blossom quickly, she won't remain in the competition.  As Casper (Chesley) points out, the judges want the entire package:

"You could tell [Ann] was so uncomfortable. In this competition, they're looking for the whole package, and a lot of the package is personality and being able to present yourself.  I don't think Ann can do that very well."

We shall see how Giraffe (Ann) progress with her homework and how quickly she can stride forward in the right direction. Good luck, girl!!

CoverGirl Challenge
The ladies end up at Walmart for a  CoverGirl challenge.  GROAN.  I hate watching product placements for big-box stores.  I don't see how ANTM can try to be all "green" in Cycle 9 and then have Walmart as a show sponsor. WTF?!?

After splitting up into groups of three, the ladies do a presentation on CoverGirl in front of a live audience of select Walmart customers.  It'd be pretty easy to impress folks who shop at Walmart.  It's not like they have discerning taste. 

This challenge was all about standing out in a crowd while also being the face of CoverGirl.  Who gives a shit about CoverGirl??  Isn't this a high fashion competition not a commercial competition?  They aren't winning a cover of Seventeen Magazine.  Shouldn't the judges be testing who can be the face of Italian Vogue??  What's with the sudden injection of being commercial?  Be high fashion!

The one fun part about this challenge was that the ladies had to watch a live video of the audience revealing how easy, breezy and beautiful they found the models.  Interestingly, at no point after did any of the models have a deep, meaningful conversation about 'perception' and how easy / difficult it is to control how we are perceived. You'd think some amazingly deep conversations would spring forth from the fodder Tyra has given them, but the ladies never reach this philosophical moment together. Apparently, they aren't smoking enough weed.

In the end, the audience liked Giraffe (Ann) the least.  Nigel warned her:

"You've had the best picture four weeks in a row. But there's a lot more to being a top model than just having the best picture. You've got to be personable."

DAMN!! Nigel is laying down a CLASSIC Top Model Rule! This girl better listen up and adjust right quick! When the judges outright lay down an ANTM Law to you, you best never hear this criticism again, or it will be on your exit night.  All this focus on Giraffe (Ann) and her lack of personality makes me nervous about her.  Time will tell how this model virtuoso will do.

The winners all got a mini shopping spree in the CoverGirl aisle of Walmart.  Oh wow, hold the applause. Compared to some of the other prizes, I would feel pretty jipped to win this.  After scavenging through the shelves of concealer, blush and eye shadow, the winning team then competed against each other to see who could put on makeup the best.  Chester (Esther) won and got a $1,000 Walmart gift card.  Whoop-dee-doo.
 

Left to right: Patrick Demarchelier (photographer), Mr. J (creative), Lori Goldstein (fashion stylist)Photo Shoot
The girls head to Rodeo Drive [a street so ritzy, it has it's own website] to work with one of the most sought-after photographers in the industry, Patrick Demarchelier. Bask in the glory of the most prestigious photo shoot in ANTM history! Tyra even showed up for the occasion.   The ladies were paired off with another girl and a male model then took group shots and later solo shots in motion.

Mr. J explained that the key to the shoot would be capturing a moment in reality. "We're not 'posing,' so listen to Patrick Demarchelier and just go with it."  Easier said than done--half the girls couldn't even understand what the French photographer was saying.

"Ils pensent que je parle comme un poulet."

Best Photo
Setting a new ANTM record, the best photo goes to Giraffe (Ann) -- AGAIN!! 

Tyra calls is like it is: "Ann, you're making this [competition] sooo not interesting!"  What can I say?  I love Giraffe (Ann), and I'm rooting for her to win, so her total domination of the competition makes me happy.

Andre Leon Talley LOVED her photos: "BE-YOOOND! BEY-YOND!!! Beyond everything EVER!!!!" he screamed then jizzed in his man cape.

Andre noted how versatile Giraffe's (Ann's) look is: "I know she's American, but I almost sense an English beauty."

While she should celebrate, this is no time to rest on her laurels either.  We definitely saw Giraffe (Ann) falter this week.  Mr. J said she seemed "almost as stiff on set as my silver locks."  In fact, she had such a hard time walking naturally that Tyra did an impression of her to show the other judges just how pitiful it was in person:

More troubling though, was the fact that Giraffe (Ann) was having a hard time bringing out her personality.  Nigel was critical, telling her:

"The still camera only catches a split second. But you're still going to have to do commercials and be in front of people.  As photogenic as you are, you also want our public to love you. So, try and work it out." – Nigel

When among his peers, Nigel was also quite frank, emphasizing the importance of personality:

"I wish I could get more out of her in front of me. It's so important. When I see her, I want to be inspired to book her."

Bottom Two
Will Mop Top (Kayla) and ReRun(Kacey) please step forward? Two beautiful young ladies stand before me. But I only have one photo in my hand, and this photo represents the girl who is still in the running towards becoming America’s Next Top Model.  I’ll only call one name, and the girl that I do not call must immediately return to your home here, pack your bags, and go home.

Yep, that's right it’s down to ReRun (Kacey) – no SHIT she is in the bottom – and Mop Top (Kayla).  Mop Top?!?! WHAAAAAAAT?!?!  How did SHE end up in the bottom two?? She's headed for the top! There's no WAY she can get eliminated! What are the judges thinking??!?! DAMN!!! DAMN!

For any of you out there who knows what it's like to suffer for fashion, you may understand what Mop Top (Kayla) went through this week.  This poor girl was given shoes that a size too small, causing her feet to bleed and swell.  Unfortunately for her, she had a hard time concealing the pain on her face.

Tyra noted how both girls were disconnected in the photos this week.  Mop Top (Kayla) was disconnected because she showed the pain on her face.  I also think she took a hit for complaining about the shoes, rather than sucking it up.  Winding up in the bottom was the judges way of saying, "No whining. Take what you are given and make the most of it."

ReRun (Kacey) was disconnected because she looked hella snobby in her group shot and didn't interact well with the other models.  In her solo shot she didn't convey any emotion in her eyes. And in her movement shot, she didn't even bother to look at the camera. Drekitude.

And the Loser Is…
ReRun (Kacey)
In the end, the bitch finally went home.  Bye bye, Preparation H!!  Your saggy eyes are finally going back to Palmdale where they belong. 

Was this really a surprise, though?  We could all see this coming.  In her photos over the weeks, her eyes were "dead."  Smize or die, ladies!  Follow the Tyra mantra or pack your bags.  And when Andre Leon Talley calls you a "snooty, exiled African princess," you best be prepared for that long bus ride home. 

Mo' Chocolate (Kendal) called out ReRun's (Kacey's) weakness earlier in the episode: "Kacey, she be practicin' in mirrors all the time, but it still don't come across on camera. I think she more muscular. Like, she could be a fit model. I don't think she's right for Italian Vogue."  Apparently, neither did the judges. 

This washed-up model wanna-be took it extremely hard, breaking down in front of the judging panel and showing off her puffy bag eyes -- further confirming what a good decision it was to send her home. 

 

“It just felt like it was gonna be my time. It just sucks so bad, man! It just sucks SOOO bad. I feel so defeated, just so drained out. How do you go home after this? I'm never gonna get over this!!”  -- ReRun (Kacey)

Wow, she's NEVER going to get over it?  So much for learning and moving forward!  Good luck sucking your thumb, girl.  Hope that gets you far in your modeling endeavors.

Crockpot Theories: For Whom the Bell Tolls

Serena (Chris)

Strike 1: "It looks like a spread in Teen Vogue."

Strike 2: "From an editorial point of view, this is out."

She needs to navigate into the editorial sea and out of the commercial waters STAT! – otherwise she will be a capsized model. 

"Commercial" is an especially deadly label when competing for a cover of Vogue Italia. This is high fashion, baby, not Seventeen magazine.  Heed this warning, Serena (Chris), or you will go home.

Blockhead (Jane)

Strike 1: "Town & Country"
Strike 2: “Commercial"
Strike 3:  "Bad close-up"

Surviving these labels will be tough.  If she can't give good face, there is no way the judges will select her for the cover of Vogue Italia. 

On the plus side, she got runner up for best photo this week. Blockhead (Jane) is showing that she knows how to shine. However, the "commercial" label will continue to haunt her, so there's no relaxing in the coming weeks.  These are dangerous waters she is treading.  She's got to hit it HARD or her ship will sink.