Even though the "America's Next Top Model" premiere shows are usually overly cheesy, with Tyra Banks creating some super modeling cyber planet or pretending to be a Greek goddess, this particular season premiere was less so than that of recent cycles. Tyra used the popularity of social networking sites to create a "My Fierce Page" where all the potential Top Models wanted to be "her friend."
The 32 girls in the semi-final round had to take a "profile" picture and upload their net "walk." After doing so, they were interviewed by Tyra, Jay Manuel and Miss J. Alexander. There was a familiar face from previous cycle semi-final rounds. Angelea, best known for getting into a fight with Cycle 12 contestant Sandra, was back. She told the panel she'd sought therapy and had worked on herself from the previous year's audition.
Other girls had some interesting backgrounds. There seemed to be an abundance of teen and young moms auditioning to be models. Jessica, from Arkansas, and Brenda from Houston, were both 18 and had children. Even Cybil Shepard's goddaughter made an appearance, but sadly she was declined from being Tyra's friend, despite her trust fund baby status.
While this part of the show is always interesting, it really isn't overly necessary considering the CW posts pictures and interviews of the potential models on the website in advance. And, the interviews even show the girls post-makeover, leaving the show to be slightly anticlimactic.
Despite this, 12 girls were picked to be "Tyra's friend" - Naduah, Jessica, Simone, Raina, Tatianna, Alexandra, Krista, Brenda, Alasia, Anslee, Gabrielle, and Angelea.
The girls headed to New York City as Tyra headed out in search for a 13th contestant to round the cycle contestants out. I know there are usually 13 girls per season, but I just wonder if anyone has ever pointed out to Tyra that 12 is, in fact, a round number.
While the girls were distracted by Perez Hilton in NYC, Tyra brought out the 13th contestant, a girl named Ren. There's something about the fact that she didn't audition for the cycle that makes her seem fishy to begin with, and less likeable, as well.
So, with Ren being included in the bunch, it was time to makeover the girls. For the most part, very few tears were shed over this year's transformations.
Ren, the new girl, needed not only a hair transformation, but a Top Model underarm makeover as well, seeing as she didn't shave her armpits. Again, not really feeling this girl; where did she come from anyway?
Gabrielle, a biracial beauty, had her hair dyed blonde and massively curled. Krista didn't have much done to her hair; they slicked it back and gave her a giant horsetail in back. She hated the look, but didn't complain too much. Jessica went from being a country blonde to being a dark brunette. Tatianna, who channeled Megan Fox in her "friend interview", was turned into a blonde, losing her dark locks.
They chopped off Simone's long hair and shaved the side of her head, making her slightly resemble Rihanna. Brenda's long red hair was chopped quite short. She cried like a baby the entire time, but I don't blame her, she looked terrible. Raina had blonde hair and really dark, full eyebrows. They pretty much dyed her hair to match her massive brows. Anslee lost some inches of her hair. Alexandra got some highlights. Alasia's long dark hair became short and curly. And last, but not least, Naduah, who had a shaved head to begin with, simply got her eyebrows bleached.
This season's contestants definitely each have strong personalities. Angelea and Krista seem to be teaming up against the rest of the house, with Alasia being in the middle and causing a lot of the drama. But, that's pretty much all we got to see in this hour and a half premiere. Next week's photo shoot was set up as a "to be continued."
We'll see who will be the first to go home after the girls have to choose only one article of clothing to model with and then pose nude for the camera. Who do you think it's going to be?
