Model Mania Mexican Wrestling ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Blog (ANTM Season 15)

OMG, did anyone see the challenge this week?  First, let me just say that who in the hell gave the producers permits to close down what appeared to be a major thoroughfare in downtown Los Angeles?  Secondly, who was the brainiac who came up with the idea for the runway show?  God, for a season that is trying to make strides in the fashion industry, the challenge was just poor form – even the rollercoaster BS from last week seemed sophisticated in comparison. 

 

           I know I must sound as if I’m talking in tongues so allow me to set the scene.  The models arrive in their big ass model van/mini bus where they get out and I think it is Lexie who comments that she usually drives in the particular tunnel that is now closed off.  The girls are told that they are going to be participating in a fashion show with male models.  Of course Kacey is all into that, but alas nothing comes of her initial excitement, much to the chagrin I imagine of the segment producers.  Mr. Jay emphasizes that the guys will be walking in sneakers while the girls are going to be in high heels and dresses by Herve Leger.  The thing that was going to make this fashion show standout is that the models would have to walk on a conveyor belt…oh God. 

 

         You know, I wouldn’t mind it so much is some of these challenges were more in tune with things that models might possibly be facing in the modeling world, but nowhere on this planet would it be expected for models to walk on a conveyor belt in high heels without any practice.  Of course the models were falling all over the place; tripping and looking startled at the sudden movement.  Plus they were wearing heels, that means it was even easier for them to trip.  At some point someone is going to get hurt during one of these lame challenges.  Even the audience for the show seemed to be getting bored with all of the girls falling and tripping.  Truly, it was a horrible thing to put these young girls through.

 

           Kasey won the challenge which meant she got to take home some really ugly jewelry. 

 

             Later at their model home Andre Leon Talley shows up escorting Karolina Kurkova who had her virst American ‘Vogue’ cover at the age of sixteen.  She give the girls some tips on eating healthy so that it shows up on your skin.  She advices the girls that personality goes a long way in the industry.  What I like about Kurkova is that she is from the Czech Republic but has spent so much time in the states that her accent is almost not detectable.  She is now being managed by IMG which is probably the reason she made her ‘ANTM’ debut.  I also wonder if she is going to be heading a Czech Republic version of the ‘Top Model’ franchise – Heidi Klum does the German version.  Another thing I find interesting about Kurkova is that she doesn’t have a bellybutton. 

 

           So after the girls finished the lesson and confessed that they eat fried Oreo cookies they were off to their photo shoot with Mexican wrestlers, the ones who wear costumes and facemasks.  Their photographers are the father and son team Eddie and Moshe Brakha.  The girls are then dressed up, made up, with hair that is done up.

 

 

 

           I liked Chelsey’s picture.  I don’t want to say it was awe inspiring, but usually white blonde hair in these shorts of photo essays are pretty striking.  The judges weren’t too happy about how she was pointing her finger and Tyra actually gave some good advice about how to do that on film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Poor Lexie, this was her final picture.  I actually like it but alas, the judges did not and she was sent packing.  I thought she had a good personality, but I don’t think she really ever had the modeling face.  In fact, just between us, as I’m looking at the girls objectively I have to say that I don’t think any of them strike me as supermodel material except maybe Jane because I think her face is pretty than the rest.

 

           Liz of course was mega aware that the judges were watching her to make sure she didn’t complain.  Of course she had to model a very long dress with a train for the fashion show but she did the best she could.  I wasn’t too enamored by her photo, but honestly, I didn’t think the photographers were that great.  I think it was during her shoot that Mr. Jay and the photographers were each giving her contradictory directions, which Mr. Jay then blames the models for not following through.  Please. 

 

          The judges don’t get Jane and thus she was in the bottom two with Lexie.  I was fairly sure she was going to go home, but surprise, she didn’t.  I think she is beautiful, but I don’t think her picture was all that grand.  She looks upper crust even in leather and fishnet stockings next to masked Mexican wrestlers.  As I said earlier, I think she is the only one with the face to be on ‘Italian Vogue’.

 

           Chris came in second in the photos all because she jumped.  I appreciate that she jumped and did some experimental things, but her face and her body just don’t seem to match in her photograph.  I would like it better if she was at least a little more focused on the wrestlers.   

 

 

           Kendra is beautiful, but she reminds of a girl I went to school with who was georgeous in person, but was one of the least photogenic people I have ever met – she also stole my drawing in kindergarten which put her on my poo list.  I don’t know, something about Kendra just isn’t connecting for me.  Her mouth seems odd in the picture. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Kacey is still not the belle of the ball when it comes to getting along with the other girls, but now with Lexie gone she might be able to make some friends.  I’ll say this for her, in the past they have had a whole lot worse contestant models falling apart at the model house.  When she is on a photo set she is all business and I mean that in a good way, not business as if she is ignoring everyone else.  I will give her points for trying.  She was sporting some great Prada boots for her photo.  Although I think she looks good, she almost doesn’t even look like herself without the glasses, something is jacked up about the mouth.  I think that the lips are too shiny and from a distance it looks as if she has a fat lip. 

 

 

          Esther is still hanging in there and I say good for her.  The judges loved her picture, but also felt that a few slight changes would make the picture even better.  I like the photo but her arm seems weird in it almost as if it really isn’t her arm but a prop of an arm, a manikin arm.  I do love the expression on her face though. 

 

 

           Besides Jane, I think Kayla has a shot at winning this competition.  She just seems to blend in well with all of her photos.  She was okay when the judges criticized her dress for judging panel because they wondered if she was going to some cocktail party afterwards that they hadn’t heard about – they are hilarious.  They wanted her to take her hair out of a bun but not finger comb it out so it was very editorial as she stood there and she seemed okay with it.  I thought her photo was one of the best.  I love her body language and the passion on her face.  She says that she wants to win ‘ANTM’ because she will be the first out of the closet lesbian to win. 

 

 

 

 

        Wow, really at this point this cycle is turning into the Ann show.  I think she is a competent model, but I really don’t see the greatness of her just yet.  She made ‘Top Model’ history with the fourth best picture in a row this week.  She had a mini breakdown during the shoot because she didn’t think that she was giving Mr. Jay and the photographers what they needed – even her breakdown impressed the judges, which just seems a little fishy.  I mean when was the last time the judges were impressed with a breakdown?  I don’t love her photo, which usually I admire the photos she takes, but this one just seems alright at best.               

 

          If you want to read more about this cycle of ‘Top Model’ you can check out the show’s website.  Until next week, I wish you good fashion and happy modeling. 

 

Westerfield © 2010