'America's Next Top Model' - Cycle 13 - Episodes 1 & 2 Recap

_{Courtney gets her makeup touched up at her photoshoot.
© The CW}

The America's Next Top Model Cycle 13 premiere opens with the 32 semi-finalists meeting in one of the ballrooms at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel.

Bradford Sisk from Bankable Productions takes the stage and starts asking them questions, ending up saying that they are all too short, and that there is no room in the modeling industry for short girls. At this statement, Tyra Banks bursts out from behind the curtain saying, "How dare you!" and she tells him to leave the stage. She talks to the girls, saying that the modeling industry wants to put everything in a little box, but that this Cycle, they are going to break open the box and kick it away. She says she will take 14 girls to be part of America's Next Top Model Cycle 13.

Next, the models head back to a fashion house where they meet the Jays (Miss J. and Mr. Jay), who tell them that they will be measured, then everyone will do a runway walk, and lastly, they'll take their beauty headshot. Everyone runs off to the racks of clothes to put on their matching outfits of white tank tops and black skinny jeans.

Meeting the models

Next each girl comes in alone before Tyra, Miss Jay and Mr. Jay. Some of the more unique ones are Courtney who comes in on her crutches, and Mr. Jay says that she looks "modelly," even on her crutches. Bianca comes in and talks about the bad relationship she had with her ex-boyfriend who beat her. This caused her to cut off all her hair to get "herself" back. Sundai talks about her hard childhood, where her mother abused her and her sister, and they ended up in foster care, and then were eventually adopted.

Then, there is Amber who strolled in with a floppy straw hat, and a goofy walk. When Tyra asks her, "What was that?" she remarked, "My catwalk. Mee-oww." She says she's wearing her grandmother's hat. She says it's lucky. She's a Christian, and Jesus is her best friend. (Can you say "space cadet?") Another really strange girl is Nicole who acts like a Stepford Wife. She tells the girls that she loves eyeballs, and shows them her eyeball necklace. She says she was born with a bloody eyeball, and her nickname when she was a child was "bloody eyeball." (Definitely living in the Twilight Zone!)

Hands down, the girl with the cutest personality has to be Laura. She is a country girl, and she explains how she castrates cows. *Ouch* She says guys don't mess with her. Rae is a mother, and she explains how she was abducted and raped. Rachel says she was always teased about her eyes. They called her "Bambi-eyes" when she was growing up. Alison is a modeling teacher. Tyra has her teach Miss Jay something, and you can tell they weren't impressed. Raven comes in with a lot of energy, and does a somersault and then the splits. Miss Jay says she makes him want to tinkle.

Time for the first cut

It's time to narrow down the girls to 20. There are 32 garment bags with a photo and name of each of the 32 semi-finalists on them. The deal is, if you have an outfit inside the garment bag, you are moving on. If you don't... bye bye. *sniff* The girls all run over like a herd of cattle and start unzipping the garment bags. We see the happy reactions of those moving on, and the disappointment and tears for those who are going home again.

The remaining 20 girls put on their outfits and have to go put on their makeup and when they're done, they will have to walk down the catwalk and give four poses at the end of the runway for the photographer. This is their last chance to impress Tyra. As I watched everyone run over to the makeup area, I thought how disadvantaged Courtney was, having to hobble around on crutches. Crazy girl Amber decides she is perfect just the way she is, and she sits down and waits for the others to finish putting on their makeup.

On the runway there were girls that looked like winners, and others, not so much. After everyone has had their chance to walk and be photographed, we watch as Tyra and the Jays go over the pictures, and decide who will make the final cut of 14.

In order, the following girls were called to be part of the Top 14. Jennifer, Erin, Rachel, Kara, Lulu, Rae, Ashley, Brittany, Bianca, Courtney, Nicole, Amber, Laura, and finally, Sundai. After a bit of celebration and tears, we see the finalists walk down Melrose Avenue, taking in all the designer shops, and finally stop at Melrose Place. Sundai notices that Amber isn't waiting with the rest of the girls. Hmmm... is she coming late? Or did the crazy police come along and pick her up? A long stretch limo pulls up, and who should be inside, but Mr. Jay? He sticks his head out of the window and greets the girls, and Miss Jay pops up through the sunroof and tells everyone to come on in.

What? No Amber?

As the girls arrive at their destination, Mr. Jay explains that Amber won't be joining them, due to personal issues. In her place, the judges chose a girl that they thought had great potential, but she just missed making the cut. From a side door, in walks Lisa, where she is welcomed by the girls. Brittany has something to say about Lisa in her interview. She claims that she remembers her from casting, and wasn't impressed, so she doesn't feel she has anything to worry about with her. Ooh, catty!

Mr. Jay introduces Sally Hershberger (hairdresser to the stars), who will be doing their Ty-Overs. What's a Ty-Over? A Tyra makeover, of course! Everyone heads into the studio where we will certainly see some meltdowns. I mean, it wouldn't be a new Cycle without meltdowns at the makeover sessions.

The Ty-Overs

• Brittany gets dark brown hair.
• Erin gets the ice blonde look, including the brows.
• Rachel will get darker brown hair. She loves her new look.
• Jennifer will have some of her hair cut, and her brows will be shaped to rise up at the outer edges.
• Rae gets her platinum blond hair lightened even more.
• Lisa gets her hair cut somewhat, but that's about it. Boring!
• Sundai gets her nasty looking weave removed, and she will have her hair cut short, like Rhianna.
• Courtney gets brighter red hair, and a more edgy, spikey haircut.
• Lulu gets long straight dark hair with bangs.(Think Cleopatra!)
• Bianca gets the least work done to her of all. They bleach her eyebrows blonde. She hates the look.
• Nicole's hair a huge mane of bright red hair. She looks totally fierce.
• Laura gets some additional highlights.
• Kara doesn't get a whole lot done, other than some highlights here and there.
• Ashley gets a long black weave, with a center part.

Best Ty-Overs

• Erin, Sundai, Courtney, Lulu and Nicole

Worst Ty-Overs

• Jennifer, Lisa, and Bianca

When everyone is done, Mr. Jay says it's time to go to the model house.

The model house is really unique. It's all on one floor, and the beds have doll pictures with each model's face and name on it, so no fighting over who will sleep where. There are stuffed mannequins, funhouse mirrors, photos of Tyra on the wall, showing her height at different ages. Poor Sundai compares herself to the different Tyra's and finds she is the same height Tyra was at age 7. Yikes! The house has a great pool and hot tub too, plus a runway for them to practice their fierce or not so fierce walks.

As the girls unpack, Brittany talks about putting her initials inside all her clothes, saying maybe it's anal to do that, but Bianca says that it's smart, because "people steal things." Laura talks about growing up poor, and how her grandma sewed all her clothes, and she knows no one is going to want to steal them. Later, most of the girls relax in the hot tub, but Nicole opts not to socialize. Not surprising. She says that in high school, she sat by herself all the time, and she knows she's different from the other girls, but doesn't see it as a weakness at all.

A bell rings and Jennifer walks over to the Bankable safe, and opens it to find the first "Tyra mail!" It says: "Tomorrow will make you go go ga ga!"

The next day, the girls arrive at their photo shoot and see a giant photo of Tyra as a child. They find out their photo shoot will be taking editorial shots of themselves based on their own photos as children.

Photoshoot time

• Erin's photo as a child is a portrait shot of her with a little black bow on her head. Her current look has her with her hair slicked back, and wearing a peasant top, with a larger bow on her head. Mr. Jay said: "I see Erin as the girl who would potentially, later on, stand on set and go, 'Huh? I don't know what I'm doing,' because she might have lucked into this."
• Lulu's photo is of her pushing a baby doll carriage. Her current photo has her in black shorts with suspenders, and a white top with black polka dots and puffy short sleeves. She has her hair in pigtails, and she's standing with a luggage cart. Lulu says that she thinks she worked the props and she worked her face.
• Rachel's photo as a child has her wearing a black sailor dress holding a pink basket. Her current look has her in a short white dress with a black jacket with broad lapels. Her hair is slicked back, and a cute red purse. Rachel says, "I just wanted to bring the innocence, but portray a more high fashion innocence."
• Rae's photo as a child has her in pink leotards giving a ballet pose. Her current look has her in a pink, long sheer coverup over white leotards and tights. The spotlight though, has to be on the pointe shoes with an 8" heel. Rae asks the stylist if people actually walk in these? The stylist replied, "I've only seen people sitting down in them." Rae walks on set, carefully, and stands next to a ballet bar, where her pose makes her look super tall. As Mr. Jay sees her, he says, "Oh my God! I mean, I know the girls are short, but really? Eight inch heels?" Rae was really a trooper, even walking a step in those impossible tools. She said she thought of her daughter, and she was going to suck it up and do it. Mr. Jay said she looked "stunning."
• Courtney's photo as a child has her sitting in front of a mirror staring at herself. Her current look has her in a long black gown with one leg showing, and the mirror behind her. Mr. Jay says, "It's like you grown up. I mean, I'm looking at that picture, and then this one."
• Bianca's photo as a child has her wearing pajamas and playing dress up in big shoes. As she's getting made up, she complains yet again about her makeup. When she comes on set, she has a reserved personality. When Mr. Jay asks her what the problem is, she tells him she doesn't like her makeup. He tells her that in the real world of modeling, you always have to deliver. Her present look has her in a white bra and bolero jacket, white leggings and blue fuzzy slippers. Mr. Jay says, "The poses are all strong, draggy and fabulous, but it's a little too severe, like you're mad at the makeup."
• Brittany's photo as a child has her sucking on a Pixie Stix candy straw. Her current look has her wearing black shorts and a gray short jacket. She's sitting on a bench and holding the straw. Mr. Jay looks on saying that she looks very pornographic, and he tells her to sit with her one leg up, which ends up being better.
• Lisa's photo as a child has her in a clown costume. Her current look has a huge neckpiece. As we first see her, she is complaining that it feels like it weighs 50 lbs. She gets up on blocks in 5" heels, and says she's afraid of falling off. Her photos look awful, and even when Mr. Jay asks her to lighten up and have fun with it, she never cracks a smile. Mr. Jay said, "Lisa was not that great today. It was like watching paint dry."
• Ashley's photo as a child has her sitting on the couch slumped over asleep. Her current look has her wearing a longsleeve pink & red striped top and red shorts, with red shorty boots. She lays on a couch, making herself look super long. Mr. Jay says, "You made the shot look expensive."
• Sundai's childhood photo has her wearing a droopy diaper, and holding two cups to her chest. Her current look is in sexy lingerie, and she's holding a pink cup. Mr. Jay says, "Sundai... her photo shoot. It wasn't elevated. It wasn't current. It just fell flat."
• Nicole's childhood photo has her wearing an all-in-one pantsuit with big "MC Hammer" pants. Her current look has her in an all-in-one black jumpsuit with a bright pink belt and her hair is really big and sexy. Nicole says, "Because I'm quiet, the girls are expecting very little of me. I love to prove people wrong and be the underdog." Mr. Jay is just loving her shoot. She's really rocking the clothes and that wild mane of hair.
• Kara's childhood photo has her surrounded by leaves, sort of like she's in a cabbage patch. Her current look has a black deep-v top. They didn't show what she had on her bottom half. She's posed behind black leaves, and they have her look to the side. Mr. Jay says, "Beautiful. It's like night and day. I can't even tell you."
• Laura's childhood photo has her holding her baby sister with this serene smile on her face. Her current look has her in a beige two-piece swimsuit, holding a baby doll. Laura remarks that she doesn't know how to properly hold a baby, and they tell her the doll is more of an accessory. So, she tucks it under one arm and says, "Come on. We're going to the mall." Mr. Jay said, "In fashion, you've got to be a little cold, so you gotta hold the baby like it's a purse. The great thing is that she tied the whole thing together with her expression."
• Jennifer's childhood picture has her buried in sand with only her head peeking out. Her current look has her in a beige dress with her hair pulled back. She asks if she can lie in the sand, and when she does, she stretches out, giving herself a lot of length. Mr. Jay says, "Jennifer, you are wearing me out here...in a good way."

Back in the house, Bianca sees a little treasure chest with a skull on top of it sitting on the practice runway. She gets it and opens it up, and finds the latest Tyra mail. "Tomorrow, you will have your first meeting with the judges. Only 13 will continue on in the hope of becoming America's Next Top Model." (Hey, where is the "Love, Tyra" at the end?)

Time for panel

Tyra introduces the judges. The guest judge this week is Chanel Iman. Then, there's Nigel Barker and Miss Jay. The winner will receive a contract with Wilhelmina Models. They are using Wilhelmina Models this year because they welcome models of every size and shape. The winner also gets a cover and a 6-page spread in Seventeen magazine, and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl.

They call the girls out one by one:

• Rachel is first. They really like her photo, but say her right hand looks a little claw-like. They also think she looks taller.
• Ashley is next. They love her pose. Nigel says she looks really tall, and Tyra says that Ashley is using her training as a dancer to help her as a model.
• Brittany is next. Tyra says she's doing the booty tooch, and she has to watch that. Brittany says she never got that when she was blonde, and maybe the dark hair brings out the sexy in her.
• Jennifer is next. They think she filled the frame well, and her jawline is stunning, and her eyes are beautiful. Nigel compliments her for taking the original photo as inspiration and made a new version of it.
• Kara is next. They say she has a great profile, but she needs to work on her look straight on.
• Rae is next. Nigel loves her powerful look. Chanel says she looks like a doll. Tyra notices the shoes, and asks Rae how comfortable those shoes were, and Rae responds laughingly that they were fine. (Take note Bianca.)
• Sundai is next. They comment on her being the shortest girl in the competition at 5'3 1/2" tall. They tell her to take off the legwarmers, as they are cutting her legs off. Nigel says she's beautiful, but this isn't a good picture. Tyra says Sundai's energy is low.
• Lisa is next. Tyra asks her how it feels to come in the last minute. Lisa says it was exciting and nerve-wracking. Nigel thinks the pose looks amateurish. Chanel says Lisa looks a little bit mean.
• Nicole is next. Chanel says Nicole looks fierce. Miss Jay says he thinks the picture is "major!"
• Laura is next. Nigel says she looks in control of it. Her lips are beautiful. Her eyes are strong.
• Bianca is next. Nigel says it looks like it's right out of a fashion magazine. Tyra says she heard that Bianca had a problem with her makeup, and she tells her she can't act like that.
• Erin is next. Miss Jay thinks it looks great. Nigel thinks it would look even better if she was leaning over towards the camera.
• Lulu is next. They think she looks really long, but Miss Jay thinks her neck looks too short, and she needs to lift it up.
• Courtney is next. Nigel remarks that she was looking at herself in the mirror even then. They think it looks like artwork. Tyra remarks that her arm looks a little strong, and she'll have to watch that, or she'll look like a model that is taking a picture after winning a gold medal in the Olympics.

The results

After the judges deliberate, they call the girls back in. The girls are called out in the following order:

1. Rae (Her photo will be displayed in the model house as digital artwork.)
2. Nicole
3. Jennifer
4. Ashley
5. Courtney
6. Erin
7. Lulu
8. Rachel
9. Laura
10. Kara
11. Brittany
12. Sundai

The bottom two are Bianca and Lisa. Tyra hates that Lisa is in the bottom two, as she was the first one she thought of when it didn't work for one of the other girls, and she left the competition. They thought her photo was not strong. Then, there's Bianca who they think maybe she's not meant to be a model, since models aren't paid to look how *they* want to look.

In the end, it's Lisa that goes home, and Bianca is warned that she better sell whatever she is wearing and say she loves her makeup, even when she doesn't.

Next week on America's Next Top Model, we see the models visit the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency, and it looks like some sort of challenge was issued, and the loser was eliminated, We see Tyra as a super hero, and not much else. So, looks like two girls will go home next week. Tune in next Wednesday at 8:00 pm ET/PT on the CW to find out just what is going on. It looks like an interesting season.

_{All photos other than Courtney getting her makeup fixed © Pottle Productions Inc.}

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