'America's Next Top Model' Cycle 14 - Episode 2 'Dreckitude' recap

America's Next Top Model contestant Alexandra
during the runway challenge. © The CW

The second episode of America's Next Top Model, like the premiere was 90-minutes long, incorporating not just one but two eliminations, two photo shoots, and one runway challenge. There's a lot to talk about, so let's begin.

Last week, the show ended with the models facing their first photo shoot, modeling designer Custo Barcelona's designs. The catch is, each girl has the opportunity to choose only one item from the mannequin, and the rest of her will be nude. Mr. Jay tells the girls that each item has a corresponding slip of paper for it, and at the count of 3, the girls will rush forward and grab the paper off the mannequin. Stylist Joanne Konjevod will then dole out the appropriate items to the models.

Jessica's reaction after hearing about this  was that she was worried about what her family will think about her doing a nude photo shoot, since she is from a religious background. Raina has her eyes on the jacket or the shirt, as she wants to get something that will cover her. Anslee remarks that when Mr. Jay said "three," the girls all attacked the mannequin, and it had no chance in hell.

Gabrielle is happy with her choice of the gold leggings, saying that she is confident. Raina says she doesn't think she wants to watch the other girls when they shoot.

Jay introduces Jonathan Mannion, who will be the photographer for the shoot, to Alexandra, who is modeling a necklace. Jay is impressed with her facial expressions, but thinks she didn't work her body enough. Angelea is modeling shoes, and Brenda and Anslee are watching. Brenda remarks that she would like to see Angelea go home, as her personality is "just horrid." Angelea is happy for the attention, saying that she knows the other girls are wanting to see how she works it. She thinks she gave them a good show.

America's Next Top Model contestant Anslee
modeling clutch © The CW

Brief looks were given of Raina modeling a ring, Simone modeling a jacket, Tatianna modeling a scarf, Anslee (see photo left) modeling a clutch, and Gabrielle modeling the gold leggings. Mr. Jay remarks that Gabrielle doesn't seem to be doing too well. Jessica models shorts, Brenda models a watch, Naduah models sunglasses, and Alasia models a vest. Jay isn't too happy with it, thinking she looks pregnant in her side shot. Ren does a great job modeling a hat. She comments that she is getting to know the hair and makeup people. She says she doesn't want to go out of her way to get to know the other models. She didn't come here to be friends. Seems that every reality show is filled with people who "didn't come here to make friends." Krista models a dress, and Mr. Jay comments that he loves the photograph when he covers up her face. Ouch.

After the shoot is completed, the girls are shown back at the house, where they get their first elimination Tyra mail. It comes complete with a skull and crossbones icon.

"Tomorrow you will have your first meeting with the judges. Only 12 will continue on in the hope of becoming America's Next Top Model."

Next, is the first judging panel. The girls entered the room, where Tyra and the judges sat waiting for them. Tyra introduced the judges, Nigel Barker, Sally Hershberger and Andre Leon Talley, whom Tyra said is *THE* man to impress if you want to get anywhere in the modeling business. He will be a judge all Cycle long. She also told them about the prizes for the first time. The winner would receive a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models, a cover and 6 page spread in Seventeen magazine, and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics.

The following are the items each girl models, along with comments from the judges.

• Ren - the hat. They loved the shot. Her eye contract was amazing.
• Angelea - the shoes. They love her pose with one leg up. (I think she looked like a flamingo)
• Alexandra - the necklace. They think she looks beautiful, but her hand is too forced, covering her breast.
• Raina - the ring. Andre says she looks like a courteson. Tyra asked Raina if she knew what that meant, and she said she didn't, so Tyra exclaimed it was the King's mistress, which Raina was pleased to hear.
• Anslee - a clutch. They think she almost has it, but not quite.
• Simone - the jacket. They think it's a little stiff, but her skin looks incredible. (I personally loved this pose, and I agree, her skin is beautiful.)
• Gabrielle - the gold leggings. The judges were totally silent when they see her picture. Tyra remarks that when there is silence after seeing a photo, usually, that's not a good thing. They think she looks afraid, don't like how her arms are crossed in front of her, and she's lost her neck in the picture.

America's Next Top Model contestant Jessica
models shorts. © The CW
• Jessica - the shorts. (see photo right) They love the pic. Tyra says she is a chameleon, and a natural.
• Krista - the dress. They think she's posing in an old style of pose, and don't like the wig. Krista whips up her ponytail into a bun, and the judges all "ooh" and "aah" their pleasure at the look.
• Naduah - the sunglasses. Nigel thinks there is a disconnect, and that she looks like her head is chopped off in the photo.
• Brenda - the watch. They think it looks a bit awkward, but her eyes are really strong.
• Tatianna - the scarf. Andre loves it. He'd buy the scarf. Tyra loves it but says she wishes that Tatianna would have tried some other poses, because 3/4 of her shoot was in that same pose.
• Alasia - the vest. Most of the judges aren't loving the pose, and Alasia starts to cry, but Andre comes to her rescue, saying if that was up for sale, he would buy it and hang it in his salon. (I'm wondering if Alasia is cut out to be a model. She doesn't seem to have the thick skin needed to accept criticism.)

The judges deliberate, and decide who will be going home.

The callouts are as follows:

1. Jessica
2. Angelea
3. Ren
4. Brenda
5. Simone
6. Tatianna
7. Anslee
8. Raina
9. Naduah
10. Alexandra
11. Krista

The bottom two were Alasia and Gabrielle. The judges decide to give Alasia another chance because of Andre's support of her picture. Poor Gabrielle is the first girl to have to go home.

In the limo on the way home, Alasia comments that she realizes that being in the bottom two is a wake up call, and she's glad that the judges feel she has potential. Jessica walks in the model home to see her digital picture and is really pleased. Ren comments that she is getting a headache from listening to the girls talking so loud, and she feels she's far too intelligent compared to the other girls. (What a snob she is!)

Time for another Tyra mail!

"Y did the model cross the road? Guess u will have 2 find out 2morrow. Luv, Tyra"

Alexandra talks about being so competitive, and Naduah talks with Brenda, Raina, Simone and Alexandra about being from a family of 8. Once again, she brings up the fact that she was from a cult, and says that it made her a strong person. She goes on to talk about all this modeling experience she had, participating in international fashion week, doing a naked photo shoot with her husband, but she says that Playboy asked her to pose for their magazine, and she turned them down. Raina comments that Naduah said she participated in international fashion shows four times in the last year, but yet, she's broke. Naduah says that it doesn't pay well, which causes Raina and some of the other girls to question if Naduah is making all of this up or not.

Runway teach with Miss J

The next day the girls are taking to a location where they meet Miss J, who will gave them a runway teach. He teaches them how to walk down the runway and remove a coat. The second part of the teach is that they will now go down to the street below and walk across the busy intersection while removing their coat, and then come back across the street. Miss J will watch through binoculars from the room in the building. He doesn't say a whole lot, but the girls do get some interesting looks from people who were wondering why they were taking off their jackets in freezing weather. After the girls come back upstairs, Miss J again reminds them, "timing is everything... see ya."

Back in the model house, the girls get still another Tyra mail.

"2morrow u will really need 2 b in the swing of things. Luv, Tyra"

The next day, the girls go to Surrogate's Courthouse, in lower Manhattan. They see a runway set up, and chairs, and pendulums. There is Miss J, and designer Rachel Roy. He tells them this is their first runway challenge. Rachel explains that tonight they will be walking in her 2010 spring designs. The girl that walks the best will get to keep their outfit. And, the winner will also appear on RachelRoy.com, in her fall/winter collection. Miss J tells them they will be walking the runway where the pendulums will be swinging across, and if they aren't careful, they could end up tossed off the runway.

America's Next Top Model contestant Simone
walking in Rachel Roy runway challenge. © The CW

The girls get ready backstage, and soon it's time to begin. Most of them did pretty well, but some of them get hit by the pendulums, including Simone, who was first. She handled it just fine, though. Jessica also got nicked by one pendulum. But, the worst mishap was poor Alexandra, who slipped down the stairs, and then made it to the end of the runway, and on her way back got knocked off the runway by a pendulum. She recovered quickly, though and got back on the runway and completed her walk. Backstage, they showed the rip in her dress and the cut on her knee.

After the show, Rachel Roy gives the girls feedback on their runway walks. She appreciated that Alexandra continued her walk after falling, but says that she should have kept the mad out of her look. Alasia needs to take longer steps, but Miss J says she's doing better. Rachel loved both Brenda and Jessica. Miss J thinks Naduah gives face. And the winner is Brenda. Also, Jessica, as the winner of the previous challenge, gets to keep her dress. (This is something new this Cycle.)

Back in the house, Ren is again upset with Alasia being loud, as she is playing with the other girls. She tells her to shut the <blank> up, and Alasia goes off on her. Ren interviews that she could be living her life, but she chose to be in this crazy house. I think Ren needs to go home if she can't even deal with other people talking around her. Alasia is loud, no doubt about it, but Ren didn't need to get all upset about it. That said, Alasia really needs to get her temper in check, when she lets the slightest thing bother her so much.

It's time for Tyra mail again.

"Make ur mark b4 u disappear. Luv, Tyra."

The girls are taken to Brooklyn, where they meet Mr. Jay, who tells them they'll be doing a beauty photo shoot. They will be posing with a special colored scent that they'll spray on their necks, which will then disappear after a few moments. They will also have to deal with fans blowing strong winds, and jets water being sprayed on them, all, while trying to look fierce.

America's Next Top Model contestant Raina
in her photo shoot. © The CW

Alasia is first, and she meets the photographer, Brian Edwards. Mr. Jay isn't too impressed. Jessica has fabric that she uses behind her head. Alexandra is next, and she keeps putting her hands in the photo, and Jay isn't happy, saying it's not an ad for nail polish. But, eventually she gets it. Angelea does ok. Naduah is next, and the girls think she acts like she knows it all. Mr. Jay is not happy with her shoot. He thinks she looks like a blow up doll. Krista needs to use her eyes more. Simone is squinting too much. Tatianna is looking cold. Brenda looks drowned. Anslee does well. Raina looks fierce. (See photo right) She is Mr. Jay's favorite. Ren is having problems with the water getting into her contacts. She kind of gives up.

It's the Tyra mail with the skull icon.

Tomorrow you will meet with the judges. Only 11 will continue on in the hope of becoming America's Next Top Model.

It's time for the second elimination. You know the spiel... Tyra introduces the judges, which include Nigel Barker, guest judge Rachel Roy and Andre Leon Talley. Below are the comments made to each girl.

• Alasia - Tyra likes her picture, and so does Andre. Rachel is worried about the drool coming off of her chin.
• Anslee - They compare her pose to Madonna. Love her profile.
• Ren - She complains that it was cold, and she had her contacts in, and she couldn't breathe. When they show the pic, Tyra says it looks like she has a cold. Nigel says it looks like an ad for swine flu shots.
• Krista - Tyra says it's stunning. Andre compares it to something by Naomi Sims.
• Naduah - They aren't crazy about it. Tyra says that she has too much makeup on in panel, and she gives her a towel and water to wash it off. Oh snap!
• Tatianna - Rachel calls it perfection. Andre says it's romantic.
• Brenda - Andre says it doesn't anything for him. Tyra says the lighting adds years to her.
• Jessica - It's ok. The material saved her. Rachel says that the clothing upstages her.
• Angelea - Andre says it's a mess.
• Alexandra - Nigel says, "As a shot, it works, but as a perfume ad, I don't get it." Tyra asks her about the fall at the show, and they again comment that she needs to reign in her anger.
• Simone - Tyra says it looks like she is hearing something.
• Raina - It's incredible, looking face on. Tyra says it reminds her of a wolf.

After deliberation, the callouts went as follows:

1. Raina
2. Krista
3. Anslee
4. Tatianna
5. Simone
6. Alexandra
7. Angelea
8. Alasia
9. Brenda
10. Jessica

The bottom two are Ren and Naduah. They think Naduah is posing classically, but has an edgy look. Ren is edgy, but her photo looks like an ad for swine flu.

Ren will stay in the competition, and Naduah will go home. Personally, I think Ren should have said something about not being sure she wants to be in the competition.

Next week, the girls will meet with Cycle 3 model Toccara, who will give them a tour of the city, and test their fashion knowledge, and the photo shoot will be dance-inspired.

Is Ren going to make it another week without having a nervous breakdown? Will Alasia make good on her threat to Ren, saying "I know where you sleep"? Will Angelea end up not being the cycle drama queen after all? Tune in next week and find out.

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