by Dizzy Miss Lizzy
I’m not sure this show is big enough for Tyra’s ego. She might have to create another love-letter-slash-television-show for herself. She wants to be Oprah; I like Oprah better. In this episode, Tyra tries too hard to be comical and inspiring and laidback. Like she’s trying to impress someone who cannot be impressed. Or maybe she is compensating for something (ie. some extra pounds around the midsection perhaps), trying to redeem credibility in front of these aspiring models.
Challenge: Samba Dancing
Paulina Porizkova teaches the girls to samba, or at least to how to fake it with confidence. Dancing requires poise and coordination, modeling elements that the final four need to master. Celia performs well, but Paulina confronts her about both her age and desire: “You are at an age that plays too old for modeling” and “You want this too much – desperation is not sexy.” Ouch, Paulina. True, but ouch.
Aminat takes to dancing naturally. Hopefully this lesson will transfer to her modeling; week after week, she is criticized for not knowing how to use her body. Allison and Teyona… Well, they are dreadful. They dance about as well as I dance. Except for the curly hair, comedic sensibilities and accompanying laugh track, this could be me:
Photo Shoot: In the Jungle with Tyra
The girls pose as birds, as pterodactyl-owl-baby-like creatures. I don’t know. Tyra’s high. Allison is up first. It probably helps that she always look like an innocent baby bird. Jay Manuel notes that this is first photo shoot where Allison seems comfortable and confident. Chalk that up to Tyra’s presence. All the models feel a sense of ease around her. Much as I gripe about her ego, Tyra does well to humanize what must be a fairly dehumanizing experience. (“You’re a monkey, Derek! Dance monkey!”)
Tyra finds Aminat and Celia a pleasure to work with. However, she has a difficult time with Teyona. Unfortunately, by the time Teyona’s up, the light is disappearing and everyone is exhausted.
Winner: Allison
High: Allison and Teyona
Bottom Two: Celia and Aminat
Eliminated: Celia