Little birdies — tiny, petite, size zero birdies — are chirping that Chicago native Jaslene Gonzales is going to be named America’s Next Top Model. Could it be that one of the competition’s biggest underdogs (you know she was thisclose to making it into the Cycle 7 cast) is going to win the grand prize (Say it with me, now: “A modeling contract with Elite Model Management, a six-page spread and cover of Seventeen magazine and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics”)?
After the disappointing result of last night’s The Amazing Race: All Stars (Eric and Danielle? Really? They’re not as nails-on-a-chalkboard irritating as Mirna, but still!), the possibility that someone, in the words of ANTM judge Twiggy, “warm and lovely and friendly” could come out on top warms my cold, reality junkie heart.
I admit, I wasn’t always such a fan of little miss drag queen. It took me a while to get over her over-the-top (and initially, unfounded) confidence in her walk — “When I watch these girls walk, it’s so funny to me,” she bragged. “Just ’cause I’m the best when I get out there.” Thankfully, she’s toned it down — a lot — and I found myself cheering along when she finally won her first challenge last week. It’s pretty amazing, really, how much these girls can transform in such a short time.
Of course, there are already theories flying around about why Jaslene might win — including one I really, really hope has no validity: Jaslene, people have pointed out, is the only top-four beauty who doesn’t have children. Say it isn’t so, Tyra!
This week, the final four learn about aboriginal dance (bring on the awkward, weighted symbolism!), and Renee, Dionne and Jaslene gang up on Natasha. Now that’s fierce.
