by Dizzy Miss Lizzy
Brazil, here we come!!
But first, it’s been a few busy weeks, so let me catch you up. On Tahlia’s elimination: Thank goodness! On London’s elimination: Apparently she’d been getting through the competition stress with the help of her lord and savior Jesus Christ, and a whole lot of peanut butter cups. The chubby one will be missed. But not much. This week, the final six contestants, Aminat, Teyona, Fo, Celia, Allison and Natalie, relocate to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Alright, we’re caught up.
Challenge 1: Amazing Model Race
The girls step off the plane and into their first challenge, a citywide scavenger hunt to find “The Girl From Ipanema.” The race leads them to a botanical garden and the key to their new home. I was unaware that the famous song was inspired by an actual person. Well color me impressed, I learned something new while watching America’s Next Top Model!
Fo and Natalie reach the destination first. Their prize for winning is secondary to the thrill of beating everyone else. It’s clear that the competition has reached a new stage, and it’s every woman for herself. They all, as Aminat says, “want this more than a fat kid wants cake!”
Challenge 2: Capoeira
After settling into the new apartment, the girls meet Jay Manuel for the episode’s second challenge. They learn the basics of capoeira, a Brazilian art form that blends martial arts and dance, from a master troupe. Celia “accidentally” kicks her practice partner, Aminat, in the face. Both confessional commentaries are pretty funny. Under Jay’s direction, the girls create poses using their bodies and incorporating the new martial arts movements.
Fo wins the challenge and gets 25 additional frames for the photo shoot. She also gets to take away 25 frames from one of the other girls. She chooses the strongest competitor, Teyona.
Photo Shoot: Carmen Miranda
The photo shoot is all about Carmen Miranda, also known as the Chiquita banana lady. In the dressing room, Makeup Artist Extraordinaire, Sutan, gives a history lesson on the Brazilian icon. The girls dress in colorful fruit hats and ruffles. They pose in the favelas, basically slums, of Sao Paolo. Natalie, ever the rich girl from southern California, is unsettled and disgusted by the poverty. Her photos reflect her attitude toward the space.
Aminat has personality, drive and energy, but never brings it in front of the camera. Fo takes the Carmen Miranda angle far too literally, cheesing it up in front of the camera. She needed the extra frames, and still barely got the shot. On the other hand, Teyona, with her reduced number of frames, shines. Her smile is no longer a denture cream ad, and she creates amazing editorial poses. Allison impresses Jay by showing more versatility and personality than ever before. She breaks out of the one-look posing and even looks sexy.
Winner: Allison
High: Allison and Teyona
Bottom Two: Aminat and Natalie
Loser: Natalie
