America’s Next Top Model – Recap & Review – Nicki Minaj

photo: cw

America’s Next Top Model
Nicki Minaj

Original Air Date: Sep 15, 2011

Anne – Associate Editor
anne@thetwocentscorp.com

Welcome to cycle 17 of ANTM! This round we have a group of All-Stars. Going all the way back to cycle 1, we have some of the strongest personalities from each season. I have decided to wipe the slate clean and not dislike someone just because I didn’t during their regular run on the show. Except for one. Can you guess? If you’ve followed my recent reviews, it’s not much a secret. But more on that later. Let’s jump right into the action.

We are treated to one of Tyra’s little vignettes. In this one she is dreaming and having a nightmare about former contestants. But each one is her pretending to be them and she is mimicking their mannerisms quite humorously. She awakens to find herself surrounded by the real models, all demanding that she do an All-Stars cycle. Gee, I wonder. The opening was as tastily cheesy as it is every season. I roll my eyes, but I laugh anyway.

The prize is bigger and better this year and, pay close attention, she’ll only remind us what it is every dang episode. This time around they are playing for a $100K contract with Cover Girl, a national campaign for Express, a spread in Vogue Italia and a spot as a guest correspondent for Extra. How is that any bigger than usual? I guess the Extra thing is pretty cool. The girls all gather to see who else has been cast for the first time. We have the following:

Angelea – Cycle 14
Laura – Cycle 13
Bianca – Cycle 9
Lisa – Cycle 5
Bre – Cycle 5
Brittany – Cycle 4
Dominique – Cycle 10
Sheena – Cycle 11
Isis – Cycle 11
Kayla – Cycle 15
Allison – Cycle 12
Camille – Cycle 2
Shannon – Cycle 1
Alexandria – Cycle 16 – Ugh! This is the one I just can’t be neutral about. It’s too soon!

The only drama so far is that Bianca was momentarily mad at Bre, who is her bestie, for not telling her she was going to be there. Also, Bianca and Camille hate each other. It seems like Bianca is still rubbing a lot of people the wrong way. Only time will tell. We also learn that Isis had the sexual reassignment surgery two years ago and is all good to go and finally comfortable in her own body.

Tyra Mail! – You know y’all want the best bed, so go get it! Fierce and love, Tyra

Let the madness ensue! We don’t get any of the usual drama about who sleeps where, so at least that’s something. Mr. Jay comes in to give them their first challenge…which is taking place right now in their backyard by the pool. That pool is beautiful. I’m just saying. I love water. They will be portraying exaggerated version of their Top Model personalities. For instance, Laura is a country cutie. Can I be honest? I didn’t realize exactly who Laura was until they showed clips from her season. She looks a lot different. I loved her and she remains one of my favorites. Jumping right back into her past behavior, Bianca freaks out when they want to put red streaks in her hair. They’re extensions dear, what’s the problem? Drama! Then during her shoot, she just acted like she didn’t care. Shannon is still against wearing underwear, she says that’s only for her husband to see. But she was ok with bikini bottoms. What? I just don’t understand some of these people and how they rationalize things. The judges agree with me and wonder if she is a bit confused.

After the shoot, Mr. Jay announces that their judging panel will take place live in the Nokia Plaza for LA Live, with a huge crowd of fans and NIcki Minaj as their first guest judge. I’m not hugely fond of Nicki, but the girls are excited. Miss Jay is the emcee and gets the party started. The judges are introduced first and Nigel has hair! It’s a little jarring, I’m so used to him with the bald head. Andre is wearing a straw hat. You know, like a carnival barker? Whatever floats his boat, at least it doesn’t have that big shoe polishing brush hanging off of it. Most of the girls come out to great applause, but Alexandria is greeted with boos and some choice bad names. Like I said, too soon. I don’t like her, but I feel bad for her with that. Nobody has an absolutely horrid picture, but they are also being judged by their personalities and audience reaction. The Jays poll the audience and the rest of the judging moves into private.

My favorite pictures: Allison, Isis and Kayla
Judges Top 3: Isis, Allison and Camille
Bottom 2: Brittany and Alexandria

Brittany is eliminated because nobody remembered her at all. Not a single audience member mentioned her at all. They might have hated Alexandria, but that just means she’s memorable and causes a reaction; and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I can understand this, even though I exhaled pitifully when she made it through. I feel bad for Brittany being the first to go, but I truly can’t remember her either.

I think we’re off to a good start and it’s going to be a very dramatic and exciting cycle. The challenges all look bigger and more complex. As long as they have a photo shoot each week I’ll be happy. I don’t always love the huge involved challenges. My favorites so far are Allison, Kayla and Laura. Not just because of their pictures, but because I really loved them from before. Who are your favorites? Are you looking forward to the rest of the season? Please leave your TwoCents below! If you want to follow our reviews and maybe talk a little tv, please follow me on Twitter (@TTCAnne)! Thank you for reading and I’ll see you next week!