America’s Next Top Model makeover episodes are among the favorites for most viewers, and last night’s session raised an interesting question: can a model lose this competition because of her “new look?” Fo (pictured), for one, voiced that concern after her lengthy locks were cropped and chopped. She cried about looking “butch,” then cried some more, until the judges told her to “step it up.” (If you’re not ready to have your head potentially shaved, don’t try out for this show.) A dozen girls, some with similar names and looks, are hard to sort through, but one standout moment came when Natalie balked at a new style, and Jay Manuel stunned her by saying they had no intention of touching her hair—she has the “perfect model look” just as she is. That’s a first. The photo challenge, shot by Nigel Barker, was just weird. The girls had to pose while lighting themselves with two flashrods, and most fumbled badly. Only Teyona “rocked it,” Nigel praised. By contrast, Tyra said expressionless Nijah looked like a “beautiful corpse.” In a case of beauty “not translating to her photos,” Jessica was unexpectedly sent home; her pic was downright scary. “You have to look better in pictures than you do in person,” explained Tyra. It’s hard to imagine Allison or hardcore Celia going much further in this cycle. They have distinctly odd looks that would limit their careers. Whose makeover suits her the best? For second opinions, check out the encore tomorrow night.
America’s Next Top Model / All New! Wed. 8pm – Encores: Fri. 9pm
