Wham, bam...thank you, ma'am. A lot of reality shows tend to drag out the big finale. Some to the point of being obnoxious (cough, cough...The Apprentice). But not Top Model. There was no long and tedious two-hour finale. No live audience. Not even a lot of tense music. And I only counted one suspenseful cut to a commercial that slightly annoyed me. Tyra kept this finale short and sweet, without a lot of fluff. So, I will do the same... Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new Top Model....Nicole!!! Yeah, I don't know how I feel 
about it either. On one hand, I'm happy with the decision. Nicole is a beautiful girl and she certainly is meant to be a model. But, on the other hand, any of the girls in the final three would have made incredible top models. Plus, I remember back to the first episode and how annoying she was. Remember their trip to the grocery store? "Chapstick! We need to get some chapstick!" Who would have thought that she'd end up winning the whole thing?
The finale began with the final three (Bre, Nik, Nicole) celebrating their achievement of making it to the end. The girls jumped on beds and cheered, but the celebration was short-lived as they soon found their way to the Cover Girl commercial and photo shoot. They do this every year on Top Model and it's always my least favorite thing. You don't really realize how fake models are in make-up commercials until you see them "behind the scenes." It's nothing but cheesy smiles for as far as the eye can see.
All they had to do was read some lines and smile real pretty for the camera. Somehow this is very hard to do. But to everyone's surprise (including mine) Nik nailed it. Absolutely nailed it. She didn't slip on a single word. Nicole, on the other hand, sucked. She fumbled over every single line and complained that the lights were too bright. Too bright? You're a model! She screwed up her lines so bad that Jay actually had to feed her dialogue to her line-by-line. How in the world did this girl end up winning?
Nik rocked, and Nicole sucked. Bre found herself somewhere in the middle and was eliminated. Apparently, the judges just didn't think she had what it takes. When Bre was eliminated, I just loved how she immediately removed her heels and slipped on her super dork glasses. I thought that if there was ever a Bre moment to erase the unfortunate London Red Bull Fiasco of 2005...that was it.
With Bre gone, Nik and Nicole were on to the final runway show. Yawn. Last year, they had a runway of water that was partially dark. This year, it was just extra long and the girls were instructed to "take long strides and stomp really hard." Yawn. There should have been snakes slithering across the stage. Or, to make it more challenging, drunken Lisa should have been sprawled across it during a drunken blackout and the girls would have had to maneuver around her. That would have made it more interesting. In fact, the most intriguing thing about the runway show (notice I didn't say beautiful or attractive) was Miss J's bonnet made out of his corsage flowers from the fallen contestants. Somewhere, there is a big black woman searching desperately for her favorite Sunday church hat.
As far as the runway show, I think the girls performed equally-well, but I am a do-or-die Nik fan. The girl might not have a lot of personality, but who cares? She is absolutely gorgeous.
She is gorgeous from the side, the front, the back, the rear, the boobs, straight hair, curly hair, no hair. She's gorgeous and she takes a gorgeous picture. Plus, not once did I really ever hear her do or say anything negative about anybody else. She fought this fight clean and fair. But apparently, the judges thought that was a bad thing. They didn't think she was tough enough to be a real model. But isn't Tyra supposed to be a nice model? Every week, she goes on and on about her experiences, and all the mean things other models did to her during her rise to super stardom. Tyra was a nice model, so why is she chopping Nik down for being the same way? I don't get it.
Nicole? I think she's a pretty girl and a photogenic girl. But she's annoying. There is something sort of cocky about her, and I don't like it. I know that she had that sob story about how she is "never the girl who wins" and I say, so what? If you never won before, then why do you have to win now? It should have been Nik. It should have been Nik.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
12-08-2005 @ 8:23AM
Michelle said...
Girl, I could not agree with you more. My cousin and I got all geared up to watch the finale, bowls of cereal in hand. I was definitely disappointed when Bre' was cut. Being a native New Yawker myself, I loved her raspy voice and spunk. Also, Nicole has annoyed me for a very long time. At this time, I choose to bring up the whole statue-bird incident. Another example of where Nik rocked and Nicole sucked. However, after the Cover girl commercial fiasco, I was sure that Nik would be the winner. I mean, what kind of spokes model can you be if you need your lines fed to you and you’ll blame the lights for your mistakes? I must admit that Nicole did rock the runway, her walk was good. However, contrary to Twiggy's Comments, I like the little bounce in Nik's step. It gives her a little flavor that Nicole could only dream of having. But then came the moment of truth, the announcement of the winner. Never, in all my years of watching this show has my heart sunk like it did last night. I felt so disappointed. My cousin swore she'd never watch again if Nicole won, but I know she's as hooked as I am and we'll both be back next season. Although I know we'll be seeing Nicole in ads and on the lovely little "My life as a Cover girl" segments, it's Nik that I'll be looking for. It's Nik's modeling career that I'll be following and routing for. For all the women of color out there like me who need a great role model to follow, here she is. Your runner-up and my favorite.........NIK!! Sorry ya lost honey, you'll always be THE WINNER in my heart.
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12-08-2005 @ 8:55AM
Nelly said...
I agree, that Nik should have been the winner. Her pictures were beautiful and she perform all of her poses well. She is a role model for all women with color, and I feel that she was rob. Nicole was annoying from Day 1. I agree that if Nicole wons , I was not going to watch it. Nicole is not a Top model, Nik won the covergirl of the week , everytime the show air. Nik is flawless and Tyra was to dumb to see it. Miss J knew Nik rock that and Jay as well. I still can't beleive Nicole is America Top model, it just shows that anyone can be a model. I'm so mad that Nik didn't win, I just want to go in that TV and slap Tyra and said are you dumb , Nik should be the winner. I was Nik Fan when show begin and still is. Don't worry about it Nik you was born to be a model and you still have your chance. Godd luck to you!
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12-08-2005 @ 9:29AM
tiffany prince said...
I agree w/both of you. This year was very disapointing when the results came out. I have never questioned there decision before. I do think nik is awesome and nicole is an everyday girl. They always said that they did not want a everyday girl well they got a boring one. I do not think that she can live up to eva or naima for that matter. I will watch next year but my hopes will not be as high. I will be watching for nicole and bre as well as my favorite of all tacara.
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12-08-2005 @ 9:30AM
Gabrielle said...
Nik didn't win Covergirl of the week every single week, but she won it pretty often. They were both excellent models, and I am sure Nik has a very very bright future in front of her. That being said, I think Nicole won fair and square- the way she took command of that runway made me forget to breathe for a minute.
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12-08-2005 @ 9:40AM
Patrick said...
When we were watching the finale last night, my friend mockingly said I should write some angry letters on internet message boards. Here I am... I also agree: Nik should have won, and pretty much for the exact reasons Lacy suggested. I think it was obvious from the get-go that Bre didn't have what it takes, so that wasn't really a big shocker.
Also, yes Nicole performed quite well in the runway show, but does that really erase her horrid performance earlier in the show? Plus, Nik's hot. There, I said it. I'm have more message boards to visit now...
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12-08-2005 @ 9:56AM
Leslie said...
I think Nicole absolutely ROCKED that runway. She did not look like the super spazz Nicole of the past. She was focused and fierce. I think she got past the crappy commercial incident because, as Tyra said, she had nailed the previous commerical. I thought Nik was beautiful, but I agree her subdued personality gave her pictures a little something less (most of the time).
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12-08-2005 @ 10:36AM
lee said...
I knew I KNEW that they weren't going to pick another woman of color! I really think this pattern of picking light skin girls or white girls is getting a lil tiring! I was hoping that Bre would've at least made it to the top two or even win. She had everything! I almost think this show is fixed and they decide in the start what they are lookin for. I told my girlfriend they can't pick a light skin girl they have to pick a white girl this time, it goes perfect in alignment to the past shows. Bre had no chance to win, I hope they prove me wrong and next season let a dark skin woman win. I will follow Bre's and I'm sure her future will be bright!
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12-08-2005 @ 10:46AM
sugar said...
Nik is better than America's Next Top Model - she doesn't need Cover Girl, cause she can have Estee Lauder, beeotch!
Nicole, is dumb. Nik was clearly the most intelligent of the bunch (which doesn't mean she is really smart or anything...just saying). Nicole was bratty. Nik was reserved - which can be another way of saying professional. Nicole looked like all the other girls. Nik looked individualistic, recognizable, interesting.
Tyra - you have lost your groove. This show started out strange...and kept getting stranger and stranger.
Next cycle...I don't know if I can be bothered to watch the same old miss things, pretending they know who is the better model. They don't know.
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12-08-2005 @ 11:03AM
Evadne said...
I agree with Leslie that Nicole did a better job on the runway. Nik seemed to have the runway thing down with her body (I don't understand why they thought she was too "bouncy"), but not her face. And I agree with the judges that Nik had the same look in many of her photos. Aside from a few amazing pictures, I generally found Nicole's more compelling--the socialite shot, for one, was amazing. I doubt it was the lights that messed up the Covergirl shoot for Nicole--clearly, she was intimidated by that in a way that Nik was not. It's interesting that it seems to have come down to personality, because it looks to me like it's Nicole who has trouble sustaining a persona beyond the instant a photograph is taken.
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12-08-2005 @ 11:11AM
Ashley said...
I just want to say I think Nicole deserved to win. Nik is beautiful, but she was too timid for the world of modeling. I wanted Nicole from the start because I know her personally, and know that she is an incredible person. All of you haters need to have some respect. She won fair and square. I think the judges know more about modeling than any of you.
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12-08-2005 @ 11:18AM
Rush said...
I can see both points of view about Nik and Nicole. However, I feel that Nicole was the most well rounded. Nik was a little bit held back, but extremely mature, I give her props. The comment about color is not needed. The industry is filled will women of all color. This cycle was a little bit different, but I'm very happy with the results. And really if any of these girls are top models they do not need a TV show to prove it as we have seen with many of the contestants in the past who are on top. Anyway, all those girls are winners for even making it in, so props to all! I cannot wait for a Men's or Child top model, so if you need help with that let me know Tyra!
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12-08-2005 @ 11:24AM
Kia said...
I Tivo'd the Finale but for some reason it only recorded 46 min. of the show. It cut off on me in the middle of the long runway when Nik was Walking. I turned my T.V. off last night at around 2:30 a.m. feeling pretty confident that I can just get up in the morning and check the web for Nik's victory. I am so upset...To me I feel that there had to be a forced diversity in the winners.....consider the last winners....Eva? Naimah??....now Nik???? Maybe Tyra had to add another hue to the list of winners. I know the first winner wasn't African American. But this is what comes to mind when I see that Nicole won the whole thing....I really can't believe it. I've never felt more cheated and let down. Nicole.....really????
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12-08-2005 @ 11:26AM
Kia said...
I Tivo'd the Finale but for some reason it only recorded 46 min. of the show. It cut off on me in the middle of the long runway when Nik was Walking. I turned my T.V. off last night at around 2:30 a.m. feeling pretty confident that I can just get up in the morning and check the web for Nik's victory. I am so upset...To me I feel that there had to be a forced diversity in the winners.....consider the last winners....Eva? Naimah??....now Nik???? Maybe Tyra had to add another hue to the list of winners. I know the first winner wasn't African American. But this is what comes to mind when I see that Nicole won the whole thing....I really can't believe it. I've never felt more cheated and let down. Nicole.....really????
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12-08-2005 @ 11:41AM
Jenny said...
I liked Lisa. She should have won! She had spunk!
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12-08-2005 @ 11:57AM
JoAnna said...
I too watch the finale, and my heart sank when Tyra announce, that the next top model would be Nicole.
How disappointing! I believe in fairness, and all things being equal an honest. I watched the show from
begining to the end. In my heart, I believe that NIK should have been the next Top Model. It should not have been whether you selected two or three black previous times. All I ask and all the viewers is be fair and honest. This was robbery!!!! God is going to make it right for NIK. She will get her props.
Tyra, your two-faces came out, for all to see. I was begining to appreciate and respect you. Now, I can not watch either one of your shows. Simply, because you are dishonest.
NIK, YOU ARE A TOP MODEL, AND YOU PROVE YOUR SELF ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE COMPETITION. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TYRA CROWNING YOU THE NEXT TOP MODEL. YOU WILL ALWAYS OVERSHADOW NICOLE.
STAY STRONG!!!
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12-08-2005 @ 12:07PM
Des said...
Girl, everything you said is right on!!!
Nik was my girl from the beginning and she should have won because she has an exotic, gorgeous look.
I didn't care for Nicole on the runway she was nothing special.
Don't get me wrong Nicole took great photos and her first commercial was good but like you said she has a cockiness about her that I just don't like.
She is quite irritating and she just doesn't have that strong supermodel look or personality to me.
Yes Nik bounced a little but it didn't bother me she was still flawless. With a little more instruction from Ms. J., Nik's walk could have been remedied.
But the thing about it is Nik should have won but you also have to keep in mind that the last two winners were black and Tyra couldn't really afford to let another black girl win and risk losing some of her white viewers.
I'm not trying to racist at all just being honest.
If you paid attention at the end of the show when Tyra asked them to speak on their feelings Nik already knew she wasn't going to win because she even commented that no matter what happened she would not be mad.
But I'm not worried about Nik, I'm sure she will get snatched up by some top modeling firm before you can say, "Lisa would you like a drink?"
So congratulations Nicole! But watch out cause Nik is about to blow up the modeling world!
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12-08-2005 @ 12:15PM
Lisa said...
I didn't get to see the finale last night but I have watched the show all season and clearly the judges made a horrible decision in choosing Nicole. Nik clearly should have won because she has natural born modeling abilities and she is beautiful in a unique way. Nik also played the game the right way by coming there and not becoming buddy buddy with anyone but also not backstabbing or talking about anyone. Nicole complained to much, she was very imature and she is way to plain. I am very disappointed in the decision and I believe the only reason she was chosen was because she was white and they have already had two top models of color. Also I believe tyra was jealous of Nik because she was so good.
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12-08-2005 @ 12:24PM
lou said...
Nik - VICTORIA'S SECRET - YOU GO GIRL.
And, you can bet she will make more money and get more exposure working for them than Nicole will with her Elle bit. I think this is a blessing for Nik.
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12-08-2005 @ 12:27PM
George said...
They did Nik a favor. ANTM winners still aren't taken seriously by the modeling industry, whereas runners up with a bit of gumption are actually finding work (see: Yaya's current national Radio Shack TV spot, Rebecca from cycle 4 in Cosmo, etc.). Nik will get plenty of work.
As for Nicole, she's certainly marketable. Cover Girl has more than a little hand in deciding the winner, and they probably picked her early in the game. From then on, it was just a matter of keeping her from doing anything stupid.
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12-08-2005 @ 12:36PM
Nola said...
I think we still think white is better!!! Nik should have won this competition. Nicole did nor remember one line, and found the lights too bright!!!!how could she be a winner. In fact I think that although Bre is short she had more personality that the others. I am trully upset, and don't think I will watch next year.
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