(S09E02) After 3,400 or so votes in last weeks poll the results are in, and a majority of you think Heather is going to win this competition. Chantal and Lisa were in second and third place respectively followed closely by Victoria in fourth. Sadly, Janet (my pick) is sitting in fifth place.
After watching tonight's episode, I'm willing to let you all change your mind on the whole Heather thing. Don't get me wrong, I think Heather is an attractive girl and she took a stunning photo in tonight's episode. Despite that, do you really see her as a CoverGirl spokeswoman?
Here she is on the balcony looking slightly awkward. It's important to note that her only company is a stuffed monkey. The awkward factor is billion times worse when she's around live, breathing human beings. I might be mistaken, but models are around other people pretty regularly.
Can you really see Heather walking a runway, doing speaking engagements, or nailing a commercial for some new mascara line? Can you see her at charity events, schmoozing at a high profile party, or doing whatever other highly visible tasks a model is required to do on a daily basis? I certainly don't on all of the above.
I guess it's possible that she could blossom into a confident, gregarious contender as the competition moves forward, but in all honesty, I just don't see it happening. It's unfortunate too, because I like a "good underdog prevails against impossible odds" story as much as the next person - the challenge just appears insurmountable in this instance.
Here's to hoping I'm proven wrong.
Anyhow, tonight the girls went green, because green is the new black. To go with this cycles green theme, the girls learned that they'd be transported around town in a 100% biodiesel bus that was replete with earth friendly items like grass and seats made from recycled tires. Sadly, upon entering the bus most of the girls still remained somewhat plastic.
The models were then carted off to their mansion for the next couple of months and they excitedly pranced around the house oooohing and aaaahing at pictures of Jaslene and Tyra strewn throughout the house.
We immediately got to see some of Heather's awkwardness which I ranted about earlier. Most of the girls were still excited about the house and doing silly things like jumping fully clothed into the pool, but Heather was sitting on her bed writing in what looked to be a journal. 
To Heather's credit, she did jump into a bathtub with five other girls a bit later which caused me to turn to my wife and say, "Never have I so badly wished to be made of porcelain." She didn't find it amusing either.
This weeks photos were shot by Mike Rosenthal, and the theme revolved around the harm that smoking does to one's body. The girls would be shot in a glamorous pose while wielding a cigarette, then made to appear like they were suffering from some cigarette related affliction. The two images would later be superimposed into a single image that juxtaposed the sexy image smoking portrays against the true dangers smoking really inflicts.
First the green theme, then this. Tyra's really trying to make a difference this cycle, isn't she?
I know this is a very serious subject not to be taken lightly, but I was giggling like a school girl during this entire sequence. Some of the girls looked absolutely hysterical in their after make-up. I took some screencaps of my favorites and put my own special anti-smoking warning beneath.
Surgeon General's Warning: Smoking may cause you to grow a skin mullet.
Surgeon General's Warning: Smoking may cause Nosferatu.
Surgeon General's Warning: Smoking may cause you to get a face tattoo you will really, really regret.
Surgeon General's Warning: Smoking will straight f*ck you up.
What in the holy hell did they do to Mila and what random woodland creature is she holding in her hand? She looks like someone who lived right outside the Chernobyl site. I don't blame her whatsoever for cracking up during her photos. This getup is absolutely ridiculous.
After the shoot Bianca and Lisa got into a verbal spat in which Bianca hit below the belt by saying, "You think America's Next Top Model is going to be a stripper? What a role model!" This caused Lisa to explode because she's pretty self-conscious about her former occupation.
Ultimately, Bianca proved she's smarter than she looks by apologizing to Lisa. Her reason for apologizing? She didn't want her comment to come up during panel. I think this was the first time I've seen someone on this show make a Big Brother like strategic decision to advance further in the game. I was impressed.
Later on in the episode, the girls got to go to Old Navy to choose some basic wardrobe items that they'd wear to panel to try and impress the judges. Their guide through the shopping process was none other than Benny Ninja, who came out looking like he'd been assaulted by a 75% off accessory bin.
One of the girls made a comment about Heather being at a disadvantage during this challenge because she obviously didn't keep up with current fashion trends. This was only one of several catty comments I heard during the show regarding Heather. It's almost like the other girls feel extraordinarily threatened by her, and therefore constantly try and talk her down for their own peace of mind.
Maybe you all are on to something with this whole Heather thing...
Saleisha ended up winning the Old Navy challenge and won a $1,000 shopping spree. We also learned that this will be a no smoking cycle keeping with the whole "Tyra's going to change the world" theme.
The order of the photos:
- Heather
- Lisa
- Chantal
- Sarah
- Jenah
- Saleisha
- Ambriel
- Victoria
- Janet
- Kimberly
- Bianca
It came down to Ebony and Mila with Mila eventually being the one who got sent home. She was bound to be the person picked to leave due to the disservice her make-up artist performed on her during the photoshoot. It also might have been due to the vacant expression she had on her face 99% of the time - I can't quite decide. Either way she's gone and I'm not sad.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-27-2007 @ 8:39AM
reb said...
Oh, Tyra, you're just crazy!
I love that this is going to be a non-smoking season. Now we have girls that are insecure, underfed *and* suffering from nicotine withdrawal. That's a house I wouldn't want to live in.
And seriously, JJ, your captions made me laugh until I cried.
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9-27-2007 @ 8:45AM
Kira said...
Loved the captions as well too JJ.
Well despite some satellite dish interference that caused me to miss the final judging of no less than 4 of the girls including Heather, the show was great. I guess I have to go to the ANTM website to see the ones I missed.
Anyway, they are certainly building the case for us all to root for Heather. I mean those girls were catty and they were sure to let us see every last comment... sometimes even implying that Heather overheard them all herself, which may or may not be the case depending on the editors.
I feel for Heather and I think what she is doing is great and certainly not easy considering her condition... she is definitely an underdog with big potential, but I too wonder about her spokesmodel abilities.
Another real underdog in my mind is that Yale girl. I like her. She's another one that might not do great on the spokesmodel part, but she does come alive when the camera is on her. I also agreed with her comment about hating when girls fight. Me too. Grow up people. Meow!
I'm still picking Chantal, even though she's probably not exotic enough for the likes of ANTM.
I'm glad Mila is gone. She was vapid .... and I do mean va-pid. She made Paris Hilton look like Mensa. I was certain she would last longer cause usually the one's I like the least end up torturing me for many weeks. This was a nice change.
Can't wait for the make-over show... that's when we really see who has the stomach for this competition.
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9-27-2007 @ 8:50AM
laura nason said...
When I saw that Top Model was going green, I had hoped that at panel they would pick Twiggy up and compost her, she needs recycling.
I dont like Heather, she is gorgeous but the whole aspergers syndrome is causing me grief. I dont see her being a top model , because there is no treatment and really this girl couldnt handle the pressure.
For the first Photo shoot which i will call "mirror mirror on the wall, whos got the most prosthetics of all?" (they must have had alot left over from her talk show) was hilarious! I would have been laughing! I hate when Tyra tries to be all serious one minute, and the next minute she is on a table simulating a brazilian bikini wax, the woman is a walking contridiction.
At this moment I am rooting for Lisa, and cannot wait for the makeovers.
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9-27-2007 @ 9:46AM
Sorceressss said...
JJ as usual, you are right on. I voted for Heather going all the way last week, but after watching last night, I thought the same thing about her being a spokeswoman. She is really beautiful, but can she look the camera in the eye and sell a product? Probably not.
I also found the other women's consant comments about her really distressing. There was no reason for them, if these wanna be models are so shallow, then the best thing would be for Heather to get eliminated sooner rather than later for her own well being.
That being said, I am still going to root for her.
Heather stay strong!!!
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9-27-2007 @ 10:49AM
Dara said...
You have got to be kidding me, saying that Heather doesn't have the potential to be a spokes model. You think Jaslene and the previous winners had it? I can barely understand Jaslene when she's speaking...
I found it really cruel that the other girls had to trash talk Heather. Insecurity in themselves, no doubt.
I do agree that she is socially stunted, but maybe the experience will bring her out of her shell. I don't think it'll kill her. Not that Asperger's afflicted people don't have feelings, they do process feelings differently. It was heart-warming to hear her conversation with her Mom. Sounds like she's had a lot of support.
Go Heather!!!!
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9-27-2007 @ 11:31AM
Bas said...
I agree with Dara - go Heather! She takes fabulous pictures, and I can totally see her on a couture runway. So what if she can't really socialize with the other girls. Frankly, given the personalities of most of the girls, I see Heather as a positive. My husband and I were making a list of all the girls that said the cattiest things about her, so we can actively root against them.
Last week, I thought it was going to be Ebony that I couldn't stand, but now Bianca has stolen the b**ch crown away from her. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that her and her $5 weave go home soon.
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9-27-2007 @ 12:03PM
Erin said...
I'm also on team Heather. And team Lisa. I really feel for both of them. One thing that Top Model has been consistent in is the diversity of the winners. I don't think Chantal will win it because very recently there has been a blonde bombshell winner. Caridee.
Did you all catch Heather's face when her name was called? I was so happy for her.
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9-27-2007 @ 12:12PM
rick cokely said...
Lisa, Heather, and Victoria are my early favorites. I think Lisa will take the crown, but the other two will give her a run for her money.
I think people bashing Heather are really off-base. I know a guy with Asperger's and he's kinda weird, but he is a well liked guy. He just has an issue talking to people face-to-face. His conversation is stilted, but the message he is saying is normal. Heather to me seems more like a loner than someone with Asperger's.
Models do have to have a good personality to get gigs, it will be difficult for her to get a job if she isn't all smiles and friendly faces, but I think its unfair to say "she can't do it" if she hasn't had the chance to try. Someone with Asperger's is perfectly capable of understanding that you need to do XY&Z and they will be able to do that, they just may not know under normal circumstances that they should do XY&Z. But being a model she has an advantage of coaches and handlers that can tell her what she needs to do... which was pretty evident in her pictures last and this week.
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9-27-2007 @ 1:39PM
r.r.r. said...
i also think heather has what it takes to be ANTM. even when she was being judged last night, she changed her standing position and that made a difference. i don't have a favorite yet, but it's early. tyra is insane and i love this show. :) glad it's on tv squad again. word.
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9-27-2007 @ 1:46PM
jessie said...
I am still rooting for Lisa and the photo she pulled out was great - in your face Bianca! Eventually she will forget to apologize for running her yap-trap and she'll be sent packing! Can't wait for that day. I am rooting for Heather but Lisa is my girl!! She is articulate and sweet, great smile, beautiful, etc. I couldn't help but laugh at the makeup Mila either. Deer in headlights was my impression of her at panel.
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9-27-2007 @ 2:54PM
mnm said...
Doesn't Tyra *know* what happens on the shoots? Doesn't Mr. Jay report back? If not, Jay, then maybe some producer who is thinking "Oh, this would be good tv!" or something. Why does Bianca think that Tyra wouldn't know that she'd been badmouthing Lisa? Aren't the cameras rolling? Doesn't this make Bianca NOT so smart?
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9-27-2007 @ 3:25PM
Bach said...
I remember playing this one game where you could customize the appearance of your character. As with such things there comes a time when you must make the most ridiculous character ever. What do you know? They had Mila's hairstyle and it was called "Patches." It's such a joke!
I swear if they start a compost pile in the backyard......
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9-27-2007 @ 3:25PM
Emily said...
I like both Heather and Lisa. I think Heather can handle a spokesmodel assignment better than a runway, though. The poor thing walks like Lurch - she needs Miss Jay to help her with the way she holds her head and shoulders.
Lisa will have to live down her previous job title. I know the girls are going to throw it in her face every chance they get.
I was so glad to see Mila go. Clueless females with vacant expressions drive me crazy. I'd like to see Bianca go next.
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9-27-2007 @ 8:26PM
S...antm lova! said...
I just love JJ Hawkins. How do I write to him? I luv all the comments!
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9-28-2007 @ 3:57PM
Courtney said...
My three favorites so far are Victoria, Lisa, and Chantel. Those three had the best photos over everyone! I was so mad at the girls for bad mouthing Heather like that, it literally made me want to throw up that these girls were being so mean just because Heather was a little different, and who was the girl that didn't want Heather to cling to her? What an awful person, they all looked so ugly. Thank goodness for Victoria to be morally superior.
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10-01-2007 @ 11:41PM
Exec Mom said...
Re: Posted at 12:12PM on Sep 27th 2007 by rick cokely
Rick, your comments holds true about Heather, as the author of this article is expressing only their personal opinion which should be researched, as in 'asperger's'. As for Heather or any other contestant doing a spokes model shoot, they will all be coached...that's right, its a national TV program, not some rag-time amatur producing such. The only rag-time you will see, its the catty behavior among some of these girls, which of course, its irresponsible and will eventually lead to sending these same girls home. There is no room in this business for such. Only the professional will be taken serious.
After researching the history of the contestants, Heather should not be singled out as being awkward, as the other girls will subcomb to further ridicule, because they are also inexperienced. ANTM is there to groom these girls...so this has been said.
Heather will come out on top if not, win, period. Her socialization skills may be off, yet she is there to do the best she is ask to do without causing grief toward anyone. I have a close family member with mild asperger. Inquisitive individual, especially if its something of interest. Give this individual their space, proper coaching, they will exceed.
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9-30-2007 @ 5:47PM
Aiden said...
Hello! I would like to know where I can get a monkey like the one Heather is holding in the picture. It's so cute.
Thanks =)
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10-01-2007 @ 8:49AM
Rachel said...
I used to respect Tyra, but no more. I think she brings in women with courage like Heather for ratings..sorry but the truth. If she honestly wanted to help her and felt she had potential, wouldn't she have had someone explain her condition to the girls so they wouldn't be so ignorant and make all those snide comments? Also all of a sudden you all are not smoking, so the girls have to go through withdrawal and the nervousness and all the tension too. Way to set them up for failure. Why not advertise you "new ways" before the girls sign up? Whoever her "conscience is needs to wake her up." I am very disappointed, oh yeah and while I am ranting a bit, how about her big hooha deal she made about introducing the world to plus size models. Haven't seen too many of them running around, oh I forgot in her world size ten is plus size.
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10-01-2007 @ 9:34PM
Cypress said...
I was extremely disappointed in the comments and behavior of the ones who were making fun of Heather. Are these not adult women? Did I miss the "welcome back to the 8th grade" sign above the door? I am constantly amazed at the level of cruelty one human being can show toward another. Not to mention the ignorance and lack of compassion they showed in dealing with someone who is slightly different. And shame on Tyra for showcasing this behavior in the first place. In the Behind the Scenes show of AMTM it was noted that Tyra has a hand in every aspect of the production -- right down to watching the daylies and assiting in the editing. She knows darn good and well what is being said, when and by whom. I can only hope that those who have acted so cruely will be judged for it. How often on this show do we hear how America's Next Top Model needs to have a strong character, class and integrity? Plus, I think it should be noted that Tyra intentionally placed Heather with another model for this first shoot. She picked the one girl who she knew would have the most difficulty relating to another person and forced her to do just that on her very first photo shoot ever! Real nice, Tyra. Way to opt for sensationalism over compassion. This is not to say that Heather should not be challenged just like everyone else, because she should. But I hate it when I see an obvious attempt at creating drama simply for that sake of ratings. It's so cheap. Oh, and to anyone who thinks that being articulate and a good spokesmodel has ever been a factor on this show, go back and watch/listen to Adrianne slur every word, Nicole drone on in a monotone and Danielle plod her way through a commercial. Then tell me just how much speaking and acting ability is required for this job.
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10-07-2007 @ 5:34PM
sarah said...
That's right, Heather might be awkward but she has a neurological disorder (Asperger Syndrome/autism.) She may be DIFFERENT but that doesn't mean she is incapable of doing the job. The season is new, everyone usually improves a lot, and anyone who is mean to her because of her autistic traits need psychiatric help.
Sarah, a fellow autistic
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