ANTM is Back– and So Am I!

This blog has been in hibernation (and, I may move it over to Tumblr or Posterous… TBD) but with a new season of ANTM on the air, it can only mean one thing: it’s time to talk Tyra and tragic model moments!

Before we dive right in, let’s take a moment to gasp at the fact that yes, we are on SEASON 16 (!?@!) of America’s Next Top Mode. Season. Sixteen. Oh. My. God. Don’t worry, you don’t have to admit how many seasons you’ve watched. And re-watched. No one ever needs to know.

With that being said, this season started up with Tyra trying to mix things up a bit– she nixed the idea of airing castings (gasp! The horror! How can we mock all of the potential hopefuls and get a taste for the girls who may or may not make it?) Instead, Tyra and team conned the 14 model-maybes into thinking they had been rejected and then quickly notified them that they, had, in fact, made it to the next round. For some reason, an old boy band song keeps playing in my head… I think the lyrics go, “quit playing games with my heart.”

Moving on.

The girls photo and runway challenge were lumped into one– they would have to take photos whilst preparing for their runway show. Sneaky, eh? But that wasn’t the most devious part of the show. In fact, the most devious (and, albeit, the most hilarious portion) was the runway creative.

For this episode, the girls were given the opportunity to walk in an Alexander Wang show (I know, right?) rocking Erin Wasson’s jewelry line (she’s the guest judge). But here’s the kicker. They’re walking on 12″ planks, on water– in giant bubbles filled with confetti.

Fan-freaking-tastic.

Amazingly enough, out of 14 girls, only two fell. Missed the episode? Don’t worry, there’s video of the spills and thrills here.

All in all, the episode was a decent start to the season and, clearly shows Tyra trying to shake up the franchise just a bit (aside from the high-fashion prizes). It’s too soon to pick a favorite without the audition backstory, but I’m happy Andre Leon Talley is back for a second season!

 

Bonus: The episode also produced a classic Tyra line from the critique– one where you’re unsure as to whether or not its a compliment or a slap in the face: “This picture to me looks like a 19 year-old boy with makeup on, but that’s what I like about it.”

And, a ridiculous line from Nigel: “Nicole isn’t truly present in this shot. And the mouth is too tight it’s sort of like a cats bottom.” [puckers his face] Tyra: “A cat’s bottom? Nigel, how did you come up with a cat’s bottom?” Nigel: “I see cat’s bottom mouths all the time. People are like this” [puckers his face in a more dramatic way, as does Andre Leon Talley]