I have two words to express my feelings about this week’s edition of America’s Next Top Model: Lauren Hutton. Indeed, if Tyra and Miss J profess to be such experts in the beauty business, how come they have no recollection of the gap-toothed supermodel who graced many a magazine cover in the ’60s and ’70s? If they did, maybe they’d be applauding (not condemning) Danielle’s refusal to close up her trademark space.
But, of course, that’s assuming dentistry is the real issue here, and I have my suspicions it’s not. Danielle’s problem is that she’s sweet, funny, charismatic and hella gorgeous — in other words, an actual possibility to become a breakout star (if not in the world of couture, then at least as a celeb spokesperson). And as the last two cycles of Top Model have proven, Tyra & Co. prefer sieves like Naima and Nicole to contestants with plus-sized personalities (like Brittany and Lisa, to name two). Seriously, even Nicole fans have to admit her My Life as a Cover Girl ads are excruciating. Do they shoot these spots in one take? Or, even scarier, is this the best she can do after multiple attempts?
Anyhow, by trying to force Danielle into their narrow definition of what a model is supposed to look like, the judges are continuing their pattern of infuriatingly contradictory advice: Be yourself, until it’s time to conform. Be confident, but not too confident. Don’t starve yourself, but stay thin.
This could also spell trouble for Joanie, who survived a painful marathon session in the dentist’s chair, getting her own wonky teeth yanked and ground down, then having veneers added, before returning to the competition groggy and sick and hot for her second photo, a sadistic Tyra-directed shoot involving something called ”tear stick.” Joanie is such a winner, she’s almost certain to be eliminated before her time.
Yep, despite the fact that once again, Joanie and Danielle’s photos (pictured) ranked as best in show, I think the judges are starting to lean toward inoffensive but forgettable Furonda (whose rag-doll shot was more prop than ”Pop!”), or perhaps underdog Sara, or inconsistent Nnenna (whose boyfriend drama ranks as the season’s least interesting subplot). If one of those ladies takes home the crown, maybe the fledgling CW network can rename the series America’s Next Top Model (Who Doesn’t Pose a Threat to Tyra Banks). Are you with me, PopWatchers?
Amen, Michael! I thought Danielle should be applauded for maintaining her individuality! In past seasons, Tyra has been known to tell people to rock their differences, not try to hide them! Danielle’s gap isn’t all crooked or nasty looking, it’s just a little too unique for Tyra.
It’s kind of funny how Brooke wasn’t mentioned once in the review. It was her time to go, although I did like her “crying” picture. I agree that Danielle shouldn’t get her work done. It makes her stand out and makes her…Danielle. I hope her and Joanie make the final 2, for they both seem to be the most deserving. And does anyone else miss the good ‘ole days when Furonda was diva-esque with her lists of what to do?
Bias, dishonesty, hypocrisy and alterior motives in reality competition judging? You make it sound as if there’s nothing actually real about reality television – as if we’re all just buying into a ridiculous notion of mass media reality. That can’t be what you mean, so I’ll just have to assume that Tyra and co. understand the more interesting contestants will be “stars on their own” and don’t need the help of winning the show.
I think it has more to do with the Cover Girl contract than anything else. In certain situations, the gap could work for her. In the Cover Girl commercial a couple weeks ago, though, it was all I could look at when she talked. I don’t think Tyra and friends are saying she couldn’t be a model with the gap; I think it’s more that she couldn’t be a Cover Girl model with the gap.
I’m with you Michael Slezak! Danielle shouldn’t close the gap… she should stay true to who she is!! She and Joanie are fierce!!
I absolutely agree with the statement that Tyra will never pick a winner who has the potential to be better than her. I believe to this day that is why Nicole is last season’s winner and not Nik.
Poor Danielle. I totally respected her decision not to fix her gap and it’s sad that, based on Tyra’s demands, she essentially has to choose between keeping her gap (and her uniqueness) or have it corrected and continue on in the competition. Tyra’s critique of her crying photo (which was great) was, to me, just sour grapes over Danielle rejecting the surgery.
As far as Joannie goes, I felt she deserved a free pass this week simply for enduring the marathon surgery and no sleep. And then to go and not only nail two photo shoots, but, arguably pull off the best shots at both. If she is not in the final two, this show will be a joke.
And I’m surprised there was no mention of Eva’s shirt during the girls meet with her. Despite attempts to cover it up (with her arms and special editing), there was more peeping through the see through fabric than I would have thought allowed on network TV.
Danielle & Joanie are my favorites too, and I applaud Danielle for refusing to close the gap. I hope she doesn’t fold.
This is the first time Tyra has really pissed me off. I don’t think closing Danielle’s gap is going to be that big of a change. How stupid is it to think that beauty only comes with gapless teeth. Danielle’s teeth aren’t crooked or distracting, they add to her beauty and individuality. I equate that to Tyra telling Cindy Crawford to remove her mole. AND, if I was Joanie I think braces would have been a better option. It takes longer but at least her teeth wouldn’t have to have been mauled in the process.
In the elimination round and preview they showed Danielle doing just what she said she wouldn’t do, close the gap. I think that’s a huge mistake.
I WAS a huge fan of Nnenna, I thought she was beautiful and classy. Now I think her pictures are awful, she’s a biotch, and does appear to think she is better then anyone else.
I was actually sorry to see Brooke go, I would’ve much preferred Jade to leave. The fact that she is so fake alone should send her packing. If Danielle’s gap hindered her covergirl commercial, how about Jade’s acting? Come on now!!! it was horrible. Both the act in judging and in the ad. She’s a pretty girl, but to old to make it rich.
It was a nice surprise to see Eva, who by far is the most charismatic winner so far. I miss Janice, she was a great judge, much better then Twiggy who I will be surprised to see around if she is on next season.
I love Joanie, she’s so down to earth, not your typical drop dead gorgeous beauty, but her pictures are FIERCE!!! if not Joanie, then def. Danielle.
I’m not a huge fan of Furonda, she’s cute, but something about her annoys me. I would rather Sara be in the final three with Joanie and Danielle.
Nicole was the worst winner by far, at least Niama was beautiful, yeah, she had the personality of a wet rock, but she was easy on the eyes. Nicole on the other hand looks and speaks as if she just came out of a drug induced coma.
And lastly, is Tyra going to ever stop with her narcasism? She’s out of control. I actually really miss Janice. Did anyone see she has her own model show coming out on the Oxygen network. I thinks it’s called Janice’s Model Agency or something to that effect.
Joanie and Danielle are by far the closest it has come to being actual models. They walk great, they’re the right height and weight, they have personality, and they take great pictures. Definately should be top two. Danielle should stick to her guns and not close the gap all the way. Furonda might look great in pics but she’s a mess in person, doesnt look like a model to me. Tyra has the habit of eliminating girls that have the potential to one day eclipsing her: Brittany, Toccara, Kahlen, Nik, even Lisa just to name a few. She’s straight up hatin. Like Michael i am SICK of her contraditions. She so full of it!
Wow, I’m really amazed at the Danielle Defense, how is the gap issue any different than changing their hair, or eyebrows, or waxing their bodies etc.? You could say that hairy armpits are “beautiful” and “individual” but the larger cultural forces say “no” to that. The reality is that Danielle’s huge gap makes her look like she lost a tooth, and no commercial ad campaign will allow for that, not Cover Girl, nor Sears, nor Payless.
And Lauren Hutton? She has already admitted to using a plug and/or mortician’s wax early in her career to cover her gap when needed, it was only after she got established that the gap became her trademark.
I thought Nik’s giant mole was much more distracting than Danielle’s gap. Anyway, Danielle’s gap and Arkansas accent make her who she is. Danielle and Joanie are the two most likable people on the show. Jade may be too weird even for reality tv.
I called this two weeks ago! Danielle is just way too cool, smart, and all in all bad-a$$ for Tyra to let her win. Tyra’s been doggin’ her all season — “your picture is good, but not great” every time. Furonda, I’m sorry to say, looks like an alien, and her weave is FUNKY (and not in a good way). And she’s just too skinny, as Nigel pointed out. Joanie, who’s also cool, smart and bad-a$$, might make it because she’s white. Tyra doesn’t mind the sassy, beautiful White girls, just the Black ones. I always thought Tyra was a serious moron, but I didn’t realize she was an insecure b**ch too.
Trya is scheisty! the show has always been like this, she doesn’t like anyone who is better than her. and lest face it, Trya looks like a trannie!!! yes 10-15 years ago when she first came out she was very beautiful, then she grew into her looks, got a nose job and check implants and nasty ass weaves, its just sad. plus Tyra was NEVER a supermodel. the only thing Tyra ever did was get a cover girl contract and SI swimsuit oh Victoria’s too, but its all commerical. she was never a top editorial model, she is a JOKE in the business. VS catalogue is what it is catalogue work!! I never saw that wench on vogue! or harpers!
PS: Danielle can get a thing what is called a spacer – i have worked with some models who have gaps and they keep the gap and get a spacer to fill in the gaps for commercial jobs. and i would love for someone to call Trya out for her HUGE forehead and Jay for his nasty ass hair, sorry put if your a guy and you are going to relax your hair at least run a brush through it!!
cheers!
Oh, and Charles, waxing your eyebrows or your armpit hair (or even your va ja-jay, frankly) and having teeth surgery are not exactly the same thing. Unless you go under anasthesia to get waxed.