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?
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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.
Tyra may have won this battle, but Danielle will win the war by outshining She of The Giant Shiny Domed Forehead someday. That girl is just fabulous. And actually a bright and interesting person, too.
I give total props to Joanine for undergoing the tooth surgery, she really looks great. But WHY did they have to show her tooth coming out in super-close-up full color!? NASTY!!
They are only keeping Jade around for the drama factor. Duh.
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I’m really surprised at Tyra’s attitude this season towards Danielle. At first I thought it was just a ploy because this week the girls were learning about “the DARK side of modeling” (dun dun dunnnn) until I remembered that throughout the entire season Tyra seems to have been overly critical of Danielle. If Tyra claims that she wants to raise strong WOMEN and not just strong models, shouldn’t one of the first lessons be staying true to what is unique about yourself?
Janeane is right..
One of the key prizes is a Cover Girl contract, and I bet they would veto Danielle with a gap.
What few people remember about Lauren Hutton is that for Cover Girl-type work she used a cap to close the gap.
Now, I do think someone should bring that option up to Danielle. Because while it is her “signature” she does need to be open to the fact that she would lose quite a number of jobs if she doesn’t concede to the client’s perceptions and stereotypes of clients.
Remember, the judges are looking for a “top” model–someone who can excel in all areas. They commented with Leslie that she takes gorgeous pictures, but can’t walk and had no personality.
I would agree that a permanent surgical change is more serious than, say, waxing or coloring, and I would hope that Tyra & Co. suggest alternatives like bonding, or a plug or whatever, I didn’t get a sense that they were being intractable about it. Danielle willingly entered a “transformation” themed cycle of ANTM, where I certainly wouldn’t rule out minor cosmetic surgery as part of the “transformation”.
And I don’t understand where the Tyra hate is suddenly coming from, how is she being hypocritical? First of all, she readily admits her flaws, like the five-head, but if you look at a lot of her early photos it is obscured by hair, hat, whatever. She wants the contestants to stand out while still conforming to commercial beauty standards, a difficult balancing act but not impossible. And the racism, too, are we saying Tyra is especially harsh to amateur models of color vs. caucasians? That’s a bold statement to make, considering how many black women have been on the show, including one who won.
thank you so much for that article coz tyra aint perfect and danielle’s gap only adds a unique touch to her amazing beauty,like the way her big forehead works for her and last yaers winner is so forgetable
i cannot stand model/boyfriend drama! do they all have whiny, insecure losers for boyfriends? remember shandy? i changed the channel when that fool popped out of the box. could he not tell how ‘happy’ nnenna was to see him?! aaarrggghhh…
Does anyone else think that Furonda looks like Flava Flav with a weave?
i was so mad when tyra pushed danielle to “fix” the gap in her teeth. she is beautiful and unique with it. i think it’s great that joanie was able to fix her teeth since she clearly wanted to and could never aford it. danielle showed that she knows and appreciates who she is by loving her gap and trya just knocked her down for it. bad tyra!
if tyra can suggest someone to get their teeth fixed, can we suggest to tyra to shrink that easter island forehead of hers?
I think everyone’s getting a bit carried away over Tyra here. Some comments don’t even make sense, if she’s sooo threatened that someone may come out on top of her, then why did she come up with the show? Seriously people, she’s retired as a model!
Moving on…Joanie’s transformation was awesome, she’ll make it to the top!
Danielle’s gap (although it is her identity) has to go. This is top model, when she entered it she knew she’d have to change. I think she’s great, but truth be told, her gap is HUGE and very distracting. It doesn’t accentuate, it takes over.
Mind you my husband has a gap (not as uge as Danielle’s) but he’s not a model.tv personality.
Furonda- definitely looks like Flava flave w/ a weave…(ha!)
Nnenna- too much baggage
Jade- can’t take her anymore.
Sarah-completely forgettable. This souldve been Brooke’s spot!
Wow…so much pent up anger in this room…
The only reason I’m not upset at Tyra and crew right now is because they haven’t made any questionable eliminations, despite their contradictions, not to mention Tyra’s sadism seems to be getting more interesting every episode. I may be in the minority here, but I thought the way Jade was sent to the bottom two AGAIN was questionable (man, she might even break Bre’s record on the number of times going to the bottom two and survivng). They complain about fakeness coming from Jade, but she proven her capability of producing emotion when she spotted her mom after winning her challenge this week. Nnenna’s more suspicious on that department lately. Her photos look increasingly sterile (the clown and doll photo looked horrible) and her boyfriend issues are getting irritating (at least cycle 2’s Shandi’s boyfriend problems was interesting to watch). While Jade’s more humble than ever, Nnenna’s getting less likeable the longer this show is lasting. At least she didn’t get eliminated or I’d be more upset. After seeing Brooke’s awkward photos, there’s no way she would’ve survived. I doubt Jade will win though in the end. The judges will eventually pull some arbitrary reason to kick her out like Lisa last season. If she makes it to the top three, consider me impressed.
Danielle will be fine. Don’t worry about her…unless she gets kicked out prior to the top three, then it’ll be open season on Tyra’s butt, because in all honesty, Eva’s the only recent top model that at least exhibits some real charisma. While I’m not in total disagreeance with Naima’s win, she’s boring to watch. And don’t get me started on Nicole, whom I’m surprised got to the top three at all, let alone win.
And to pam…that’s just creepy. Oddly enough, Furonda does resemble Flava Flav a little. I don’t even want to think about that, because he is an ugly, ugly man.
Caption for the picture: “Welcome to my nightmare, I think your gonna like it!”- Alice Cooper
I think Furonda will win it all. Unfortunately. Danielle and Joanie rock the house and deserve it all the way. But, mark my words. Final two will be Furonda and Nnenna.
Amen, Michael.
It’s like you read my mind. Danielle should leave her gap alone. It is part of who she is. I wanted to go through the screen and slap Tyra.