"Shut your mouth and say it ain’t so!" Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new PopWatch catchphrase (to go along with our new favorite adjective: "jank"), courtesy of the best America’s Next Top Model contestant ever: Danielle (at left). And it’s a catchphrase that expresses my pure joy that Danielle and Joanie (center) have somehow — I still can’t quite believe it — defied the typically dubious judgment of Tyra & Co. to survive to the final three, and most likely the final two. After all, is there any scenario in which the show’s producers would drain the suspense from the season finale by letting Jade (at right) — a woman who has been ridiculed for looking like a drag queen, mocked for her crimes against the English language, and consistently refers to herself in the third person (”The water and Jade, we mix”) — square off for all the marbles? Nah. Although credit where it’s due: Jade has managed to take one good photo after another despite one of the most hateful makeovers in Top Model history.
As for the two frontrunners, while I’d be perfectly happy with a Joanie victory — she’s culturually sensitive, funny, and takes a great photo — I’m hoping Tyra’s barely masked dislike of Danielle won’t prevent the Southern country gal’s richly deserved win. I mean, I understand Tyra’s concerns about Danielle’s speaking voice, but why not encourage her to, as my mother used to always yell at me, eeeeee-nunnn-seeee-ate, as opposed to demanding she obliterate her Arkansas accent? And how exactly did Danielle get DQ’d from her prize at the go-see challenge just for being a few minutes late? Feh! What’s worse, I didn’t understand the judges’ criticism of Danielle’s sexy swimsuit photo when Jade and Joanie’s weren’t exactly Elle Girl material either. I mean, you put a red-blooded woman in an outfit the size of a postage stamp and have her spend a couple hours interacting with Nigel Barker, and what kind of expressions do you think you’re gonna get? Regardless, next week’s season finale is guaranteed to produce a more charismatic winner than Nicole or Naima, and that’s something to be thankful for.
Oh, and one last thing, apologies for abandoing my Top Model duties during my vacation last week, and missing Furonda’s snap-tastically strutting exit: She may have looked like a really pretty insect, but the girl had spunk, unlike this week’s ejectee, Sara, who for the umptmillionth time trotted out her ”discovered in a mall” shtick. To paraphase Donald Trump: ”Sara, you’re tired!”
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Tyra’s fat behind is just jealous of Danielle and that’s why Danielle won’t win. I love Danielle and she is the BEST contestant ever on ATM. I like the fact that Drag Queen Jade made it to the final three. I want her to get comfortable to the point where she thinks she has won and Tyra and Co. just pull the rug from under her. I wouldn’t mind Joanie winning either but Danielle deserves it. Tyra you just mad!
Michael are we kindred Top Model spirits? There isn’t a thing mentioned here that were not my thoughts exactly. I didn’t think I’d ever love a Top Model as much as I loved Nik from Cycle 5, but then comes Danielle; gorgeous, sweet and hella hilarious. When she was in the bottom 2 last night I was so nervous, I could feel my heart beating in my ears.
I thought that too, none of the photos were anymore tasteful than the others. And the selection of Danielle (and perhaps every other “bad” photo on Top Model) seems manipulative and unfair. I’m certain there were beautiful “classy” photos as well. Maybe Tyras making us think that Danielle is now the long shot. Plus, Nigel is always a perv so maybe he picked it himself.
Concerning the accent— I’m bewildered as to what Tyra wants from poor Danielle. Totally abandon an accent in 3 days time? Shouldn’t she be receiving help from a speech teacher? One woman can not do it alone. Tyra is SO JEALOUS! Because when Tyra plays goofy at the judges panel (like last years booty dance), it just comes off forced. Danielle’s humor proves she is quick on her feet, smart and most importantly, natural.
If Danielle doesn’t win next week, we all know what phrase I’ll be screaming at my television!
I know there’s no way Jade will win, she looks too old on top of looking like a drag queen and that nasty and deluded attitude of hers. I swear, though, if she makes the top 2 or God forbid, wins, I am done watching ANTM. Jade should have been gone a long time ago. I will be happy with either Joanie or Danielle. I like them both. I think the fact that one of the last challenges is a commercial and Danielle hasn’t had the opportunity to work with a voice coach on her accent may work against her though.
I think the commercial challenge will work against Jade — remember the debacle of her pure silence in the CoverGirl commercial a few weeks ago? When she’s acting for the camera all of Jade’s jankness (a word?) comes out; her commercial will be a joke, guaranteeing a Joanie-Danielle final.
Seeing Jade smile is like seeing Wednesday Addams smile for the first time in Addams Family Values. It’s just not supposed to happen. A Joanie and Danielle final would be like a dream come true. Jade needs to get in her hoopdee and peace out. Tyra’s just pissed because her hair in Thailand has been JANK. Don’t get it twisted Tyra – Danielle is everything you’re not anymore!
I think it will be Joanie. I love that Joanie. Danielle would be great too, but Joanie has been my fave frm the get go.
And can we please have a moment regarding last week’s ep: That jig that Furonda did was hilarious. Too bad sh never had a chance.
I dont understand the criticism of Danielle’s accent. After all, there are supermodels from other countries who speak with accents so heavy, their English is barely understandable.
So Nicole can get away with her clearly South Dakotan accent and Danielle is chastised for her sweet southerness. As someone from the south (with no accent may I add), I find it really telling of how we evaluate people based on geographics. ‘She has a southern accent, she must be a total moron!’ Danielle is hands down gorgeous and should take the win. Joanie is starting to derail her eyes from the prize by focusing negative energy on Sara and Jade. (btw you don’t see Danielle wasting her time with spats and drama). Like basically everyone who watches ANTM, I will be thrilled if either Joanie or Danielle wins (my gosh, imagine a tie!), but I hope they stop trying to find flaws in Danielle where there are clearly none!
I cant for the life of me figure out what the whole Accent issue is about? I mean there are tons and tons of models who have accents, and yet are sum of the most successful models in the world. Heidi Klum, Giselle Bunchin, Iman, they all have accents? I dont get it. Its not like Danielle is going to be doign commercials her entire modeling career. And if Nicole from last season can horribly make it through those commercials, im sure Danielle’s accent is the least of anyone’s worries.
And if she is so bent on Danielle’s accent being changed, where is the professional help. Such as a speech pathologist or something? Does she expect the girl to just pull a new accent out of her ass? Hello Tyra your vally girl accent is so not cute. Everyone knows you come from the hood?
Stop copping out and atleast make your show credible to watch!
DANIELLE ALL THE WAY!
I think it will be Jade & Joanie for the final two & Joanie will win. Let’s give her credit for spending hours & hours in the dentist’s office to fix her teeth!!! the things she has to do to be the antm. she’s improving & she’s pretty too. she should continue fighting for the title. she is my winner!
Thank you DMAC, they should have gotten her at least one visit with a speech therapist… here she is trying to do it on her own. she’s being treated horribly… I think Danielle doesn’t have a chance, because she is so beautiful, and we never get the most beautiful… compete against Tyra model… we get the passable one… however, I give it this season, all top three have been the most beautiful EVER. and if Jade wins, I will not be upset, the girl is beautiful… but right now I’m putting my money on JOANIE… she just radiates.
I knew it. Danielle, Joanie and Jade reached the top three. And thank god there were no BS reasons to kick either of the three out. But…
That criticism Tyra gave to Danielle…it was largely unnecessary. Accent or not, Danielle presents more charisma than any of the contestants in the last couple of ANTM cycles (outside of cycle 4’s Brittney, whom I thought should’ve lasted to the end). And considering how awful Naima sounds in her commercials and how boring Nicole sounds in hers, how would an accent create another atrocity? While the gap issue was debatable, the accent one irritated me. It would be a shame if the numerous criticisms from Tyra will end in defeat.
Joanie…if Danielle loses, then I won’t mind Joanie winning instead. She lacks a bit of Danielle’s charm, but is equally consistant with taking photos and making commercials.
Jade…I knew she’d reach the top three above anyone else (besides Danielle and Joanie of course) but this is the end of the line here. While I defended her for the most part, she’s not as charming and likeable as the aformentioned two frontrunners. Also, her commercial was awful, so I can see her failing in the 2nd to last round. But to be fair, Nik (from cycle 5) had a bad commercial at first, but nailed it around the end.
As for Furonda and Sara:
How did Sara beat Furonda in the first place? While I knew Furonda would eventually lose, Sara never resonated in my mind at all besides being a 6 foot Scarlett Johannsen clone. Sara is just as weak as Nnenna, but lacked any real personality. Still, Jade had more skill than any of these three, so she deserved to rise above this trio.
Sorry all you Joanie fans – Danielle is BANK! I think Tyra might be focusing on the accent thing to make it seem like a harder choice. Joanie is short and has no charisma in person. Sure, she photographs well, but I am afraid her “My Life as a Cover Girl” commercials would be a total bore. Can you imagine Danielle’s? They’d be off the hook. Danielle should totally win!
we all know that jade will never be america’s next top model. she will probably get to be a real model after this, she does take incredible pictures. but her personality and attitude arent what tyra and co. want and they wont make her the winner just because of the pictures. for the record, i cant stand the girl, but those pictures are really amazing.
i would really be happy with joanie or danielle as the winner. i think they would make the best top two that the show has ever had. i really dont know which one they will pick. probaly danielle because they picked a white girl from middle america last time though.
I think its worth noting that Joanie’s speech isn’t exactly “pristine” either. In fact, her mush mouth is often harder to understand than Danielle’s charming drawl.
I don’t mean to hate on Joanie because I really like her, but I don’t understand. Joanie’s slightly boring mumbling mouth ads or Danielle’s energetic drawl infused ones?
I don’t think Tyra knows it, but there is a large population of southern people (myself not one, but no matter) in this country and I’m sure they would love Danielle representing. It seems really unfair and classist that Tyra only finds southern and “Ghetto” accents in need of changing.
But honestly, not only does Nicole have a slight accent, her arrival is DOA and she comes across like an 11 year old girl with an IQ of 90 or so. I’m 100 percent sure the public would like Danielle more. As she herself would say “Yes, why not?”
This season sucks. It has to say something about their model pool if 45 year old Jade is in the top 3.
I agree that either Joanie or Danielle should win it and I can’t for the life of me understand why Jade is still on!! She’s not even pretty, everyone is saying that she takes great pictures, and yes she has a great body, but the face is probably the most important and is more focused on, and I honestly think she looks like Cruella DeVille! And her attitude just adds to her ugliness, the more ugly the personality, the more you see ugliness on the face.
I think Danielle and Joanie are more flexible with the judges comments and are trying to improve, but Jade doesn’t seem to change at all!! Still making up her own words, and not listening to instruction. I laughed at her so hard during the challenge with Nick Cannon where they had to answer each other’s question with another question, she couldn’t even get the simple task of asking a question!
The world doesn’t need another bitchy high-strung model, Naomi Campbell is plenty!
p.s. do a search for cruella deville images, you’ll see what i mean!
Am I the only one who was slighty (alright, quite a bit really) disturbed that the judges kept extolling the “great body” for swimsuits that 6′ tall Sara had? Not one comment on the fact that she would have looked more at home on a Chilli’s Platter? I mean, I could literally count her ribs through my crappy-aass TV picture and I think one of her scary-boney shoulders poked me in the eye. I know modelys are supposed to be thin and all, but Tyra and co have drawn the line at too thin before and I would think that the 3 feet of visible rib cage on Sara would have registered with them. I mean, I get the Victoria’s Secret catalogue – those models have great bodies, and obviously are thin, but never to the point where you can actually determine numerically whether they have had one of their ribs removed to “be like Tori Spelling” as it were. (that song Supermodel from Clueless? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?)
Jade is just plain ugly. I don’t understand how she can be in a modeling competition.
I think Danielle and Joanie are both beautiful, but I’d go for Danielle because she’s unique and has character.
I think it should come down to Joanie and Danielle! Jade is nearing 45 years old and is cocky as hell. She’s just there to cause mess. I think Danielle is fine when she speaks, and yeah, have you heard Nicole’s commercials? How it could get worse that that is impossible.
I am so happy that Joanie and Danielle are 2 of the final 3. But every time I hear whatever garbage is spewing from “undiscovered supermodel” (yawn) Jade’s mouth and look at her pinched little face I cringe… But, alas, it makes for “good” TV.
And as for the commercial challenge being the deciding factor for the final 2 decision, can we all harken back to Nicole’s HORRIFIC commercial shoot??? And yet she STILL won over the totally fabulous Nik and the slightly crazy but fantastic Bre. That still smarts.
So we can only hope and pray that they don’t need anymore “good” TV and boot sad little Jade to the ANTM loser archives. I am perfectly content with either fabu Danielle or Joanie taking the title.
I love both danielle and joanie, I am rooting for danielle though. Her personality is so fun and refreshing, joanie is a lil bland and slightly catty. I thought her attacks against sara were uncalled for especially since she knew that sara wasn’t going to last anyway
I agree that it should definately be a Joanie/Danielle finale. If its not…well I know alot of people are going to be pissed. I just want to smack Tyra everytime she picks on Danielle. Like other people have said here there are hundreds of models who have accents and cant even speak english. If Tyra was so concerned she should have gotten her help. Besides about 99% of the work models do are pictures and runway not speaking. They leave that up to actresses. Just look at the most recent Cover Girl commercial with Molly Sims. She doesnt talk at all! I want Danielle to win but I wouldnt be mad if Joanie won. If Danielle can pull off the commercial and not mess up the picture she has a great shot at winning (just think of how badly Nicole messed up last year). Also remember that on the go-sees the designers thought that Joanie had one look, that could be her downfall. Oh well, I guess we’ll know next week.
Go Danielle!!!
OMG what is happening to this show. First of all, I am angered each week that they let Jade stay. I think Tyra thinks she can change Jade’s life but you just need to let that girl self destruct. Also, they loved Mnnenna but she spoke broken English. They act like Danielle is supposed to transform overnight or something. It looks like Danielle is going off on someone next week. I hope she makes it to the final two.
Did anyone notice how anorexic Sarah looked during the swimsuit shoot. Someone needs to feed that girl!
Anyone else remember the ANTM Cycle 1 winner, the skank-tastic Adrienne?? Her accent and her inability to open her mouth more than 1 millimeter while speaking did not bother Miss Tyra at all in the end. Her accent was at least as bad as Danielle’s. I think regardless of the outcome of this cycle, Danielle needs to make like Adrienne and get her fine self a show! She is hilarious but also has a genuine warmth and decency. Joanie is great, too, and I can’t WAIT for Jade to get what’s coming. “Waitressing and Jade: We mix.”
I think Tyra is just trying to find something to criticize Danielle for. I mean, she has taken nothing but flawless pictures all season and has such a hilarious personality. What else can she pick on? I mean, yes, I can see them saying Danielle could tone it down a little bit, but, I don’t think there is anything wrong with having an accent. It is part of who she is. Maybe it’s Covergirl who is harping on the issue. Personally, I would much rather hear Danielle doing one of those dreary My Life As A Covergirl commercials in full southern drawl than Nicole.
And there is no way Jade will make it to the final two, unless Joannie or Danielle mess up big in the next challenge. I think Jade does often take great pictures, but, she is always defensive and is incapable of taking direction, advice or constructive criticism. How does she expect to make it in the modeling industry? If, for once, the right two people make it to the final two, I will be hard pressed to pick which one I want to win because Danielle and Joannie are both phenomenal.
I love Danielle, and will be very disappointed if she doesn’t win. I agree with most of the posters – she has far more personality than that boring woman who apparently won last season, and I am forced to watch on those terrible ads? Danielle is beautiful, charming, smart, confident, and has far more class than anyone else there. Her accent makes her all the more appealing. Tyra’s out of her mind to think otherwise. People LOVE Danielle.
I hate how inconsistent the judges are across each season– when that drunk nut who wore a diaper last cycle was kicked off, it was because she was just too old– and she was like 23? Jade is 27! How can they not use the same criteria against her? Let’s be realistic– there’s no chance a 27-year old is going to make it as a successful top model when most of them start out at like 14-19 years of age.
Danielle is beautiful and funny and charismatic. Her photos are always beautiful, even after she’s been sick! She’s a trooper.
Joanie takes amazing, professional-looking photos each week. She DOES need to work on her personality more in front of the judges, but based on footage of her around the house and with the other girls, she seems really boisterous and perceptive.
I’m happy with Joanie or Danielle winning. Jade doesn’t stand a chance, nor should she– she’s gross-looking in person!