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‘Top Model’: Being Vera Wang

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“America’s Next Top Model” special report

By Nadria Tucker

Awards shows. Designer impostors. Drinking binges. This episode of “America’s Next Top Model” has it all!

America's Next Top ModelKendal Brown of Northport wants to move ahead at the turning point in this competition. But does she really want to “be here”? And do the girls really know their fashion history?

What goes best with white wine? Drama! See more, after the jump …

America's Next Top Model

The models head to the Grammy Museum where they ogle clothes worn by Jennifer Lopez and Michael Jackson. They learn that one of them will appear at the Grammys! As the girl who carries the statue to the presenter. I didn’t even realize the Grammys had those …

The women style each other as part of the competition. Rather than sabotage their partners, they actually help one another? What reality show am I watching here? Hey, ladies: You did not come here to make friends!

America's Next Top Model

The challenge goes well for most of the models, but only one can win, of course. It’s Kayla Ferell (left) and her amazing zebra dress. Her partner, Liz Williams doesn’t impress.

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America's Next Top Model

Liz drowns her sorrows at losing the challenge with a bottle of white wine, then crawls on the floor. (Look at her freaky foot in the background, there. I swear this isn’t a still from “Paranormal Activity 2.”)

America's Next Top Model, Kendal Brown

America's Next Top Model, Kendal Brown

For the photo shoot challenge, the girls impersonate fashion designers while posing next to models wearing fashions by the same designer. Why? Because it’s important to know fashion history and be able to impersonate designers.

Liz channels John Galliano, breaking Ann Ward’s five-time winning streak with these impressive photos.

• • •

Buy this episode or the entire Season Pass
from iTunes. [aff. links]

• • •

America's Next Top Model, Kendal Brown

Kendal fails to capture Vera Wang’s signature humility, and creative director Jay Manuel questions her desire to “be here.” Finally, a reality show cliché!

Kendal admits her nerves got the better of her, and she’s eliminated. Host Tyra Banks says Kendal has the talent, but not the skill … not yet.

Kendal’s journey on “America’s Next Top Model” has come to an end. It’s been a weird, not-very-dramatic-but-occasionally-awkwardly-amusing ride.

Nadria TuckerBirmingham writer Nadria Tucker (@NadriaTucker) dabbles in magical realism and the Southern gothic tradition, but always keeps an eye toward the future of Southern fiction. Her award-winning fiction is character driven and sometimes dark, but usually plays fair. Her work has been featured in publications such as The2ndHand, Lipstick and Birmingham Magazine.

“America’s Next Top Model” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays on CW 21.

Did Kendal deserve the boot? Or should she have gone further in the competition? Tell us in the comments.

Previous: Episode 6 – The Ann supremacy
Next: A “Top Model” world without Kendal. (sniff!)

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On the runway: more on “America’s Next Top Model.”

2 Yips for “‘Top Model’: Being Vera Wang”

  1. Carla Jean
    Thursday, October 21, 2010, 11:05 am
    1

    Nadria! Do you listen to This American Life? (Hope so.) I just listened to the “Frenemies” episode earlier this week, and one of the acts was about the reality TV cliche “I’m not here to make friends.” Made me giggle.

  2. Nadria Tucker
    Thursday, October 21, 2010, 3:03 pm
    2

    HA! What about when one reality contestant calls another one “fake?” Seriously? Pot, meet kettle.

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