America's Next Top Model 8 - Episode 9 Summary

'Australia's Next Top Correspondent' By Belinda James

All the rumors you heard about Tyra in a Kangaroo costume are true.  She looked and probably felt silly in a suit that she kept on for two seconds.  Poor thing probably couldn't breath in it.  She staged the entire stunt to announce to the girls that they are going to Sydney, Australia.  Read on for all the adventurous details.

First let's peek in on Jaslene talking to Jael about last week's elimination ceremony.  "They keep telling me that I am falling and falling," explains Jaslene.  "The pressure is on all the time."    Jael responds, "Wha wha wha, wha,  whaaa."  (Translation:  Sorry but I cannot translate wha, wha.  I don't know what the hell she said.")

In the first lesson of the day, the girls get a visit from April Wilkner, who was actually third runner up in top model cycle 2.  She is now a Miami correspondent and came to teach the girls how to do an interview.  April role played an interview with a fellow actor named Gary, who was excellent.  As the girls gathered to see how they would use April's advice, Tyra (I mean) a giant person in a kangaroo costume hops in the room with a real kangaroo.  Before the girls could digest what was going on, Tyra pops off the kangaroo head and announces they are going to Sydney, Australia to shoot a commercial for Cover Girl.  The girls were excited however it was Tyra that was jumping around like she never been to Australia before… gimme a break!

When the girls arrived in Sydney, they were greeted by Erika, the host of Australia's Next Top Model.  The girl's challenge was to interview people on the street using slang terms used by people living in Australia.  The girl who uses the most slang terms will win a correspondent's job on the Tyra Bank talk show.

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After the girls challenge, they were shown their new home.  It was gorgeous with photos of past contestants.  I still did not see one photo of the first top model winner… Adrianne Curry.

The next day was the big Cover Girl commercial.  The girls had to memorize a script and speak in a thick Australian accent.  Renee did a great job however; her hair resembles an old lady wig.   You've seen the look before; it's like the wig is half on and half off the head.  Tyra needs to make her hair longer or shorter; this in-between cut is not working.  Dionne looked great but sounded like one long run-on sentence.  Jael could not remember her lines… (Duh!  Surprise.)   "I just want to be free to be in the grass with the animals", says Jael after completely flubbing her lines.  Hmmm… does this mean she does not want to be a model anymore?  Jaslene managed to sound like an Australian with a Spanish accent.  Brittney panicked because of an accident she had when she was 17.  She was hit by a car while crossing the street and had a head injury which destroyed her short term memory.  She looked so beautiful and natural on camera while breaking down into tears. It seems her long term memory of the accident is working fine.  Mr. J tried to help her through it with cue cards, but that did not work.  I don't know why; it's nothing wrong with her reading ability.  Sheesh!  Stop carrying around your baggage like it's a badge of honor. Work through the pain and cry later.  There is a $100,000 contact at stake!  Sheesh!!!  The person that really surprised everyone was Natasha.  Her Russian accent blended effortlessly with her Australian accent.  Wow!

There are now six girls left.  Who will be the first girl eliminated from Australia?  At the elimination ceremony Tyra looked fabulous.  Clean, fresh with a long sleek hairstyle.  I guess the hairstylist was not too busy to do Tyra's hair this week.  Erika, the host of Australia's Next Top Model was one of the judges this week and said that the show is a smash hit. Tyra mentioned that her little idea for a model's show is now in 120 countries.  When it was Britney's turn to view her clip she started crying and told the judges the story of the car accident.  Each judge was stone faced.  Then Ms. Jay says, "Fashion has no empathy or sympathy.  The show must go on."  That's not just for the fashion industry, it's any job.  Leave personal issues at home.  That why you have something called, "Personal Days." 

At the deliberation the judges where not impressed with Dionne, Jael needs to bring her excitement level down a notch, Jaslene also is overwhelming and needs to bring it down a notch, Natasha was very good and Renee did a good job as well.  The judges were concerned on whether Brittany could deal with the pressures of the industry considering her baggage…. uh…issue or whatever you want to call it.

When the girls were called back into the room, Tyra called Natasha first and said that she also won the correspondence challenge and will be a correspondent on the Tyra Banks Show.  This week's bottom two was Jael (for the third time) and Brittany.  The judges want to feel compassionate about Brittany's situation however they cannot play favorites.  All of her photos are so strong; however, can she survive in this industry with her condition.  On the other hand, Jael looks ghastly on film and she flubbed her lines.  In the end it was Jael who was sent home. 

In her exit interview Jael said, "It has been such a learning experience."  Tyra told her to go home and learn to speak clearly.  Jael packed her things and walked out the house with an electric blue wig and a red tutu.

DALIA:  Wow!  Natasha is coming on strong and I am glad to see Jael go home.  Tyra was right to tell her to learn to speak clearly.  All she has to do is stop hanging out with people who overdose on drugs and she will be okay.  It will be interesting to see how the girls perform now that she is gone.  Jael is a distraction and very animated. She needs to bring is down a notch and stop jumping up and down like she's got A.D.D. or something.  It's funny that every time Dionne has to play a character, a Jamaican accent always emerges.  Why did Jaslene come to the elimination ceremony with her hair all knotted up?  I guess Brittany used up all her favors.  They had sympathy for her weave and had it removed, but they had not empathy for her car crash dilemma….hmmmm… go figure.

See you next week when we will find out who will be the next  to lose a chance at becoming America's Next Top Model and stay tuned to read the eliminated contestants interviews. Will I need a translator to interview Jael?  Find out this week.  If you have any comments, questions for the models or suggestions, please email us at our new email address Realitychicks1212@hotmail.com or visit www.warmspirit.org/beautybyreferral.

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