Andrea and Amanda first duo cut from 'Crowned' reality pageant show

Andrea and Amanda made a poor first impression and the mother/daughter team from Albuquerque, NM was never given a second chance as they became the first duo eliminated from Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants during last night's premiere broadcast of The CW reality series.


"I don't feel like we let each other down at all," said Amanda following her ouster with her mom.  "I think we were us.  This is the first round, and maybe we didn't put ourselves out there as much as we should have.  But we honestly don't open up as quickly as some of the other girls do."

Crowned's premiere broadcast began with the 11 mother/daughter teams arriving at the mansion that will serve as their home for the eight-weeks of the competition.  They were immediately met by former Miss USA, Dancing with the Stars third-season celebrity participant and Meet the Barkers co-star Shanna Moakler -- who will serve as one of three Crowned judges and the show's host.  In addition, the teams also met pageant director Linnea Maloney, who will train the girls.

The teams then moved into the house and engaged in some catty chatting that covered everything from the previous modeling experience some of them had to some of the talents they planned on showcasing during the competition.

The next morning, the teams met Linnea , who explained how important first impressions can be.  For their first Crowned challenge, Linnea revealed each team had to come up with a nickname; a themed outfit; and a creative way to introduce themselves to the judges.  With one of the teams going home, Linnea reminded the girls to try and embrace themselves as individuals but also as a team.


The teams quickly got to work in coming up with clever nicknames before they all took a trip to the wardrobe warehouse to choose outfits.  Before going to bed that night, some of the duos practiced their talents, trying to memorize the speeches or songs they planned on presenting to the judges.

The next day, the 11 teams arrived for Crowned' first de-sashing ceremony, where they would be judged by Shanna, former Queer Eye fashion expert Carson Kressley, and television personality Cynthia Garrett. The team learned they'd be judged based on originality; how their presentation reflects on their team; and what kind of a first impression they make.

Patty, who is from Orlando, FL, and her daughter Laura, who resides in Nashville, TN, called themselves the "Redhead Bombshells" and the judges didn't really think the nickname they chose reflected their personalities.  Parkersburg, WV-team Brenda and her daughter Heather went with "Blonde Bombshells," so it's no surprise they also had their nickname's originality bashed.  They also wore floppy hats that covered their faces.

Gina, who is from Ft. Worth, TX, and her daughter Hollis, who resides in New York, NY, deemed themselves the "Dream Gals" and nailed the song Gina had struggled to memorize the previous night.  The judges were impressed, and Carson was glad they "look different" and weren't trying too hard.

Melinda and her daughter Rachelle, who are both from Chandler, AZ, went next, and Carson thought their "Diamond Dolls" nickname was a "little superficial."  When asked what they would do with the show's $100,000 prize, Rachelle explained her mom's recent kidney transplant and the money would help pay for medical bills.  Backstage, Melinda couldn't stop crying about being called superficial.


Angela, who is from Orange Park, FL, and her daughter Tenia, who resides in New York, NY, performed a rap about their team "Skin Deep," however both clearly misunderstood what the expression "skin deep" means.  Pamela and her daughter Felicia, who are both from Tonawanda, NY, went with the nickname "Tomboy Queens," and while Cynthia gave them credit for being "original," she suggested they focus on their appearance a little more.

"Sassy Sisters" Jill, who is from Wilmington, DE, and her daughter Nicole, who resides in Newark, DE, went next, and the judges had to remind them they're not really sisters and need to be more of a mother/daughter team.  Andrea and Amanda called themselves the "Reigning A's" -- because both their names begin with "A" (how clever) --  and while they talked a big game during their performance the judges thought it lacked substance and were left not knowing much about the duo.

Making a good first impression because they were relaxed and looked comfortable were Duarte, CA-duo Moya and her daughter Jenileigh, who called themselves "Daredevil Divas." Annette and her daughter Alana, who are both from Hayworth, CA, also made a good first impression, however Carson couldn't get past the fact that their nickname -- "Silent but Deadly" -- reminded him of noiseless but stinky farts.

The last team to go was Dallas, TX mother/daughter team Ada and her daughter Christian, who called themselves "Hot & Not."  Ada spaced on her lines and started apologizing to Christian mid-routine, however what the judges really had an issue with was Christian calling her mom "not hot."  Shanna said she wanted to see Ada's confidence go up, and both girls cried as they left the stage.

The judges then deliberated before revealing that Gina and Hollis -- the "Dream Gals" -- had received the highest score for the first challenge, displaying good personalities and security with who they are as individuals and a team.  The de-sashing ceremony came down to "Blonde Bombshells" Brenda and Heather versus "Reigning A's" Andrea and Amanda, the two teams that received the lowest scores from the judges.


Shanna said she felt she didn't see Brenda and Heather as individuals; Carson hated their hats; and Cynthia thought they put themselves in a box based on their nickname.  Shanna thought Andrea and Amanda were both beautiful and had distinct identities, but...

"The category was about making a first impression, and I felt like you didn't make one," said Carson.

Andrea and Amanda were then eliminated from the competition.

Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants' next episode will air in its regular Wednesdays at 8PM ET/PT time period on December 19.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio