Lisa Ramos the first girl eliminated from 'America's Next Top Model'

Lisa Ramos got the chance to compete on America's Next Top Model after one of the original thirteenth-season contestants had to quit -- however she was unable to make the most of her opportunity.


The 19-year-old student from Queens, NY became the first girl eliminated from America's Next Top Model's thirteenth season during last night's premiere broadcast of The CW reality series.

"Obviously I'm upset that I was eliminated and upset that I came back and was the first to leave," opined Lisa after her ouster.  "I do feel like it's a lost opportunity, but I also feel like I was very fortunate to have been able to come here... I definitely will continue to try to model."

America's Next Top Model's thirteenth-season premiere began with the 32 semifinalists being narrowed to 14 finalists during the season's semifinals casting week.  The finalists subsequently returned to Los Angeles, where they were met by photo director Jay Manuel and runway expert J. Alexander -- who quickly pointed out that someone was missing.

"It's probably obvious to you guys right now that we're missing someone," said Jay.  "Unfortunately due to personal issues, Amber will not be continuing on in the competition.  However during casting week, we saw someone with amazing potential who just missed out on being one of the final 14 girls.  She is going to be joining us."


Lisa then arrived and was greeted with hugs by the other finalists.

"It feels great to be back in the competition," she said.  "I feel like I'm going to work extra hard.  Just because I wasn't supposed to be here doesn't mean I won't get far."

While Top Model contestants typically receive their makeovers a bit further into the competition, the thirteenth-season's finalists instead received it at the beginning of the competition. 

As with most of the season's makeovers, at least one of the girls wasn't happy -- and this season it was Bianca Richardson, a 21-year-old student from Columbia, SC who currently resides in Washington, D.C..  She was unhappy that her eyebrows were bleached.

With their makeovers complete, the girls had their photos taken and moved into the house they'd be calling home for a majority of the competition.


The girls then received their first piece of Tyra Mail, and learned that the following day they'd be "going ga-ga" -- which they inferred had something to do with babies.

The next morning they were met by Jay, who explained each girl would be doing an editorial interpretation of one of their memorable childhood photos for the season's first photo shoot.

Bianca immediately ran into a problem when Jay noticed she was lacking energy.

"I don't really like my makeup," she lamented before being given a dose of reality by Jay.

"In the real world of modeling, you've got to always deliver -- regardless of whatever," he said.  "Right now, child you are brining me down."


Despite the pep talk, Jay still thought Bianca failed to deliver.

"Her attitude carried over to the photography," he said.

Lisa also had a problem since she was dressed like a clown but still had to be fashionable for the shoot.  In addition, she also had problems posing.

"Lisa was not that great today," commented Jay.  "It was like watching paint dry."

The next day the girls arrived for the thirteenth season's first elimination ceremony -- where they were met by Top Model creator and lead judge Tyra Banks, photographer Nigel Barker and J..  This week's guest judge was supermodel Chanel Iman.


In addition, Tyra revealed that this season's winner will receive a contract with Wilhelmina Models because they "welcome models of every size" -- which is important since all of the show's thirteenth-season contestants are 5'7" or under.  The winner will also receive a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics and a cover and six-page spread in Seventeen Magazine.

Not surprisingly, word got back to Tyra that Bianca had a lot of problems during the photo shoot.

"You're paid to sell whatever makeup they're putting on you," Tyra told Bianca, encouraging her to use her emotions rather than let her impact the photos.

Lisa's photo was also criticized, as Nigel thought it looked "a little armature" and Chanel thought Lisa looked "mean."

The other 12 finalists received feedback before the judges began to deliberate -- and it became clear Bianca's attitude and Lisa's lack of energy would come back to hurt them.


Tyra then revealed Ashley "Rae" Weisz, Nicole Fox, Jennifer An, Ashley Howard, Courtney Davies, Erin Wagner, Lulu Braithwaite, Rachel Echelberger, Laura Kirkpatrick, Kara Vincent, Brittany Markert, and Sundai Love were all safe -- meaning Bianca and Lisa were in the bottom two.

"I hate that Lisa's standing before me," said Tyra.  "That first girl that was on my mind when it didn't work for one of our girls, and I said, 'Call Lisa, I think she's got some potential.'  But then we look at your photo and the judges are not impressed.  When a photo is not very strong, they go to personality: Is she memorable?"

Tyra added while Bianca's picture was "one of the strongest," she was in the bottom two for a different reason.

"We feel you are not meant to be a model," said Tyra.  "A model is not paid to look how she wants to look.  The judges feel like this may not be the industry for you."

Tyra then revealed Lisa was eliminated.

America's Next Top Model's next thirteenth-season episode will air Wednesday, September 16 at 8PM ET/PT on The CW.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio