Sheena Sakai cut from 'America's Next Top Model's all-stars edition

Sheena Sakai, a 24-year-old who previously appeared on Top Model's eleventh season, became the second girl eliminated from America's Next Top Model's all-stars edition during Wednesday night's broadcast on The CW.


"Right now, I just feel really disappointed because I came into this competition not just for myself. I came here to show my respect to the fans and my appreciation to them. I came here with a bigger dream and a bigger goal in mind," Sheena said following her ouster.

"It does make me sad that I didn't have the opportunity to really show 100% percent of my star quality and much more of who I am this time around, but it's okay, because I'm always going to be remembered as an all-star."

Sheena was eliminated from the second episode of America's Next Top Model's seventeenth season after Top Model judges reviewed the photos the season's 13 remaining finalists had taken at their second photo shoot challenges, which required them to create their own hotdog and then pose with it -- showcasing their individual personalities and brand images -- for an ad to be featured on Pink's hotdog spot in Hollywood's website.

Sheena ended up in the bottom two alongside Kayla Ferrel, a 20-year-old who previously appeared on Top Model's fifteenth season.


Both models failed to impress Top Model photo shoot director Jay Manuel and fashion photographer Ricky Middlesworth during the photo shoot, which featured the women modeling to sell their clothing, their hotdogs, and their own brand -- including being candid, tough, unique, and daring. The winning photo at panel would be used on Pink's website to usher in a new menu item entitled "America's Next Top Model dog."

Sheena was given the image of "unexpected" after fans had completed a poll in which they described the models' personas using only one word, while Kayla's brand was "free."

"Now Sheena, when you bite down on the hotdog, you're supposed to be unexpected. It looks like you have to pee. If you were Kim Kardashian, how would you be eating that hotdog right now? It still looks like you have to pee," Jay told her during the shoot.

Jay and Ricky could then see that Kayla had trouble getting into character and expressing what "free" meant to her using her body and emotions.

"I want to feel a little bit more joy from you. You gotta act like you like it," Ricky told her.


"No, no, no, no, no. This is too cheesy!" Jay said. "Try not to look disgusted with it on film but try not to fill your cheeks full of bun."

"Watching Kayla on-set is killing me. She doesn't know what to do and it just did not work for her," Jay said afterwards.

The next day, the girls arrived for the seventeenth season's second elimination panel where they were met by Top Model judges Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, and Andre Leon Talley, as well as guest judge Ashlee Simpson.

The judges first criticized Kayla's photo during panel critiques.

"To me, freedom is kind of like this hippie -- being relaxed in your body. It's a little bit of a pose for me," Ashlee told Kayla.


"I'm not sure if I see 'free,' but what does 'free' mean to you?" Nigel asked her.

"I was kind of confused with the word, so I just decided to wing it," Kayla said.

"I agree with the panel. I don't feel free. I would have loved to see the fly away bird. Let go, let go," Andre added.

Sheena's photo was then reviewed.

"For me, unexpected? I want to just really be shocked. I want to be surprised or see something that I'm just not going to see. This isn't really exciting enough, and I know you've got that in you," Nigel told Sheena.


"I wish I saw both legs, but that's..." Andre started.

"I wish you were holding your dress up or something because I'd love to see your legs," Ashlee interjected.

"I don't think this is an interesting shot. I think you have so much more flavor than this -- so much more effervescence, you know? This just kind of feels a little safe, a little sweet," Tyra explained.

Earlier in the episode, the girls underwent makeovers and learned about branding from Martin Lindstrom, a global branding expert and author. He discussed with the models their futures and professional careers, along with how to be memorable to fans.

After panel critiques and the judges had time to deliberate on the contestants, Tyra revealed the girls in order of the best photo to the worst of the week. Lisa D'Amato, a 30-year-old who previously appeared on Top Model's fifth season, received the first call-out.


Following Lisa, Tyra then revealed Bianca Golden, Alexandria Everett, Laura Kirkpatrick, Angelea Preston, Dominique Reighard, Shannon Stewart, Allison Harvard, Isis King, Bre Scullark, and Camille McDonald had also advanced to the competition's next round -- leaving Sheena and Kayla in the bottom two.

Tyra then recapped both girls' issues before revealing which one would get to remain in the competition.

"Sheena, the judges look at you, and they see this stunning girl. But what we're not seeing is it reflected in your photo. A star needs to be better in their photos, better in their movies, better in television than in person," Tyra told her.

"Kayla, this girl that came to Top Model in a shell and was so scared to tell the world who she really is, but she broke free. We feel like that strong Kayla is lost and flailing, and kind of doesn't know what to grab onto," Tyra explained.

Tyra then revealed Kayla's photo, resulting in Sheena's elimination.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski