'Top Model: British Invasion' eliminates Seymone Cohen-Fobish

Top Model's judges believed American model Seymone Cohen-Fobish's attitude was her downfall in the competition.


Seymone, a 5' 11" 19-year-old from Augusta, GA, became the eighth girl eliminated from America's Next Top Model: British Invasion during Wednesday night's broadcast on The CW.

"It's frustrating because I tried so hard, and I think other people should've been eliminated because they were ready to walk out. I'm not giving up on modeling. It's pretty clear that I'm not happy with walking out," Seymone said following her ouster from the reality franchise's eighteenth edition in which seven amateur American hopefuls battle seven all-stars and former Britain's Next Top Model contestants for the grand prize.

"Everybody else, there was no emotion at all when they were walking out. Obviously, I did want this. I don't feel like talking about it anymore. I just want to go home and I want to see my family. I've been trying so hard, so I just want to leave. If I can leave, please, can I leave?"

Seymone, one of the three remaining American contestants, was eliminated from the eighth episode of America's Next Top Model: British Invasion after Top Model's judges reviewed the photos the season's remaining seven finalists had taken at their eighth photo shoot challenge of the season, which required them to model heavy and elaborate couture pieces made entirely of "Hello Kitty" product.


Seymone ended up in the bottom two with fellow American contestant Eboni, a 5' 9" 18-year-old from Seattle, WA.

Both girls failed to impress Top Model photo shoot director Jay Manuel and 16-year-old fashion photographer Anne He. 

"What's bothering you?" Jay asked Seymone when it became time for her photo shoot.

"[The giant wig] hurts. It's like pushing into my forehead," Seymone replied.

"Guess what? In the world of fashion, nothing's ever comfortable," Jay said with a laugh.


"I'm just concerned that Seymone's photo isn't going to happen, because Seymone's temperament is going to cloud everything that we're doing here today."

While Seymone was being photographed, Sophie mentioned she had a bad attitude and was really struggling to get a good shot.

Eboni clearly had trouble finding the right poses and made Jay wince at the sight.

"The judges are going to tear her alive. It's terrible," Jay explained while Eboni was modeling on the set.

"Eboni's really not bringing a great performance today. I could see that even Anne was feeling a bit confused by what's going on. It's almost there but not there."


Later on, the girls arrived for the eighteenth season's eighth elimination panel where they were met by Top Model judges Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, and Kelly Cutrone, as well as guest judge Georgina Chapman -- the founder and co-creator of Marchesa.

The judges first critiqued Seymone's photo.

"You know, I think your face looks great. But for me, it's a little modeling 101. It's like, 'This is my outfit' versus there being a little bit more mystery for me," Nigel explained.

"This was a big outfit. I think it would have been a really big job for anybody to carry this," Georgina said.

"Seymone, I can't even get to your face in this picture because the angle of your body is so disturbing and I feel like you're a hitchhiker in 'Hello Kitty Land' who's been left," Kelly told her. "It feels stumbling to me."


"I just wish you would have done a little bit more. Right now, you are saying, 'Mommy look at me! I've got Hello Kitty wings! It's kind of like a komodo. Ooh, mommy, I'm a model!' You know? It's a little bit 'show and tell' as opposed to 'I'm not going to tell you. I'm going to show you,'" Tyra explained.

Eboni's photo was then reviewed.

"It could work, but I don't see a sense of playfulness in it," Nigel told her.

"I would have loved to see a little quirk. I think if you're going to go for that sort of girly look and be very simple, you need to, I don't know, kick out the ankle or tilt the head slightly. There needs to be a humor behind the eyes to pull the whole look together," Georgina said.

"I like that you looked young, but you were doing that face thing," Tyra added, referencing how she often stared with an angry zombie-like expression.


"It was happening for you backstage at the challenge as well when the designers were watching you walk. I remember you had this fierce face," Kelly said.

"I don't think you know you're doing it," Tyra explained. "You almost have to think like 'Novocain face,' as if you went to the dentist and he put Novocain in your entire face so you can relax while doing strong body movements."

Earlier in the episode, the girls participated in a casting to open a fashion show for four designers who had $40,000 on the line and each intended to show off their new collections for a judging panel.

The panel had Calvin Klein and Marchesa representatives, while magazine editors and other notable people in the fashion industry served as judges. If one of the models got to open for a designer, she would receive a vacation and be able to stay in one of the world's Dorchester hotels.

In the end, Alisha, Annaliese, and Sophie all got to open the shows. Sophie was asked to open for two of the designers, while the rest of the girls got to at least walk in the fashion show to gain experience. The designers whom Alisha, a 20-year-old from South London, England, had opened up for ended up winning the $40,000 check.

After panel critiques and the judges had time to deliberate on the girls' photos in private, Tyra and the judges called the girls back in. Tyra then revealed the models in order of the best photo to the worst of the week.


Alisha received the first call-out. Following Alisha, Tyra then revealed Sophie, Catherine, Laura, and Annaliese -- leaving Seymone and Eboni in the bottom two.

Seymone, Laura and Eboni were the American girls, while the rest were the British models.

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

"You two stand before me because the judges feel you do not take into consideration the opportunity it is to be here. Eboni, the judges think you don't appreciate and respect the very specific branding advice that the judges have given you," Tyra explained.

"And then we have Seymone, same issue -- opportunity -- this is such an amazing opportunity. But the judges have gotten word back that when you're at your photo shoots and when you're at your challenges, you're not taking them seriously."

Tyra then revealed Eboni's photo, resulting in Seymone's elimination.


"I'm not at the photo shoots. I'm not at the challenges, but these people behind me, like Mr. Jay, are. Your platform is bigger than you. It stands for so much more, and so when you leave here, I want you to remember that. You have to show the world how amazing you can represent this body and make them feel good about themselves," Tyra told Seymone.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski