Victoria Marshman cut from 'America's Next Top Model's ninth edition

Victoria Marshman had an "atypical" look but was deemed to have a "prickly" personality by the judging panel, and as a result, the 20-year-old Yale University student from New Haven, CT became the third runway wannabe eliminated from America's Next Top Model's ninth season during last night's broadcast of The CW reality competition series.


"I think that I gained an appreciation for modeling and high-fashion that I didn't have before," said Victoria after her elimination was revealed.  "Models just sit around and be pretty -- that's what I thought -- but it's more than that, and I think I recognize that now.  At the end of the day, it's what's in your heart that counts.  My heart is not in this.  I'd rather go home than to take some other girl's dream."

Top Model's third episode began with Victoria talking with some of the other girls about how she's "just not a model" and didn't aspire to be one "until three weeks ago."

"I do want to be America's Next Top Model," she said.  "I came into this competition with not a clue as to what is going on.  I could either take this opportunity and run with it, or not try.  I've never been a not-try kind of girl."

Bianca, an 18-year-old college student from Queens, NY, explained how she also "doesn't want to leave" but was concerned after being a member of the bottom two during the last judging panel.  She realized she needs to "focus more."  Needless to say, not all of the girls were as humble as Victoria and Bianca.


"I am never going to be in the bottom two.  I am telling you that now," said Saleisha, a 21-year-old receptionist from Los Angeles, CA who has previous modeling experience and won the first two Top Model 9 reward challenges.  "Are you listening to me?  I don't think you heard the words that just came out of my mouth."

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The 11 remaining girls then received Tyra Mail and immediately knew it was time to receive their makeovers.  They traveled to a salon, where they were met by Top Model creator and judge Tyra Banks; runway expert J. "Ms. J." Alexander; and art director Jay Manuel.  Using a computer, Tyra showed all the girls what she had in store for each of them with the makeovers, which then commenced.  In addition, the girls would participate in a photo shoot after the makeovers to show-off their new look.

Bianca was afraid that since she's African-American and was receiving a blond weave, she'd look like a "street walker." Eventually Jay broke the bad news to Bianca that her head would have to be shaved because her hair was already "really, really damaged" and adding bleach to make it blonde would cause "too much breakage."  Instead, she'd be wearing different wigs for the photo shoots.

As Ms. J. put it, Bianca cried "model tear droplets" as her hair fell to the ground.


"This is emotional.  This is really hurting me.  I feel defeated," said Bianca.  "I've never cut my hair drastically all my life.  It's just a shock."  Jay tried to cheer her up by telling her wearing wigs would allow her "versatility."  Saleisha had a weave put on that was shorter than what she was used to but framed it her face nicely and was described as "high fashion."

"It's going to take some getting used to, but it really changed my look," she said.  "I am not your average girl next door.  I am fierce."

Back at the house, the girls received Tyra Mail and learned they'd be participating in their next reward challenge.  They traveled to Los Angeles' fashion district where they were met by photographer and Top Model judge Nigel Barker; his wife Crissy, who is also a make-up artist and former model; as well as CoverGirl representative Brent Poer. 

He explained that for the challenge, the girls had five minutes to apply eye and lip make-up to themselves, get dressed and walk down the runway.  The challenge's winner would film a how-to video for CoverGirl's website on how their new make-up software is used.

"I'm feeling very nervous because I usually don't wear any make-up at home," said Victoria.  "This will be really tough."


After running around like maniacs for five minutes, Brent revealed that Sarah, a 20-year-old college student from Heath, MA, was the challenge's winner because of the creativeness she used in accentuating the corners of her eyes, a "gamble" that "paid off."

"I feel great right now," said Sarah.

"I think Sarah deserved it," commented Lisa, a 20-year-old dancer from Jersey City, NJ.  "At least somebody won something besides Saleisha!"

The girls received some more Tyra Mail explaining their next photo shoot, which they thought would be their nude shoot.  They met Jay in the woods, but instead of posing nude, they learned they'd be acting as flowers, plants and other things that grow out of the ground.  Lionel Deluy would serve as the photographer.

Bianca got a big confidence boost when Jay told her she looked "so amazing."  However when he asked Saleisha for "more variety" in her facial expressions, she was unable to deliver.


"When I asked for more expressions, it didn't read in the eyes," he told her.  "It has to read through here."

Victoria also had troubles depicting a cactus, complaining how she just wanted to put on sneakers and a T-shirt.

"Being a cactus is so absolutely ridiculous," she said.  "High fashion modeling is sometimes ludicrous.  It's a strange world."  Jay thought she looked "lost in the face."

"She is so analytical that she stepped on set today and over-thought every pose," he said.

The only other girl to run into a real problem at the shoot was Chantal, a 19-year-old student from Austin, TX.  Both Jay and Lionel were barking conflicting orders at her, and she became overwhelmed about who to listen to.  Jay told her she has to listen to both because they're there to help "create that one magical image."


"It shouldn't be like this.  I can do this on my own!" she said.  "I was so lost in there!"

Following the shoot, the girls learned they'd be participating in their next judging panel.  Saleisha was still "confident" while Victoria continued to complain but wanted to stick around.

"I'm not ready to go home because I feel like I can bring a lot more to my shoots," she said.  "I need to figure out why I did poorly."

The 11 remaining aspiring runway walkers then had their third individual evaluations, where they would be judged by Tyra, Ms. J, Nigel, former model Twiggy, and Lionel.

Ms. J. commented that there were too many wrinkles on Victoria's neck in her photo, and Nigel added it looked "too posed."  For the third week in a row, Twiggy and Victoria then had a verbal spat.

"It's quite interesting that you were given cactus, which is quite prickly because..." said Twiggy before being cut-off by Victoria.


"Can we get one thing straight?  I don't have a prickly disposition," she said.

"You don't?" asked Twiggy.  "I actually think you are a little bit prickly."  Victoria than said she's "not a quiet mouse, and Nigel and Tyra put her in place.

"It's not about being a quiet mouse, it's about taking on-board what people have to say and being charming about it," said Nigel.  Added Tyra, "I think you confuse showing personality with showing a little abrasiveness."

Much to her surprise, Saleisha didn't have the best individual evaluation.  Despite Tyra praising her makeover, the judges weren't impressed with her tulip photo.

"You look like a wilted tulip," said Ms. J, who criticized Saleisha's eyes.  "You're in need of some water girl!"

"Looking at your photos," added Tyra, "it was extremely disappointing.  The eyes were not there.  You look great, you look high fashion.  But then it's not translating up there so much."


Ebony, a 20-year-old nursing student from Chicago, IL, also received some criticism, however it wasn't for her photo and was instead for her disposition at the judging panel, which Nigel thought lacked charm.  Nigel also commented how Chantal's confusion at the shoot was a "classic symptom" on sets.  Tyra said it's the "nature" of being on a shoot.

Once all the individual evaluations were complete, the judges began to deliberate which girl would be the third one eliminated.  Twiggy said she finds Victoria "quite interesting to look at," but added her "attitude" could use some improving.

"The problem with Victoria is despite the fact she's smart, she's not wise," said Nigel.  "You actually have to be charming without talking back." 

Ms. J thought Saleisha could have given them a better picture, and Tyra agreed.

"It's just a very big disappointment," she said.  "It's sad to see such a vibrant, young beautiful girl in-front of us and it doesn't translate."

Tyra then revealed that Jenah, an 18-year-old student from Farmington, CT; Sarah; Heather, a 21-year-old college student from Valparaiso, IN; Lisa; Janet, a 22-year-old aesthetician from Bainbridge, GA; Ambreal, a 19-year-old college student from Dallas, TX; Ebony; Bianca; and Chantal were all safe from elimination.


Tyra said the judges "love" Victoria's "atypical" look, but her attitude "isn't very appetizing."  She said nobody will want to work with Victoria if she's "abrasive, talks back," and is "snappy." Saleisha was praised for her "interesting heart-shaped" face, but her photos are "just okay."  But Saleisha got another chance as Victoria was booted from the competition.

America's Next Top Model 9's next episode will air Wednesday, October 17 at 8PM ET/PT on The CW.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio