In case you were under any illusion that the pretenders to HHPOF! Miz Tyra's crown were mere also-rans, think again. Elle Macpherson's introduction (complete with Executive Producer credit) shows that it may well have taken 5 seasons to get here but now they're really actually rather ready to find a top model. Obviously though in that grand tradition of Top Model antics from around the world (a top model from any of them? Anyone?)
In case you weren't sure which version you were watching, the 25 girls that are to be further whittled are in The Countryside, waiting at a bus stop curiously emblazoned with a TfL logo. I didn't know Zone 40 existed. First sob story - Kadian. Not only a single mum but run over! With a metal plate in her arm! And a scar! She's a SURVIVOR!
Charley Speed and Grace Woodward are introduced as new judges - good call. Grace is pretty aces at her job and we can now look at Charley instead of Jonathan Phang.
As per their contracts, there's a lot of shrieking at every statement and then even more for - lo! - there is Elle! An actual freaking supermodel!
(I'm just putting this out there now but Elle MacPherson has squiffy eyes. How has this never been noticed???)
First task to whittle the girls down was a head shot with Grace. We already get our first reference to smiling with your eyes though clearly this girl hasn't learnt properly from HHPOF! or she'd know it's just SMIZING now.
And because we're all about diversity (except when it comes to anyone over a size 8) look! A lesbian! Who reminds me of Lluvy from Season 4 of ANTM.
Joy is the current one who thinks she knows it all, complete with "Whatever bizatches" attitude.
Obviously next we have walking. And why for the love of god can none of them walk properly!?!??!!??! Will they never learn?!?!?!?!?? It's not just a case of Pow! Strut Pow! Only Amba admitted to having practised walking. Except for cute but useless Hannah. Oh bless her. She couldn't walk in heels, she couldn't walk out of them. I love her. She's a klutz, not a model.
Simone (token plus size?) had a Naomi fall but got up and got on with it which was the right thing to do.
The new format is a lot closer to ANTM now with the swimwear interview with the panel and all the talk of wanting it more than air/life/water/food/a kitten.
Bwahahaha! Julien Macdonald, Fashion Designer! New judge! Didn't appreciate his comments about plus size models but he was fab on Project Catwalk - he's kinda like a woodenly scripted Janice. Only less fabulous.
Time for a photoshoot and the obligatory group them together to make it easier to weed out the ones who don't 'pop'.
Joy has a hissy fit about her outfit. Oh my.... apparently they'd styled her like that on purpose. Uh-huh.
So then it got down to the nitty gritty of the final 13. And I have to say I'm surprised. Oh but twistaroo! A 14th! Oh my!
So, after 90 minutes of being assaulted by all the newness, these are my current top three:
Joy
She may be a whiny bitch but she takes a good picture and quite frankly, what more do you want?Tiffany
Sultry and kooky and hella cute.Amba
My current tip to win. Which means now she probably won't.If you need more BNTM goodness, and quite frankly who doesn't, then check out their website at www.bntm.tv