The Road to the Final Four

America's Next Top Model

By admin | | 12:50 am | 75 Comments

final_fourThe whole time that America’s Next Top Model has been filming in South Africa, we’ve had all of the standard tourist shots of Cape Town, the frolicking time on the safari, and the whimsical kloofing trip. The girls have been learning about the modeling industry, but Tyra doesn’t think that is the only lesson they should learn. With only four people remaining emotions are already running high, and after a trip to a ghetto and a prison brings them face to face with South Africa’s apartheid past, things really start to boil over.Last week was one of the more interesting judging panels. Instead of Tyra, Janice, Nigel, and Nolé critiquing everybody’s performance, each girl got to have their say about the others. Naima said it was one of the more difficult things she had to go through, but it was great because everybody really got a chance to see what people were thinking in this competition. At this time last week, everybody was eating with Tyra, Kahlen was crying, and Brittany was saying how great it was because all of them were actually friends.

That feel-good attitude didn’t really last very long. Living with a person is difficult, especially when you don’t have a choice in who your roommates are. The girls have had to deal with each other, and they have been pretty friendly. YaYa would have felt very good at how much “respeito”(respect) was shared among everybody, but such smooth sailing can only last so long. Keenya starts talking about how she wasn’t going to hold back for anything, and when it came time to critique people, she couldn’t think about who was her friend or not. Brittany tries to get a word in, but Keenya says a few words about interrupting. They get into a little fight about who interrupts who more, and who was rude to who and shit like that. We saw the rift between these two build last week, and perhaps it was inevitable because of how close they were, but if these two can’t get along, there isn’t much hope for the rest of them.

Although Keenya interrupts people, it is not her worst trait in this competition. I do have to say that interrupting people is probably my worst trait, and all of my friends have to develop a sort of a conversation Tivo if they are ever going to get a point across. But anyway, Keenya’s biggest problem is the food. It’s not that she just isn’t eating right, the thought of food is all-consuming. When she and Kahlen discuss the latest Tyra mail, Keenya’s mind can’t go thirty seconds without thinking about the chocolate muffin that is in Kahlen’s hand. Clearly Keenya has to start smoking cigarettes to sate her appetite or curb that oral fixation she has. I thought it was one of the first things you learned in Modeling 101.

The next day, everybody goes to the headquarters of G’Mbo Urban Ethnic Clothing and met the founders, who served as their guides through a South African township. While a township is nominally called a “ghetto”, by an American definition it is more like a shantytown. Forgive me for my brief history lesson, but the townships were the way of life for most of South Africa’s majority black population throughout all of apartheid. It’s way too complex of an issue to discuss with any of the proper depth or expression here, but if you are interested in what it was like read Kaffir Boy, a non-fcition piece written by somebody who lived the life in the 1960s. And if you don’t get the book, you ca read an excerpt at Amazon. I read it when I was 10 or 11, and it was difficult, but gave me an appreciation for how lucky my life really was.

Now that I am done with my little spiel, back to the show. The girls were taken to a community center in the township, where they were going to learn African dance with a personal instructor. This challenge was pretty much made for Naima. She studied ballet at the Dance Theater of Harlem. Naima mentions that she appreciates the synergy between dancing and modeling because they both give you a chance to realize your body as a whole. Her enthusiasm was not matched by Kahlen or Brittany. Kahlen looks as if she is almost completely devoid of rhythm, and the only reason why you would check out Brittany on the dance floor was if you were looking to see if her boob would pop out or her top. Keenya felt that she needed to bring it because she was among her people, but was having trouble because…her jeans were too tight. Forget the cigarettes, she is going to have to go on the Mary-Kate Olsen diet and fast.

Keenya complained that Brittany was the center of attention last week, but something sort of turned on inside of her. Being in South Africa and seeing the township was hard on everybody, but Keenya began to say how much she really appreciates it, because she is black. It wasn’t that the other girls didn’t appreciate it, but you know, it’s not the same. The whole time she was saying this, Naima was right next to her. Naima doesn’t have the darkest skin, but both of her parents are half-black, and that is who she identifies with. From what I have seen on the show, I don’t think Keenya has much room to be calling out Naima in any sort of way. Maybe it’s good that Keenya sort of realizes where her roots are, and is acting that way, because she didn’t seem to want anything to do with Compton. Tiffany and Brandy must have nearly died when hearing her talk that way after she pretty much ignored them throughout their times on the show.

After learning the dance, they discover that they are going to have to perform in front of an audience from the township, and they would be judged. Presiding over the ceremonies would be Miss J, who placed himself in the audience and stretched out his legs, and god damn did you see those legs? He had a dress on that was slit up to there, and we could see the assets that probably got him the job of runway consultant. That being said, I never want to see them again.

The girls do their thing, but everybody did fairly well. Brittany goes into everything like she has nothing to lose, and that demeanor at least lets her look like she is having fun at everything. Kahlen’s attitude is completely different. When something is too difficult, she tends to give up easily. She was more than nervous, she was upset that she had to go on. When it came time to deliver, she actually did fairly well. It has become her modus operandi; complain something is too hard and then over perform. Although Keenya felt like she was moving well, we all knew that nobody would be a match for Naima (who I learned has a twin sister as well – almost too much for my dirty mind to comprehend). Miss J lets the audience decide the winner by their applause, and Naima gets the prize.

keenya_sa_dancenaima_sa_dance

For her win, Naima gets thirty extra frames during her photoshoot, and she gets to pick one person to have twenty extra frames. It’s clear that Kahlen is her best friend remaining, but she picks Keenya instead. Keenya in turn, gets to pick one person to have ten extra frames, and she picked Brittany. Khahlen got nothing, and was quite upset, thinking that everybody else was ganging up on her in some way. In reality, it was much more simple than that. Naima loves Kahlen, but she was thinking about the competition. Kahlen has been taking the best pictures, and if there was anybody who didn’t need the extra frames, it was her. Keenya has been looking lumpy, so she had more to make up with in those extra shots.

The township was emotional in many ways, but things were just getting started. They got their mail from Bankable, and it simply had 46664 on it. Nobody knew what it meant, but they were soon going to find out the next day. The second trip of the week took them to Robben Island, the main political prison of South Africa’s apartheid era. A former prisoner was their guide, and told them about the torture and poor treatment people would receive if they were incarcerated there. We learned that 46664 was Nelson Mandela’s number when he stayed there for 18 years during his fight against apartheid. The guide became emotional talking about Mandela’s importance to his people, and by the look on their faces, all of the girls were really taking in the message.

naima_mandela_keyThe highlight of the trip was another emotional moment. One of the girls got to use the key to open the actual cell that belonged to Nelson Mandela. Naima took the chance right away, and it looked like Keenya was upset, and the whole thing was wearing thin on Brittany. She really got sick of hearing Keenya say how much it meant to her, and more accurately, how nobody else could understand what it meant to her. Brittany also was suspicious when Keenya started crying when Keenya was in Nelson Mandela’s cell, not because she is a heartless bitch, but because she wondered why Keenya had so much emotion for somebody she knew nothing about. Only minutes earlier, she had asked Brittany if Mandela was dead or alive, prompting Brittany to wonder if she knew much about him. Well, I am going to go out on a limb on this one, but if you don’t know if somebody is alive or not, you most likely haven’t been following them too closely. (Speaking of which, would it be too morbid if TVgasm started a Death Pool?) For Brittany, it was a further example of how fake Keenya had become and she believed her emotions were all for show.

So, learning everything about the inequalities of apartheid, I was wondering what kind of photo shoot there would be. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the girls would be playing 40s aristocrats on vacation in Africa. Ahh, yes, bring back those heady days of the colonial era South Africa! I’m sure I am being too sensitive, but couldn’t they have thought of something better to sell the Caress Sensational Soothing Bodywash? How about another alligator?

The girls learned that they would be doing their shoots with three male models, Lee-Roy, Bertini, and Mark. Quite a set of refreshing, down to earth names, but not nearly as funny as Rib. Immediately, Kahlen covered her eyes to avoid any pregnancy. I wish one of these girls would have placed a dildo in her bed or a blow up doll. God, just imagine the look on Kahlen’s face, she would probably die. The models were really flirty, and they said they wanted to go out to dinner with the girls or perhaps a nightclub and go dancing. Bertini was particularly agressive, especially with Keenya, asking for her number. Maybe he’s just an ass man, because Keenya surely has it going on in that area. By this time, i’m sure it has a nice jiggle when you smack it.

kahlen_sa_hideseyes

For the shoot, the girls were asked to use what they learned about moving their bodies and sort of dance with the three men. Naima loved this, was very natural, and Jay was impressed with how she was both confident and alluring, the two things he was hoping to get from her each week. When it was Keenya’s turn, she had trouble moving naturally instead of just posing early on. Later, she was really bothered with Bertini, who was sort of moaning and touching her ass. Was it part of the shoot? Was he just trying to cop a feel? Whatever it was, Keenya didn’t feel comfortable, and had to stop the shoot. She thought that Bertini had crossed the line of professionalism, and although it bothered her very much, she went on with the rest of the shoot because she was afraid it would affect her standing with the judges if she couldn’t get through it.

Brittany was a complete natural of course. You can’t really say that she has rhythm, but you can tell that she knows how to move her body when another body is next to hers. Kahlen, on the other hand, has a lot of trouble. She couldn’t get into a natural groove, and although she said she was able to get through the dancing by acting a role, she couldn’t find within herself what she needed to get through this one. She still had a hard time thinking of herself as an object of sexual attraction. Kahlen, here is some free advice. An appletini or ice-blended margarita or four will really free your mind.

Overall, this was a great shoot, and I was really impressed with the pictures. After last week when they did their own hair, makeup, and clothing, it was good to have the professionals taking care of things once again:

keenya_sa_caressnaima_sa_caress
brittany_sa_caresskahlen_sa_caress

The girls took the guys up on their invitation and went out to dinner. Once there, things were very, very awkward. Bertini and Keenya were still arguing about what happened on the set, and when it came time for the bill, Keenya ended up not having any money. Ahh, the life of a male model, go out with three hot women, and they have no problem ponying up their portion of the bill. The whole incident turned into a big mess after the fact. Brittany started accusing Keenya of being selfish, and took her to task for her crying and being fake.

Brittany may have had a point somewhere, but she is just not one who is good at arguing. Past a certain point, she doesn’t want to think of a coherent response and simply outshouts everybody. Naima had a look on her face that she wanted to kill the two of them, more intensity than I have seen from her all year. She said that she thanked god she was able to get a hold of the key, because it meant so much to her, and Keenya and Brittany obviously hadn’t learned anything from it. Kahlen just cried in the corner. The argument continued in the loft, and of course nobody got any further. Naima tried to step in for a moment, but got sick of dealing with Keenya and Brittany, and left the room. Kahlen was just sobbing outside. I have to say, she was pretty annoying this week.

nigel_grinds_naimaFor the judging the girls were told to dance around in place. Tyra would shout “Pose!” and they would stop and pose. Sort of boring, until all of the judges got out of their chair and joined in on the fun. I nearly fell off the couch watching Nigel do sort of a half grind with Naima. And about Nigel, how many of those god damned bold colored stripe shirts does he own. Is it just me or does he wear a different one each week? Maybe it’s the same one, but it’s starting to bother me. Janice was Janice, and even dressed up like the girls did for their shoot. Nolé, poor guy, he must miss his dog so much, but he did shake it when he had the chance. Tyra (god, what a great ass!), had a party up in there as well.

Keenya has been running into trouble with the judges for her weight, but she came out on top in this episode. She had a decent picture (they were also shown their worst shots), but she really impressed the judges by the way she acted when she was in front of them. Kahlen didn’t have the best picture, and they thought there could definitely be more emotion and sexiness, but they decided she had the potential to go on.

So, it was Naima vs. Brittany. As I e-mailed to a reader this past week, I may not cry if Naima loses, but I sure am going to drink heavily. I have a couple of cold bottles of vodka in the freezer, my special extra-large Dartmouth shotglass, and my favorite blanket to comfort me. The judges complained about Naima’s personality again. Although I wish they would see that a personality is more than simply mugging for the camera and drawing attention to yourself, she did admit that she has been holding back a little. She was so natural in her picture (easily my favorite this week), but sort of blended into the background in front of judges. Brittany was sort of a surprise, in an episode where they were focusing on personality, you would think she has no problem. One thing they did notice is that whenever she is asked for more energy in a shoot, she gets a little over the top and sometimes loses control. She also really isn’t taking things seriously.

Tyra said that they had to choose between the girls who’s flame was dwindling and the girl’s who flame was stifled, but still had a chance of coming on strong. They decided that Naima had that chance and saved her (and my liver) for at least another week. Out of Brittany and Naima, I would have picked Brittany to leave every time, but I think that she has been taking some great pictures and deserved to stay a little while longer. I would have thrown Keenya out in a heartbeat. She rebounded nicely this week with a great picture, but I think her last good picture was when they dressed her up as a Korean, and they have all been average or less than since then. But again, our girl Naima is still around, so I’ll take those results.

Next week, season finale time. Out of those left, who are you pulling for? Is Keenya too fake? Is Naima too reserved? Is Kahlen sexy enough?

About

75 Comments

  1. 1
    huh?
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 5:59 am

    Please, please PLEASE get rid of Keenya! You would think they would get rid of her just because she can’t follow a simple instruction of laying off the food. If she does this now, what will she do when she’s out in the real world of modeling? But, they picked her to win from the beginning and we can only hope they open their eyes and get real.

    I’m wondering if the people on the TAR boards that complain about how Ramber ran the race are giving Keenya a pass on her atrocious behavior. Based on their comments, Keenya should be the one to go.

  2. 2
    Lillian
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 5:59 am

    I had taped the episode, because I couldn’t get home in time to see it. When it came down to Brittany and Naima as the bottom two, I couldn’t take it. I had to pause for a minute, because I couldn’t accept the possibility of Naima going home. I think I’d also hit the liquor if they sent her home.

    But I as fair as the judging went this week, I really didn’t see the point of them doing the photo shoot. Both Brittany and Naima had the strongest photos, BUT still Kahlen and Keenyah were picked before them. It’s like they didn’t really take in consideration that they had a photoshoot and that these girls took great pictures. It seemed all based on that stupid dance and FREEZE..I’m mean POSE. Come on how ridiculous.

    I think maybe Naima is a bit reserved, but I LOVE her. I always think she has great personality and so what if she’s not over the top crazy. Talk about alittle too reserved, look at Kahlen, who yes is sexy but doesn’t have enough confidence in herself to really show it or express it. I always seem to compare Kahlen to Shandi from Cycle 2. Shy, but beautiful, has come a long way from when she started. You know the story, but in the end they usually are cut. But if it came down between her and Keenyah. Kahlen all the way baby. But Naima rules my heart no matter what those judges say.

    And Keenyah, boy should she have gone. J-unit definately right her number 1 problem is her weight. I mean…she sees food and looses concentration. As far as her behavior, I am so over it from the last episode with her competitive side let alone this episode with her self centered side.

  3. 3
    America's Next Top Fan
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 6:01 am

    This episode of ANTM had it all, sexual harrassment, race, poverty, and a black girl who feels entitled. Who does Keenya think she is? It’s all about Keenya, Keenya, Keenya. This girl brags about her race but discards others because of their class (Brandi) or they’re not dark enough (Naomi). How dare she. I was so glad that Brittany called her out on Nelson Mandela when it was clear that she had absolutely no idea who he was. And when Naomi received the key to open Mandela’s cell and she opened it slowly for emotional effect it looked as if Keenya was gonna bitch slap Naomi. I swear she stared at that key as if it were a slab of beef.

    I know we have our problem in America with dealing with race but I feel an open conversation is what is needed to understand each other. So I give props to Brittany for charging into it head strong. And by the way, how can you keep the fatest girl (by model standards) on the show. And the blandest girl, Kalen has absolutely no personality and can’t take photos with half nacked men without crying.

    Speaking of nacked men, wow how hot was Bertini? Damn that man filled that loin cloth. I thought when is he gonna come bustin out of those things. If he wanted to groan sexually in my ear while pressing his penis into my ass I would be satisfied (as Brittany was). Who knew male models could be heterosexual. More Bertini, Ms. Bankable. As a matter of fact have a male version of ANTM. HOT.

    So sad Britanny is gone…..

  4. 4
    America's Next Top Fan
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 6:14 am

    ps. That one guess judge was also hot. The one who spoke so sexually that Ms. Bankable took a liking to. Damn Africa has some hot men!

  5. 5
    TexasK
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 6:16 am

    Haven’t even finished the recap yet … too excited. DEATH POOL — hell yeah!!!

  6. 6
    Leah3t
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 6:59 am

    Keenya is an ugly Rudy Huxtable. And how is she gonna be all like “I love my blackness” and then wait five seconds and then happily participate in a photo shoot of colonial aristocrats bathed in white light dancing with half naked black men with drums!?!?! (Whose idea was that anyway?!?! How distasteful!)As a black person, between Craig and Keenya I am ready for some new seasons and new casts. Or better yet, I’ll stick to “Scrubs”

    Oh who am I kidding, bad behavior aside this show is still one of my favs.

  7. 7
    Ashes
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 7:44 am

    Leah3T, I had the same thought about the quality (as contenders on their respective reality shows) of Keenya and Craig! They are annoying and rude in different ways, yet each managed to get to the top 3 based on some combination of luck, others sucking even worse, and whatever crazy thinking led the ANTM judges to favor Keenya over not only Brittany but also Naima this week! What is up with the casting?

  8. 8
    jc944
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 7:45 am

    Keenya is such a fake!!! not only is she rude to others but has no idea who she really is!!! My patience was wearing thin last night with the “but I am black attitude”, of course it is ok to be proud of your race but give me a break she obviously was faking it. I almost died when she asked Brittany: “Is Nelson Mandela still alive????” She probably couldn’t tell who Nelson Mandela is if he was standing in front of her. But if Mr. Mandela was standing in between her and the buffet line she will say: “Keenya so hungry, me eat soft spoken gentle man”

  9. 9
    mjsesq20
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 8:30 am

    I am so excited for the death pool! We’ve lost a lot of the perennial contenders recently (the pope being the most obvious example), so I say lead the way tvgasm!!

  10. 10
    Bob
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 9:12 am

    Keenya has got to go. She’s not only getting fatter and not watching her diet AT ALL, but her attitude sucks in general. Goes out to dinner and brings no money? How stupid is that? Beside that, her eyes creep me out a little.

    Naima, her photos are ok, but she has this alien look to her most of the time. I’m not impressed. She’s hiding something that needs to come out from deep inside.

    Kahlen, come on girl step up a little. If she could only get a little sexy attitude it would make all the difference in the world. She’s got a great face and hot body, but not a great spokeswoman.

  11. 11
    Leah3t
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 9:25 am

    Okay I have to add one more Keenya rant- how you gonna go and pay homage to Mandela and all that he did to advance race relations, and then go putting your own personal evaluation of how black Naima is?!? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

    Yeah boo on bringing no money to dinner. Also, I’m going to take this opportunity to put people who only bring credit cards to large group dinners on blast. I hate that! If over five peopel are dining, bring cash so we can split the bill fair and square without making the waitress swipe eight credit cards. grrrr

  12. 12
    mariana
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 9:46 am

    DEATH POOL!! DEATH POOL!! DEATH POOL!! What a great idea.. my picks.. 1.Billy Graham (religious zealot) 2.Michael Jackson (lover of little boys) 3.Courtney Love (drug afficianado).. top model rules.. i pick Naima to win the whole shabang.. i think the girls this season are pretty lacklustre.. not really my choices as top models for anything.. they should have World’s Next Top Model.. that would be more interesting then this American-centric show.. i really don’t think the most beautiful women come from america, but that’s just me..

  13. 13
    Ashes
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 10:33 am

    Forgive my naiveté, but how does a death pool work? Do you just take bets on which famous figure will die next and then name all the people who are elderly or sick? If there’s going to be one on tvgasm, I need to get educated about the process.

  14. 14
    yourmom
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 10:57 am

    So I never had a problem with Keenya until last night’s episode. What a bitch! The fact that she said that she didn’t belive Naima was black really pissed me off. Naima is not the type of person to lie about something like that. And how she didn’t even know if Nelson Mandella was alive or not. ARRRRRG! She made me sooooo mad. I’m also sad that Brittneys gone.

  15. 15
    kimber
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 12:02 pm

    Not to be mean J-Unit, but are you even trying to make these recaps funny? There are so many gems, how dramatic Tyra is for example?

    anyway, keenya is a total nightmare!

  16. 16
    debbie
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 12:17 pm

    OMG!!! Last nights judging almost gave me a heart attack. Seeing Naima in the bottom two made me break out in hives it was worse than getting a root canal done.
    Brittany and Naima in the bottom two is total CRAP.
    Kahlen and Keenya should have been in the bottom 2 so WTF??? Tyra is so obvious, I see a pattern here…

  17. 17
    dingleberry
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 12:18 pm

    I love Kahlen, I hope she wins. Naima is a sweet girl, but im sorry, not pretty enough to be a model, not even one of those quirky model types and I HATE the freakin mohawk…oh how I hate it. Keenya is a fake who needs to start doing some Tae Bo. Whatevah! GO Kahlen!

  18. 18
    tuliplover
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 12:36 pm

    I thought for sure you would post the before and after pics of Keenya. Those were too funny.

  19. 19
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 1:13 pm

    Kimber,

    Thanks for the feedback. I hope to be funnier, but I hadn’t received my “1000 Apartheid Jokes for Any Occasion” in the mail yet, so I kind of hit a wall. But feel free to send me the link to your website so I know how it should be done.

    dingleberry,

    Kahlen looks great in a lot of photos, but she is so very plain and dowdy when she is not in hair and makeup. She has this McCaulay Culkin with hair extensions look most of the time which isn’t that appealing. That, and she has no personality.

    Naima is beautiful and smart, but not full of herself. Her look isn’t mainstream, but I think that only adds to her appeal.

  20. 20
    jenny
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 1:16 pm

    Kahlen needs to GO!!! She is such a baby, grow up and stop crying like a little whimp!!! Her picture sucked and she just does nothing for me. She’s so bland and not even pretty and her ugly lookin teeth drive me nuts. How is she going to survive the cut throat world of modelling if she’s acting like a cry baby?Michelle gets called weak for crying but at least she had a reason to cry.

  21. 21
    couchpotato
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 1:18 pm

    Good recap J-Unit. I thought it was so funny the way Tyra was flirting w/ the S.A. designer. And how hot was Lee-Roy!… yum. So sad for Brittany. Go Naima.

  22. 22
    confused
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 1:46 pm

    Last night my roomate and I decided that America has ran out of good looking models because these three contenders are not pretty enough to be a cover girl representative. Out of the three the best is Naima!!!

    I am with Ashes. If tvgasm is going to have a death pool I will need a little clarification.

  23. 23
    America's Next Top Fan
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 1:58 pm

    My deadpool picks

    1. Phyliss Diller
    2. Redd Foxx (oops he’s dead already)— Judy Dench
    3. Ryan Seamoncrest

  24. 24
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 2:04 pm

    I have not decided yet on how I am going to fashion the Death Pool. I want to have something where you sign in, make picks, and the system tracks it for you. I don’t know if I can find the software out there, or how much coding it would require. In any case, it is something that will happen after all the season finales are finished. It will give me something to do during the summer so I can avoid the sun.

  25. 25
    Leeya
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 3:18 pm

    Keenya¦the more I know her, the more I can’t stand her. chik has an avid obsession for food and absolutely no willpower. next time during her photo shoot, one of the girls should just wave a chocolate muffin in front of her to distract her. her being fake isn’t a problem since she can fake her way through the judging. however, her being overweight (by model standard) isn’t something she can hide”which is a huge problem for a model. I think in the next episode, Keenya may be the next to be eliminated since “rolling” down the stage doing the catwalk isn’t going to cut it. I know she isn’t really fat but I can’t get over that bulging gut she’d been developing. her weird fixation for food and her lack of self control over this flaw made me even less sympathetic toward her.

    I’m quite fed up with the judges’ criticisms toward Naima’s lack of “personality”. so what if she’s reserved¦who cares? chik takes great pictures effortlessly and from what I can see, I think she has a great personality¦very neutral and definitely no drama queen. she might not be wild and crazy like Brittany nor egotistic and pretentious like Keenya, but she isn’t forgettable nor bland in any way. she has a very unique, quiet look and I think that’s her edge.

    Kahlen¦I think she’s beautiful. during judging her personality doesn’t show very well but outside of that, she cracks me up. her excessive crying in this episode reminds me of how a child would react whenever their parents kept arguing in front of them¦I wonder if she has that problem at home.

    Brittany¦she’s wild and loud but she’s a pretty sweet girl. I’m also sad that she had to go before the cheap phony fat ass.

  26. 26
    yourmom
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 4:15 pm

    Has anyone else noticed how plain-jane Kahlen looks when she is wearing those t-shirts that go clear up to her neck? When I see her like that I seriously can’t see anything about her that even remotely resembles a model.

  27. 27
    theryn
    Posted May 12, 2005 at 8:19 pm

    Good re-cap J-Unit and who knew you had a fetish for asses (Black one’s at that)!

    Is anyone really surprised by Keenya’s whole show? I mean the sista has been exhibiting internalized oppression issues since day one. Just LAST WEEK I was pointing out how invisible Naima was to Keenya. Geeesssseee.

    As for Keenyah being “fat,” sure by high-fashion modeling standards Keenyah is hella pushing it and does need to come up with a solution to address her ever expanding middle soon like running or avoiding food with words like “fried” in the title. But let’s be real, as Mandela pointed out, by African standards Keenya IS skinny with Tyra chiming in that Keenya IS ALSO skinny by African American standards so, why all the hateration on her tummy? There is plenty about Keenyah to loath besides her waistline. Again let me point out that, like I said last week, Keenyah would get a serious beat down for all of her internalized shit if it were high school and most likely by sista’s who really are fat.

    As for the rest of the chickiepoos: Britney, peace out you. You loud mouth beeatch. Though I did like her photos, she was seriously working my nerves. Just because you are not sure if someone is alive or dead does not mean that you lack an understanding of their significance in the world. Besides on her worst day Britney will never wake up Black in America or post-apartheid Africa. Additionally, reality TV shows that have Black participants traveling to Africa often express a feeling of deep connection to Black African people, the land and the legacy of brutality that have shaped the modern conditions that many African people live in today. Given that a majority of African Americans in the Americas can trace their lineage to enslaved African people somewhere, to be African American in Africa has a profound effect on one’s being. This experience might actually have a more positive impact on Keenyah life and make her a better person in the long run.

    I am just jaded that Keenya and Naima did not have a better relationship going into this leg of the competition. Had they been cool with each other they might have been able to share privately how they felt about their experiences in the township that inspires Bebe and Mandelas’ G’Mbo Urban Ethnic Clothing line, or what is was like to listen to Modise Phekouyane as they stood on Robbene Island before the entering Nelson Mandela’s old cell. Instead, because of their disconnect they each had to process the profoundness of their experiences in the presence of women who didn’t get it. On one hand, you got Kahlen crying in the corner and on the other hand there is Britney screaming “shut-up!” in their faces. GROSS! (I am so glad that skank is gone).

    For that matter Kahlen can go to. My god, with her easy provocation to tears the real world will eat her alive. She reminds me of the kind of naive kid who goes off to the big city with bright eyes and a whole lot of not-much-else who eventually gets swept into the undertow of big city life and big city struggle. Only to end up broke and getting pimped by drug dealers and armature porn predators. Yeah, she takes good picks and even knows something about critique but it is time for her to go back to Oklahoma. Plus I AM OVER HER! NEXT!

    I just hope my girl Naima can pull it off. On her worst days she’s cute. On her best days she is fabulously beautiful and nails the shot each time. Her picks might not always show it but she got the most “best” pics of anyone left standing.

  28. 28
    oh boy
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 3:30 am

    Here we go again…

  29. 29
    America's Next Top Fan
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 5:39 am

    theryn, when you get going there’s no stopping you. First off the show is not called The Next Top African Model or the Next Top African American Model or even The Next Top Plus Sized Model. Keenya came into this wanting to be a skinny ANTM or she would have hauled her ass and plus sized stomach in on the first episode.

    And what does Brittany not having to be black has to do with her fronting Keenya on her obvious ignorance of Nelson Mandela. Even if she knew his history she didn’t know he was dead or alive. How could you NOT know that if you’re black. Hell Brittany’s white and SHE knew it!

  30. 30
    Ted
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 7:02 am

    Oh, I adore Kahlen. I think Naima will win, but I would be happy to see Kahlen emerge as a dark horse… beautiful, funny, and better at modeling than she lets on.

  31. 31
    theryn
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 10:20 am

    ANTF and oh boy

    wow…

  32. 32
    theryn
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 10:26 am

    I suppose this is what I get for assuming people read more than they watch TV and hoping for compelling conversation.

  33. 33
    America's Next Top Fan
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 10:31 am

    oh theryn, I’m sorry. didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I had to drop my copy of the Wall Street Journal to write this.

  34. 34
    soap box
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 11:44 am

    Theryn- perhaps you should be hanging out at some campus coffee shop or some other place where people go for philosophical/ stimulating convo, rather than preaching and speaking for every black person in America.

  35. 35
    wtf
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 12:25 pm

    What do geese have to do with anything? Jeez!

    I did learn something new, though. I had never heard of “armature porn predators.” Must be a new fetish.

    btw I can trace my roots back to slaves also and I happen to be white.

  36. 36
    debbie
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 1:28 pm

    Oops I made a mistake on my post above Kahlen and Keenyah should’ve been in the bottom 2.

  37. 37
    yourmom
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 1:39 pm

    Theryn- I’m usualy all about free speech but in your case…shut the hell up!

  38. 38
    it's just tv
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 2:25 pm

    Malcom X opps I mean Theryn – Relax, you don’t need to go on a soap box everytime you write a post. People write to have fun and banter back and forth and that’s it! We all visit the site to get away from work and have some fun.

  39. 39
    momo
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 3:21 pm

    Theryn writes…….”I suppose this is what I get for assuming people read more than they watch TV and hoping for compelling conversation.”

    Okay, it seems you don’t realize the purpose of this site. Our compelling conversation is about tv and if you don’t like it don’t watch it or read it!!!!

    keenya sucks, i’m sad about brittney but she had to go, kahlen is okay, but naima rocks.

    p.s – I’m a virgin blogger/poster whatever. After having this site on my favourites list for about 2-3 months this is my first post! yay!

  40. 40
    huh?
    Posted May 13, 2005 at 7:32 pm

    Welcome to the fun momo!!

  41. 41
    theryn
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 1:56 am

    Dear Fans,
    You all are soooooo easy; it’s like playing with mice.

    ANTF
    Sweetie, just cause you use the word “African” more than once in your post does not mean we are having the same conversation.

    By the way¦so, if all Black people are gonna know when Nelson Mandela dies does that include brothas in the hole in San Quentin? I mean, the moment that Nelson Mandela literally stops breathing, will all Black people just look to the sky knowingly? Oh yeah, speaking of “America’s African American Next Top Model” Eva is making mad $crilla as America’s Last Top Model. Hell, I even watch Kevin Hill just to help the sista rake in the dough.

    But really dear, I am actually fond of you so please, just chill.

    Soap Box
    I had no idea that the word “compelling” would insight the ignorant villagers to grab their torches, pitch forks and shovels and head deep in the forest to just to burn down MY college café. I too have layers.

    Wtf
    Wow! So you too will have a spiritual experience when U return home to Africa? I can’t wait to hear what happens. Promise you’ll call me.

    Yourmom,
    “Usually, I’m against the death penalty, but in your case I want to pull the switch!” (lol)
    That’s all you got? It’s been a week. You’re done girl. Go tuck the babies in and have a nice weekend. By the way, did you catch it? Keenyah is NOT “the only Black woman on the show.” Goodnight mom.

    It’s just tv
    What are you talking about this is fun. I got the girls in the office just cracking up at ya’ll getting all mean on me. For them it is like reading the latest issue of Star magazine. They are just waiting for me to get bored fucking with all of your heads. Think less like LSD and more like Keyser Soze. I mean, with stuff like (and I am paraphrasing Soap Box) “you don’t speak for all Black people.” Come on, how is this stuff NOT funny? It’s hilarious!

    I am actually honored that I would inspire you to think of Malcolm X at work. More people should think of Malcolm X daily. Even the shittiest and most ill thoughts about Malcolm X, mean that his legacy continues (and in the words of my most favorite tv diva, Martha herself, “it’s a good thing”). Now I know what movie to get you for Xmas. (wink)

    Thanks for the love all! xoxoxoxoxoxo

  42. 42
    yourmom
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 10:52 am

    White people kick ass!!!!

  43. 43
    Keenyaisanidiot
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 12:18 pm

    Is Malcom X alive?

  44. 44
    wtf
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 1:36 pm

    theryn:

    Obviously you can not read or comprehend simple words. I said I was white. No black in me at all, so why would I want to go to Africa? Black people from Africa are not the only ones in history that have been slaves. Others just happened to get over it.

    Love, Pick Toes

  45. 45
    oh boy
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 2:59 pm

    Give it a rest theryn. Go get your jollies somewhere else.

  46. 46
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 6:16 pm

    nice recap, j-unit. but regarding your post above – naima is the one who is lacking in the personality department (just because you have crazy hair doesnt mean you have personality). kahlen is funny and smart in addition to being beautiful.

    but anyway, keep up the good work! go kahlen and naima!

  47. 47
    pd
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 9:55 pm

    theyrn –

    seriously?

    will you marry me?

  48. 48
    Mistress Violet
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 10:29 pm

    does anyone else see a kind of sad irony in trying to stifle a discussion of p.o.c. issues, brought up because contestants are struggling with p.o.c. issues? if you don’t think there are racial elements affecting even light viewership, then we aren’t watching the same show.

    (then again, the intellectual equivalent of “fAt kEenYah!!!!1″ is totally a better post than assessing a dynamic further heightened by the current shoots and setting.)

    also. if naima doesn’t win i’m going to have a hissy fit. for one, she’s the only model with distinctive personal style in down time and on the way to shoots.

  49. 49
    sandro
    Posted May 14, 2005 at 11:11 pm
  50. 50
    brit aka da blaq queen
    Posted May 15, 2005 at 3:47 pm

    niama betta win cuzz shez gorgeous!!!!!!!
    nd shez the best model there!!!
    shez beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    (who carez if she dont speak)lol

  51. 51
    brit aka da blaq queen
    Posted May 15, 2005 at 3:47 pm

    niama betta win cuzz shez gorgeous!!!!!!!
    nd shez the best model there!!!
    shez beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    (who carez if she dont speak)lol

  52. 52
    yourdad
    Posted May 15, 2005 at 4:45 pm

    i am a virgin poster. but i can’t resist.

    people like theryn that act so condescending and self righteous toward people they know nothing about and certainly aren’t addressing face to face disgust me. if i met theryn face to face, i wouldn’t be afraid to say this. but you just know that if theryn didn’t have the protection of anonymity so many ad hominem attacks wouldn’t be thrown aroud.

  53. 53
    yourmom
    Posted May 15, 2005 at 11:13 pm

    Lets just stop talking about Amorosa-I mean Theryn.

  54. 54
    America's Next Top Fan
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 6:20 am

    theryn, i love you too and we all go through this kind of baptism of fire on this site at one point in time.

    By the way, when Nelson Mandela dies all black folks blood boils and our skin turns a shade darker. Usually that’s how we find out how one of our legendary leader passes.

  55. 55
    America's Next Top Fan
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 6:23 am

    yourdad, welcome to the post. where’s yourmom?

  56. 56
    your mama
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 7:46 am

    i think that keenyah took it to far. i know bertini was doing all the stuff she told them that he was doing, but she took it to far. i think that Lee-roy was the cutest of the model!!! i like you Lee-roy!!! i hope niama DON”T win bacause she starting to be snotty.

    holla back shorty!!

  57. 57
    your mama
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 7:49 am

    to: huh?
    your a jacka**

  58. 58
    your mama
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 7:51 am

    thyrn
    WILL YOU MARRY ME?

  59. 59
    huh?
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 8:26 am

    your mama

    “to: huh?
    your a jacka**”

    could you please explain the reason for this comment? With all the crap going back and forth you decide to call me out for… what?

    btw it should be “you’re a jackass.” You’re is a contraction of you are. Your denotes possession.

  60. 60
    yourmom
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 9:02 am

    why did everyone seem to fall in love with my name all of a sudden?

  61. 61
    The Player
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 2:38 pm

    wow, as a person of color I’m really glad I didn’t got to some scary ass High School where fat black girls were beating up anyone they thought was uppity.

  62. 62
    TIFF
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 2:53 pm

    I HATE KEEYNA HER CHIN AND HER TEETH R HORRIABLE..AND THE SHY ONE NEEDS TO BE NXT TO GO!!!!

  63. 63
    yo
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 7:21 pm

    All yall are wack, why do you think keenyah is rude if all she doin is being real. She’s from compton and she knows how to get down with the get down.

  64. 64
    theryn
    Posted May 16, 2005 at 10:54 pm

    Keenyaisanidiot, Malcolm x is alive in all of us.

  65. 65
    TIFF
    Posted May 17, 2005 at 9:18 am

    keenya is ugly and to full of herself, im so glad brittany told her off she needed that brittany rocks the shy girl should be NXT than keenya..keenya is not gonna win her jawline is to big it looks hurt..and her pictures r WACK!!!!

  66. 66
    Posted May 17, 2005 at 4:51 pm

    J-unit: Correction that Cape Town is majority coloured and not black – 60% vs 30%. Nice call on the shantytowns though. You are wicked smart but I am smarter.

  67. 67
    Ann
    Posted May 18, 2005 at 7:37 pm

    well…id just like to say im frickin glad Naima won. She is relatable because she has so many mixed races in her. She represents, Mexicans, Blacks, & Irish. So shes not your typical “white girl”
    “Black girl”

    plus i totally adored her mohawk.

  68. 68
    Ann
    Posted May 18, 2005 at 7:43 pm

    lmoa…and i think its funny how poeple are saying “keenya is so ugly blah blah blah”

    FACT IS she was choosen to even be on the show because of her good looks.

    and in case some of you forgotten…she was the in the FINAL 3…..more than i can for some of you.

  69. 69
    Ally
    Posted May 20, 2005 at 11:00 am

    okay kaylen should have won by far she is sooooo much more prettier then naima and takes WAY!!better pictures thne naima does. And so what if naima did better at the end for the show kaylen still did good and takes better pictures. I think kaylen is sooooo much prettier, has a way nicer body and i love her persionality shes quite but its cute. Kaylen is one of the prettiest girls i have ever seena and has a body tht is perfect for modeling!

  70. 70
    jen
    Posted May 20, 2005 at 11:02 am

    i agree kaylen was so much prettier and had a way nicer body!

  71. 71
    cora
    Posted May 20, 2005 at 2:54 pm

    i think that batinie was very sexy!

  72. 72
    Constance
    Posted May 20, 2005 at 6:27 pm

    Let’s say the truth here I know it hurts sometimes. According to me Naima shouldn’t have won the Miss American , But Keenya should have. I liked Kenya alot and he natural beauty smile. I think she has personality of and confidence. From the judges Keenya has been given a good comment all the way, Yess coz I loved her pictures and think she looks beautiful. Naima won last minute.. HOW??? The judges didn’t even knew whom she is from looking at her pics?? They kept telling her she is beautiful and don’t know how to show out her beauty?? So how in the world is she winning LAST MINUTE??? How can a person who has not been studying pass exams yet a person who has been studying exams fails???? Am not favouring anyone here but I did think that the show spoilt my heart and from judges, Please judge people accodring to good qualities.

    I love Keenya whatever people say about her eating habits etc and surprised nobody is seeing her as America next top model???

  73. 73
    Constance
    Posted May 20, 2005 at 6:35 pm

    I think Keenya should have won the Miss America.she is pretty, catwalks nicely, has a natural glow in her, Self esteemed,Confident, has her personality and the pics looks great!
    Naima is cool very cold like iced water and not easy to read inside her, She wons the last minute after judges get confussed whom to choose because there is a confussion. Judges might just chose her because they think she is more prettier than Naima, NO, she isn’t! I like Keenya’s shape and don’t understand why they kept telling her to lose the weight …. They couldn’t have allowed her in the first place to be amongst the 14 if she looked real bad ……. My friends lets think about this and be sincere because it HURTS when the winner is sent back home …… Kissess I love U Keenya!!!

  74. 74
    Ann
    Posted May 20, 2005 at 9:17 pm

    oh, thats too bad, because all your is opinion.
    too bad the FACT IS Naima WON.
    so regardless of what you think, it doesnt matter. She won. you lost.

    hmm…all the girls were pretty.So nothing against them. They all fell short to Naima though.

    She won cause she was better OVERALL.

  75. 75
    Steve
    Posted May 23, 2005 at 6:31 pm

    I think keenya should of been the next america top model I hope someone picks her up and use her as a professional model she was really pretty and talented

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