So we've finished another season of America's Next Top Model, and Bankable Productions has a fan for life. During this cycle, we had three girls who each represented different parts of the modeling spectrum. Kahlen has a classic beauty with classic proportions and she photographs great, but meeting her in person does not give the same kind of energy. As a spokesperson, Keenyah is your girl. She wows you with her presence, but at the same time sometimes leaves a little to be desired in her pictures. While she isn't fat by everyday standards, her weight and inability to control her appetite is becoming a problem. Naima has edge and flavor and takes good pictures, but her potential is masked by a subdued demeanor that at the same time is begging to get out.
After a little time with a few penguins, the girls get their chances to see Tyra face to face. I don't know about you, but I hardly recognized Ms. Banks. She didn't have any makeup on, or perhaps just not as much, and it wasn't that she was unattractive, just different and something I didn't expect to see. All three get to have some one on one, and the first one to go up is Kahlen.
These sessions with Tyra are always good to see how the girls are feeling, and they really seem to open up in a different way than they do in front of the cameras when they are doing their "diary" recordings. Last time Tyra had her mom along, but this time she was dispensing the advice solo. Kahlen talked about how she was never girly, never tall, and people said she had nothing unique. In this competition she can see that has all changed. Although this time is for the girls, Tyra always takes time to mention how she went through the same thing in some way, the girls cry, and then they move on.
Naima came in next, and when asked what she took away from the experience, she said that she had learned so much about herself. She used to have such issues with her image, hating her face and her body. She says now that she knows she has no room to hate herself. Tyra was impressed that in a competition where there is so much critiquing and so much talk about image, she could come away learning about self-esteem and being proud of what you do.
Then we came to Keenyah. Some people may think that I have been piling it on Keenyah over these last few weeks, but what am I supposed to do? Even when she isn't taking great pictures, she has the diva attitude. I like her spunk, but in this competition, some humility might motivate her to improve herself, and yes, that includes eating well. Keenyah is very focused on the competition, saying that she isn't doing anything that would potentially help others. She does eventually talk about her weight, saying her problem is she doesn't know if she's actually hungry or she just wants to taste something good in her mouth. Well, if all you needed was to put something in your mouth, Keenyah...oh, I'm not going to say it; that was too easy. Tyra tells her that although she should never feel like she has to be unhealthy, she has to realize that at her age, she is going to have to work harder to keep a figure more suited for high fashion.
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Comments (52)
naima seemed to be the likely choice. im not sure she deserved it more than kahlen, but she definitely has an edgier look/presence and seems to be more popular.
really they're both great, im just thankful keenyah got eliminated right off the bat!
1 of 52 | Posted by jen | Posted on May 19, 2005 2:56 AM
Thanks for another great recap J-Unit. I am so happy for Naima and (espescially for myself) I picked her since I saw her picture on the UPN site and have been rooting for her till the end. I can't get enough of her and I'm glad the spoiler was wrong cause it made her victory so much more special for me.
2 of 52 | Posted by Debbie | Posted on May 19, 2005 3:51 AM
Another article about Naima:
http://www.freep.com/entertainment/tvandradio/naima19e_20050519.htm
3 of 52 | Posted by Debbie | Posted on May 19, 2005 4:35 AM
I have to admit I was kind of bummed but Naima seems like a good person and it is true that she does try stuff and have confidence. I hope someone gives Kahlen a job!
Keenya's whole character was summed up by her departure speech. All she could talk about was why she was better than Kahlen, bashing others. Kahlen's farewell speach was much more positive. I'm glad Kahlen at least got ot be a finalist.
4 of 52 | Posted by Leah3t | Posted on May 19, 2005 4:54 AM
You know, I think in the very beginning I said I liked Brita, Naima, Kahlen and Keenyah. I got the final three right! I was so thrilled when it came down to Naima & Kahlen.
Confidence is great, but Keenyah just seemed full of herself towards the end. Everyone has different ways of competing, but it just didn't sit with me well.
Towards the end I was thinking that I didn't even really care who won because either would be a good choice. I was pulling for both all along, but I was hoping that it'd be Naima. Kahlen will definitely get work after this, especially if she builds up her confidence a bit. And I'm sure Keenyah will have opportunities too.
5 of 52 | Posted by Catie | Posted on May 19, 2005 5:46 AM
Yeah, Keenya has an oral fixation! Where can I insert my sausage?
Loved this season of ANTM. When Tyra first picked the girls I felt she left some of the best prospects in NY. But this season turned out not to be all about the girls as it was much more about the personality of Tyra and the judges.
Overall I loved the three girls and even though I had issues with Keenya last night she proved, for me, she is the best of the three. Her weight issues and ego probably spelled her downfall.
Naomi and Kahlen rocked the runway last night. They looked beautiful and worked it well, loved that dance scene under the waterfall at the end of the show. But where the hell did Naomi find that Ass? She's been hiding it all these weeks! I wore a hole in my TIVO last night and it finally crashed. Boo Hoo...
This show was on point from the competitions to the edgy runway music and the banter between Nole and Janice.
J-Unit. Shame on you. All this season was filled with snark between the judges and you didn't comment on any of them! A couple of week ago Nole told Janice she looked like Britanny eons ago and that led to a bitchfest. Tyra and Janice had lesbian action in prime time! Last night Janice went on and on about how she was the muse of Valentino, and all these other couture designers and Nole was about to rip her a new asshole but Janice shut him down. The look on Nole's face was priceless! TIVO crashed again at this point. So Sad...
Although I think Keenya was the best overall model, Naomi will rep just fine.
ANTM was one of the best reality shows out this season.
6 of 52 | Posted by America's Next Top Fan | Posted on May 19, 2005 5:53 AM
From the beginning it was written that Naima would take it all. I wasnt surprised at all. After I saw that my girl, Keenyah was gone, I knew that it was all Naima. Keenyah was her only competition in my book. But Im not bitter, congrats Naima. She is truly beautiful and unigue. The unique part is what I really loved about her.
7 of 52 | Posted by Dee Dee | Posted on May 19, 2005 7:19 AM
Well gee, that one was obvious.
8 of 52 | Posted by Ashes | Posted on May 19, 2005 8:05 AM
I think Naima is pretty, but she really annoyed me the past few weeks with her breaking down and crying in every episode about how she used to be so bad and her life was so dark...for the love, we got it, you used to be a crazy kid. Since Ron and Kelly from Amazing Race aren't a couple anymore, maybe Naima and Ron could get together and he can start every sentence with, this reminds me of the war and Baghdad and she can start every sentence with, I used to be so bad, I am trying to suppress my wayward youth and then cry.
9 of 52 | Posted by maefarre | Posted on May 19, 2005 8:09 AM
I wanted Naima to win from the beginning. I just never understood how Kahlen made it to the final 2; she was the least attractive girl of the group and had the personality of a 12 year old. The thing that drove me crazy every week were her bad teeth and gummy smile. She could maybe be pretty if she got her teeth fixed. Brittany should have been in the final 2 with Naima, not Nosferatu.
10 of 52 | Posted by Kimberly | Posted on May 19, 2005 8:12 AM
Yeah NAIMA!!! Kahlen did an amazing job all season long, but she needs to still work on her confidence. She will definitely have a future in modeling.
The judges made the best choice.
11 of 52 | Posted by KT | Posted on May 19, 2005 8:13 AM
Naima and Kahlen were both awesome. Naima is edgier but Kahlen actually reminds me more of most of the working models I know. Keenyah wasn't bad, her face is beautiful but she is fat by modeling standards. Funny that she's so willing to screw the other girls over in the name of competition but she won't put the box of doughnuts down which is the only real thing that would keep her from becoming a working model. I'm glad she was around so I had a villan to root against anyway.
12 of 52 | Posted by The Player | Posted on May 19, 2005 9:49 AM
I hope somehow Michelle will have a job in the modeling industry.
13 of 52 | Posted by Jez | Posted on May 19, 2005 9:53 AM
I'm happy with either girl, but I would have liked Kahlen to win just a little bit more. Looking back at their pictures, Kahlen's were so much better with the exception of the "Bertini" one. As lacking in self confidence as she is, she can nail the photo shoots! Let's hope she has a contract somewhere already.
14 of 52 | Posted by huh? | Posted on May 19, 2005 10:11 AM
GO NAIMA GO NAIMA, I WAS ROOTING FOR NAIMA FOR THE LONGEST. KEENYA HAD TO GO SHE GOT OVERCONFIDENT, like she was ill...her teeth were jacked up, and when she got voted off she still was bashing kahlen,she needs to stop bein a hater ..im glad that got rid of that big tooth bitch, kahlens teeth was jacked up too, but she was sweet..
15 of 52 | Posted by PLSE | Posted on May 19, 2005 10:49 AM
"I was really surprised when Tyra didn't call my name because I think highly of myself" - Keenya.
Hilarious
16 of 52 | Posted by couchpotato | Posted on May 19, 2005 12:08 PM
" think Naima is pretty, but she really annoyed me the past few weeks with her breaking down and crying in every episode about how she used to be so bad and her life was so dark...for the love, we got it, you used to be a crazy kid. Since Ron and Kelly from Amazing Race aren't a couple anymore, maybe Naima and Ron could get together and he can start every sentence with, this reminds me of the war and Baghdad and she can start every sentence with, I used to be so bad, I am trying to suppress my wayward youth and then cry"
I'm glad Naima cried (genuine or not it didn't really matter to me) or the judges would have pulled the personality card on her again.
As soon as I saw Kahlen cry, I was hoping that Naima would fake a cry as well or it would have been over for her...I was yelling at the tv screen screaming " You go girl! Cry them a river" and she totally did. That people is called "DRIVE, SMARTS,AMBITION, DESIRE, TALENT and STRATEGY"! It's not like she shoved Kahlen out of the way like Keenyah did. She won it fair and square. Bottom line this is a competition and alot is at stake not a sorority. And why is it ok to for Kahlen to try to get sympathy votes from the judges by telling them her sob story and not Naima?
At least Naima cried because she really wanted to win this. And well, throughout the show Kahlen just cries and whines for stupid reasons like during the tennis court photoshoot when she was complaining about that photographer, or she cried that she didn't get extra frames and remember she also cries when people are fighting infront of her.
17 of 52 | Posted by Debbie | Posted on May 19, 2005 12:21 PM
man, that runway show rocked! the best I’ve ever seen on ANTM. the 2 girls look like the best runway models there. Naima does her POW POW stance with that quick sweep of her cool Mohawk...which was very impressive! while Kahlen does her smooth slow subtle “I dare you to look at me bitch” intense stare straight at the audience. for someone who a lot think is shy was quite fierce on the runway. she might seem scared or even say that she is (heck, cried all she wants)…but when the crucial moment arrives, she sure knows how to deliver! Naima was a good victory, but a bittersweet one because it was competing with Kahlen. my friend came by last night and saw this season’s ANTM for the first time and picked Kahlen almost immediately. Kahlen is consistently great in all of her photos. she definitely represents high fashion with her versatility, look, and slim body of hers…until the runway, I didn’t realize that she has such ample boobs for someone so skinny! I really couldn’t stand Keeyna, she’s so spiteful and full of it until the end. that silly wink and blowing kiss thing she did during the CoverGirl commercial…I personally thought it was incredibly tacky…ewww! I thought she was lucky to even made it to the top 3. I think if she was left with either Kahlen or Naima, they would have slaughtered her on the runway. and finally sweet Naima. seriously, last night was the first time she actually broke down and cried. I knew from the moment they show her final picture that she was going to win because she has that clean fresh CoverGirl look…she definitely deserved it. : )
18 of 52 | Posted by Leeya | Posted on May 19, 2005 12:34 PM
J-UNIT, I can't believe you didn't mention the yelling that Tyra did when Keenya was dismissed.
That was ugly and then positive. Nice!
19 of 52 | Posted by Tony B! | Posted on May 19, 2005 12:40 PM
HORRIBLE CHOICE. Yuck.
Maybe they would have better luck with their winners careers if they actually picked someone who you would actually see in magazines, like Kahlin.
20 of 52 | Posted by contantinesbiatch | Posted on May 19, 2005 1:45 PM
Leeyah- I totally agree, that runway show was so cool. When Miss Jay came out and did that hard stomp in boots I knew it was going to be an awesome runway show.
21 of 52 | Posted by Leah3t | Posted on May 19, 2005 2:03 PM
Niamia rocks. I knew that she would win from the start. Ilove Niamia's hair so much!
22 of 52 | Posted by Hardeep | Posted on May 19, 2005 2:51 PM
YEAH BABY! NAIMA WON!!!!!
Of course I actually got this information prior to seeing the broadcast up here in the Pacific Northwest. My son’s travel nanny called me at my office from ATL and I just could not help myself but to beg her to tell me who won. I definitely feel that the last three ladies deserved to be there though I had hoped to see Michelle be a part of the final three instead of Kaylen. (Honestly, I think the in-house love for Michelle slowed to a trickle when she came out as bi and stopped completely after the facial bacterial infection fiasco but I really thought she was fabulous and deserved a chance to walk the catwalk).
A later thought occurred to me about Naima’s win...her unprecedented win of the “viewers choice” week by week may have given her a bit of an edge. Considering that one main objective to winning the ANTM booty is one’s potential to sell products. It seems that Naima has developed a fan base and a bit of a following over the weeks and certainly those folks will help Naima sell magazine covers, Clairol makeup, and whatever other endorsements will come her way. Hell, I just bought a lame ass sexist piece of tripe (King magazine) that I would never have purchased but did ONLY because EveDiva was on the cover looking hot, hot, hot!
As for Kaylen, I am really sorry people...but I don’t see it. She looks so boring to me. My husband and I kept trying to figure out what was it that Janice kept complementing her on. Her “ideal” bathing suite body? What is Janice talking about? Kaylen has no ass. NONE! I swear, on the runway she reminded me of the Crypt Keeper. Only not as funny. I did feel a tince bad for her though when she lost and all but like many people have already said, she will probably be offered something else and I am sure she will do well at it.
Actually, I think a more significant “Geek to Chic” transformantion was Shandi from cycle 2 on ANTM...She is narrow as all get out but very model beautiful and magnetic. I just don’t get that from Kaylen so, I would have been hella jaded if she had won.
Hey J-Unit, I appreciate your summaries and I am really grateful that you are a big fan of the show because I can feel your passion. However, like ANTF, I too wish to see more coverage of the judges. ANTM judges have a snarky and funky dynamic that adds to the dimensionality of ANTM. They are crazy and their tension turns out some super cat fights. Like the time when Jay and Janice got into it (a cycle or two ago) and Jay ended with something like “whatever Janice, just one snip and your whole face will drop.” I fell out. Besides, I think that Nigel is hella hot and often wonder if he and some of the models have a bit of a spark. But overall, I thank you.
I loved this cycle of ANTM. I loved that ANTM producers chose to develop a more interesting dramatic story line around Keenya because love her or hate her many, many people had something to say about her the next day. I half way wanted her to win just to watch everyone loose their cookies on this blog. Can you imagine all that dramatic build up and she actually wins? That would have been delicious...but alas my girl took the cake!
23 of 52 | Posted by theryn | Posted on May 19, 2005 5:22 PM
i was surprised that i was actually bummed naima won! i had been pulling for her since day one...until kahlen started opening up and taking center stage since the seven deadly sins episode.
all i can say is thank god naima is a MUCH prettier cryer than eva from last season when eva found out she won!
24 of 52 | Posted by jash | Posted on May 19, 2005 5:47 PM
Theryn-FYI-these are suppose to be comments, not essays. I got bored just reading the first sentence of your novel. I think someone has too much time on their hands.
Tony B- What yelling are you talking about? I'm gonna be pissed if I missed yelling.
25 of 52 | Posted by C.Bitch | Posted on May 19, 2005 9:10 PM
Then skip it Bitch...
26 of 52 | Posted by theryn | Posted on May 19, 2005 10:24 PM
Then skip it c Bitch...
27 of 52 | Posted by theryn | Posted on May 19, 2005 10:24 PM
Theryn- Thank you for editing your monologue. It's nice not to have to scroll down the screen after one of your "comments". Welcome C. Bitch, I like you already.
28 of 52 | Posted by yourmom | Posted on May 19, 2005 11:43 PM
theryn, these shows are taped way in advance, so the "viewer's choice" had no affect on the final outcome.
Rick D.
29 of 52 | Posted by Rick D. | Posted on May 20, 2005 5:49 AM
How y'all gonna jump on Theryn for her long posts but when I complain about B-Sides "got to be continued next week" posts everyone want to flog me. I don't get the double standard.
30 of 52 | Posted by America's Next Top Fan | Posted on May 20, 2005 6:19 AM
ANTF
It is not a double standard quite simply because one is meant to be long and the other short. Perhaps Theryn can get her own blog and those who want to can read it. Just a thought.
31 of 52 | Posted by wtf | Posted on May 20, 2005 8:21 AM
Leave the recaps AND the comments long! I need entertainment at work!
32 of 52 | Posted by Catie | Posted on May 20, 2005 8:47 AM
theryn only wrote a only a few paragraphs. if you don't like it, just skip over them. I may not agree with theryn on everything (i.e. I've dealt with plenty of models and IMHO someone as overweight as Keenyah really had no business in this competition while Kahlen has a perfect model body) but she's got interesting opinions.
33 of 52 | Posted by The Player | Posted on May 20, 2005 9:09 AM
the Player, I agree. I love when she goes on a rant.
Can someone PLEASE EXPLAIN what IMHO means. I feel so out of the loop! Is it some secret code?
34 of 52 | Posted by America's Next Top Fan | Posted on May 20, 2005 9:24 AM
IMHO = In my humble opinion. Also IMO = In my opinion.
35 of 52 | Posted by The Player | Posted on May 20, 2005 10:20 AM
Rick d, Ah yes taped way in advance...so much for that theory. I appreciate it, thx
36 of 52 | Posted by theryn | Posted on May 20, 2005 10:43 AM
ANTF and Player
I think the double standard is because I piss people off and that creates conflict. People also don't like conflict or controversy especially if the ideas can not be summed up in a soundbite.
As for "blog rules and etiquette" whatever...I feel that if the issues pertaining to the topic at hand inspire, then they inspire. It matters little what and how people respond but that they respond. You know freedom of speech and choice and all of that..
I love that people do not agree with me and I love hearing what others are thinking. A variety of thoughts is always far more interesting to meditate on than just my own ideas about something. Is that not the point of community to communitcate…albeit blogers but community non the less.
37 of 52 | Posted by theryn | Posted on May 20, 2005 11:10 AM
Once again Tyra picks a girl who could never really be a top model. Yes, we all love Naima but in modelling standards she takes shitty pictures and has weird porportions. Tyra always goes on and on about how the girl has to be an all around model, and somehow for her that means ignoring girls who can do runway and print, and only picking girls who she thinks have edge. ENOUGH! I love this show but Tyra, PLEASEPLEASE pick some girls for the next season who have more than just a great personality and who would actually be able to make it in the real modelling world!! I work with models for my job and none of these girls would make it. Didn't anyone notice how every other girl in the runway show had a much better body than Naima and even Kahlen?
I agree with some of you on the whole Naima crying thing. I had liked her all along, not my favorite, but she's likable, and the last episode I really started to think that she was exaggerating it to win. I don't want to use the word phoney, but only because i know i will be killed.
Ah, i am guilty of a boring tirade. Sorry people, I had to get it out.
38 of 52 | Posted by jayneatomic | Posted on May 20, 2005 3:42 PM
Uggh! Enough already, Theryn. I feel like I'm in my master's degree course and you are trying for all ten semester points for online class participation. Please accept the feedback and roll on. You are killing the high from my tvgasm.
39 of 52 | Posted by joslyn | Posted on May 20, 2005 3:44 PM
Joslyn
BITE MY TWAT! Is that low brow enough for ya?
40 of 52 | Posted by theryn | Posted on May 20, 2005 6:21 PM
wait, you got your Master's degree online?
41 of 52 | Posted by theryn | Posted on May 20, 2005 6:27 PM
Theryn-
No that's not what I said. But if I were to earn any degree that way, it would not be uncommon or unheard of in the year 2005. Not that I would expect you to know this. Anyway, I actually agree with your comments-pertaining to ANTM at least. But I also agree with wtf and yourmom that your comment was wayyy to long.
I don't see the "model" in Naima, or any of the girls this season. BTW, EVA and even Tocara from last season are doing great. I have seen both of their photos in magazines, tv shows, commercials, etc.
42 of 52 | Posted by joslyn | Posted on May 20, 2005 11:38 PM
For those who can't get wnough os the Finale Fashion Show...here's the video:
http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=topmodelfinalerunway
Enjoy!
43 of 52 | Posted by Debbie | Posted on May 21, 2005 3:05 AM
Go Joslyn
44 of 52 | Posted by yourmom | Posted on May 21, 2005 12:52 PM
I was a big Naima fan, but compared to the women of last season, she never would have lasted more than three or four rounds. Tyra and company have to update their model-dar..
45 of 52 | Posted by B-Side | Posted on May 23, 2005 6:52 PM
I figured Naima would win from the start. This show picks girls with a good story, or that overcome some Bullshit obstacles. Its kind of an ugly duckling turned princess show. If you have a disease, been angry, beat up or screwed over, go on this show and you'll win.
Naima overcame 'her anger', Yoanna overcame being fat, Eva overcame being a bitch, Adrienne overcame being white trash.
46 of 52 | Posted by Tyra's Fat Ass | Posted on May 24, 2005 4:54 PM
Does anyone know the personal websites for any of the contestants?
47 of 52 | Posted by I know Naima | Posted on May 26, 2005 10:28 AM
i love niamia and she is america's next top model
go niamia
48 of 52 | Posted by erica | Posted on May 27, 2005 6:43 AM
anyone kno their personal sites cuz im tryin 2 find out more bout niamia.
and niamia if u ever read this look me up
49 of 52 | Posted by erica | Posted on May 27, 2005 6:45 AM
Did anyone else catch this article on CNN?
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/27/people.janicedickinson.ap/index.html
50 of 52 | Posted by huh? | Posted on May 27, 2005 9:42 AM
i don't think Naima should have won Kahleen has more potential
51 of 52 | Posted by unknown | Posted on June 4, 2005 12:28 PM
congrats to naima she was originaly a fave of mine but as the show progressed kahlen possesed the most potential even though she didnt win she has the portofolio and will be the bigger winner in the not to distant future. remeber this is only a tv compitition.
52 of 52 | Posted by james | Posted on June 7, 2005 11:14 PM