America's Next Top Model: The Cha Cha Diva Takes It

Previously On America's Next Top Model:
A dynamic new group of thirteen girls returned to compete in cycle eight of America's Next Top Model. There were some bad apples, plus-sized girls, fruit loops, and a contestant who tried again after getting turned down in another season. Kathleen was the first to be cut when she seemed lost and Samantha followed after when she needed more development. Cassandra's beauty wasn't translating to her photos and she was dropped while Felicia was cut when she too needed model prep school. Diana lacked passion, Sarah was too technical, and Whitney couldn't convince the panel she could be high fashion. Jael was way too over-the-top, Brittany lacked personality, and Dionne still required lots of coaching at photo shoots.

That leaves us with Jaslene, Natasha, and Renee. Jaslene is the fiery Latina who was turned down in the cycle seven auditions only to come back with a vengeance. Known for her fierce walk, she soon became known for taking knock out pictures and had a personality that made her a popular choice with the judges and viewers alike. However, she seems to go over-the-top at times, what with being known as a drag queen trapped in a girl's body. Can she relax and deliver an easy, breezy, beautiful performance?

Natasha is a Russian immigrant and only the second girl in Top Model history to hail from another continent (Cycle 6's Nnenna being the first). Her personal life, being a mother and married to a man more than twice her age, made her the subject of gossip at the house. In the competition, though she was slow to start, her brilliant performances and wacky personality caught the judges' attention. Sometimes, Natasha seemed to get thrown, whether it was by the gossip, sickness, or even the cultural barrier she sometimes faced being a Russian girl in America. Can she focus and give the judges what they've come to know and love?


Jaslene "Cha Cha Diva" Gonzalez
Renee came into the competition as a mother with a mission. She wanted to win at any cost and carve a better life for her husband, her child, and herself. Her cocky, arrogant personality made it difficult along the way when she became the outcast in the group. After an intervention with Tyra and the girls, we learned that Renee has led a difficult life and thus was wary to trust others. After that, she seemed to soften up and things were looking bright. At times in the competition, she seemed to push too much and came off as harsh in her photos and challenges. Can she give a naturally effervescent performance to secure herself a place in the final runway show?

By the way, in the opening preview for this episode, we finally see a picture of Natasha's husband and child. Her husband is incredibly handsome and her baby totally looks like her! What an adorable family.

All caught up? Good. Let's find out what happens in this week's finale!

It's a bright new day in Sydney and the girls are immediately put to work. We begin this episode with the trio meeting Mr. Jay at a studio. He gleefully tells them that today is CoverGirl day! For whoever wins, the print ad that is shot today will actually run in magazines nationwide. Not only will they be shooting ads for CoverGirl's new True Shine Lip Color, they will also be filming their own mock-ups of the "My Life As A CoverGirl" segments that run during the commercial breaks. For their commercials, Mr. Jay tells Renee that she'll be on a boat in the harbor, Jaslene will be arriving at a red carpet, and Natasha will be backstage at a photo shoot.

There's a catch though. They will be ad libbing! No scripts for these girls. Mr. Jay tells them that Jim De Yonker, a behind-the-scenes mainstay at ANTM and top photographer in his own right, will be shooting the print ads. To help advise them, Mr. Jay also brings in cycle seven winner Caridee. She tells the girls to be themselves and have fun.