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ANTM 11.11 “The Final Five” Bonus Clips

Erin Balser — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:11:18 +0000

During this week’s episode of America’s Next Top Model, the final five went on go-sees and did two photo shoots with Tyra Banks. All the girls struggled on their go-sees, except McKey, so of course she was disqualified for being 5 minutes late. This delighted the other girls. However, it wasn’t enough to send her home. Instead, Elina never got over her control issues and was sent packing.

Here are some bonus clips from the episode. Miss the episode? Read the recap here.

In the first clip, the eliminated Sheena talks about how being on ANTM is going to change her life.

There are more clips below the jump!

In this clip, the remaining girls talk about what’s in store for them as the final five. Sam wants to be positive, Marjorie is freaking out and Elina just wants to focus on doing her best.

Here’s a clip from one of Samantha’s go-sees. She has a hilarious conversation with the designer about Amsterdam.

Here, Analeigh and Marjorie run into each other on their go-sees and catch each other up on their progress so far.

Here’s a clip from one of McKey’s go-sees. She chats with the designer about her trip so far and models some jewelry for him.

After their go-sees, the girls all speculate how they did and shared the various feedback they got from the designers.

In the clip below, Marjorie is worried about her go-see performance. I’m officially over Marjorie.

This video is of Sutan leading all the stylists and hair and make-up artists in a prayer for each of the girls. I love, love, love Sutan. How awesome would it be if he was a guest judge one day?

Elina is prepping for her photo shoot below while Samantha looks on.

In this clip, McKey and the stylists talk about their handedness and how much they work out. I love that McKey takes care of herself and is physically fit. I don’t know how many of the other girls are as aware of their body as McKey is. It’s a great thing for a model to do.

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Top Models in Action: Mollie-Sue Steenis-Gondi

Erin Balser — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:11:50 +0000

This week’s Top Models in Action was Cycle 6 standout Mollie-Sue Steenis-Gondi. However, the judges didn’t recognize her potential and sent her home far too early. It all worked out for Mollie though, she’s had possibly the most high-fashion career out of anyone from ANTM.

You can feel the disdain from ANTM a bit in this commercial-no mention of designers names or how many campaigns, which they did in a lot of other Top Models in Action” segments. I loved Mollie and am so glad her career is going so well.

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ANTM Interview: Elina Ivanova

Erin Balser — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:26:53 +0000

Yesterday, I interviewed the most recent eliminated contestant from America’s Next Top Model, eighteen-year-old beauty Elina Ivanova. She talked to us about her control issues, her controversial makeover and all the drama surrounding her in the house.

Full Q&A is below the jump!

Tell us how you got involved in Top Model.

I just returned home to Seattle from school. I went to tech school in Orlando. I applied for everything I could get my hands on. This year was the first year I was eligible for Top Model, because I had just turned eighteen. I sent in a tape, got a response and it just escalated from there.

What do see in yourself that would make you a top model?

I’ve had a passion for modeling since I was 10. ANTM is a great opportunity to introduce myself to industry. It seemed like fun and saw it as a challenge to bring myself out of my comfort zone. The show definitely did that and it was a lot of fun.

What made you stand out as an applicant?

I sent in a video explaining why I wanted to be there and showed I was confident. I said I was there for a different reason. I was there for my passions that I wanted to be involved in and bring some exposure to my causes after this. I said I had a lot more to bring to the table than a pretty face and that’s what they want. They want people who are passionate about being a model and using being a model to the best of their abilities to do the best the can. By being a model, I can bring exposure to the causes I care about and that’s important to me.

What was your favorite part about being in Amsterdam?

My favorite thing was that it reminded me of Ukraine. It was a great way to connect with Europe again. I hadn’t been back in a while. Amsterdam is very free and has a wonderful atmosphere. I had a wonderful time.

Have you had a chance to clear the air with your housemates since the show ended?

Nope! I haven’t had that opportunity yet. I would like to see a lot of girls and talk to them outside the competition. It would be different—the cameras are off and the tensions are off and we could get to know each other in a different way. However, I am in touch in Clark and talk to her occasionally.

What’s next for you?

I plan to keep pursuing this career. It’s just something I love to do.

How do you feel about the judges’ constant comments about your restraint and control issues?

Oh god, that was really frustrating. It was the first time I really heard that. The first couple photo shoots I didn’t get that critique then all of a sudden, it was the only thing I heard. You can’t receive that strong of a response from everyone in panel and everyone on set and not try. I was trying very hard and tried to improve as much as possible. I didn’t know what to do that I tried to get as much explanation as I could so I could improve that but I never figured out exactly what the judges wanted from me and it was hard to improve.

You always seemed very confident about your performance and your photo shoots. Why?

Going into every shoot, I tried to bring my best and work with whatever I had. I said I was confident because I felt I did the best I could do. As for the last photo shoot, I was surprised from the commentary by Jay and Tyra because when I was shooting on the ladder with the extreme look, I was getting a lot of positive feedback. It puzzled me and it still puzzled me to this day.

Do you feel that the judging process was fair?

No. That constant control thing was ridiculous. I think I did deliver consistently. I do have a lot of potential as model and that control thing was blown up. It didn’t get in the way of my modeling much as they claim.

So, do the judges play favorites?

I can’t say. I don’t know. But it wasn’t fair.

What would you have done differently, looking back?

I would let go more, whatever that means. But I did they best I could and I had a lot of fun. I learned a lot and left the competition with a lot of things I want to work on, both as a person and as a model.

Early in the show, you said you like to wear pants because they don’t conform to gender roles. Can you elaborate?

My whole thing with gender roles is that I don’t like anything that restricts or puts limits on me. I think they way that men and woman are expected to dress is very limiting and if you dress outside that realm, its looked at as odd and as what’s not expected. So I try to wear things that are not gender specific.

How did you feel about the Angelina Jolie references?

Angelina is an incredible woman. I look up to her very much and I would love to me her and work with her. I really appreciate the comparison, she’s amazing.

Tell us about your control issues.

I wish we would have had one-on-one chance to talk about it so I could explain it. I’m not controlling, but my main issue is being too self-conscious. I hold back because I’m afraid of looking silly or failing or trying something new. I hold myself back because I’m afraid for putting forward a certain image or failing.

In Amsterdam, you received a lot of negative feedback about your tattoos. Do you think they will be an issue in the future?

I got them when I was taking some time off modeling. I went to school and didn’t think I would return to modeling. But now, I haven’t had many problems with them because you can cover them and they are easily airbrushed. A lot of models have tattoos and the show just went overboard with it. I don’t think it will be a problem in the future.

Your makeover was one of the more interesting makeovers. Did you keep it after the show?

I didn’t keep it. I took it out as soon I got home. I did get used to it, but it was very painful to have that braiding and it left a lot of marks on my scalp. I also returned to my normal hair color.

Do you feel that ANTM is overrated in terms of the exposure it gives to aspiring models?

Looking at the track record of the girls who preceded me, it’s really what you do and how you portray yourself and how you put yourself out there. It’s a huge experience and a wonderful opportunity, but it’s really what you do with it. You could be America’s next top model or you could be nothing. Some girls from ANTM have amazing careers. You need to make it bigger than what is given to you and work with it.

Which photo shoot was your favorite?

My favorite one was the ladder. It was wonderful to hang off the hot air balloon. That was crazy.

Tell us about the conversation you had with Brittany about your mom.

Obviously, a lot of that is very personal. But I was just expressing my opinion. Brittany is very close to her mom and has a hard time understanding how or why people wouldn’t get along with their own mother or have as close a relationship as she does. I didn’t do it in the best way, but I expressed some negative feelings about my mother. No one knows what goes on between a mother and daughter. I hope that Brittany could trust that what I said came from a certain, personal place and could respect that. She has no idea what went on between me and my mother and she should respect that, regardless of how inarticulate it comes out. I shouldn’t have to elaborate about personal things I’m uncomfortable talking about simply because she doesn’t understand there are more types of experiences than hers.

A lot of the girls were upset when you agreed to do the holiday fashion spread. Why did you agree to do it?

Some of the girls thought I was hypocritical because I don’t celebrate religious holidays in my personal life. I later explained to them that I’m not against or morally opposed to holidays. I think if its what you want to celebrate in your personal life, that’s okay and I respect that. That’s why I thought it was okay for me to do the shoot. If I was against holidays for whatever reason, I wouldn’t have done the shoot. For example, if it was an ad for milk or for meat, I would not do it because I’m against those products and do not support them. But I’m not against holidays in any way, I simply don’t celebrate them for personal reasons.

Who would you like to see win America’s Mext Top Model?

I’m rooting for Marjorie. She has a lot of potential, she just needs to work through her nerves. She was the closest person to me in the house. She’s a smart woman and an incredible lady.

Thank you for speaking with us today Elina!

You’re welcome!

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ANTM 11.11 “The Final Five” Photos

Erin Balser — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:57:09 +0000

On last night’s episode of America’s Next Top Model, the final five went on go-sees and did two photo shoots with Tyra Banks–an au natural before shot, not unlike the polaroid models take at their agencies and an after shot, where the girls were dolled up dramatically.

Miss the episode? Read the recap here!

Here are the photos in call-out order!

Samantha: Before

The rest of the photos are below the jump!

Samantha: After

McKey: Before

McKey: After

Analeigh: Before

Analeigh: After

Marjorie: Before

Marjorie: After

Elina: Before

Elina: After

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ANTM 11.11 “The Final Five” Live Blog

Erin Balser — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:16:56 +0000

Welcome to the liveblog of the eleventh episode of America’s Next Top Model. Tonight, the final five girls head out on their go-sees, which proves to be very frustrating. Also, today is the day where the judges decide it’s time to attack Elina. Whether it’s as dramatic as the previews make it out to be–well, well have to wait to find out!

Episode: 11.11 The Final Five
Original Air Date: November 5, 2008

Below the cut is who stays, who goes, full recap and discussion questions!

Challenge: Go sees
Challenge Winner: Analeigh
Photo Shoot: Before/After
Guest Judge: Jay Manuel
Called First: Samantha
Eliminated: Elina

Questions
How did you feel when everyone cheered about McKey being late?
Was traveling by boat really practical?
Why is Marjorie letting her nerves ruin everything?
Do you like it when Tyra plays photographer?
Why was Jay the guest judge?
Whose before photo was the best? The worst?
Whose after photo was the best? The worst?
Did Sam deserve to be called first?

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Reminder: ANTM 11.10 Live Blog Tonight!

Erin Balser — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:28:09 +0000

Tonight on America’s Next Top Model, the final five head out on their go-sees and have a really difficult time finding their way around Amsterdam. The judges demand that Elina lets it all out at judging panel.

As always, I’ll be here liveblogging the whole thing. Please come join the conversation-it’s tons of fun!

You can see previews of tonight’s episode here and here.

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ANTM 11.11 “The Final Five” Preview II

Erin Balser — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:56:08 +0000

Here’s another preview of next week’s episode of America’s Next Top Model. This video is all about Elina’s judges’ critique–she doesn’t know how to pose, she overthinks and she looks really old. Tyra wants her to be a “fashion monster.”

I think it’s Elina’s time to go. What about you?

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