| Welcome to Top Model Prep | |
|---|---|
| Cycle 10, Episode 1 | |
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| Air Date: | February 20, 2008 |
| Viewers: | 3.81 Million |
| Previous The Girl Who Becomes America's Next Top Model (Cycle 9) |
Next New York City, Here We Come |
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"Welcome to Top Model Prep" is the first episode of Cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model. It first aired on February 20, 2008 and garnered 3.81 million viewers.[1]
Episode[]
It’s hard to believe this is the tenth cycle of ANTM! In honor of this milestone, let’s look at some of the best Top Model moments in a countdown to the number ten. There nine catfights; eight tearful makeovers; seven stressful medical emergencies; six scary runway spills (trips); five fierce plus size models; four high-flying photoshoots; three critter encounters; two amazing Jays; finally, there can only be one “America’s Next Top Model,” so let the competition begin!
35 fresh faces are on a school bus in Los Angeles en route to auditions. Marvita is back again after not making it on Cycle 9, and she is coming back with a positive attitude after having grown personally. Amy is chomping at the bit to find out what’s going to happen as they step off the bus and into a courtyard of a building. Double doors at the top of some steps lined with a red carpet open up. Jay Manuel and J. Alexander step out and walk forward in tandem, met with thunderous cheering from the cohort. Mr. Jay congratulates them for beating out thousands of other applicants to be here and earning a spot at "Top Model Prep." School is now in session, and only the top 13 will make the grade and move forward into the competition.
First Photoshoot[]
Everyone must go into the locker room to change into their uniforms after which they’ll have their photo IDs taken. They run into the locker room while shrieking. Many express disbelief that they are here as they get into their uniforms with neckties, cardigans and skirts. Amy has a little bit of imposter syndrome. Katarzyna takes her photo first and she thinks she has an edge in this competition because she studied at Cornell University. Mr. Jay notices Marvita is back with a new glow. Lauren describes herself as a punk but she’s a little bit scared in front of the camera. Allison is the only one so far whose made a style change to the uniform which prompts a comment from Mr. Jay. Fatima was born in Somalia but grew up in the United States, so she therefore feels like an outcast. Kimberly steps onto the set and stands there stoically. After a comical period of silence, she asks if Mr. Jay wants her to pose. When he laughs and says yes she gets right into it.
When the ID photos are all finished they are shown into a room with communal desks and a chalkboard at the front. They all have a seat before Miss J comes in to begin class. Today is the first day of “Runway 101” (the girls shriek and cheer some more). Each girl will get to walk for him and receive an evaluation. They must also carry a heavy backpack while they walk to see how well they move while encumbered. This is Shalynda’s eighth time auditioning for ANTM, and she thinks her determination will get her through this time. Claire is a mother and wife and she is away from her baby to be here. Marguerite is worried she looks silly walking because she’s never done this before. Lauren looks frumpy and awkward as she shuffles up and down the hallway. She knows she needs some work. Dominique loves the rush of walking. This has always been Anya’s dream and being her is more than just a desire, it’s her purpose. Miss J thanks them and bids them farewell.
In the evening, the girls step into the football stadium where they see a bonfire burning in the center of the field. Beside the fire there’s a stage set up with some cheerleaders chanting. Marvita notices that the cheerleaders are familiar. There’s Furonda, the twins Michelle and Amanda, Jael and Joanie representing former cycles of ANTM. In the fashion of a pep rally, Mr. Jay calls out some news. The competition is returning to its roots in New York City. Aimee is super excited to see one of the major fashion capitals of the world. Next, they’ll announce who will be their homecoming queen: Tyra Banks! She rips through the paper banner on stage in a yellow dress and tiara with cry-smudged makeup. In her trademark hammed-up style, Tyra thanks them for being there and says she’ll see them in New York.
Interviews[]
Auditions in this cycle similarly feature individual contestant interviews with Tyra alongside the two Jays. Anya comes into the room first. She screams and drops to her knees. She says she has the fire and drive to be a top model. Atalya tells Tyra she has no idea how happy she is to be there. This is her opportunity to be successful like her sister. Allison is from “the smallest hick town in Wisconsin” and she will never have an opportunity to model if she stays there. Shaya is Muhammad Ali’s niece and she is studying fashion merchandising. She struggles to answer some question about the industry but she stays bubbly.
While they wait for their turn with the judges, the girls chatter with one another. Amy tries to spread positivity everywhere she goes. Some girls want to see ribcages when they suck it in; not Whitney, she likes to “eat food.”
Amy tells the judges that she considers herself a weirdo and she doesn’t have much of a filter. She’d rather have fun and be different than be boring. Whitney struts into the room with confidence and some critiques for plus size contestants in the past. She thinks they lose sight of who they are and she will not do the same. Marguerite spits a little “white girl freestyle” for the judges. Dominique has a low-cut top and a walk with swagger and she is ready to bring it. She’s fierce and confident after she left her emotionally and physically abusive relationship. She wants to inspire other girls to change their circumstances, too. Kristen is here while her husband is serving in the military in Iraq. Katarzyna was born in Poland but grew up in the United States. She went to an Ivy league school and now works a desk job, but she does not feel like that’s her calling. Shalynda has made it so far now on her eighth time auditioning. She wants to be a poster child for perseverance.
Behind the scenes, the girls are still getting to know each other. Some show how well they can twerk. Fatima thinks they act quite stupidly. She tells Shaya and Marvita that they’re “way too ghetto” which Shaya rejects and defends herself. Later on, Shalynda gets really worked up when Fatima calls her a bitch. It only takes a couple volleys back-and-forth to get Shalynda shouting and needing someone to hold her back.
Lauren is standing in heels for the first time in front of Tyra and the two Jays. She thinks she’s here because she’s got a look that can appeal to anyone. She fully admits this is not her normal scene and she doesn’t know what she’s doing. Stacy-Ann is fun and bubbly. She says she’s always wanted to learn how to give a lap dance. The Jays help her out, which launches a montage of other girls dancing during their interviews. Aimee has a great relationship with her mother, but there’s been a rift between them ever since she said she wanted to leave the Mormon church. Kimberly comes in and she’s all smiles. She tells the judges that she’s a bank teller but she never steals money. Fatima breaks down in tears when she meets Tyra. She talks about her experience with female circumcision and that she will work to make sure that practice ends.
Fatima tells the girls of her circumcision and they are all supportive. While some get emotional, Marvita asks her if it makes her feel like any less of a woman. Everyone turns on her quickly and everyone gets heated.
Marvita is back and ready to go again and Tyra wants her to know that she’s not bringing her around for no reason. Jenna knows exactly what she’s going to do with the $100,000 prize. Jennifer is another girl representing plus size. She has stretch marks, but who cares? Not her. Claire cares deeply about environmental protection. She is a mother who is missing her baby. She shares that she drinks her own breast milk so she can maintain volume production when she gets back.
The students are back in the classroom and the Jays announce that it’s time for mid-term report cards. In the hallway there are folders that contain photos of every girl and a “pass” or “fail” grade. The 19 girls who pass still have a shot at making it to New York and the ones who failed must return home. Mr. Jay then addresses the girls who are staying. They will do another photoshoot, this time being the “senior class portrait.” They must do their own hair and makeup in five minutes with little space in front of the mirrors for all of them. They wear a stole for a vintage kind of look.
Second Photoshoot[]
Allison’s eye makeup looks like tears, which confuses Jay. She says it’s trendy in Asia. Lauren’s intuition for makeup despite lack of experience goes over well. Anya is just happy to be here. Fatima takes too much time trying to figure out what she wants to do. She doesn’t care that she’s getting looks from the others. Marvita turns it out. When they all get their shots Mr. Jay tells them that he’ll look at everything with Tyra and Miss J to determine who will move on to New York.
Aimee has the look of the model but doesn’t know how to work it yet. She’s “got the noun, not the verb,” says Tyra. Allison’s eye makeup is successful in that it made her stand out. Miss J worries Amy’s look is a bit “dated.” Anya is so gorgeous but the way she talks makes Mr. Jay nervous that she won’t be able to interview or film. Tyra thinks Atalya’s ID is more special than her senior portrait but she thinks something’s there nonetheless. Miss J thinks that Claire’s look is edgy and just what they’re looking for. They all agree that Dominique is gorgeous but they hope she doesn’t become boring. Fatima is beautiful too but her walk is “busted down.” Jennifer’s different photos all showcase a different face. Katarzyna reminds Jay of a young Paulina Porizkova. Miss J calls Kimberly’s face “smushed” but Tyra thinks it’s cute. Even though she seems hopeless, Mr. Jay advocates for Lauren and thinks she could get it together. Marvita is back and Tyra thinks her work in therapy shows lots of promise. They all love Stacy-Ann’s personality and look.
At nighttime they return to the school and with the lights dim, Tyra stands at the end of a room with a basket of scrolls in front of her. This is the commencement ceremony for Top Model Prep, and 13 of them will receive a diploma and invitation to compete in New York City. Tyra then begins the call-out ritual. When she calls out “Amy” two girls react. She asks between the two of them, who wants it more? They both yell out, and they both receive a diploma. Since they cannot have two girls with the same names, one will change it for clarity. Amis doesn’t mind at all. After she calls out 13 names, the chosen contestants celebrate. Before addressing them, though, Tyra pauses and comments that this cycle’s competition is fierce and 13 is an unlucky number; so she is going to invite a 14th girl to come to New York. Tyra embraces Dominique who’s in tears.
Call-Out Order[]
| Call-out | Model |
|---|---|
| 1st | Allison |
| 2nd | Fatima |
| 3rd | Katarzyna |
| 4th | Kimberly |
| 5th | Stacy-Ann |
| 6th/7th | Aimee |
| 6th/7th | Amis |
| 8th | Claire |
| 9th | Whitney |
| 10th | Marvita |
| 11th | Lauren |
| 12th | Atalya |
| 13th | Anya |
| 14th | Dominique |
Gallery[]
Semi-finalists[]
As not every contestant is featured in the episode and no official lists are released by production, the names of the semi-finalists are not exhaustive.
Top 20[]
Top 35[]
- Marguerite Swallow
- Shalynda McKenzie
- Shaya Ali
- Shauna Higgins
- Tonya Griffin
- Marissa Winkler
- Jessica Brandler
- Petra Balogh
- Tiffany Cooksey
- Laura Casey
- Alexandra Douby
- Krystal Burwell
- Agatha Teti
- Kasey Cosgrove
- Tatienne Carter
Quotes[]
- “First of all, Miss J is so fabulous, I mean, she can work it. And Jay Manuel . . . he’s fine! Like y’all don’t understand.” (Jennifer)
- “I’m really happy about that because I study fashion, I love fashion. And I like to create beauty ‘cause I’m beautiful.” (Shaya)
- “A lot of my friends think I’m weird but in a positive way” (Amy (Amis))
- “I’m a punk, I’m an artist. I’ve always been told I should be a model and I’ve always went against it.” (Lauren)
- “I am ready to annihilate the competition. I’m a silent predator. They won’t know I’ve hit them.” (Allison)
- “You’re so cute.” (Kimberly to Mr. Jay)
- “I’ve never done runway before and I’m like ‘I look like a doofus!’” (Marguerite)
- “That was expected.” (Miss J about Lauren’s walk)
- “I can do what I need to do to be a model ‘cause that’s my passion. I need this, this is my life. I wake up every morning thinking about this, every second when I go to sleep I have to take an hour just to breathe. Not an hour, but you know what I mean.” (Anya)
- “Let’s bring it extra , our pictures are so hot. We are world-class, we walk with sass, who wants to be on top?!” (Cheerleader chant)
- “I see a model but when she opens her mouth I just want to die.” (Mr. Jay)
- “My sister’s actually a doctor and she’s like really smart so they always compared me to her but I have so much passion for this competition and it’s like I hope they see that.” (Atalya)
- “Shaya is goofy, Shaya is sexy, Shaya is everybody’s fantasy.” (Shaya)
- “No, if I didn’t know her I would honestly think she might be a transvestite.” (Marguerite)
- “You guys are way to ghetto, like . . .” (Fatima)
- “Everybody got ghetto-ness in them.” (Shalynda)
- “I love ugly-beautiful.” (Lauren)
- “I’m very fun and spunky and everyone likes me.” (Stacy-Ann)
- “I’d like to be a global warrior for the environment.” (Claire)
- “I need this with all my heart and I do appreciate what’s been given to me. I mean, just the food alone, like the food that they’re feeding us I just love it so much.” (Anya)
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