'America's Next Top Model' Recap: 'Erin Wasson'

[America's Next Top Model - Season 16 Episode 1]

Tyra introduced this season of America's Next Top Model by joking around about all the previous seasons' casting episodes. She poked fun of previous contestant auditions' archtypes including that one b*tch contestant that would scream, "I'm not here to make friends." There is no actual casting week this season.

Of course, Tyra decided to fake out the girls and teach them a lesson on rejection. While the 14 girls were introduced to the Jays like a normal casting week, they were punked into thinking they were eliminated.

We flashed back to Los Angeles, when the girls arrived for what they thought was casting week. The Jays had an evaluation and a photo and, while in the background, Tyra selected her 14. We're introduced to several contestants: Monique had some hooch issues. Kasia was a plus sized model who was in V Magazine (in an amazing leopard outfit). Sara was the stereotypical androgynous not-model model.

The two Jays arrived and gave the girls an envelope and all the girls that were chosen were rejected. Mr. Jay tried to console them, but most of the girls were in tears. Some comforted each other with compliments. A producer placed the girls into a stairwell with bags. Tyra finally showed up and explained the rejection was a fake and the girls were actually "home." The stairwell was actually part of the girl's model house. The girls collapsed in shock and surprise. After some squealing and Tyra explaining that all the photos were of her as a 16-year-old, she left and the girls became the stereotypical girls we normally met.

Brittani came from a trailer and was surprised about the luxury she was living in. The girls decided to have a house meeting, but there's mostly chaos and girls talking all on top of each other. Two girls realized that there was no bed for either of them.

Tyra Mail. Tyra gave a clue about "ball rolling" and there were guesses involving bowling alleys. Unfortunately for the girls, bowling alleys have been done before. In the morning, the contestants arrived in Malibu and met model Erin Wasson and Jay. The girls were going to have their first fashion show, but Jay announced a twist: The girls would be walking on a 12 inch platform in a plastic bubble. There's always been a joke on the Internet about Tyra's contestants being "hamsters" and there was something epic seeing her hamsters in a ball. Jaclyn feared that she would be stuck in the ball forever. The girls would also be having a backstage photo shoot in the background of the runway by photographer Russell James.

The girls arrived at hair and makeup and Russell explains how the backstage is as important as the front stage. Several contestants got shot and Alexandria extended her upper lip funny. More contestants got shot by Russell and Jaclyn was worried about her baby face and her angles, while Molly was worried about looking like a dork but still being competitive. The girls did a final shoot as a group as Jay prepped the girls mentally for the bubble walking.

Erin pointed out that she will also be the judge at panel; Russell, Erin and Miss J took their seats and the contestants entered their balls. Jay was in the background making sure each girl left on time. The girls were placed in their balls. Angelia and Monique both stumbled a bit while walking. Ondrei wobbled a lot as well but made it to the edge of the plank without too much of a hitch. As she turned she slipped and fell and slammed into the board.

After the commercial, Ondrei floated off of the plank and she tried to get back to dry land and eventually got back. Just this fall was worth the unnecessary trouble this challenge provided. We got a shot of several contestants and while they were clumsy, they didn't have as bad of an issue. Dalya constantly walked with hands on her hips. Brittani stomped to the beat and had a good pace. Angelia had an uneven bubble as she walked. Dominique complained about a broken bubble, as she slipped on her way back, around the same place that Ondrei fell. She had so much trouble getting back, but posed when she finally got to solid ground. Her fall was twice as bad as Ondrei because she couldn't even get up. I was afraid that she was going to slam her head into the concrete edges.

After the competition, Miss J had her compliments for Brittani. Erin decided to gift a piece of her jewelry to the contestants. The girls returned to their house and received the elimination Tyra Mail. Dominique called herself a gerbil, further extending our "hamster" analogy. Alexandria decided to treat Jaclyn like a 4-year-old teaching her some of the walks. Alexandria talked about how amazing she was, while Jaclyn knew she had potential.

At the panel, Tyra greeted the girls. She introduced Andre Leon Talley, Nigel Barker, and guest judge Erin Wasson. Tyra explained the prizes which were basically the same prize as last season's. Alexandria was first and Nigel loved the bone structure and Erin loved the raw nature. Dalya had natural beauty, but Tyra pointed out how to fake "natural." Nicole's shot was really dark, and her photo made her look twice as old as she was. "Rattail Sara" didn't exude any emotion and looked like a boy; but in a good way. Ondrei looked nervous. Angelia had some nice mystery, but her hair was covering too much. Tyra called her "too pretty" which will probably be her story line for the rest of the season.

Hannah stood out of the girls and looked like a young Jennifer Aniston. Kasia, the plus-sized model, didn't have personality. Tyra pointed out that she needed to be "better than" the rest. Monique's shoot looked natural and showed anticipation. Mikaela had amazing eyebrows and jawline. Dominique didn't say much and she was just there. Erin liked how she survived the ball and had personality. Jaclyn's shot was cinematic, but the shot was the only good shot. Tyra suggested pulling up her chin. Molly got scolded for showing her mid-drift, but her photo shoot had intensity. Finally, Brittani got reprimanded for having bad hair in front of the contestants. The shot looked weird, but looked stunning as the makeup artist worked on her.

The judges deliberated and Nicole's mouth looked like "cat's bottom" to Nigel. Tyra hints at Dominique's potential haircut, which probably means either really short or some insane lion's mane. After judging, the top photo was Molly. The bottom two were Dominique and Angelia. Angelia had no emotional connection. Dominique had striking features, but had a plain photo. Dominique was spared and Angelia was eliminated. She was upset that she didn't get to prove that she wasn't just a pretty face.

Episode One Model Callout:
1) Molly
2) Brittani
3) Alexandria
4) Mikaela
5) Dalya
6) Hannah
7) Ondrei
8) Monique
9) Nicole
10) Kasia
11) Jaclyn
12) Sara
13) Dominique
14) Angelia (Eliminated)

Next Week: Acting practice and a bee photo shoot. Of course, someone is allergic to bees.