'America's Next Top Model' Recap: 'Nicki Minaj'

[America's Next Top Model - Season 17, Episode 1]

Tyra had nightmares of her making fun of all-star models. She gave in, but yet she never gave into going into HD. We're going to ignore the full fact that most of these contestants are dinosaurs in the modeling industry. Tyra wanted to find "Star Power" instead. The prizes changed to Cover Girl, Express, Italian Vogue, and a guest corresponding job on Extra. Of all the prizes, Extra makes the most sense since contestants like Caridee and Eva have gone on to host TV competitions. There are a lot of non-model based competitions set up this year to work away from the whole age issue.

Since we're only going straight into the competition, there was no casting. Instead, we watched several contestants, including classy ghetto Angelea, country girl Laura, and party girl Brittany, enter the large mansion. All the girls started to imagine the drama as they walked in. Bre and Bianca were friends, but still didn't talk to each other because Bre didn't tell Bianca that she was going to be on. Isis had her gender reassignment since the show and was embracing her new self. Kayla was a bit of an unknown because of her hair color and her few months of exposure. The contestants were nervous as Camille walked in, knowing that she would bring the drama. When Camille entered, she didn't bother hugging Bianca. Alexandria wanted to go back to change the negative image she gave off.

A Tyra mail announced the girls to find beds. Instantly the dramatic girls picked the same rooms. Mr. Jay arrived and announced that the girls would be going beyond modeling so they would have a backyard photo shoot shot by photographer Celeste Canino. The shoot would portray the models as "larger than life" versions of themselves. The makeup and hair immediately started to transform the girls. Bianca was immediately upset when she got red hair added into her head.

Bianca's guard immediately went on, but she wanted to be a refined lady. She struggled with getting her face into her shots. She had trouble with her eyes. Allison was nervous about getting into motions because she was usually behind the camera. Kayla knew that she was given the gay flag dress and she was ready to embrace her sexuality. The girls started to eye each other down. Isis had even more confidence with her photo shoot this time around. Shannon was really nervous about being portrayed in underwear, but she picked the bathing suit bottom by itself. While Mr. Jay tried to convince her, Shannon maintained her ground.

Mr. Jay announced that the judges would critique their photos, but they would be doing it as a live judging panel. He then announced that Nicki Minaj would be the guest judge. The girls were bussed over and prepped for their "live" debut. Tyra arrived and got the crowd going. Before she introduced the all-stars, she welcomed Nicki Minaj, Nigel Barker, and Andre Leon Talley.

Lisa was first and her wild personality won the crowd. The photo was a bit too wild for the judges. Allison awkwardly walked to the judges and maintained her great photos. Angelea still got positive reviews as she did her MC Hammer dance. Andre called her photo Beverly Hood. Camille strutted with her signature walk, but she was behind the post too much in her photo. Dominique humped a tree in her photo, but she finally had a soft photo. Shannon was happy for getting claps and her innocence was positive. Alexandria got cursed and booed as she walked down. She had to compose herself as she got judged. Her photo didn't work well at all for the judges.

Sheena rocked the edgy jumpsuit, but the photo wasn't sexy enough. Brittany came off to the judges just like Janice Dickinson. Her legs didn't have great extension, but great personality. Isis was fierce as she walked out. Her photo looked effortless even though she was applying pressure on her hands. Bianca's photo was deemed "vintage." Bre's photo was cliché, but her hair got negative comments. Kayla had a strong face, but her fist looked stupid. Laura's country cutie photo was positively received.

Tyra announced that photos and personality in front of the audiences would both be judged. The judging was moved to private quarters as the Jays talked to fans, while they loved Bianca and Allison, one fan admitted to hating Alexandria. During judging, Tyra announced that Allison was voted the fan favorite, Brittany was forgotten completely, and Alexandria was hated.

The models returned and, after announcing the prizes, Tyra announced the winner: Isis. The bottom two contestants were Brittany (okay photo, forgettable) and Alexandria (negative feedback from audience). Alexandria survived because of polarity. Brittany thought she would have gone further.

Callout Order
1) Isis
2) Allison
3) Camille
4) Lisa
5) Angelea
6) Laura
7) Bre
8) Bianca
9) Shannon
10) Dominique
11) Sheena
12) Kayla
13) Alexandria
14) Brittany - Eliminated