Cycle 1 Finale: "The Girl Who Becomes America's Next Top Model"
I have not given up on this! Life and work have really come for me these past few months, but I am determined to keep up.
After eight full episodes and one recap (which we can ignore), we now know who won the first cycle of ANTM. What do you think?
Part I
We started this season with 10 contestants, and we begin this episode with the top three. If you haven’t paid attention so far or just need a reminder, Shannon’s the all-American virgin. She’s a virgin, y’all!!
Tyra tells the models they’ll be in a runway show for New York Fashion Week. They then meet with Drew Linehan, who gives them a little talk about how important fashion week is for a modeling career. Elyse (as usual) doesn’t care.
Adrianne sums up Elyse’s entire essence in the competition.
There’s an elimination halfway through the episode to determine who the two finalists are. Elyse gives the judges a lesson on why she thinks models become successful, saying it’s based on estrogen giving physical attributes that are sought after in the industry. I wouldn’t disagree with her argument, but it ultimately doesn’t help save her spot.
According to Beau Quillian (again, who is this?), Adrianne has an annoying, goofy smile. He tells her:
And despite being super true to her brand as the VIRGIN, the judges feel Shannon’s too commercial.
Elyse ends up getting eliminated. She says it sucks to leave, but she’s also relieved to FINALLY be out of the competition.
Her storyline was always that she’d become a doctor if modeling didn’t go anywhere.
But she actually went on to be a pretty successful model herself, doing a lot of stuff in Asia.
She also wrote a book titled Beauty and the Biz: The International Adventures of America's Third-to-Next Top Model. True to her persona, it seems like a big, cynical take on modeling. But it has good reviews from the eight people who’ve read it on Goodreads. And her author pic is very kindergarten teacher.
Part II
Shannon and Adrianne go to a swanky dinner with the show’s main cast: Tyra, Jay Manuel and Miss J.
Miss J gives us this memorable look after finding out Shannon’s never eaten sushi.
Adrianne and Shannon learn that their final fashion show will be for Baby Phat by Kimora Lee (Simmons). The runway show is very exciting to watch! Just a few months ago, these two were random women with no modeling experience. I think the way they’re styled and their hair is still really beautiful today. Except for the raccoon tails on everything.
I thought Shannon had the better walk.
Adrianne seems really stiff in her shoulders.
Or as Janice says:
The final judging felt pretty rushed and no frills. I hate what both the models are wearing, but come on Shannon with that six pack!
The judges run through some of the photos throughout the season and then debate the pros and cons of the final two.
Some believe Shannon is more commercial and polite, while Adrianne is more interesting and has high fashion potential.
Most of them agree Shannon did a better job on the runway the night before.
And then … for the first time, Tyra gets to say:
It’s Adrianne.
I would have been fine with either of them winning, but I think Adrianne set the tone for the show’s winners to not be cookie cutter perfect blondes.
While everyone’s celebrating, Adrianne says she loves Janice. Janice responds that she didn’t even vote for Adrianne to win.
Shannon has gone on to have a decent modeling career. She’s also still a big fan of Jesus and even married another Christian model.
Adrianne definitely became a household name throughout the early 2000s, appearing on VH1 shows like “The Surreal Life” where she met her first husband, actor Christopher Knight (he played Peter Brady on “The Brady Bunch”). They had a spinoff show about their relationship and eventual marriage. But, they fought a lot and split up.
Adrianne’s still beautiful, but now married to another guy and seems to be living happily in Montana.
A lot of former ANTM contestants started doing Instagram lives during the pandemic, and I found this one of Adrianne and Shannon.
They’re still friends and neither talks to Elyse. Like on the show, Adrianne is a little rough around the edges. Her talking about racial justice seems like her heart is in the right place but her words are not. And Shannon’s just there to smile. They both appear to be in good places and appreciate everything Top Model’s given them, although there was some BS too.
And that’s a wrap on Cycle 1!! I’m really ready to start a new cycle to see what’s new/changed after Top Model’s breakout season. Follow along by watching the episodes on Amazon Prime. If you’re not already, be sure to subscribe to get added to my newsletter.
Fierce and love,
P