Cycle 8 Finale: "The Girl Who Becomes America's Next Top Model"
It’s the finale of Cycle 8. Who will win?
Tyra’s voiceover at the begins asks:
“Will it be Natasha - the Russian beauty and mom who started the competition knowing the least about modeling?
Or will it be Jaslene - the Latin spitfire who didn’t make the cut Cycle 7?
Or will it be Renee - the stunning mother from Hawaii who kept her eye on the prize?”
The three finalists meet up with Mr. Jay for CoverGirl Day!
You know, your favorite holiday!
The models will be shooting a print ad for CoverGirl’s TruShine lip color in the studio, and they’ll also do a short non-scripted voiceover talking about their day in the life of a CoverGirl. Both will be used for the real ANTM winner.
Jim de Yonker is the print photographer. He’s already shot the CoverGirl photos for ANTM Cycle 6 and Cycle 7’s winners (Danielle and CariDee, respectively).
Speaking of CariDee, she’s here!
Renee’s setup for the video is by far the best. She’s on a GD boat next to Sydney Harbour Bridge!
Natasha is just sitting at a makeup counter.
And Jaslene’s in the backseat of a car.
As we prepare for the penultimate judging, which will narrow the three to the final two, Renee continues her hate for others, especially Natasha.
(sigh)
Like, Renee could have had this competition in the bag, but she made herself look like a monster!
We go to panel where the special judges are Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton, the designers of Sass & Bide.
According to Tyra’s introduction, Sarah-Jane and Heidi are the first Australian duo to show at New York Fashion Week because that’s a thing apparently. The final two models will be walking in their fashion show.
Tyra looks amazing with this Ariana ponytail.
Renee has the best CoverGirl photo, but the judges read her for looking TOO OLD?! Excuse me? This is what you get when you give someone a mom haircut!!
Jaslene’s photo looks very 80s mall Glamour Shots.
Natasha looks very hesitant in her photo. And the judges full on say her video is awkward.
But! The top two are … Jaslene and Natasha. I do not agree with this. I think Renee was a big bully this season, but she is undeniably beautiful and takes good photos. Renee is heartbroken.
Although she eviscerated Natasha’s walk, Renee tells her to “win this for the mamas”.
LOL.
Renee pursued modeling for a bit. I mean look at her here:
This should have been her makeover!
Sadly, Renee didn’t stay in the industry for long.
She was arrested in 2013 after a six-hour standoff with police in California. She was charged with drug possession, burglary, theft, fraud, etc. etc. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison! This video is an interview she did with ABC from prison.
Renee got out after 5 years for good behavior. However, she was arrested a year later, this time for domestic violence. She has since been described as a “common criminal”.
Renee has divorced her husband, come out and had at least two more children since the show.
This is a pic of her. She’s on the right!
Here’s more recent Tiktok of her. She appears to be well and genuine.
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I hope she’s found her footing in life and that her children are doing well, wherever they are.
Oof! Cycle 8 has some heavy updates. Back to the episode.
Natasha and Jaslene go to a Seventeen photoshoot with some questionable looks.
Like these brass knuckles that say “Top Model”.
Despite her accent, Natasha speaks very well. But this quote from her takes a turn.
Wut?
And Jaslene is carrying the torch of hating on Natasha, but it’s more lighthearted.
The top two talk with Tyra on a big comfy-looking couch about their journeys and how winning Top Model would change their lives.
Mr. and Miss J meet up with the models to explain that the theme of the runway show is “Evolution”.
The first looks and walks are very similar.
They’re supposed to be hunched over like un-evolved versions of humans (but fashionable).
The camera did not get a good view of Natasha.
In her second walk, Natasha’s skirt falls completely off. I was hoping she’d catch it by putting her hands on her waist, but nope, she let it fall down to her ankles. The judges say they thought it was part of the show.
Jaslene has a much better final look. It’s a black jumpsuit. Natasha has this baggy white dress with AMPLE room in the bosom.
The show finishes with all the models including Natasha, Jaslene and CariDee posing around a set of ladders.
It’s an interesting concept and of course, CariDee’s in the front being too much.
For the final panel, both Natasha and Jaslene have their hair COIFFED!
Natasha speaks in Russian and it makes me almost emotional that she chose to say this.
And Jaslene says this in Spanish.
The producers definitely prodded them to speak in their non-English languages.
Although it didn’t always feel like she was chacha diva enough for the judges, Jaslene wins!
She’s so grateful. I think it was the right choice.
After the show, Natasha divorced her much older husband. She has close to a million Instagram followers, but her photos are HIGHLY EDITED!
Like this isn’t a person.
She’s apparently attending Harvard for some program. Go off, sis!
And our queen Jaslene. She’s gone on to a do a ton of print and runway modeling and has also done some acting.
And she looks the same.
She also has a business helping models build their confidence. Werk, Jaslene!
Thanks for sticking with me through this entire cycle. I hope to see you back here for Cycle 9!
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Fierce and love,
P