America's Next Top Model: Some Weighty Issues Arise
Tyra tells the gals that it’s time for a little R&B, and not only does hair and make-up come to the apartment to treat them like they’ve already reached the big time, but R&B icon Ciara comes along for the ride as well. They do the photo shoot for the week with Ciara on stage at Webster Hall. They want the girls to play an obsessed fan, entwined in Ciara's microphone cord.
Hasn't everyone gone wireless by now?
The models are pretty much wearing bathing suits...teeny...weeny bathing suits. It's not time to be uncomfortable with the bod. However, as everyone has mentioned many times through the course of the episode, London feels like she’s gained 10 to 15 pounds since casting week.
After London's shoot Jay pulls her aside and approaches the weight subject kindly -- reminding her that she needs to treat her body like a temple. He asks her if she can handle the stress of the modeling world. Still ... so humiliating. But despite the fact that London is a little wider in the hips, they had to get Allison fired up in order to get a new look out of her and according to Jay, Aminat was the worst of the day.
At panel, a half-naked man walks in with a present from his country. He offers Tyra Brazil nuts and the girls are informed that they’re headed to Brazil next week.
Do they really grow Brazil nuts in Brazil?
They all celebrate but one shouldn't. The eliminated model won't be going anywhere but home.
The judges were torn about Natalie. But we're not -- she’s pretty but also pretty dull. Aminat seemed lost. Celia was awesome and looked good at panel ... as always. Teyona looked fierce and worked her set. London looked uncomfortable and once again ... they discus her weight. Miss J tells her that as a model it's her responsibility to maintain her size. Fo nailed it, plain and simple. Finally, Allison offered up a different face but blew it by verbally favoring another photographer's photo shoot which rubbed Nigel the wrong way. And you don’t want to do that.
In the end, it seems that the judges could get around lack of imagination and talent but not a few pounds, so it was our street-preaching London who was sent home while the rest went back to the apartment to pack for their trip to Brazil.
With all that Tyra has gone through with the media and talk of her weight in the past few years, we were a little shocked to see the topic such a big deal in this week’s episode. Was it fair to focus on London’s weight so much? Some people were kind but others were downright rude about it. Tell us what you think!
Comments
It was even more unfair because London had been battling a fight over bulimia and anorexia prior to the show. So she put on some weight...big deal! I thought she looked gorgeous but I also thought that either the producers or wardrobe did their best to put her int he tiniest clothes. No one would have ever gotten away with that with Toccara or with Tyra. Tyra should be ashamed of herself. Practice what you preach, babe. Even plus size models exist in the fashion world and they are very successful...no matter what the other judges think.
Posted by: Grania3 | April 17, 2009 8:33 PM
It is an outrage! Tyra has talked about weight issues and eating disorders on The Tyra Show and has special guests on her show to confide to the public about such issues. Now she does such a thing as let a person goes on the basis of weight gain the thing these people fear most. I don't think London gained so much that she couldn't lose or try to work on. She was a role model in that your body is natural and that you gain weight in new atmospheres and different situations but with a healthy attitude you can work on it. But Tyra didn't give her that chance she just up and got rid of her. The thing she has always talked about working on. I have lost faith in Tyra and it is sad that a woman has to always look twice in a mirror but a male doesn't have to look once. We need to boost our girls' self confidence out there before it is too late not tear them down.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 16, 2009 7:04 PM
It was totally unfair to send London home. Tyra Banks's investment in the weight issue was obviously insincere (and merely self-serving; don’t you call me fat! But you can call London fat!). I think it is absolutely appalling that she let such horrifying discussions re. London's size a) take place, b) air (please cut this kind of #$*@ out!), and c) be THE reason for London's final dismissal. Tyra the role model? No, Tyra the fraud!
Posted by: sally | April 16, 2009 4:21 PM