Thirteen beautiful girls went to New York to compete for the chance to become America's Next Top Model. Season 14 was filled with thrills, chills and spills (remember when Alexandra fell off the stage?). After last week's double elimination of Angelea and Alexandra, just two girls were left with the chance to become ANTM.
So, let's have a reminder of the final two contestants. Over the weeks we got to know Krista, the girl who started off at the bottom of the pack but whose undeniable model presence and stunning bone structure have kept her at the top, week after week. Krista has proven that she has a fierce walk and dynamic posing skills. However, she struggled to bring that Cover Girl quality to her face. Can you believe that Krista has tried out for the competition five times?
Then there's Reina, the athletic, sunny girl with fabulous features and a piercing stare (got to love those wolf eyes). This positive and enthusiastic beauty has found it hard to make friends in the house due to her inability to let people get her down (hmmm, interesting theory!). However, Reina has been amazing the judges through most of the competition but has had issues finding her legs on the runway. Did Reina show that she had versatility in time?
For the first challenge, the models got a taste of the high life and took in some sensational sights as they flew over New Zealand. Upon arrival at the picturesque Hurakia lodge, the overwhelmed contestants sipped on champagne and got ready for their luxurious stay. They soon realised that they were at this spectacular location for work and not leisure (how did they not predict that by now?), and indeed to shoot their Cover Girl commercials.
In previous series the girls have just had to sell one item but this season they are selling the full 'Colour Blast' collection for a commercial and a print ad which will appear nationally in the US. To offer some inspiration Nicole Fox, the first petite winner of the show, tried her best to give the girls advice (how stunning is her red hair?). So who mastered the concept of the shoot - 'Getting ready for a hot night out on the town' - and who was better at translating their personality to the world?
Despite all of Krista's studying and determination to "breeze through the commercial", her worst nightmare was confirmed when she was offered cue cards on set (oh dear!). After seven takes and a couple of brain freezes, a defeated Krista bit the bullet and asked for some help.
However, at least she laughed it off and didn't crumble and fall the way most girls would have. On the plus side, not only did Jay have a performance from her to use in the commercial, but luckily for Krista the light loves her, making her skin look luminescent and flawless.
For the print shoot, Krista was well aware that she needed to show versatility and do different things because Reina can "only do the courtesan look and she can't do anything outside of that". Even the photographer Tony Drayton said: "Krista has an amazing smile, when she smiles her whole face just comes to life, but she has a very strong, strong look and if she doesn't smile it can look very cold." Overall, she provided a pretty picture, but she was not connecting with the woman who was turning the page.
On the other hand, Reina did amazingly well on the still shoot; she really worked it with her eyes and really oozed emotion. It was very beautiful; it was gentle, delicate and feminine, and she definitely sold the product to her target audience. However, Andre believed that "more excitement and a sparkle need to be seen in her eyes".
Reina felt that she had an advantage over Krista because she is "flirty" and "confident", but, just like her opponent, the commercial challenge didn't prove to be her forte either. She may have remembered the words, yet her delivery was not convincing. Nigel thought that she had a wonderful tone to her voice that is "clear, charming and upbeat, but yet she forgot her eyes". Her personality failed to come through (how is that possible?) and she didn't even maximise her powerful smile!
Next it was time for the gorgeous Nigel Barker to photograph the potential models for their Seventeen cover shoot. With one of the most eclectic wardrobes to date, it was hardly surprising that he was really impressed with both of them, and had loads of cover options. How adorable were the pink ANTM t-shirts? I also fell in love with Krista's pink and white jersey dress!!
Just when the girls thought it was time to relax for the evening, they arrived home to an entire living room overtaken by camera equipment. In an attempt to officially welcome the final two into the ANTM family for a group portrait, the wonderful Tyra ushered in their families (oh Tyra, you never cease to amaze me!).
It was hard not to shed a tear when Krista's parents stepped out and she gave "her best friends" a much-needed hug. And then when Reina's hero (her dad) came out it all got a bit overwhelming. It really was a great idea to get their families involved in the photo shoot for Tyra.com, and get an insight into what their daughters had gone through.
It all seemed to hit home for the two beauties once their families had departed, and the competition really started to heat up. Finally, it was time for the girls' last runway challenge in an Auckland museum for Anna Sui's Rock n' Roll circus. With a whole host of professional models and loads of familiar faces (Alasia, Jessica, Alexandra and Angelea) taking part in the show, I was afraid to blink just in case I missed something. So how did they do?
Surprisingly, high fashion Krista managed to pull off the light and airy feel that the designer was looking for. Her little bob and smile made her look commercial and high-fashion at the same time. There was a certain energy and pep that she had that made her very likeable. However, she needed to go easy on the cheese factor.
Then there was Reina, who walked heavy-footed a lot (you could hear her before you could see her). Yet, it was cute and slightly worked at times. Her hair looked fabulous and you really could tell that she was fighting for her place in the competition. But she failed to prove that she has what to takes to go internationally. Perhaps commercial modelling is her calling?
In one of the quickest eliminations to date, Tyra wasted no time in revealing that Krista was America's Next Top Model. To be honest, it was hardly surprising after weeks of wining best photo and an abundance of challenges, not to mention the constant positive feedback and praise from the judges! But it must be said Reina did give her some fierce competition.
With yet another of my favourite shows coming to an end, I am starting to get the feeling that it is going to be a long Christmas! I am afraid to say that watching 'I Am Alex Reid' for my reality fix this week is half tempting!
Laura Delaney
