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America's Next Top Model season 8

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America's Next Top Model season 8
Promotional photograph of the cast of Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model
Created byTyra Banks
Developed byKenya Barris
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producersTyra Banks
Ken Mok
Anthony Dominici
Running time60 minutes
Original release
NetworkThe CW
ReleaseFebruary 28, 2007 –
May 16, 2007

America's Next Top Model Cycle 8, the Jungle Season, is the eighth cycle of America's Next Top Model and the second season of the series to be aired on The CW network. The cycle's catch-phrase is "Welcome To The Jungle, Ladies".

The international destination for this cycle is Sydney, Australia. The winner, similar to Cycle 7, received management and representation by Elite Model Management, a US$100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, and a cover and six-page spread within Seventeen magazine.[1]

The winner was 20-year old Jaslene Gonzalez from Chicago, Illinois, becoming the first full latina to win the title.

The cycle's finale episode attracted more than 6.6 million viewers, a record for both the franchise and the CW for an episode rating.

Episode Summaries

The Girl Who Won't Stop Talking

Original Airdate: February 28, 2007

The 33 girls selected were sent to Los Angeles, and are immediately thrown into model boot camp. They meet Jay Manuel and J. Alexander who test them with a quick photo shoot and a quiz on fashion-related knowledge. Later that day, they meet Tyra.

After the boot camp, the pool of girls is pared down to twenty contestants in the casting process. At a party hosted by Marc Ecko, the contestants each have their pictures taken, and the final thirteen girls are chosen based on these photos.

The next day, the contestants again meet Jay Manuel, and had to do a photo shoot in the following controversial political issues:

Contestant Controversial Political Issue
Brittany Pro-Fur
Cassandra Carnivore
Diana Pro-Gun
Dionne Vegan
Felicia Heterosexual Marriage
Jael Pro-Life
Jaslene Death Penalty
Kathleen Anti-Fur
Natasha Pro-Choice
Renee Anti-Gun
Samantha Same-sex Marriage (with Whitney)
Sarah Life In Prison
Whitney Same-sex Marriage (with Samantha)

For the week's reward challenge, the girls are taken to a Goodwill thrift shop where they are given three minutes to put together an outfit which reflects their personal style. After a runway show featuring their outfits, each girl's outfit is auctioned off to raise money for Goodwill. Jael's outfit receives the highest bid. Her reward is to sign her name on the ceremonial check given to the charity for the vocationally challenged. Also, she gets to get dressed up by Phillip Bloch before meeting the judges.

At panel, the judges feel that Jael and Kathleen both failed to commit during their photo shoots, and they end up in the bottom two. The judges criticize Jael for her apparent fear of success, but decide that she has more potential than Kathleen and with that, Kathleen is eliminated.

The Girls Go To Prom

Original Airdate: March 7, 2007

The girls are greeted by J. Alexander and a marching band at a high school, before they are divided into teams and taught a runway walking routine based on timing and precision. After the rehearsal, they meet fashion show producer Roy Campbell, who introduced them to their challenge - a prom fashion show consisting of three categories, namely modern contemporary, the 80s prom and ghetto fabulous. Brittany wins the runway challenge and receives her own personalized runway trophy.

The next day, the girls return to high school, where Jay Manuel assigned each of them a different high school cliché, which were the following:

Contestant High School Cliché
Brittany Valedictorian
Cassandra Cheerleader
Diana Student Body President
Dionne Bad Girl
Felicia Jock
Jael Bookworm
Jaslene Weirdo
Natasha Teacher's Pet
Renee Class Clown
Samantha Girl With The Bad Reputation
Sarah Class Flirt
Whitney Mean Girl

While most girls excelled, Natasha and Samantha struggled to fit their characters, and they consequently land in the bottom two. Natasha is criticized for her inability to transfer her beauty into a photograph, while the judges see Samantha as too inexperienced and lacking personality. With that, Tyra hands the last photo to Natasha and Samantha is eliminated.

  • Bottom two: Natasha Galkina & Samantha Francis
  • Eliminated: Samantha Francis
  • Featured photographer: Carlos Rios
  • Special guests: Roy Campbell, Hallie Bowman, Sutan
  • CoverGirl of the Week: Jaslene Gonzalez

The Girl Who Cries All The Time

Original Airdate: March 14, 2007

The 11 remaining girls travel to a Beverly Hills salon to receive their makeovers. While most of them are overjoyed with their new looks, a lot of pain comes with Brittany's new weave, and the long weave originally planned for Jael is taken out after 8 hours in the salon. Later, Jael receives a devastating phone call, discovering that one of her close friends had died. Afterwards, The girls meet Carissa Rosenberg were they were tested how well they know how to use make-up. Cassandra having done her make-up the best was disqualified for being late and Brittany wins her second challenge. Later, the girls arrive at their photo shoot where they will be posing nude and decorated as a certain type of candy which were the following:

Contestant Type Of Candy
Brittany Banana Split
Cassandra Jelly Bean
Diana Gummy Bear
Dionne Candy Cane
Felicia Lollipop
Jael Birthday Cake
Jaslene Dulce De Leche
Natasha Gum Balls
Renee Candy Necklace
Sarah Hard Candy
Whitney Chocolate Kiss

Diana finds it hard to work her plus-size body. At judging, the judges are impressed by Brittany's "editorial" photograph, and learn of Jael's tragedy. While most girls also received praise for their improvements, the judges criticized Jaslene for losing her "spicy personality." However, the judges are left disappointed with Cassandra's picture, seeing that she hasn't stepped up to the plate at all. With that, she lands in the bottom two with Diana. In the end, the judges felt that Cassandra was not able to transfer her inner and outer beauty into a photo and she was sent home.

  • Bottom two: Cassandra Watson & Diana Zalewski
  • Eliminated: Cassandra Watson
  • Featured photographer: Joseph Cultice
  • Special guests: Neeko, Roxanna Floyd, Carissa Rosenberg
  • CoverGirl of the Week: Jaslene Gonzalez

The Girl Who Changes Her Attitude

Original Airdate: March 21, 2007

To help take her mind off her friend’s death, Felicia teaches Jael a dance, while Renee reflects on her apparent isolation from the other girls and decides to change her attitude for the better, although this change is not received well by all the girls.

Later, they meet posing instructor Benny Ninja, who teaches them the art of “voguing”, which is exaggerated posing. The next day, they are put to the test when they have to maneuver their way through a laser maze within 2 minutes, all the while being judged on their posing. Renee is the only girl who fails the task, while Whitney wins her first challenge, and her reward – a $40,000 bracelet.

For the week’s photo shoot, the girls are posing as crime scene victims, which are the following:

Contestant Crime Scene
Brittany Electrocuted
Diana Organs Stolen
Dionne Shot In The Head
Felicia Decapitated
Jael Strangled
Jaslene Pushed Off The Roof
Natasha Drowned
Renee Poisoned
Sarah Pushed Down The Stairs
Whitney Stabbed

At panel, all the girls receive universal praise for their beautiful pictures, except Felicia, who ends up in the bottom two with Dionne, who the judges felt did not dress like a model. In the end, Felicia's declining performance sends her home.

  • Bottom two: Dionne Walters & Felicia Provost
  • Eliminated: Felicia Provost
  • Featured photographer: Mike Rosenthal
  • Special guest: Benny Ninja
  • CoverGirl of the Week: Jael Strauss

The Girl Who Takes Credit

Original Airdate: March 28, 2007

This week, the girls learn all about fashion appeal. They meet up with Elite Model Management director Cathy Gould, who teaches them what not to wear and what outfits were considered “top model” standard. After this, the girls are split into groups of three and put to the test. Their challenge, judged by two fashion mavens, is to assemble their own clothing line and be their own mannequins. At the end, when they are called to pose, Whitney, ignoring Natasha’s reminder, sits on the floor, outside the designated posing platform, and disqualifies herself and her group. They are then told that their group would have won, and Whitney individually, but due to the circumstances, they select Sarah as the next best and she wins her first reward – double the frames for the week’s photo shoot. When Sarah claims all the credit, this angers her group mates Dionne and Renee, who had helped her pick her outfit.

For the week’s photo shoot, the girls are excited when they see male models on set, but are surprised when they hear that they are drag queens and would be posing as women, and the girls as men. The couples each contestant had to portray are as follows:

Contestant Couples
Brittany Outdoorsy
Diana Red-Carpet
Dionne Power Couple
Jael Bohemian
Jaslene Nautical
Natasha Hip-Hop
Renee Glam Rock
Sarah Rocker
Whitney Collegiate

While Brittany and Jaslene once again impress Jay with their strong shots, the real shock of the day comes from Natasha, who wows everyone on set. She incorporated some ideas of her own into the shoot, including grills from gum wrap and a toothpick. Diana and Whitney struggle with their plus-size bodies, and land in the bottom two. The judges feel that Diana has no fire and Whitney just can’t get a good picture, but give Whitney a chance and Diana is eliminated.

  • Bottom two: Diana Zalewski & Whitney Cunningham
  • Eliminated: Diana Zalewski
  • Featured photographer: Richard Reinsdorf
  • Special guests: Cathy Gould, Deda Coben
  • CoverGirl of the Week: Whitney Cunningham

The Girl Who Gets Thrown In The Pool

Original Airdate: April 42007

The girls meet Twiggy and Cycle 7’s Melrose Bickerstaff, where they are told to assign themselves a nickname which they will be using to introduce themselves at a party attended by many influential people in the industry. There, Jael overly irritates rapper 50 Cent that she is pushed in the pool, while Natasha fell in when a man at the party pulls her when he dived. Later, the two are embarrassed when they meet Tyra’s manager Benny Medina for an interview.

The week’s photo shoot required the girls to direct their own hair and makeup, and to showcase four sides of their personalities as follows:

Contestant Personalities Portrayed
Brittany Innocent, Spacey, Secret Evil, Goofy
Dionne Friendly, Evil, Hood, Sensitive
Jael Sexy Beast, Anarchist, Revolutionary, Dominator
Jaslene Sentimental, Drag Queen, Cha Cha Diva, Modelesque
Natasha Happy, Surprised, Sad, Sexy
Renee Sexual, Dark Side, Motherly, Sorrow
Sarah Innocent, Angry, Sad, Happy
Whitney Secretive, Peaceful, Thinker, Comedian

After the shoot, Dionne, having impressed Benny the most at the party, wins the reward of a spread for Keds in Seventeen magazine, and invites Jaslene and Whitney with her to the shoot.

The next day, Tyra visits the girls for a chat, where Renee is criticized by all the girls, but Tyra manages to mediate the problem and allows Renee to air her grievances.

At panel, the judges feel that Sarah has yet to step out of her comfort zone, while Whitney once again does not produce a stellar photo, landing both of them in the bottom two. Whitney is given another chance as Sarah’s overly posed photos sends her home.

The Girl Who Impresses Pedro

Original Airdate: April 112007

The contestants get a crash course in character acting from actress Tia Mowry, and are immediately thrown into an acting challenge with Efren Ramirez, who portrayed Pedro in the film Napoleon Dynamite. Renee is chosen as the best actress and wins her first challenge. She chooses Dionne to share in her prize of a custom-made t-shirt. However, the real prize was a surprised visit from their families. Natasha begins to have an emotional breakdown from missing her daughter. Despite being down, Natasha is able to push the thought out of her head and model (as Mr. Jay puts it) "like a professional".

Excitement rises when participants of past cycles show up for a photo shoot that highlights some of the most scandalous and memorable moments of the series as follows:

Contestant Past Cycle Representation
Brittany Twins (Amanda and Michelle Babin, Cycle 7)
Dionne Lesbian limo kiss (Kim Stolz, Cycle 5)
Jael Balance disorder fainting during panel (Rebecca Epley, Cycle 4)
Jaslene Stolen granola bar (Bre Scullark, Cycle 5)
Natasha Impetigo (Michelle Deighton, Cycle 4)
Renee Snaggletooth removal (Joanie Dodds, Cycle 6)
Whitney Refusal to do a nude shoot (Shannon Stewart, Cycle 1)

At panel, Natasha and Brittany impress the judges with their outstanding photographs, while Jael lands in the bottom two for being too mechanical at the shoot and then failing to express herself eloquently at panel. However, Whitney is eliminated in her third consuctive bottom two appearance when she is still unable to effectively translate her beauty into photos.

The Girls Go Down Under

Original Airdate: April 18, 2007

The girls get a crash course in interviewing from Cycle 2 contestant April Wilkner and comedian Gary Riotto, before their international destination is revealed as Sydney, Australia. Upon landing, the girls are immediately tasked to interview the locals on American fashion faux pas, using as much Australian slang as possible. Natasha wins the challenge, winning an opportunity to be a correspondent for The Tyra Banks Show.

This week, instead of a regular photo shoot, the girls do a CoverGirl commercial with an Australian accent. Tyra is surprised that Natasha is able to cover her thick Russian accent with a commendable Australian accent, and Renee is able to pull off "Steve Irwin" in her take. Brittany struggles to remember her lines, but later defends herself in front of the panel. She nevertheless lands in the bottom two together with Jael, who also had a lackluster take. In the end, the judges valued Brittany’s previous strong photographs and eliminate Jael.

  • Bottom two: Brittany Hatch & Jael Strauss
  • Eliminated: Jael Strauss
  • Featured director of commercial: Simon Higgins
  • Special guests: April Wilkner, Erika Heynatz, Gary Riotto, Nick Hudson, Sutan
  • CoverGirl of the Week: Natasha Galkina

The Girl Who Picks A Fight

Original Airdate: April 25, 2007

This was the season's recap episode. Never-before seen footage included Dionne and Renee getting into a heated argument, Cassandra going to the hospital for frostbite following the nude "candy-coated" shoot and Natasha getting a tooth removed.

The Girl Who Blames The Taxi Driver

Original air date: May 2, 2007

The remaining five contestants are sent to see top Australian designers and must use their personalities, portfolios, and runway walks to impress them. They are given a time limit of 4 hours. Natasha and Brittany arrive back at the modeling agency late, and they are disqualified. Natasha accepts it gracefully while Brittany has a tantrum, and blames the taxi driver for not meeting her at the designated area. Jaslene impresses the clients the most and wins the challenge. She chooses Dionne to accompany her to share a photo shoot on top of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge shot by Nigel Barker.

At the photo shoot, the girls must work a swimsuit in two ways. First, Tyra shoots them in sensual poses for a women's magazine, and then they must strike sexy poses for a men's magazine. Jaslene impresses Tyra with her variety of poses, but Dionne disappoints after having to be coached through the entire photo shoot.

At judging, Brittany's lackluster personality and poor challenge feedback lands her in the bottom two together with Dionne. Though Brittany's photos were clearly stronger than Dionne's throughout the competition, Brittany's lack of persona sends her home.

  • Bottom two: Brittany Hatch & Dionne Walters
  • Eliminated: Brittany Hatch
  • Featured photographers: Tyra Banks, Michael Omm
  • Special guests: Jodhi Meares, Priscilla Leighton Clark, Wayne Cooper, Lill Boyd, Anna Hewett, Tina Kalivas, Jayson Brunsdon, Arabella Ramsay, Alice McCall, Kit Willow, Sutan, David Sciola, Brad Rope, Adrian Allen, Tamati William, Samuel Sirena
  • CoverGirl of the Week: Natasha Galkina

The Girl Who Does Not Want To Dance

Original Airdate: May 9, 2007

The final four contestants visit aboriginal teachers for a lesson on self-expression and storytelling through dance. They decorate themselves and their costumes with traditional body paint, before relating their life story to a crowd. While the cold irritates Dionne, Renee embraces the dance and subsequently wins the challenge. She picks Jaslene to share in her prize of pearl jewelery. That night, Renee, Dionne and Jaslene hit the town, while Natasha stays home, sick. They take the opportunity to talk behind her back.

At the photo shoot, each girl has to express herself through aboriginal dance as follows:

Contestant Aboriginal Dance
Dionne Dance of the Food Gatherers
Jaslene Dance of the Red Chested Robin
Natasha Dance of the Willie Wagtail
Renee Dance of the Butterfly

While Renee and Jaslene excel, Natasha’s flu takes its toll as she produces numerous bad takes. At elimination, things get heated when Natasha is verbally attacked by the rest of the girls when Tyra asks them who they felt had the most and least amount of potential. Despite being singled out, Natasha held her cool and handled the situation well. Although Natasha's photoshoot was her worst ever, the judges chose to send Dionne home instead due to her weaker overall portfolio.

  • Bottom two: Dionne Walters & Natasha Galkina
  • Eliminated: Dionne Walters
  • Featured photographer: Kane Skennar
  • Special guests: Carissa Rosenberg, Uncle Max, Calita Murray, Justin Schwarz, Sharon Williams
  • CoverGirl of the Week: Jaslene Gonzalez

The Girl Who Becomes America's Next Top Model

Original Airdate: May 16, 2007

The final three are put to the test when they have to shoot a CoverGirl commercial and print ad. For the commercial, the girls are told to adlib. Natasha initially writes a script, but later drops it to sound more natural, while Jaslene impresses by using Spanish in her commercial. All the girls are praised, but the judges note differing weaknesses in them - Natasha only gives a natural smile when she's laughing, Jaslene's picture looks like a yearbook photo, and Renee's photographs look old. In the end, Renee is sent home because the judges felt she did not have a fresh face for the industry, despite having the strongest photo.

The next day, the final two shoot their covers for Seventeen magazine. Tyra visits both contestants for one-on-one sessions before they prepare for the final runway challenge. Cycle 7 winner CariDee English joins Jaslene and Natasha in the runway show, themed "evolution". Jaslene starts off with a weak walk but ends off strong and natural. While Natasha has a wardrobe malfunction backstage, the production goes on smoothly. The judges are also impressed by her professional handling of the situation when her skirt fell while on the runway.

At the final judging, the panel see both finalists as winners and are divided over their preference of the girls' walks. Natasha's striking look gets the thumbs up, but her ability to learn is both lauded and questioned. Jaslene's photographs receive universal praise, though there is concern for her commercial ability. The judges are torn between Natasha's astounding progress and Jaslene's overall consistency.

After deliberation, the girls are called in and Jaslene is revealed to be America's Next Top Model, making her the first full Latina to win.

  • Bottom two: Natasha Galkina & Renee Alway
  • Eliminated: Renee Alway
  • Final two: Natasha Galkina & Jaslene Gonzalez
  • America's Next Top Model: Jaslene Gonzalez
  • Featured photographer: Jim De Yonker
  • Special guests: CariDee English, Brent Poer, Sarah-Jane Clarke, Heidi Middleton, Carissa Rosenberg

Contestants

In order of elimination

(ages stated are at time of contest)

Summaries

Call-out order

Tyra's call-out order
Order Ep 1 Ep 2 Ep 3 Ep 4 Ep 5 Ep 6 Ep 7 Ep 8 Ep 9 Ep 11 Ep 12 Ep 13
1 Natasha Jaslene Jaslene Brittany Renee Natasha Jael Dionne Natasha Jaslene Renee Jaslene Jaslene
2 Kathleen Brittany Felicia Jael Natasha Dionne Natasha Natasha Renee Natasha Jaslene Natasha Natasha
3 Sarah Felicia Diana Sarah Brittany Brittany Dionne Brittany Jaslene Renee Natasha Renee
4 Cassandra Diana Renee Dionne Whitney Jaslene Brittany Renee Dionne Dionne Dionne
5 Renee Samantha Brittany Felicia Jaslene Sarah Renee Jaslene Brittany Brittany
6 Samantha Cassandra Cassandra Renee Jael Renee Jaslene Jael Jael
7 Dionne Renee Dionne Whitney Diana Jael Whitney Whitney
8 Whitney Sarah Jael Natasha Sarah Whitney Sarah
9 Brittany Dionne Whitney Jaslene Dionne Diana
10 Felicia Whitney Sarah Diana Felicia
11 Jael Natasha Natasha Cassandra
12 Jaslene Jael Samantha
13 Diana Kathleen
  The contestant won the reward challenge
  The contestant was CoverGirl of the Week
  The contestant was CoverGirl of the Week & won the reward challenge
  The contestant was eliminated
  The contestant won the competition
  • In episode 1, the pool of 20 girls was reduced to 13 who moved on to the main competition. However, this first call-out does not reflect their performance that first week.
  • Episode 10 is a recap episode.

Nicknames

In episode 7, the girls were told to give themselves a nickname which will become their alias for the rest of the cycle. These nicknames were used in that week's photoshoot. The nicknames they chose are as follows:

  • Brittany - Brit
  • Dionne - Wholahay (later changed to Brown)
  • Jael - Jael
  • Jaslene - Jaslene
  • Natasha - Nata
  • Renee - Nayien (later changed to NeNe)
  • Sarah - Moe (later stated a preference for Sarah Von)
  • Whitney - Whitelle

Makeovers

  • Cassandra – Voluminous afro
  • Felicia – Dyed dark brown, bangs added
  • Diana – Dyed blonde
  • Sarah – Dyed light brown
  • Whitney – Hair extensions
  • Jael – Long brunette weave; later, Mia Farrow inspired cut
  • Brittany – Long red hair weave; later, removed but hair still dyed red
  • Dionne – Kelis inspired cut and dyed dark brown
  • Renee – Yoanna House inspired cut
  • Natasha – Vidal Sassoon inspired cut and dyed chocolate brown
  • Jaslene – Cut and volumized

Photoshoot Guide

  • Week 1 Photoshoots: Boot Camp Shoot, Marc Ecko Party Shoot (Casting)
  • Week 2 Photoshoot: Controversial Political Issues
  • Week 3 Photoshoot: High School Clichés
  • Week 4 Photoshoot: Nude Candy-Coated
  • Week 5 Photoshoot: Crime Scene Victims
  • Week 6 Photoshoot: Gender Swap
  • Week 7 Photoshoot: Four Personalities
  • Week 8 Photoshoot: Memorable Moments From Past Cycles
  • Week 9 Commercial: CoverGirl Outback
  • Week 11 Photoshoots: Swimsuit Beach Shoots For Men & Women's Magazines
  • Week 12 Photoshoot: Aboriginal Dance
  • Week 13 Photoshoots and Commercial: CoverGirl Endorsement, Seventeen Magazine Cover Shoot

Judges

Cycle statistics

  • Total number of contestants: 13
  • Oldest contestant: Cassandra Watson, 24 years old
  • Youngest contestants: Felicia Provost & Samantha Francis, both 19 years old
  • Tallest contestant: Diana Zalewski, 6'1" (185 cm)
  • Shortest contestant: Jaslene Gonzalez, 5'7" (170 cm)
  • Heaviest contestant: Diana Zalewski, 198 lbs (90 kg)
  • Lightest contestant: Jaslene Gonzales, 106 lbs
  • Contestant with the most consecutive challenge wins: Brittany Hatch 2 wins
  • Contestants with the most collective challenge wins: Brittany Hatch & Renee Alway, both 2 wins
  • Top 3's call-out mean (excluding semifinals and the last judging panel): Jaslene Gonzalez - 3.45, Natasha Galkina - 4.09, Renee Alway - 3.82
  • Top 3's call-out median (excluding semifinals and the last judging panel): Jaslene Gonzalez - 3, Natasha Galkina - 2, Renee Alway - 4
  • Contestant with the most consecutive first call-outs: Jaslene Gonzalez, 2 times
  • Contestant with the most collective first call-outs: Jaslene Gonzalez, 4 times
  • Contestant with the most consecutive appearances in the bottom two: Whitney Cunningham, 3 times
  • Contestants with the most collective appearances in the bottom two: Dionne Walters, Jael Strauss, Natasha Galkina & Whitney Cunningham, all 3 times
  • Contestant with no appearances in the bottom two: Jaslene Gonzalez
  • Contestant with the most CoverGirl of the Week wins: Jaslene Gonzalez, 4 wins

References

  1. ^ [1]
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