BINTM c8 episode 11: O Canada! Our Home and Native Bland

Previously on Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model, the girls were shocked to learn that their international destination was Canada. After their first photoshoot with live spiders, the girls took on a hairier challenge: Marie Antoinette. After portraying her for their Revlon ads, Lisa had her cake and ate it too; grabbing both best picture and a ticket to Canada. And while Letitia failed to mix crawlies and carbs in her shoots, it was Roxanne who ultimately got her dreams of model stardom liposuctioned away. Now only 5 girls remain. Who will be eliminated tonight?

After panel, the girls excitedly run back to the house, nervously packing for Canada. What does one pack when expecting a moose stampede? Anyway, after they leave London, the girls giggle and squirm on their way to Toronto (what else can you do on a seven-hour boat ride?)

Tower of Strength

Upon touring through the backwards land of Canada, the girls see strange French highways, marijuana leaves being promoted on national flags, and the many phallic symbols of the Great White North. Whether it’s the penile towers or the drug-filled subliminal messages, I can tell Anita is going to find immense pleasure in Canada.

‘X’ Marks the Pot

Once the girls arrive at the CN Tower, they go inside. The deeper they enter, the more nervous Anita gets (she’s used to being the one entered). At the top of the tower, the girls read their E-Mail.

“Being a model means that you have to cope with any situation. Even at your worst, you must have poise, dignity, class and elegance. Today, you will be challenged to strut your stuff on the edge-walk of the CN Tower, 1,128 feet above the air. Love, Elle.”

Anita immediately has a breakdown over the height (she likes her men short.) After some encouragement from Lisa, Anita lets go of her refusal and does the challenge; worried about “letting herself down”.

One by one, the girls are hooked up and given a line to present at the end of the walk. Anita, however, is once again scared senseless and takes assisted baby steps across the CN Tower. The other girls, however, did the walk much more confidently, hanging by their shoes to the beat of a Lady Gaga song in the background.

The Wedge of Glory

After the “traumatizing” experience, the girls are taken to the Soho Metropolitan hotel, which is said to have housed the most famous of celebrities. After the girls go to their three story penthouse and discover the plethora of goodies, the question remains: who the elle paid for all of this?

All of the girls are ecstatic about this pad, thinking of their future lives as models. Anita, who has finally reverted back to her usual self, slathers up against the beds and offers to pay for the room the only way she knows how, by putting…

The ‘Ho’ In Hotel

After Anita’s lay(away) payment, the girls receive an E-Mail.

“Now it’s time to return to the modeling business. Today will be all ‘aboot’ first impressions when you meet Canada’s leading fashion experts. Love, Elle.”

She’s Just Not That Inuit

The next day, the girls arrive at Elite Model Management, where they are met by Alisha and Matti. They tell the girls that they will be walking and looking over their portfolios.

The two love Lisa’s personality and walk but feel that her pictures leave much to be desired. Risikat on the other hand, exuded versatility in both her photos and walk.

Emma and Anita both failed to impress with their walks but the two feel that they can succeed print modeling. Letitia gives “confidence” to the two.

In the next casting, the girls are shooting cover tries for Fashion Magazine. After they suggested “less petrified” to Anita, she transformed from ‘deer caught in headlights’ to ‘deer caught in headlight’ right before their eyes. Lisa, on the other hand, was praised for her poses. With the background Rihanna music playing and the client praising her skin, I’m sure Lisa will be a great spokesmodel for body washes.

We Found Dove

Letitia, however, failed to convey the brand, giving “too much sex” for the female audience. Emma was heavily praised for her “million dollar smile”. She and Risikat were both deemed “natural” and most fitting to the brand.

At the end of the go-sees, Risikat was awarded the cover of Fashion Magazine and clothes from Pink Tartan. When they returned to the house, the girls also received an:

E-Mail! “You have already experienced the highs of Toronto. Now it’s time for you to experience the falls. Love Elle.”

Niagara Falling

The next day, the girls are driven to their photoshoot’s backdrop, Niagara Falls, where they are met by Whitney Port. She introduces them to the Miss Selfridge client, Yacef.

With only five girls left, the pressure is on at this shoot. Anita manages to impress Whitney, her “biggest critic”. She feels that she didn’t “do the best” but Whitney thinks that she had a “good vibe”.

Letitia also had a great shoot. She gave “variety” and even when a wave of water crashed on her, she remained “natural” in her fierceness. Risikat, on the other hand, had difficulties with the ‘sexy’ brief. With that hideously sheer outfit and her less than excited breasts, Risikat’s not exactly advertising ‘Niagara’:

Viagra Falls

Despite her “great figure”, the photographer had difficulty catching Lisa in her best light. Whitney and Yacef, however, disagree with him, calling her “amazing”. Even though she was the last of the day, Emma kicked all of her nerves once she got on set. Both Whitney and Yacef called her “stronger” than all of the rest.

After the shoot, Whitney announces that the girl with the best performance would get a helicopter ride around Niagara Falls. They announce Lisa as the winner and she chooses Anita to join her. If she had any sense, Anita would ‘accidentally’ fall out of the copter but nevertheless, it was a great experience for the two.

Back at the house, the girls receive an E-Mail about the impending elimination.

PANEL

This week, we have ‘noted’ fashion photographer Nigel Barker joining the judges.




Anita: Even though she had to be given direction, Whitney said that Anita had “it” from the first few frames. “There’s nothing more sexy than control”, says Janet Jackson’s ex-boyfriend. Julian agrees with Nigel, calling her “iridescent”.



Emma: Elle calls her “amazing” and Whitney describes it as a “captured moment”. Tyson calls her “flawless” and Nigel notes that she needs to work on her ‘wow factor’.



Lisa: Even though she’s striking, Nigel and Tyson think she’s “not trying” in the photo. Elle and Whitney believe that she has a great face and needs to work on her body.



Risikat: Whitney needs more “versatility” but Julian wants her in one of his advertisements. Elle and Tyson disagree, calling it “weak”.



Letitia: Julian loves the “London look” but the other judges disagree. Nigel calls her “too sexy” and Elle contemplates whether or not Letitia can “channel” her sex appeal.

“Now the judges and I will deliberate and when you return, I will announce who will be eliminated.”

All of the judges are in unison about Anita’s “vivacity”. Whitney notes her “drastic” improvement and Tyson agrees. Nigel comments on Emma’s lack of personality during panel but can’t debate her presence in photos.

Julian doesn’t know if Lisa is too “off-putting” to women and Elle agrees; worried that her look is too strong. Whitney believes that Risikat is “sliding by” on her looks. The judges are frustrated about Letitia because she can’t focus her sexuality in photos.

“Five beautiful models stand before me. But only four of you will continue on in this competition. The girl with the photo of the week is…”

ANITA

EMMA
LETITIA

“Only Lisa and Risikat remain before me. We believe that only one of you still has a ‘wow factor’. And that girl is…”

LISA

Even though she is “shocked” at leaving at the top 5, she is so grateful for having such a vast experience. She is ready for what’s to come.

Next week, the girls are tested in their fashion knowledge. Apparently, not knowing who Karl Lagerfeld gets Julian upset (stand up for your man, Jules!) During a shoot at the pier, tensions rise as four turns to three. With the finale just in sight, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! So, until next week!

Who do you think should have gotten best picture? Who do you think should have been in the bottom two? Do you agree with the elimination? Who would have you eliminated? Any early faves? What was your favorite part(s) of the recap? Leave any and all comments below and I’ll see you next week!