BINTM c9 episode 2: "Take Cover"

Previously on Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model, twenty-eight girls were narrowed down after a runway and make-up free photoshoot. Now, fourteen girls have moved into the Top Model house. Who will be eliminated first?

The girls are awoken by their first Elle Mail: “You have crossed the threshold into the Top Model house. And tomorrow is the day that every girl dreams of. Love Elle”

With whisperings of ‘first kiss’, ‘first date’, and ‘Madonna’s retirement’ in the air, the girls all anxiously await what the next day brings.

My Big Fat Chic Wedding

After a wake-up call of 4:00 A.M., the girls arrive at the National Bridal Show, where they will be competing in their first challenge. After being debriefed by Ian Stuart, a British fashion designer, the girls discover that they will be walking for an audience of 3000 people. One-by-one, the girls strut for Jade Parfitt, who will be giving them tips to better their ambles.

While Laura and Naomi leave Ian worried about the confidence of the girls, Jade feels that Angel has an abundance of attitude; a trait necessary for brides-to-be.

Pridezillas

After this initial walk, the duo decides that there will only be nine girls walking in the show. With Lauren and Emily as the alpha and omega brides, the girls are quickly chosen, leaving Emma, Abigail, Jessica, Sarah, and Danielle as the rejected bridesmaids.

While Sarah tries to contain her disappointment, the other girls quickly practice their walks. In the final minutes of preparation, Ian and Jade realize that the dress sizes call for a change in the lineup. Naomi is shifted in order to allow Emma a chance to be a bride. At the very prospect of being a bridesmaid, Naomi dissolves into 27 messes.

Jade attempts to calm Naomi; stating that in the modeling industry, there is always competition and a thick skin is vital. Ian, like a true groom at the altar, awkwardly states that this could have been avoided if her measurements were different.

You May Now Diss the Bride

After some time to cool down, the girls are ready to begin. Abigail tries to soothe Naomi by saying that “bridesmaids have more fun anyway”. With the promises of chugging a bottle of wine while clutching a tear-soaked bridal magazine after the show, Naomi is excited for the life of a bridesmaid.

Lauren opens the show off with a bang, with Sophie and Angel following suit. Jess and Danielle, despite being initially upset about their bridesmaid status, gave sultry walks. Likewise, Naomi and Danielle pushed through to serve a solid performance.

Even though she held the right amount of attitude throughout her walk, Jade felt that Saffron’s look didn’t match the atmosphere of the show. I, for one, disagree, and am happy to pronounce you…

Tan & Wife

Still, Ian loved her walk. Emily closed the show, looking dapper with a veil and body-clutching dress.

After the show concludes, Ian and Jade announce that the two challenge winners would receive a special prize. Angel, for her radiance throughout the entire day, took home the first prize. Due to her growth during the show, the second win was awarded to Naomi.

When they get home, the two victors are met with 500 pounds (£ not ‘pounds’, even though the differences are minute) worth of clothes and jewelry. While Naomi celebrates her win, the other girls cuddle atop her metric ton of clothes and begin to sob at their loss when they get an…

Elle Mail! “Are you in good company? Find out tomorrow. Love, Elle.”

Heads, Shoulders, (Compa)nies, and Toes

The girls are met by Dannii Minogue and the editor-in-chief of Company Magazine for a cover try. 

As the girls were preparing for the shoot, Sarah harbored some feelings of insecurity from last night’s critiques. Holly went up first, giving the photographer the right amount of sex appeal. Christina, on the other hand, went for more quirky and inspired poses.

Abigail was given the “too sexy” threat, but she managed to reel it in by the end of her shoot. When Sarah began her posing, Dannii had concerns about her outfit being too steamy. Even after changing into something less revealing, the fear of being “too sexy for Company” remained; prompting Sarah to start sobbing. Because the target demographic for Company is apparently ‘crying Disney princess’ fetishists.

Weeping Beauty

However, after some inspirational words from Dannii, Sarah was able to kick the kink and give cute subdued poses. Likewise, Saffron struggled with her angles after being chastised by the photographer. Danielle also brought a lackluster performance, making it difficult to choose a good photo.

Emma and Jess, on the other hand, impressed the photographer with an air of confidence on set. Lauren wowed Dannii with her versatility, being deemed the best of the day.

After the shoot, the girls return home to an elimination e-mail, which states that only 13 of them will continue on in the hopes of becoming Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model.

PANEL

Introducing a new format to judging, the girls have been given a chance to view their photos beforehand. While they confer, the judges deliberate to decide on a bottom four. Only those four girls will be given critique, and one will be eliminated.

While the judging triad is impressed by Holly, Tyson is put off by Danielle’s awkwardness. Dannii loved working with Jessica and her addictive personality, and Elle likes Emily’s feminine strength. Tyson thinks that Christina is either “always on or always off” and the women think she’s off.

With Angel and Lauren both having “top model bodies”, Abigail is seen as “tacky” in comparison. Dannii notes that Saffron was difficult from start to end, but some girls, like Laura and Naomi, worked since the beginning.

The other girls are given mixed criticisms, but one thing is for certain: a bottom four is clear.

“Of the fourteen of you, only ten of you are safe. The other four will remain in the room, where we will have a closer look at your work. Afterwards, one of you will leave. The girl who received picture of the week is…”





















Bottom Four



With the bottom four announced, the judges assess the girls’ photos. Dannii tries to help her with her walk, and when her photoshoot in motion is shown, Saffron discovers that she needs facial variety. Elle wants Danielle to stop being “blocked with fear” and her walk reveals she is too stiff.

Tyson is nervous that Christina’s bubbly personality hasn’t translated well, and Dannii wants her to work on finding a balance between tranquility and insanity. While Sarah did the best on the runway, the judges feel that she didn’t fulfill the brief of the Company shoot. Now, the judges will deliberate to reveal the eliminated model.

“Four of you stand before me and the portfolio in my hands belongs to the girl who is not still in the running toward becoming Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model. Having said that…”

Sarah, Saffron, you are safe.

“Now, the girl who I call is no longer in the running. That girl is…”

Christina

She is, however, still grateful for the experience, and will continue modeling.

Next week, the girls will have their makeovers, where Abigail feels unattractive (makeovers=mirrors). Then, they will undergo a gymnastics photoshoot with a man. Don’t want to miss it!