ANTM Cycle 22 Episode 14: "Mama Who Bore Me"

Previously on America’s Next Top Model, the models became fierce-a-preneurs. They’ve already sold their souls, so the final five are challenged to now sell a product to Tyra. Mikey wins with his Tocks, which he promptly wears for a photoshoot in the woods. After the shoot as night creatures, Mikey gets best photo while Devin is left in the dark. Now, only four models remain. Who will be eliminated tonight?

The episode starts off with the models returning to the House. Mikey is in awe for once again receiving best picture. He talks about his transformation from a delinquent child into a (soon to be) model citizen and I, for once, applaud him. Looking at his childhood photos, I can see how much Mikey has grown.




Unfortunately, Mikey still hasn’t completely gotten over his childish antics. He admits that after that cold night in the cabin, he wants to snuggle up with Mamé again. She is adamant that the experience made her treasure Justin more, but Mamé still cuddles with Mikey for the night. 

Before settling in for the night, Mamé reminds Mikey that they are “just friends” and must behave as such. She moves over a bit in the bed and asks Mikey if he’s alright with not being too close. I’m sure Mikey has no issues with talking to women from a distance. In fact, talking through a bullet-proof glass is probably Mikey’s preferred means of communication. 

In the middle of the night, the models are interrupted with a visit from Miss Jay. He greets them and congratulates the final four with a BBQ. Great going, Jay! Mikey and Mamé are already hot and bothered; you can’t bother them with an even hotter meal!

Still, Miss Jay announces that there’s a “present” for them outside. Lacey is concerned that a stranger “with nice hair” is in their backyard.



I love how Lacey’s immediate reaction is to go ahead and introduce herself. This small town girl surviving the real world is gonna have to develop some safety skills. For all she knows, this woman is a posh Los Angeles hobo looking for a hot meal and bottles of Garnier Fructis. 

Luckily, Miss Jay takes a moment to introduce her. She is a supermodel, soon-to-be mother, and co-host of Tyra’s new talk show The Fab Life: Chrissy Teigen. Chrissy is here to give advice to every model during their relaxing getaway from the competition.

Mikey, of course, hears none of those words. He’s so enchanted by Chrissy that even eating ribs has some sort of sexual tension for him.



Apparently, Mikey’s horndog ways work because Chrissy admits that, since he won best picture last week, his “reward is me.” Well, not like that. He may be a fierce-a-preneur now, but Mikey still has a way to go before he can compete with John Legend, Chrissy’s husband.

Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing, John! Chrissy has more of an open session with all of the models than actually consulting Mikey one-on-one. She tells them about the awkward beginning she had as a model and the difficulties of getting signed to her first agency. If only Devin were here, he could give her one of his agencies and still has some to spare!

By the end, Mikey is thrilled to have spoken with Chrissy. He wanted to have some alone time with her to really “learn about the industry”, but I’m sure what he had envisioned would get him in trouble with the father of her child, John Legend. Hmmm...make a family with Chrissy or join his own in prison? Seems like a win-win for Mikey here.

Once Chrissy is ushered away, the models receive a new Tyra Mail:



I know this show’s budget is quickly declining, but can they not at least afford an editor? Luckily, I caught this mistake and can fix it for you. Tyra’s real message reads as follows: 

“Ever been mocked? As an America’s Next Top Model contestant, you better get used to it. Fierce and love, TyTy.”

And with that warning, the final four are off to their next challenge. An editor from Nylon Magazine challenges the models to shoot mock covers; from which the public will choose. The cover with the best visceral response will be deemed the winner and be featured on Nylon Video. 

“Nylon is a fun brand,” the woman claims. “and the cover is a place for your personality to shine through.” I don’t think we need another challenge that attempts to glean some relatability from these people, but alas, Nylon is all about it! 

In fact, they want such a range of traits that the eliminated contestants also did some mock covers. At this point, I can’t blame the show anymore. There’s probably one overworked intern making all these covers on Microsoft Word; painstakingly ignoring all the red lines over words like “smize” and “boom boom boom”.

So, if you were curious as to how some of the eliminated models did, take a look below. Just do it quickly, can’t get caught staring at Hadassah’s cover from a distance!




As for the four models who are actually participating, they are very self-conscious about the process. They have to look on from a monitor and watch passerby accept their covers. I would like to point out the bias that Nylon’s readers are predominantly young white women aged 18-25, but it would fall on deaf ears... 

In the end, Nyle is chosen for having the “best connection.” His celebration is short-lived when Tyra comes knocking on the door. 

“¿Donde estas mis modelos?” she shrieks. Lacey is excited, albeit confused. She doesn’t understand what “kind of language” Tyra is speaking. It’s okay, Lacey. You see, when Tyra was 17 in Madrid, in Spain…

Tyra is here in order to introduce the photographer for this week. This person was the first to shoot her, and was responsible for the Tyra we know and love today. That photographer is…



Tyra’s mother! I love how, after Erik Asla, Tyra has given the camera to her mother. Keeping it in the family, TyTy! She admits that putting Tyra out into the industry was frightful because she’s heard stories of people getting taken advantage of. 

Tyra vouches for her mother’s credibility and states how lucky she was to have a support system when she was growing up. Yes, if Tyra’s mother didn’t protect her from the modelling industry, she could’ve ended up on a low-budget television program that exploits the insecurities of young women…

Carolyn then gives the models a metaphoric piece of advice: “plan for the end, at the beginning.” It seems to come full circle when, during the 22nd cycle, Tyra brings her mother over to talk with the models like its inaugural cycle. It’s a heartwarming moment; I feel very touched (and for once, not by Mikey!)

The most emotional reunion is with Mamé and her mother.



Due to the nature of being a diplomat, Mamé spends very small increments of time with her family. Her mother, despite the language barrier, is happy to see her daughter again and the two women embrace. The touching moments don’t end here. Carolyn tells the pairs that they’ll be shooting two photos as a mother-child pair.

All in all, every photoshoot is very heart-wrenching and emotionally driven. As nice as it is to see the models reconnect with their families, it doesn’t do much to the drama aspects of this episode. But it’s okay, I’d rather see boring than boning (sorry Mikey!). 

At the risk of having a Oedipean slip, I won’t go too into detail about the photoshoot. Every mother had new bouts of confidence and, when the time came to eliminate one, they were all terrified. Now that’s what I call family bonding!

Panel



Tyra calls Mamé’s first pose “regal” and loves the chemistry between the two women. Kelly prefers the second shot and the way her mother lit up with the wild costumes. All in all, the judges agree that Mamé’s photographs are “magical.”

Miss Jay admires the emotion behind Mikey’s first image. Tyra says that it has an aura of pure love. As for the second photo, they have a resemblance to “Vikings.” I don’t know if Tyra was trying to be offensive, but comparing jailbird Mikey to a people known for rape and pillaging? Sounds about right...



BothLacey and her mother have a “strong & hard” attitude in the first photo. Kelly is impressed that they can be connected while also modelling as individuals. Miss Jay calls the second image “interactive”, and Tyra agrees, lauding the fact that Lacey can look alive in a photo.

Unfortunately, it is Nyle’s mother that steals the spotlight. Kelly states that she has a strong attitude and understands her angles. The second photograph, according to Tyra, tells a “cool story” and highlights the relationship between the two.

Now that the judges have seen every photo, we’ll deliberate.. The model with the best score is…

MAME (37.1)

NYLE (37.0)

And with only Lacey and Mikey left, we have a tie score of 35.2. Because of that, the judges have decided to…”

SAVE BOTH MODELS.

And with that, Mikey falls to the group and starts sobbing like a baby. You’d think they told him that Hadassah was in the Tyra Suite or the prison’s visiting hours were extended; that’s how emotional Mikey became.

But the news isn’t as exciting for the rest of the models. Tyra announces that next week, there will be a duel for one girl and one guy in the finals. Each of the four must showcase a presentation and the two that blow Tyra’s socks Tocks off enter the final. Who will earn themselves a spot in the finale? Until next week...