EPISODE 8: The Girl Who Needs To Grow Up
First and foremost, I’d like to apologize for not posting last week. I already have the draft saved but somehow I didn’t manage to get to posting it. Maybe I’ll do it sometime after I’m done with this week’s review. (Who cares about orders anyway, am I right?)
Now that that’s out of the way, BOY DOES THIS CYCLE KEEP GETTING WORSE OR WHAT?
THE FAREWELL
It was a double elimination last week. Veronika was heartbroken because she knew her twin sister wanted this more than her. She said it feels like she lost half of her soul or something. I mean, I don’t get it. Don’t all twins have telepathic power? I mean, it’s not like she has to secretly use the wifi to keep in touch or anything...
Shikin was disappointed with Dorothy for not doing her best, but understandably didn’t feel bad about Valerie leaving. Kinda feel sorry for Shikin. I feel like she’s the only mature, well-spoken, spunky girl left in the competition. She, Dorothy, Nametha and Alicia make such a team. And now she had to settle with... Clara?
Tu decided to leave the “good girls” room, a decision opposed by her roommates but received well by Shikin and Clara. Shikin claimed that Tu never belongs in the “good girls” room because all the contestants in that room are inexperienced, which I don’t totally disagree with.
Tu never gave a strong explanation/reason as to why she was moving though. I mean, she said she wanted Cindy to fend for herself, but that can easily be done with her still staying in the room. Poor Cindy threw a cute little tantrum when Tu revealed she wanted to leave. I suspect there was another force at play. An invisible force... behind the camera. Because later, this happened:
The “bad girls” came up with a strategy (sigh) to intimidate Maureen because they all thought that she was the weakest link and did not deserve to be in Top 6.
Seriously, WTF?? I expected this from Clara - that mischievous little airhead - and I half-expected this from Tu, considering the way she unnecessarily confronted Clara in the fourth episode, but I was very disappointed in Shikin. This ain’t you, gurl. Why are you playing along with their games? Did they threatened you or something?
Anyway, like other “drama” in this cycle, this one seemed forced as hell. You know, there were conflicts and clashes that seems real (Jennica’s dislike towards Maureen seems real. Did you see the interview they did outside the competition? Cringe.) but between this and the plethora of other minor disagreements that were blown way out of proportion, I’m getting tired. You guys turn the fandom ugly, man. Now everywhere I look I see fights erupting and insults being thrown. Why? Why can’t we just have peace and love on this planet earth? What was the rating for last season? Was it bad? Because I can tell you, if it was, it’s certainly not because of the lack of drama. SO PLEASE. STOP. FORCING. ALL. THESE. DRAMAS.
But I gotta give it to Maureen. She handled it like a champ. You know, I liked her the first time I saw her, but as the weeks passed, I kinda got a Monika (cycle 3) vibe from her, you know - pretty face, okay model, highly overrated, and zero personality. But after this incident, I have a newly-found respect for her. Of course, what came out of her mouth was still cliche as hell (”Everyone entitled to their own opinion, bla bla bla...”) but she seems like a genuinely nice person. And overall, I really felt bad for her and Cindy. These two seems like the only ones left that haven’t been touched by the producers’ dirty, dirty hands. Cindy, for once, seemed to be super tired of all this bullshit.
THE CHALLENGE
Finally, a challenge that has nothing to do with social media and has more to do with modelling.
The contestants were required to go to three go-sees. Tu impressed Daniel Buoy at her 15th District go-see with her amazing catwalk and attitude, and Daniel would really consider hiring her for his fashion show.
While my girl, Shikin, impressed Kevin Seah, Bespoke designer and director, with her class, poise and professionalism. Shikin was his top pick for his runway show.
For the other girls, Veronika got mostly positive feedbacks, Maureen was praised for the versatility she showcased in her portfolio but struggled with her height, Cindy struggled with her inexperience and lacks of confidence, and Clara needs to start pumping her brain with grey matter. Because seriously, the way she talked to Kevin, I’m surprised he didn’t kick her out right away.
For the third go-see, they basically pulled a “It’s just a prank, bro,” on these girls. Hiring a Singaporean actor to act as a director... FROM HELL.
They were told that they wpuld be auditioning for a TV commercial for an upcoming communication company (or something, can’t remember), and as if that wasn’t hard enough, they had to face a director whose dose of douchebaggery never seems to run out of supply.
But holy shit was it fun to watch. I know there’s a reason for them doing that, but boy, this is pure entertainment. They should just prank the girls in, like, every episode. I’d rather take this than forced drama.
Maureen and Cindy really nailed this challenge. I think if this was a real challenge, Maureen especially, would’ve been booked right away. Forget high fashion, commercial is really what she need to be focusing on because that’s where her real strength lies. An epiphany that this might all be staged struck me when I see the director struggling to criticize Maureen and Cindy’s performance. And for that I say, kudos, girls. Kudos.
THE PHOTOSHOOT
After a full day of going to go-sees, the girls were given another surprise when Yu Tsai told them that their photoshoot will start right away. For the photoshoot, their theme was “Bound by Love” and they will be photographed by Yu Tsai himself. They will be working with a male model, wearing a scantily clad outfit, and they need to exude strength and power and show their dominance over him.
Shikin did amazing and her professionalism really showed during the shoot. Watching her truly feels like watching a supermodel at work.
Tu was shy at first working with a male model, but soon found her pace and slayed the photoshoot.
Whereas Cindy struggle, again, with her lack of confidence. She wasn’t comfortable working with a male model and she wasn’t comfortable with her outfit.
THE PHOTOS
...was exquisite, for the most part. Let’s rank’em and then go through them one by one.
1) Tu, 2nd place, 42.2 points
FUCKING. AMAZING. Reminds me of this editorial that Naomi Campbell did. This can be a perfume ad or a spread in Vogue Italia. I love how she’s showing dominance without having to tower over the male model. Because she oozes sex appeal, it’s easy for picture like this to turns out sleazy, but her pose kinda saved it and made it high fashion. This is a girl who knows what she’s doing, folks.
2) Maureen, 1st place, 45.0 points
This is where I have problems with the judges (concerning Maureen). She seems to be getting points for “proving that she’s more that just a pretty face” or “finally looking like a model.” This is the Maybelline ad all over again. “Oh, Maureen, you’ve come out of your shell, here’s your FCO, baby.” There’s no reason whatsoever why Tu should lose to her this week. She got the highest score in challenge and her picture is waay more interesting and striking than this. Is this a bad picture? No. But it’s time to stop giving Maureen credits simply for “looking like a model” in her photos. Other girls don’t get that, so why should she?
3) Cindy, 4th place, 37.5 points
I don’t care what you think. I love this. When I mentioned during the makeover week how I wanna see her as this Kabuki-themed villain with her new hair, this is what I meant. She looks like this badass Japanese henchwoman that’s super hot but super dangerous at the same time. That’s some Kill Bill realness right there. Her body pose could be a bit more, like Cindy said, committed.
4) Shikin, 3rd place, 41.8 points
Lollipop head. Ugh, she did so well during the shoot. Can’t believe Yu Tsai didn’t say anything. Plus, the styling is fucking hideous. She looks like a token butch biker chick at a BDSM-themed gay bar.
For my worst, it’s a tie between...
5) Veronika, Eliminated, 32,8 points
and...
5) Clara, 5th place, 33.9 points
Awkwardly stiff and uncomfortably contorted. And Jesus, what is wrong with Veronika’s face? Amazing cheekbones or not, she looks like she’s having a serious case of lockjaw right there. You’re modelling, honey, not advocating for tetanus shot.
As for Clara...
It’s funny how they eliminated May (from last cycle) for failing to act or appear mature (because she likes beef or something), but in this cycle, they decided to keep two immature contestants as long as they can - Cindy, whose immaturity and lack of experience shows up every now and again (failure to express a certain emotion during photoshoot), and Clara, who really needs to GROW THE FUCK UP. Her meltdown was the most cringe-worthy thing that has ever appeared on the show. Yeah, it’s cute sometimes but most of the times, it was just too much it becomes insufferable. She’s 22. Don’t tell me nobody’s told her there are times when you just need to shut the fuck up, say sorry and just slowly back away?
Goodbye, Veronika.
If there’s ever an episode where they need double elimination, this should be it..
Between this and her meltdown during the makeover and her talking back to the photographer and judges, I’m surprised they didn’t send Clara home (NOT, because drama = rating). I mean, I never liked the twins, but boy, if I ever have to see another tantrums again...















