I honestly just think Bethany was cast so Tyra could make a point. Just like Anamaria 13 cycles later, Bethany was used to show that this isn’t what a model was supposed to look like. She clearly didn’t have much potential otherwise, so was cut at the right point. My issue with her was never her body, as I think models in these shows have constantly proved they can easily conceal them (just look at Esther and Toccara’s portfolios), but more the fact she didn’t have anything else special. Esther had a gorgeous face, and Toccara just was Toccara, but Bethany had a plain face, and a forgettable face. There is no reason for a designer to choose her over any other model, as there are plenty of girls with the blank canvas look who have better bodies.
Her portfolio is the classic example of an early eliminee. A slew of average and bad shots. I still find her Eve shot incredibly awkward. There was something so magical about the styling, and the brash and open body language just conflicts with that completely. Her other photo isn’t bad, but again it isn’t anything wonderful about it either. The pose doesn’t feel right for a shoe ad, and her face looks as average as it does in person. There is nothing in either shot that interests me particularly, or would hook me if I was a designer.
I think Bethany lucked out with Anna refusing to do the first shoot, as otherwise she would be easily at the bottom of this list. But even if I wanted, it would feel incredibly unjust to rank someone who did nothing below someone who at least tried. Anyways, Bethany was just another pretty girl, whose one defining feature was made out to be an awful thing. Her breasts weren’t the issue, instead I think it was a lack of uniqueness. Unfortunately with her blonde hair and average face, and good, but not spectacular body Bethany just didn’t stand out in the modelling world. In fact, she didn’t even stand out in this cycle, with another girl having virtually the same look, but a more realistic model body.
