ausntm4

This week’s episode started out with a PSA from Jodhi about the “bullying” that went on in the previous week. Are people seriously getting that up in arms about it? Maybe I missed something here, but it seems to me there has been a lot worse behavior on ANTM and no one’s ever said “boo” about it. I guess Aussies are just more socially sensitive? Which leads us to wonder: Is this outrage just? Was the situation really as we saw it? — as we know, editing isn’t always all it seems. How much of it was because of Alamela’s own attitude towards the other girls, which — as we saw — was also not always kind? How much of it was just bored kids doing stupid things because they’re bored, and how much was actually intended as a personal attack? And shouldn’t we be concerned about the far worse bullying going on in our own schools among 16-year-olds? Because I’ll tell you one thing, that was nothing compared with some of the bullying that I’ve seen.

Just another note: I hate their theme music. I find it incredibly obnoxious in an 80s hip-hop sort of way. Anyone else feel this way? I know there have GOT to be others that press the “mute” during the opening, right?

Rebecca talks about what a bad week she had. Sorry, sweetie, but you brought it on yourself. First by being an instigator of the fighting, and secondly by not bringing it at the photo shoot. I realize we’re supposed to feel bad for the almost-eliminated girls, but I guess I’m just a bit cold-hearted.

Demelza thinks the whole fight got blown out of proportion and feels targeted as the ringleader. But, to her credit, she does go and apologize to Alamela, which I think shows she’s a lot bigger person.

JODHI MAIL!
So the model wannabes get to learn about how to sell brands. Hey, at least they’re learning something useful, instead of how to fight in gladiator-warrior style.

They were supposed to write down words to describe themselves and Alamela spelled “intelligent” wrong. Hilarious. Then they were supposed to write which brands they wanted to model, which I thought was actually kind of a neat activity. Tyra, take notes! Then they had to “embody” that brand. Alamela chose Chanel (and rocked it); Leiden chose Vivien Westwood (and rocked it); Alyce chose John Galliano (and had no idea what she was doing); Caris chose Alexander McQueen (and froze up and panicked); Demelza chose Gucci (and didn’t really “get” it); and we didn’t really get to see what everyone else did, which was kind of a bummer.

Charlotte Dawson pointed out the winner’s Ford Fiesta — Oooooh… ahhhhhh… Ford Fiesta[/sarcastic]. I guess when you’re having a competition for girls who are 16-21 years old, though, they have lower expectations when it comes to vehicles.

Their photo shoot was to sell the car in groups of three, with costumes based on their brands from the previous day. We also learn that Jamie’s brand was Victoria’s Secret.

Photo Shoot Highlights:
- There’s a funny segment about Samantha complaining and complaining and complaining and everyone else complaining about Samantha complaining.
-Group 1: Alamela, Jamie & Alyce struggled quite a bit — they kept covering up the “FIESTA” plate; they had no idea how to pose together; and Alamela kept trying to be sexy without having any idea how.
-Group 2: Leiden, Alexandra, and Demelza didn’t do so great either — Leiden rocked her look (perhaps I underestimated her?), but Alexandra and Demelza were just plain boring.
-Group 3: Rebecca, Samantha & Caris were really lame — they kept giving the same poses and had no idea what to do; and Charlotte wanted to run them over. O-kay then.
- Leiden won it for her group, and they get a huge prize package where they get wined and dined like real models

Jodhi meets the models back at home and gives them care packages from home. And Sam gets super-upset because she didn’t get anything from her friends or boyfriend. (Looks like it’s time to dump that slacker boyfriend of yours, huh, Sam? Note to Sam’s boyfriend: DON’T BE A MORON; SEND THE GIRL A LETTER!)

Leiden, Demelza, and Alex flew to Brisbane, participated in a 50s-inspired fashion show, and went out to dinner. Meanwhile, back at the ranch… I mean… house… the other girls are bored out of their minds.

JODHI MAIL
This Jodhi mail showed up on the computer… (oooooh aaaaaah[/sarcasm]) which Alamela thought was “new and exciting!” She obviously doesn’t get out much.

So, the model wannabes go to the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) for a commercial shoot, which would be the basis on which they would be judged at panel. And their prop was a beaver. And, like Rebecca, I had no idea how it related to their product (Kotex)… however, if the other girls’ assessment of the term is really why they that particular mascot was chosen (which seems to be the case), then… ew, that’s horribly tacky. (Still no idea what I’m talking about? Check out the term “beaver” over at www.urbandictionary.com.)

Highlights of the commercial shoot:
- The whole concept of the commercial was a little much for me. I mean, I’m pretty open about talking about menstruation and feminine hygiene products, but throw in the beaver, the whole “look sexy for the cute boy walking by” thing, and the “down there” insinuation, and it just comes off as creepy/weird/anti-feminist
- Samantha did phenomenally
- Leiden seemed quite uncomfortable and awkward
- Alyce had trouble picking up the package of tampons (of all things)
- Jamie did great and had fun
- Alamela made me laugh so hard… if I wasn’t listening to the actual words, I’d swear she was selling insulin testers to old ladies in one of those commercials they play during “The Price is Right.” Totally unbelievable.
- Alexandra needed thirteen takes and decided she’d be good for commercials where she didn’t have to say too much. Yeah… she’s probably right.
- Caris did extremely well
- Rebecca had some major attitude
- Demelza was told to kiss the male model (as a joke) to show that she can have a sexy side. So she was embarrassed and had a hard time with it, ended up coming across as rather icy.

JODHI MAIL
So, it’s time for judging panel again.

Highlights:
- Alamela is told that she needs to learn how not to be so serious. True that, true that.
- Demelza, Alyce, and Rebecca are criticized for seemingly skating by on their looks and not putting forth any effort
- Caris is applauded for continuing to stick with her training

Call-out order:
1. Jamie – Woo hoo! Good for her!
2. Samantha
3. Caris
4. Alexandra
5. Leiden
6. Demelza
7. Rebecca
8. Alyce
9. Alamela – eliminated

Was Alamela’s elimination fair? Assuming that AusNTM is looking for an all-around overall girl-who-can-do-everything like ANTM, then, yes, I think it’s fair. Alamela will do well in her niche of the industry, but isn’t the jack-of-all-trades that they obviously want her to be. Good luck to her, and here’s looking forward to all of the excitement, sabotage, shockers, and tears in next week’s episode!