Susan Yang, the managing director of PT Models in Shanghai, informs the five remaining contestants that they have “go sees” set up with the top five fashion designers in China. “Go sees” are a series of meetings with potential clients. The clients view each model’s portfolio, have them try on a few outfits, and get a sense of their personality.
What Chinese Designers Look For
Each part of the world has a different preference when it comes to the models they like to use. In China, a beautiful face and a good personality are two key factors a designer will look for. The model that impresses the most designers and gets back to PT Models by 6:00 p.m. will win the challenge.
Importance of Communication
The models quickly realize that it’s difficult to get around in a foreign country if you don’t know the language. While they have a translator to ride with them in the cab, it is their responsibility to find each designer’s address on their own. Heather struggles, in part due to her affliction with Asperger’s syndrome, with reading the map and in communicating with others to ask for help. She only manages to see one designer.
Impact of Shanghai Rush Hour
None of the girls realize the impact of Shanghai rush hour when it’s time to get back to the agency. Saliesha allows an hour for the trip, and it takes almost forty-five minutes. She makes it to the agency first. Bianca also made it back to the agency on time, sneaking in at exactly 6:00 p.m. Jenah, Chantal, and Heather were all late by several minutes (15, 20, and 40, respectively), and thus disqualified from the challenge. Bianca is declared the challenge winner for booking two of the three jobs she applied for. She is rewarded with a feature in a Beijing 2008 Olympics ad campaign.
Nigel Barker Arrives on Set
This week’s photo shoot was made more exciting than usual as Nigel Barker arrived on set. Barker is not only a noted fashion photographer but also one of the ANTM judges. As he spoke to the girls about their shoot, Jenah acted sarcastic and rude in an effort to show Barker that he didn’t intimidate her. This approach backfired, as she became nervous and failed to perform in her photographs.
Heather started off strong in the first frames of her shoot, but ended up losing confidence by the end. Jenah, while watching Heather, began talking loudly about how much better she could do if she had been given Heather’s dress to wear. This prompted Barker to ask for silence on the set.
Barker’s arrival on set had a negative affect on Chantal as well. She tried to push past her nervousness by over performing in each picture. This caused Jay Manuel to comment that she looked like a showgirl rather than a model. Saliesha, on the other hand, excelled with Barker as her photographer. He later commented that she was his favorite of the five to shoot due to her confidence and positive attitude.
Modeling Requires More Than a Pretty Face
Despite the fact that both Heather and Jenah have taken beautiful pictures throughout the competition, they each landed in the bottom two during judging. Tyra Banks said both girls suffered from poor communication habits: Heather, due to Asperger’s syndrome, and Jenah from pure arrogance. Banks reminded the girls that models don’t just need to look pretty; they need to communicate as well. Jenah was given another chance to improve her attitude, and Heather was sent home. The following girls will go to Beijing next week, and are still in the running to be America’s Next Top Model. In order:
- Saliesha
- Bianca
- Chantal
- Jenah
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