The Final Episode of Britain's Next Top Model
Cycle 5 of British Modeling Competition Reveals Winner
Jul 6, 2009
The winner’s prizes include a contract with one of the top modeling agencies, Models 1, a Max Factor campaign, and the cover and six-page spread in Company magazine.
The second part of the final episode of Britain’s Next Top Model Cycle 5 kicked off with the final two contestants — down from 20 — Sophie and Mecia, being met by a couple of drivers, who whisked them around London. They pull up at the Mayfair Hotel, where the girls each receive a luxurious room to stay in.
Sophie jumps around on the furniture but stops to open a box full of goodies — that contains a watch, for one — which Mecia also receives. But then the girls have to get ready for a dinner with their possible agent from Models 1, Fraser Belk. Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is with him, and the girls grill her with questions about modeling.
Britain’s Next Top Model Finalists Meet PPQ Designers
In the morning, the girls have to head off to meet with PPQ designers Percy and Amy. They greet the girls, look through their portfolios and go through the collection for their fashion show, where the girls will be walking the catwalk. Sophie said Mecia just kept laughing, and Mecia said Sophie just kept talking. The designers liked both girls, though.
Then the girls meet socialite Peaches Geldof, who has modeled for designers before. The girls ask her what she thinks of models in fashion shows. She mentions how a lot of models are boring. Sophie asks her for tips and Peaches says to think about what they want to convey with their face and to think about their walks.
Britain’s Next Top Model Finalists Interview With the Sun Newspaper
Next the girls are off for interviews at the Sun newspaper. Sara Nathan, TV editor, interviews the girls, asking them why they should win over the girl. Sophie is first, and mentions she thinks she’s more entertaining than Mecia and that Mecia’s quite dull sometimes. Sara conveys this to Mecia, to her shock, but Mecia takes the high ground and isn’t catty in return.
Back at the hotel, the girls have dinner by themselves in their rooms and host and judge Lisa Snowdon drops in for a visit with each of them. Sophie tells her she’s nervous about the PPQ fashion show tomorrow night. Mecia says it’s scary to think she could be going home for nothing.
Britain’s Next Top Model Finalists at PPQ Fashion Show
The next day, the girls arrive at the fashion show’s location, where they meet the producer, Lee Lapthorne, and head off to hair and makeup. Sophie tells the camera that Mecia lacks sparkle, but Mecia says she’s going to just go for it and stay focused. Then the girls do a practice catwalk walk and Lee tells Sophie she needs to command the catwalk, and Mecia needs more energy and longer strides.
Model Jodie Kidd then shows up to give the girls catwalk tips. After the girls walk and pose for her, Jodie tells Sophie to get more shape in her pose and Mecia needs to loosen up. Both have their pros and cons, Jodie says. Lisa tells the camera she’s looking for confidence in the girls during the fashion show. During the show, Lisa, amazed, says she didn’t recognize Sophie and that Mecia commanded attention.
Britain’s Next Top Model Final Two Elimination
The girls face the final elimination panel with Lisa and fellow judges Huggy Ragnarsson and Louis Mariette, in front of their family and former fellow contestants. Sophie is up first. Lisa tells her she’s really improved, Huggy says she’s come so far, and Louis says she’s been polished. The judges also like the photo taken of her on the catwalk.
Then it’s Mecia’s turn. Lisa says she was powerful on the catwalk, Louis says ferocious, and Huggy mentions how proud she is. Mecia’s catwalk photo evokes “I see couture,” from Huggy.
The girls are also asked why they each deserve to be Britain’s Next Top Model. Sophie says she’s improved and wants to be top model so much. Mecia says she’s taken on board all the criticism and used it to improve herself, and it’s something she’s wanted to do for such a long time.
The Winner of Britain’s Next Top Model Cycle 5
During deliberation, the judges go through the girls’ previous photos. They praise both girls but Lisa points out that Sophie is vivacious in person but not so much in photos, whereas Mecia is the opposite. In the end, the judges do choose a winner … Mecia, because she can do everything, as Lisa says.
Lisa tells Sophie this isn’t the end for her. Sophie’s in tears, wondering where she went wrong, but admits she’s also proud of herself.
