Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:
It feels like just yesterday that I was cracking up about Chantal's disastrous runway incident, but it's time for a new cycle of America's Next Top Model.
This season our beloved show, which premieres at 8 p.m. on the CW, will head back to its roots in New York City for more high couture and catwalking!
I'll be here every step of the way, blogging, and keeping you abreast of all the happenings, theories and predictions floating around the Web.
Aside from moving the show to New York (the show has been based in L.A. since Cycle 4), there will also be a new host (already told you in December that Twiggy was being replaced by Dancing With the Stars alum Paulina Porizkova). In addition, the group of girls has been increased from 13 to 14 contestants.
(Just a side note.) The last time a famous reality-show returned to New York (the tenth season of the Real World) we were introduced to reality-celebs Coral and Mike "The Miz". Hopefully Top Model can deliver us some memorable characters to file away for future reality trivia.
But back to the models. (Warning, if you do not want a spoiler for tonight's episode, stop reading this entry right now!)
One of the contestants to make the final 14 this season will be a familiar face.
Marvita, 23, from San Francisco was a semi-finalist from Cycle 9. You can remember Marvita, right? She's the model who grew up with some serious abandonment issues. She's also the one that got into a little tiff with infamous Cycle 9 contestant Ebony "I don't feel like being a model anymore" Morgan.
Luck and history are on Marvita's side. The last time a semi-finalist returned the next year she won the whole darn thing. (Can you say Jaslene from Cycle 8?)
It's a little too early to make predictions, but after tonight's episode I'll give you my initial thoughts. (Remember, I accurately predicted last year's final three!) I also welcome your comments. Hint, hint, Carrie O. and Aprill!
Here's a list of the hopefuls with comments about a couple contestants:
Aimee, 18, hostess from Spanaway, Wash.
Allison, 19, hostess from Waunakee, Wisc.
Amy, 20, waitress from Bartlesville, Okla.
Anya, 19, in retail sales and from Honolulu, Hawaii
Atalya, 18, student from Brooklyn, N.Y.
Claire, 24, production coordinator from New York City
Dominique, 23, receptionist from Columbus, Ohio
Fatima, 22, student from Boston: What an exotic looking entry. She definitely has distinct African features. That should play to her advantage. We need a new Iman!
Katarzyna, 22, in finance and from Roslyn, N.Y.: I'm not 100 percent sure about her lineage, but I would wager that she's got some Russian ancestry running through her veins. Give us more of that Kremlin catwalking!
Kimberly, 20, in customer service and from Worcester, Mass.
Lauren, 22, artist from Brooklyn, N.Y.
Marvita, 23, in retail sales and from San Francisco: Has an androgynous look to her that could prove to be an asset.
Stacy Ann, 22, student from Miami: She definitely has that Miami look. Pretty, smooth Caribbean skin. She should do well.
Whitney, 20, student from Atlantic Beach, Fla.: Appears to be this year's "plus-sized" model. Can she break the curse? A plus-sized model has never won Top Model.
