America's Next Top Model - Cycle 20 Episode 2 - Meet the Guys and Girls - Recap and Results
America's Next Top Model - Cycle 20 Episode 2 - Meet the Guys and Girls - Recap and Results
Tonight's premiere of America's Next Top Model cycle 20 on The CW was immediately followed up by the next episode of the season, which is great, since I'm accustomed to watching the show in ten hour binges, hazy with the dulled mind of procrastination or illness. What's great about this show is seeing Tyra be mean to models, and waiting a week between episodes is going to be torture.
On this episode, we get to meet some of the models more in depth. Cory and Virgg are quick to become pals, bonding over teenaged alienation. Virgg has doubts about her ability to stay in the competition, since she's a transitioning transgender woman who has just started hormone replacement and it's rough on her body and her mood. While waiting on the bus, she decides that she's got to go talk to Tyra. With Tyra's reassurance and support, Virgg steps down from the competition for her health's sake.
Jiana introduces herself as "a flirt, man woman or child" UM WHAT, EW. This is literally all I learned about her during the episode. Jeremy has a crush on Jourdan, and they're totally gonna touch parts later in the season. Cory is playing marriage ref for their dumb flirting/bickering when Jourdan totally calls Jeremy out on his crush he's clearly harboring. Jeremy storms off to sulk like a baby brat.
Chris H. is a weirdo who thinks it's cool to punch people in the balls as a joke. Yes he seriously does this! He puts on boxing gloves and runs around punching every dude in the groin and somebody finally has to be like "HEY. KNOCK THAT STUFF OFF, GUY". Nobody likes him. Well, the judges kind of like him. He takes direction well, apparently. Nina talks to Chris about why he's such a friggin' jerk, and she learns his tragic backstory: He's the baby of a teen mom who was neglected into homelessness. Nina is such a sweetheart; she just wants to help him get along. She's a strange girl who ears cat ears and is always crying, but she's so kind and very gorgeous. I hope she does well, and not just because she's one of the New Jersey contestants (but it helps)!
For this episode's challenge, which will determine the 16 final competitors, each model will have a photoshoot projected live onto a big screen, with passersby voting on who should be chosen. Most of the models manage this challenge just fine, since it's really quite simple. There's one stand out for me, though (aside from Nina, who looks like a supermodel in all of her photos without even trying), and that's Marvin.
Marvin, in his photos, looks like he's about to weep at the beauty of his own face. He's got a strong jawline and naturally pouty lips, plus eyes that look through your eyes and into your brain. He's gorgeous. Marvin comes from a background where his dad is super broke. He and his seven brothers and their dad grew up in a one-bedroom apartment. After the photo shoot, Marvin has a very emotional phone call with his father, who is very proud that his son is on the show. :')
Our top 16 are revealed, and they learn the prizes for which they'll be competing: A spread in Nylon magazine, a modeling contract with Next, and $100k national ad campaign with Guess!
And now, without further ado...The Top 16!
| Contestant | Age | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra Agro | 21 | Palm City, Florida |
| Bianca Alexa | 18 | Los Angeles, California |
| Chlea Ramirez | 20 | Bear, Delaware |
| Chris Hernandez | 25 | North Bergen, New Jersey |
| Chris Schellenger | 24 | Houston, Texas |
| Cory Hindorff | 22 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Don Benjamin | 25 | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Jeremy Rohmer | 19 | Mission Viejo, California |
| Jiana Davis | 20 | Denver, Colorado |
| Jourdan Miller | 19 | Bend, Oregon |
| Bianca "Kanani" Andaluz | 19 | Chicago, Illinois |
| Marvin Cortes | 20 | Bronx, New York |
| Mike Scocozza | 27 | Los Angeles, California |
| Nina Burns | 18 | Berkeley Heights, New Jersey |
| Philip "Phil" Sullivan | 24 | Lanesboro, Massachusetts |
| Renee Bhagwandeen | 24 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |