An American Idol Favorite: Joanne Borgella

So I'm excited about the new season of American Idol, of course. And I've picked my favorites, of course! I'll be writing about my other picks later, but right now Joanne Borgella is of particular interest to me. I've been a fan of hers since she appeared on and won MoNique's Fat Chance back in 2005. Apparently, she's had a steady career since then as both a plus-size model and a vocalist. I'm looking forward with great anticipation to see what she brings to the competition this season...

The Mean Girl Never Wins...

So Bianca is out. I actually thought she'd last at least into the top three, if not the top two. Oh well.

I have to say that I believed her when she said that we haven't seen the last of her. She's determined. And a little shady. She'll be alright.

Kimora Lee IS Fabulous!

I'm sitting here watching a Life in the Fab Lane mini-marathon, and I felt like I wanted to write a few lines about Kimora Lee. But as I was Googling her, I came across this post at BET.com, and I can't think of anything else that needs to be said that this blogger hasn't already said.

Project Runway

How I got into watching this particular show, I'll never know. I don't have a high interest in couture fashion (what with my most of the time just not "getting" it...and then there's the whole 'these garments were created for a size 0-2 model' thing). But I do like it. I'm down for anything that allows creative minds to run freely.

Oh, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't learn anything from Reality TV. I learned, for instance, that I'm desperately in need of a head-to-toe makeover, especially since I lost all this weight. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'm a 9-1-1.

Anyway, if you haven't already, check it out!

Well, We Knew It Was Coming...

She may be gone from ANTM, but she's not over. I do believe we'll see Ambreal doing other things. I don't know what the future holds for her as a runway model, but doesn't she write and/or perform poetry? Or was it singing? Whatever the specific talent, she's a creative soul. I think she'll pop up on the scene another time another place.

Meanwhile, I was almost dead-on with my ANTM Top Six Pick.

This Week on ANTM

Well, for all of Tyra Banks' best intentions, this season's ANTM cycle has just lost its one and only plus-size model, Sarah. I did think she'd go a little bit further in the competition, but she, like almost every other model her size in cycles past, seemed to become uncomfortable in her own skin after being around the thinner models for so many weeks. Unfortunately, it led to her dismissal this week. I'm sorry to see her go, but I hope she can parlay this into a career of some sort. Nigel himself said the camera loves her. Perhaps she'll be able to get some print work somewhere.

Meanwhile, she delivered the best line of tonight's episode, in response to shady Heather-hatin' Bianca, who with fake frustration claimed to be the biggest girl in the house. Sarah gave her the dumb look and returned with something like "Are we really gonna play this game?" Ha! Love that.

Afterthought: Looking at this particular picture of Sarah, I almost wish her makeover hadn't included a haircut. Maybe just a change of color (something reddish/brown/blonde) or a blunt cut would've been nice.

Some People Just Get Everything!

Variety is reporting that Tyra Banks has inked an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. to develop scripted shows, reality programs and direct-to-DVD projects. She also signed a series development deal with the CW and has restructured her Bankable Productions staff.

Glad to see her doing her thing, but I also have to admit that I'm just a wee bit envious! I'd love to pitch and develop some projects too. Gimme one day in the life of Tyra (minus the modeling and photo shoots, of course)...

I know, I know, I'm whining again!

Models: The Ultimate Top Model Casting T-Shirt

How many wannabe models will show up at the next ANTM castings wearing t-shirts or hoodies with this logo across the chest or back? Lots, I hope. That's why I created it!

Pick up yours today at WordCanvas.com. Logo appears on various affordably-priced products.

ANTM: The Fab Five

Is it five or six models that end up going overseas to some exotic location as the competition begins to wind down? I'll pick my Top Five now: Bianca, Heather, Lisa, Jenah and Saleisha. If it's six that travel, I'd have to add Sarah as the sixth.

As for who I think will be in the final episode? Kinda too early too tell, but I think it will be Heather, Bianca and Saleisha. Who will battle on the runway? I think it'll come down to Heather and Bianca. The winner? I can't call it yet...

Ding Dong, Ebony's Gone!

So the buzz all over the ANTM message board at cwtv.com is that many viewers think Tyra was mean to Ebony last night for throwing away the modeling opportunity given to her. And throw it away she did!

If you didn't see it, Ebony was in the bottom two, which is just where she wanted to be (and truly where she belonged). She told her fellow housemates even before stepping into panel that she wanted to go home. It came across in her interaction with Mr. Jay and in her pictures (did you peep the snarl in her closeup?). It came across from the moment she stepped into panel. And it came across when the judges were critiquing her pictures. In fact, I think she was purposely even more off-putting than usual (as if that were even possible)because she wanted to tick them off and be sent home. It backfired though, because Tyra chose her to stay over Ambreal.

And then it happened.

This is where I'm in defense of Tyra. Now, I don't remember her exact words at the moment (I'm not in a TIVO household anymore so I couldn't play it back, but I will watch the episode online later), but I do recall that Tyra did check Miss Ebony and called her a quitter. Some viewers thought that was rude. But here's the thing: I don't believe Tyra would've come that hard if Ebony hadn't been so funky all along (and let's not act like she hasn't been) and if she hadn't been so flippant in the way she announced that she just didn't want to be there anymore. Sometimes it's the way a person says something that works either for or against them. The end result probably would've been the same, but Tyra's response would most likely have been different. In fact, think back to Cycle 7 when one of the twins (I can't recall which one) expressed her doubts at being in the competition. Yes, she was sent home, but Tyra was wayyyyyyy nicer about dismissing her. You see? Tone and attitude truly make a difference.

I will say this for Ebony, though. She was woman enough to take herself out of the race before it went any further; before the opportunity was taken away from another model who really wanted to be there.

Drama.

America's Next Top Model

I'm a Top Model fan. I'm not sure why, really. Well, maybe it's because I like to see people realize their dreams. Maybe it's because I like to see those who have become successful make it possible for other people to realize their own successes. Or maybe it's because I like a little drama (as long as it's not my drama). Because there is always drama on ANTM.

But this comment is not really about that, per se. There are professional bloggers who will give you a scene-by-scene commentary on the show. No, the point of this post is that I think it's time for ANTM to switch it up a bit.

I say that because, each and every cycle, there are a couple of models who are dismissed too early. A couple who should be allowed to develop a little more before they get the boot. And then there are those who should be dismissed early but aren't.

So I'm pitching an idea to the producers. [Well, not officially. But I am going to write it here and perhaps someone will stumble upon this post and pass it along to the right people.]

Next cycle, why not allow all thirteen girls to stay through the first three photo shoots? At the first panel, the judges would deliberate as usual and grade the girls on their performance (but not reveal the results to the girls or the viewing audience). Same process for the second panel, which means the models leave both times not knowing where they stand or whether they will be among the three that will be dismissed all at once at the third panel.

Ha! Now that's entertainment.