Canada's Next Top Model Episode 8: Rocking the Runway

Source: By CHRIS JANCELEWICZ

Posted: 07/15/09 12:11AM

Filed Under: Canada's Next Top Model

Before I reveal who won Canada's Next Top Model this season, let me reiterate: Mr. Jay Manuel, this was one of the best seasons I've ever seen. Tyra should be shaking in her hooker boots south of the border, where her bloated farce of a show will now fail to hold a candle to this gem. Now I admit that watching this show is like bathing in vapidity, but Jay gave us what we wanted: eliminations that were satisfying, contestants with interesting stories (well, most of them), and lots of semi-tasteful drama. The best of all? A winner you never could have predicted.

We start off at the King Edward Hotel, where the girls are dressing, walking, and posing for editor-in-chief of Fashion magazine Ceri Marsh and another woman who I can't remember right now; I think her name was Sheri. They both seemed Canadian-frumpy, and frankly, esthetically disappointing. Hey, do you want our fashion gurus to look like librarians? People already think we're boring!

Anyway, the girls partake in the regular ass-kissing ceremony that must take place before every runway show. All three deliver spectacular walks, none really standing out. In their 'cover try' photos (god, I hate that term), Meaghan stands out in a slim, yellow dress. She's the only one that can fit into the gown, which is a big thumbs-up for her chances of advancing to the final two.

After Nikita breaks down at panel, where she's incomprehensibly weeping and blubbering about how much she wants to win, her chances are pretty much nil. Jay's eerie Tyra face (read: emotionless, expressionless, plastic) says it all as he dismisses her with a "OK, thanks Nikita": Nikita is eliminated first. All those hours spent badmouthing others and trying to intimidate people has come back to bite you, eh Nikita? I thought you were pretty funny there for a while, but it just kind of turned sour. Karma and all that jazz.

The final day at the model apartment is a very quiet one. Without Nikita's constant running commentary, the place is like a mausoleum. Linsay and Meaghan stare at one another while eating their bird rations, and escape to the phone room to call people they actually want to communicate with. I guess they kept Nikita on for as long as possible without actually having to crush her. Cuz man, without her on the show, it would have been a yawnfest.

Against all odds, boredom leads up to a fantastic final runway show, where the girls model designer clothes by The Blonds - a couple of NYC designers who dress the likes of Britney Spears and Katy Perry. Needless to say, the clothes are like bubble gum dresses on crack, and Linsay and Meaghan look the part. Sassy hair, sexy makeup, and a gung-ho festive feel fuel the girls as they walk the runway.

Linsay is very present, piercing even; but at times it looks like she's running a marathon down the runway, she's walking so fast. Her walk is very confident, though, and the judges appear wowed. Meaghan, on the other hand, seems to struggle. She's still stiff, and her chin is so high in the air it's like she's Nicole Kidman on the red carpet. But her legs go on forever, and there's a more couture feel coming off of her. In my mind, the two are dead even going into their final judging panel.

It's difficult to trust the judges this time around. I've become so conditioned to mistrust and be skeptical after years of Tyra abuse, that I can't believe they'll choose the right model. I see Yasmine's red weave, Jeanne's clown grin, Nole's painted-on suit, Jay's silver hair, and Mike's red pants, and can't help but forget all their combined fashion experience.

Will they go for the more refined and different-looking Linsay from Sucker Creek, who promises originality but is a tad boring, or will they go for the cuter, more edgy and personable teenager from Winnipeg? Defying all tradition before them, Jay and the judges continue their trend of RULING and they pick the latter, blonde Winnipeger Meaghan Waller.

Poor Linsay breaks down and walks off slowly. I can't help but feel for her - she really came a long way during the competiton, and was one of the first (or only) models I've seen with some Aboriginal features. So at least she was a groundbreaker in a sense.

Now the pressure falls on young Waller, who's going to be swamped with attention for the next little while. Hard to fathom that the girl with the braces, whom I dismissed as fodder in like the second episode, took the crown. It only helps prove my theory that the American version of this show has flown off the rails. It's gotten so off the mark I don't even know what kind of girl will win anymore. At least this time it wasn't a terrible disappointment.

Hooray, Meaghan!

Random Noticeables

-- I loved watching the real models in the runway show glaring at Jay Manuel as he gave his rousing 'before the runway' speech. You could read their minds - it was something like 'I do this every day, you a--hole. Shut the f--k up.'

-- Amazing how much energy Nikita injected into the show. I have a feeling this isn't the last we'll see of her. I just hope it's not in a mug shot the next time.

-- I can't say it enough: the show was great this season. Enough to drag me back from the brink of Top Model suicide - and I'll say it - I was on the edge of the bloody cliff. If there's a next season, I'll be there.

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