Jessica (L) won Best Photo for the 4th consecutive time. Kate was runner-up.

Confidence in Motion are the key words for Week #10 of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 1. And that is what one of the show’s main sponsors – Subaru XV – is all about.

The episode started with the five remaining girls returning to their residence in Capella from the last elimination where Helena was kicked out. Sofia and Kate were overjoyed that their perceived ‘antagonist’ is already out of the picture. Stephanie and Aastha were sorry to see her go, on the other hand. And Jessica? She was her plain old self – silent and unperturbed. And this brings the rest to the realization that the Thai is really becoming a favorite to win the whole thing. In short, a target is now marked on her back. It’s either they step up big time or get shot down one by one.

The next morning, they were brought to DanzPeople where Mentor Joey Mead King, Choreographer Sheena Seah and Guest Judge Paula Taylor (remember her as MTV VJ and part of The Amazing Race Asia 2?) gave a quick session on movement and face acting. The purpose of the exercise is to prep them up for their very first motion editorial with Subaru XV. Each were assigned roles to play in front of the camera. Stephanie is a fashionable shopper, Jessica is a rich lady of leisure, Sofia is a sleek career woman, Kate is a carefree nature lover and Aastha a sophisticated glamour girl. With Daniel Boey alternating with Todd Anthony Tyler in directing, the ladies were pressured to give it their best. Stephanie got the ire of their coach once more (which led to an emotional breakdown of sorts) for falling short of the required projection, while Jessica reaped endless superlatives for always bringing her A-game. The other three gave good performances. Of course, a winner had to be chosen. Surprise! It’s Jessica again! And she takes a gift from Subaru, including a S$1,000.00 shopping voucher.

Stephanie failed to impress in her first motion editorial.

That night, Stephanie made an overseas call to her son and Korean boyfriend. She was experiencing a lot of homesickness, further aggravated by her downhill performances of late. And the crying carried over till the next morning where they will do a movement photoshoot with Todd. It was a good thing Daniel gave her a pep talk. That helped her a lot in giving satisfactory poses in the challenge. But not as overwhelmingly great as Jessica and Kate who simply wowed everyone with their brave and fluid stances in front of the camera. Sofia was okay, and Aastha was just troubled in hers. Her long wig didn’t help any, and removing the same wasn’t much of a solution either. An expression-less face is pulling her down slowly.

Best of friends Aastha (L) and Stephanie cried and hugged after realizing that one of them has to go.

Aastha is this week's evictee.

Judging time came. And with the additional presence of Paula Taylor in the panel, the five models were assessed with Jessica and Kate getting glowing reviews for their shots. As expected, Jessica was named Girl with the Best Photo for the fourth consecutive time. Kate was the runner-up. Sofia ranked third. And this left good friends Aastha and Stephanie in bottom two. At this point, any one of them can justifiably be removed from the competition. But escaping by the skin of her teeth for yet another instance is Stephanie who I presume narrowly edged Aastha to be part of the Top 4. Whew! The Filipina sure has nine lives! But she just might run out of it next time if she doesn’t give the challenges more than her 100%.

Next week’s episode is a recap of the program’s first ten episodes so be sure to watch because a good number of unseen footages will be shown for the first time. Keep on watching Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 1 on Star World, Sunday nights at 8:55pm. 😉

P.S. Below are the Top 5’s Best Individual Photos for Week 10.