This week, there are two elements in play – water and fantasy. And it was the trickiest episode so far for two models who need to conquer their fear of the water.
Last week’s bottom two – Sofia and Stephanie – were terribly upset of how badly things turned out for them during judging. The Filipina found a new ally in Helena who consoled her, and even helped in screaming out frustrations in the open air. What happened next was a tension-breaking moment. Kate didn’t like the atmosphere in the house so she took Jessica and jumped into the pool as a way of encouraging everyone else to do the same and start a pool party of sorts. Two others joined them in the water – Aastha who can’t swim and Stephanie who is coming from a drowning experience the year before during scuba diving.
The next morning, the six ladies where whisked off to the regional offices of Coty where the next challenge was introduced by mentor Joey Mead King. Inspired by the TV commercial of Playboy Fragrances for Her, each of them were tasked to appear in a fantasy video that should evoke the essence of the said brand of EDT. They will have a male model (Drew Rivera) to act with them, while choosing the costume to wear and conceptualizing the whole story board. Sofia played masquerade damsel in distress, Aastha chose to be a pilot’s one true love, Stephanie went for a jewelry thief mesmerizing her inspector-pursuer, Kate dressed it up for a pirate-themed video, and Jessica was a party girl hitting on a guy she wants. They all did fair to okay, but not as well as Helena who went for the most fluid take on a hopeless romantic who wants to meet the man of her dreams after spraying the scent. She won prizes from Coty, plus an exclusive one-of-a-kind fragrance and two VIP tickets to Universal Studios Singapore. What’s more, she won an extra 15 minutes of photoshoot time – an enviable prize expressed most especially by Sofia.
That same night, they received a Nadya Mail clueing them on the photoshoot challenge. It didn’t take a genius to realize that things will be done underwater for the same. The possibilities scared both water-fearing Aastha and Stephanie and were just hopeful that they can handle the set-up.
At the poolside of Gallery Hotel, the models discovered that they will be indeed going under the water for a couture mermaid concept while wearing the fabulous creations of guest Filipino designer Michael Cinco. Guest photographer Aaron Wong saw to it that everyone was in a relaxed state. Aastha and Stephanie got cold feet during the first few minutes but regained their composure to give acceptable photos. Sofia was a bit more conscious of hers, but still gave a couple of lucky shots. Kate was the happiest doing the whole thing, but it was Jessica who gave glorious poses. As for Helena? She fantasized that she was Medusa and came to the challenge giving movements that didn’t exactly wow the judges. She also wasted her extra 15 minutes by overextending her Medusa play and giving less than becoming stills.
At the judging panel, the six ladies were assessed once more. And for a third time in a row, Jessica was adjudged the best, with Sofia coming in next. Call-out showed Kate and Aastha being summoned afterwards. Stephanie and Helena ended in the bottom two. Watching their faces, you could see that the former is already smiling and just waiting to be eliminated. Stephanie felt that it was the end of the road for her, and she won’t cry over it anymore. But she did. And it wasn’t because she got the boot. She got saved. And Medusa, er, I mean Helena, was sent packing home to the surprise of the remaining girls, Stephanie in particular.
Five girls remain. Who’s going home next? Find out during Week #10 of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 1 on Star World, Sunday nights at 8:55pm. 😉