Wednesday, November 25, 2009

'Dancing with the Stars' crowns Donny Osmond ninth-season champion

Entertainer Donny Osmond and his partner Kym Johnson were crowned Dancing with the Stars' ninth-season ballroom champions during last night's live finale results show on ABC.

"Yeah!" yelled Osmond after host Tom Bergeron revealed he was the ninth-season celebrity winner based on the combination of the judges' score shares for the dancers' Monday and Tuesday night performances and the share of home viewer votes cast immediately after Monday night's broadcast.

Osmond's victory marks the first time in four seasons that a male has taken home the mirror ball trophy -- as Shawn Johnson won last spring's eighth season, Brooke Burke won last fall's seventh season and Kristi Yamaguchi won the Spring 2008 sixth season. Prior to that, a male had claimed four consecutive titles.

At 51-years-old, Osmond also became Dancing with the Stars' oldest winner ever.

Singer Mya and her professional partner Dmitry Chaplin -- -- who topped the judges' leaderboard for six of the competition's 10 weeks -- finished second.

"We are so happy to come this far," Mya said after Osmond was revealed as the winner. "I had a broken foot last year. I'm just so happy to have made it to the finals and it's all about teamwork and we enjoyed ourselves. We had the time of our life."

Former The Osbournes star Kelly Osbourne and her partner Louis van Amstel finished third.

"It's been the most beautiful, amazing experience," said Osbourne after the studio audience chanted "Kelly!" when her ouster was revealed.

"The only thing I really want to say in thank you America. Thank you so much for voting me in every week. It's because of you I've grown so much. It's because of you that I have this opportunity, so thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Osmond and Johnson had received a combined score of 85 out of 90 possible points for their three Monday night routines -- placing them in second behind Mya and Chaplin, who had scored an 87. Osbourne and van Amstel had finished third with 76 points.

All three couples then performed their favorite ninth-season routine during last night's live finale -- with their scores contributing to their final combined judges score total but not being voted on by home viewers who had already voted based on Monday night's performances.

The final performances were scored using with the same format as Monday night's "megamix" round, with Osmond and Johnson placing first and scoring 30 points, followed by Mya and Chaplin in second with 28 points and Osbourne and van Amstel in third with 26 points.

Last night's victory represented the first for Johnson on the U.S. version of the show, as she won Australia's Dancing with the Stars second season in Spring 2005 with TV personality Tom Williams.

The Apprentice Australia – The Finale – Andrew Morello Wins

The episode started with the bore, the blonde and the boofhead as the three contestants left standing. At this point I wanted the boofhead to win.

Theirfirst task was to have dinner with Mark Bouris at Aria restaurant in Sydney. Considering the chef, Matt Moran, used to be signed to Channel Nine I was disappointed he did not get a cameo.

At the dinner Mark Bouris wanted to know what drives the contestants. For Gavin it was money, Heather her daughter, and for Morello he said he had aspirations, but not necessarily material ones.

I am not sure if they were sweating because they were under the pump from Bouris, but considering he was also a bit moist it must have been hot at dinner because of the lights.

The following morning was an elimination, and Mark Bouris asked each of them why he should hire them and Gavin’s answer came across as quite arrogant as he said “I have been preparing for this day for many many years…..I do the deals that you guys do on a day to day basis.” Unsurprisingly Mark Bouris fired him.

Then to camera Gavin confirmed what I had thought that he had not really wanted the job.

I got the feeling that Mark Bouris had probably already decided this prior to the boardroom.

The final two were then going to duke it out, but they would have the help of six the previous contestants – three on each team. The interesting thing was that it was not the last six contestants to be kicked out, as Lynton Pipkorn was there but no Amy Cato or Blake. I would be very curious to know why this was the case.

Heather had first pick and she predictably picked Gavin, and the other members of her team were Mary-Ann and Sabrina.

Morello picked Sam, Lynton, and Carmen. I thought he had the stronger team, and they were more cohesive.

The challenge was to create a brand identity of a new men’s fragrance. They were to name it, design a bottle, create a print ad, and also create and produce a thirty second TV ad. And on top of all that they had to manage and design a product launch.

Morello’s team thought of a gangster theme, and the bottle would be in a silver bullet design. They were going to name the fragrance Clyde, as in Bonnie and…

Heather was having a crisis in confidence and was indecisive about a name – it was between Style and Adam. But Adam had already been taken. So she settled on the name Alpha Male.

I wonder how much help the teams get, obviously they are told to do research on the street by sending team members out canvassing.

Cracks were already forming in Heather’s team. Sabrina did not like Heather as she said to Mary-Ann “It is not sitting well with me that I have to help this person who was very bad towards me, and you in the past. If she wins because of my ideas I am just going to be gutted.”

I think Channel Nine need to do an extra episode, showing us the footage that we have not seen. As there was definitely some ill will towards Heather.

Then it was on to the event managers to discuss the launch. Morello had a lot of ideas, which did verge on tackiness particularly the ice sculpture, the event managers modified his ideas somewhat.

Heather went for a more elegant launch and their main focus was their product.

The TV ad had to be shot in three hours. Morello had the advantage of having Lynton on his team who had done this sort of thing before. His concept was a poker den with him being in the ad with the actors as well as Carmen, and Sam.

He seems to have a penchants for smoke machines, but this set off the fire alarms.

The bottle arrived towards the end of the ad, and as Carmen said “It looked like it needed batteries in it.”

Heather’s advertisement concept was urban man discovering her wild roots. This involved an attractive man emerging from the bushes removing his clothes.

Mary-Ann and Sabrina were told to wait in the car, and they were not happy about it. I wonder if this was a passive-aggressive way of Heather saying she did not have faith in them.

Heather’s bottle was much classier. I think girls would buy Heather’s product for their guys. But guy’s would buy Morello’s product.

The launches were at the Paddington Town Hall. Morello’s launch grabbed his audiences attention, but his TV ad was a tad kitsch.

Whereas Heather’s was classy, if a tad boring.

However the difference between the two was that Mark had a smile on his face the whole way through Morello’s launch, in fact he looked like a proud dad.

Michael Edwards was impressed with the Alpha Male name and was surprised it was still available. Victoria Campbell from L’Oreal also loved the bottle and name.

In the boardroom Mark Bouris thought their were negative connotations to the gangster theme, and he did raise the issue of the phallic shaped bottle. I think the shape would be a talking point. It did remind me of a bottle of Lynx deodorant, my understanding that is one of the most popular anti-perspirants with the younger guys.

Heather got caned about leaving the girls in the car. Gavin kept on butting in the the board room and Mark Bouris had to put him back into his place. In fact I thought Gavin was slightly sexist speaking over Heather. She is more than capable of speaking for herself.

Sabrina finally got her revenge at the eleventh hour when she admitted she wanted Morello to win.

Mark Bouris said Morello had an infectious personality, but choked a bit when he was asked how he would deal if he had to make unpopular decisions.

Heather was praised for being a hard worker, however Bouri’s concern was she left behind a bit of human carnage.

It was no shock when Morello was hired, and I was happy with that.

American Music Awards 2009: Highlights, winners, and more

The American Music Awards are over and what a show it was! Lady Gaga was on fire, Rihanna wowed the crowd, Jennifer Lopez took a spill, and Adam Lambert gave a rockin' performance. Taylor Swift continued to dominate, giving us a taste of what the Grammys will most likely end up looking like. So what happened, who won, and what will people be talking about tomorrow?

For starters, if you heard that Jennifer Lopez fell down, well, it's true. During her performance of 'Louboutins,' Lopez was climbing on the backs of her dancers (while wearing Louboutins - ouch!). As she jumped off the back of the last dancer, she landed poorly and fell flat on her rear end. Ever the professional, Lopez jumped up and continued on with the song. Lopez is no dummy, however, and surely realizes this will end up on YouTube. This is one tape she can't get a court order to prevent from going viral!

Another performance that will have people talking tomorrow was from Lady Gaga. Surprised? Doubtful. Lady Gaga knows how to entertain and everyone remembers her crazy yet compelling performance at the VMAs. Once again, Lady Gaga spared no expense with the theatrics. Playing a piano that's on fire? Ok! Breaking glass with a microphone? No problem!

Taylor Swift managed another amazing feat: She won Artist of the Year over Michael Jackson. Swift was the night's big winner, taking home three awards. Jackson still won Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist and Male Pop/Rock Artist.

Here is a list of winners to glance through, then be sure to check out the slideshow of memorable moments from the evening's festivities.

See Memorable moments of the American Music Awards 2009 here:

Favorite Pop/Rock Duo/Group: Black Eyed Peas

Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group: Rascal Flatts

Favorite Female Pop/Rock Artist: Taylor Swift

Favorite Alternative Rock Artist: Green Day

Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist: Michael Jackson

Favorite Male Country Artist: Keith Urban

Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist: Beyonce

Favorite Female Country Artist: Taylor Swift

Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: Michael Jackson

Favorite Male Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Jay-Z

Favorite Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Stan Walker wins Australian Idol 2009

SOUL singer Stan Walker has triumphed over rock chick Hayley Warner to be crowned the seventh Australian Idol.

Walker, 18, was the favourite to win the grand final of the Network Ten singing contest and said he felt "blessed" to win.

"I just want to thank God, man. Hey, I want to thank my family for coming and supporting me. My family they came from New Zealand," he told the crowd on winning.

Walker, who was born in Melbourne, raised in New Zealand and is now a shop assistant in Coolangatta, Queensland, wins a $200,000 artist's development fund and a recording contract with Sony, with his single Black Box to be released soon.

Warner, 17, from Sydney, said she knew Walker would win.

"I have said all along he had it in the bag," Warner said.

Judges Ian "Dicko" Dickson, Marcia Hines and Jay Dee Springbett praised both contestants, saying it didn't matter who won because they would both have great careers.

Springbett said to Walker after performing: "You're Stan-bloody-tastic - you're a star in the making."

Dickson said: "Week after week you've stamped your individuality ... you're fantastic."

The grand final at the Sydney Opera House saw the top 12 reunite to perform.

The two finalists sang with Canadian star Michael Buble, performing his hit song Feeling Good as 6000 fans watched on in the sweltering heat.

Last year's Idol winner, Wes Carr, and singer Mika also performed.

Walker joins the ranks of previous winners including Carr, Guy Sebastian, Damien Leith and Casey Donovan.

He said he had imagined himself in the position of the original Australian Idol winner, Sebastian.

"I remember watching Guy, thinking one day I'm gonna be there."

This year's Idol has suffered a ratings drop, struggling to reach a million viewers each week, and there is some speculation it won't be back next year.

There were a number of changes this year as Springbett replaced judge Kyle Sandilands after he was fired for a scandal on his radio show, and the program also lost host James Mathison.

Irina Shabayeva crowned 'Project Runway's sixth-season (2009) champion

Irina Shabayeva was crowned Project Runway's sixth-season winner during last night's finale broadcast of the clothing design competition's first Lifetime edition.

"I'm definitely proud of myself. I think this deserves a pat on the back. I did have some stiff competition," said Irina after her victory was revealed and she was congratulated by her parents.

"All good things take a lot of work and effort, and that's why they're great. So it was well worth it. I can't believe I'm a Project Runway winner. That's crazy. That's insane."

As Project Runway's sixth-season champion, Irina -- a 27-year-old Republic of Georgia native who immigrated to New York City with her family as a child -- won a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a trip to Paris, one year of representation from Designers Management Agency, and $100,000 to start her own line.

Irina defeated Althea Harper, a 24-year-old from Dayton, OH who currently resides in Brooklyn, NY who finished as the runner-up.

"I think everything happens for a reason, and even though I didn't win I feel just really great because I made a lot of good friends, met a lot of great people and got a lot of great advice," said Althea after her elimination.

"I'm feeling good because overall everything was positive. I made have been the winner, but I'm still a winner."

Carol Hannah Whitfield, a 24-year-old from Anderson, SC who currently resides in Brooklyn, NY, finished in third place.

"I came to Project Runway having no clue what was going to happen. I didn't really set any expectations, I just wanted to do my best and just kind of go with it," she said after her ouster. "I feel like I did really well... It's like simultaneously the most bizarre and most amazing experience of my life."

Project Runway's sixth-season finale broadcast began with the three remaining finalists finishing their "surprise" thirteenth design and finalizing their collections for the finale runway show at New York Fashion Week, which took place at Bryant Park in February.

The finale runway show then commenced, and each of the women was shown -- despite February reports that they had actually remained hidden backstage -- coming out on stage and introducing themselves to the audience before their designs hit the runway.

After being shown taking to the runway for a second time and walking with their models at the conclusion of their runway shows, each of the women was also shown receiving rave reviews from audience members who all seemed to know their identities.

Project Runway's regular judging panel -- Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia -- and guest judge Suzy Menkes then met with three finalists to critique their collections.

Irina was first, and Suzy said she liked her collection's concept.

"It seemed very coherent," she said. "There was a starting point and it was really worked around in different ways."

Heidi thought it looked "finished," while Nina liked the T-shirts she had designed.

"It was you communicating in a very intimate way," said Nina before asking why the collection was so black, which Irina replied was "intuitive."

"You give yourself a bit of a disservice," warned Michael.

Carol Hannah was next, and Nina said she "loved" the first look.

"It was very spirited and you work very well with these fabrics that are difficult," added Nina.

Heidi was surprised to find her favorite was the thirteenth design Carol Hannah had put together in the last couple of days.

"I had a hard time seeing it as a 13-piece collection," added Heidi. "I just felt like every time something came again it was interesting, but it was always so different that it didn't seem cohesive to me."

Althea went last and Michael said her designs could be "dissembled" into separates, which he liked.

"You could buy a piece and add it to your closet and put your own spin on it, which I think is great," he added.

Suzy liked the knitwear but was unsure where that felt in with the futuristic theme.

"I thought the last three pieces of your collection were off," added Nina. "I almost thought we had moved into another show."

The judges then deliberated their decision.

Michael called Carol Hannah's opening design "exciting" and "photographical" and Suzy thought she had "the best sense of color."

"She played with the color, she just didn't play with it enough," added Michael.

"She loves dresses and she's impeccable in her tailoring," said Heidi. "That's what has made her get this far -- she's always been really good at that."

Nina said she loved Althea's "sense of coolness."

"She can really translate what's going on in the street," she added. "She's got that connection with what is cool and what is out there."

Michael thought women would "respond" to Althea's designs, and Nina agreed.

"Again, it looked a little bit like an assemblage of clothes," said Michael. "It didn't really tell a tale, I don't think."

Suzy didn't think Althea's designs "took well to the runway."

Heidi thought Irina's designs were "really well made and modern" with an "edge."

"She definitely had the best sense of showmanship," said Michael. "She knew how to punctuate it with the hats... They were all a little different but the same, which is a collection."

Heidi said she agreed that Irina's lack of color hurt her, and Michael said he was confused by her gown design.

The finalists then returned and Irina was revealed as the winner.

"Your line was sleek, modern, cohesive and it told a story," said Heidi to Irina. "You knew what kind of woman you were designing for, and you really did articulate that beautifully."

Irina Shabayeva won the sixth season of the fashion reality show "Project Runway" on Thursday in the conclusion of the hit cable series which was delayed for months by legal wrangling.

Shabayeva, 27, the daughter of immigrants from the Republic of Georgia who moved their family to Brooklyn, impressed the show's judges with an edgy collection of 13 looks shown at New York's Fashion Week earlier this year.

MISS BRAZIL, LARISSA RAMOS - THE NEW MISS EARTH 2009!!!

The latest edition of Miss Earth was held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center, in the island paradise of Boracay. Originally slated to be the first Miss Earth to be held outside the Philippines, Santiago, Chile begged off after encountering organizational problems and was thus moved back to the original host country. And after several weeks of competition, a new winner has been crowned.

Who won Miss Earth 2009? Miss Brazil, Larissa Ramos, won Miss Earth 2009. In winning Miss Earth 2009, Brazil is thus the first country to
have won the title twice since its inception in 2001.

Miss Philippines, Sandra Seifert was named Miss Eart Air (first runner up); Miss Venezuela, Jessica Barboza, is Miss Earth Water (second runner up) and Miss Spain, Alejandra Echevarria, is Miss Earth Fire.

In keeping with its theme of beauty with a purpose, delegates of Miss Earth 2009 visited the different islands of the Philippines with the theme "Green Lifestyle" and promoted the use of recyclable materials as part of collective lifestyle. In addition, they engaged on different environmental activities including planting trees, and had school tours in the provinces of Ilocos, Laguna, Negros Occidental, Albay, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Pangasinan, Batangas, Iloilo and Metro Manila.

Here is the official results:

MISS EARTH 2009:
Brazil, Larissa Ramos

MISS AIR 2009:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

MISS WATER 2009:
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza

MISS FIRE 2009:
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria

TOP 8

Thailand, Rujinan Phanseethum
Brazil, Larissa Ramos
Poland, Izabela Wilczek
Martinique, Pascale Laurie Nelide
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert
Colombia, Alejandra Castillo Múnera

TOP 16 Semi-finalists
(in order of announcement)

Poland, Izabela Wilczek
Korea, Park Ye-ju
Brazil, Larissa Ramos
Colombia, Alejandra Castillo Múnera
Thailand, Rujinan Phanseethum
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria
Northern Ireland, Kayleigh O’Reilly
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert
South Africa, Chanel Grantham
France, Magalie Audrey Thierry
Georgia, Nonna Diakonidze
Singapore, Valerie Lim
Martinique, Pascale Laurie Nelide
India, Shriya Kishore
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza
Paraguay, Gabriela Mercedes Rejala

Preliminary Awards:

Best in Swimsuit:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

Best in Evening Gown:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

Best in National Costume:
Tanzania, Evelyne Almasi

Miss Photogenic:
Czech Republic, Tereza Budková

Miss Talent:
Tahiti, Niuriki Teremate

Miss Friendship:
Switzerland, Graziella Rogers

Sponsor Awards:

Best in Eco-Design Wear:
Jamaica, Jennae Dawn Jackson

Best in Eco-Bag Design Wear:
Czech Republic, Tereza Budková

Best in Use of Indigenous Products Wear:
Albania, Suada Saliu

Miss Fontana Resort:
China, Yan Xu

Miss Golden Sunset Resort & Spa:
Cuba, Jamillette Gaxiola

Miss Discovery Suites Award:
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria

Miss Eagle Express:
Korea, Park Ye-ju

Placenta Award:
Puerto Rico, Dignelis Jiménez

Pasigandahan Award:
Guam, Maria Luisa Santos

Miss Gandang Ricky Reyes Award:
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria

Miss Asei:
Korea, Park Ye-ju

Miss Perwoll:
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza

Miss AVSCOR:
Dominican Republic, Mariel Aracelis Garcia

Miss HDR Management:
Poland, Izabela Wilczek

Miss Jubilee Presidents’ Foundation:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

'V', TV Review


Bottom Line: Leaping lizards! A new version of the classic space invasion is fun and smart.
After about 25 years, those sneaky, lizardlike aliens are back. Once again, they want to take over Earth and, maybe, destroy or consume the populace. But so what? In exchange for their malevolence, they promise to provide a world of fast-paced, eye-catching action and provocative drama. Bold and still surprising, ABC's new "V" is clever enough for a cult following and accessible enough to reach a broad demo.

"V" was a popular miniseries when NBC aired it in the pre-Fox and early cable year of 1983. It worked so well that creator Kenneth Johnson had a sequel the following year, "V: The Final Battle." That proved so popular that NBC, disregarding the "Final" part of the title, reintroduced "V" as a weekly series that fall. That's when it stopped working.

And that's too bad because the idea behind "V" -- a modern retelling of how the Nazis rose to power in Germany -- is a powerhouse concept that combines conflict, suspense and imagination with some heavy-duty philosophical issues. Johnson, in fact, said his original inspiration was the Sinclair Lewis novel, "It Can't Happen Here," and he came up with something that is less science fiction than political science fiction.

This latest update, with a teleplay by Scott Peters, preserves the original framework but shifts the atmosphere to accommodate contemporary concerns. Based on the pilot, the militaristic notes will be more subdued. Instead, there will be more of a post-Sept. 11 emphasis on questions of trust and terror.

"V" is short for Visitors, which is what the aliens call themselves. They announce their presence while simultaneously hovering in huge unassailable spaceships above 29 of Earth's major cities, including New York, where the series is set.

Alien leader Anna (Morena Baccarin), the very picture of sweetness and innocence, promises to share advanced technology and live in peace. Many Earthlings are eager to believe her, including young adults who sign up for the Peace Ambassador program (analogous to Hitler Youth).

But there are skeptics. These include FBI agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell), whose son joins the Ambassador program, and Father Jack (Joel Gretsch). Complicating things is the wave of Visitors who came to Earth years earlier and are working incognito. At the same time, though, other secret Visitors have become disillusioned and join the resistance.

Somewhere in between is news anchor Chad Decker (Scott Wolf). In exchange for exclusive interviews with Anna, he makes an uncomfortable bargain to ask only softball questions.

It could be complicated, but Peters' tightly written teleplay makes it easy to follow. In addition, the pilot raises provocative issues without getting didactic. That, combined with mythology less dense than, say, ABC's "Lost," should make this an attractive viewing option.

Leona’s second album, ECHO features collaborations with Justin Timberlake and OneRepublic.

One begins listening to this second album from the 2006 X Factor winner hoping its title isn’t prophetic – nobody needs an echo of Lewis’s soporific, saccharine debut, Spirit.

Listen to the tracks here.

While her 2007 album remains the fastest-selling debut release from a British artist – it outsold the Spice Girls’ greatest hits compilation by two to one – Spirit offered little beyond the anticipated. An assortment of big-lunged ballads, replete with lyrics about overcoming adversity, it ticked all necessary boxes and met audience expectations disappointingly perfectly.

More is expected of this 13-track set, which hasn’t quite hit the ground running as its lead single, Happy, failed to set charts alight internationally (though it's sure to perform better domestically). Recorded stateside over the course of nine months, Echo is undeniably a bolder affair than its predecessor, but still falls into the same trap of an over reliance on Lewis’s voice – not half as strong as her supporters might think – in favour of developed arrangements musically muscular enough to render attentions rapt.

When she reaches for the highs, Lewis comes off as a discount Mariah Carey – Can’t Breathe is an unbearable exercise in vocal histrionics that will have all but the most fiercely loyal of devotees reaching for a bucket. Its staccato tics might briefly recall the addictive “‘ella, ‘ella, ‘ella” motif of Rihanna’s Umbrella, but it lacks any of the Barbadian singer’s sassiness and compositional edge. Better are the Arabic overtones of Brave, but it’s still more straight-to-DVD Disney than DreamWorks blockbuster in scope.

The employment of an assortment of co-writers, including Justin Timberlake and OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, hasn’t resulted in an album of pronounced diversity. With only a couple of exceptions, Echo sticks to safe songs that complement their singer’s ballad-heavy catalogue. Outta My Head is a sidestep into cheesy Eurodance beats that almost comes off – it’s a touch too cheap-sounding, too tinny of production – and the Timberlake duet Don’t Let Me Down shuffles to subtle percussion evocative of the American singer’s Cry Me a River and What Goes Around…, albeit without any comparable soulfulness.

Echo’s problem is that its central protagonist simply doesn’t stamp her authority on proceedings – yes, that’s her dominating the mix, but there’s no character in her performances, no life in her voice beyond that prompted by out-of-shot puppeteers. Its songs are fine for what they are, and clear improvements on what came before. But for a multi-million selling artist, Lewis still lacks an album worthy of her international profile.

Nicole Fox wins the thirteenth season of 'America's Next Top Model'


Nicole Fox was crowned America's Next Top Model's thirteenth-season winner during last night's broadcast of The CW reality competition's finale.

"This journey was incredibly hard. I have learned to embarrass myself and to speak -- which was a struggle," Nicole said after her victory.

"Sometimes I didn't think I was going to survive the journey, like I remember during casting week I went home and I cried because I was like, 'What have I gotten myself into with this?' I didn't think it would be okay to be that dorky girl, but I'm a dork and I'm America's Next Top Model."

As Top Model's thirteenth-season winner, the 18-year-old student from Louisville, CO won a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a contract with Wilhelmina Models and a cover and six-page spread in Seventeen magazine. In addition, Nicole became Top Model's first 5'7" or under "petite edition" winner.

Laura Kirkpatrick, a 19-year-old waitress from Stanford, KY, finished as the runner-up.

"My mom, my grandma and my sister and my littler brother are going to be so proud of me," Laura said after recovering from her initial tear-filled disappointment. "They won't even care that I'm not America's Next Top Model."



The thirteenth-season finale began following the double elimination of Erin Wagner and Jennifer An, as both Laura and Nicole expressed surprise at being in the Top 2. Laura expressed confidence at her ability to beat Nicole if it came down to personality.

"Nicole's pictures are always really good and they've been really strong in the past, but personality-wise and stuff, I don't see her as a whole lot of competition," said Laura in a confessional.

However once the girls learned they'd have to compete in the season's second CoverGirl commercial shoot, Laura's confidence quickly turned to concern due to her dyslexia.

"I do feel like I have an advantage over Laura because she just stresses out so much about being able to read and memorize a line," commented Nicole.

The next day Laura and Nicole met Top Model photo shoot director Jay Manuel for their CoverGirl commercial and photo shoot -- with the winner appearing in advertising for the cosmetics company.

The girls then met twelfth-season champ Teyona Anderson, who revealed what makeup they'd be modeling. Jay then explained that while he was coaching one of them during the commercial's filming, judge Nigel Barker would be photographing the other one.

Nigel thought Nicole looked "fantastic and "amazing" and also "modeled really well." Laura initially struggled with the commercial shoot as she stumbled over lines, but Jay thought she had a "really good attitude."

"I feel like I have defeated dyslexia," she said after it was done.

The girls switched spots, and it was Nicole's turn to have a hard time with the commercial -- as Jay thought she sounded snooty and her performance level was "low."

"I feel like I was trying so hard not to be snotty," opined Nicole. "Jay tells me that I look like a snob and nobody would buy this mascara from me. I'm like, 'Oh my god!'"

The next day the girls were met by Seventeen editor-in-chief Ann Shoket, who was there to shoot their potential cover photo for the magazine.

"Those girls did so well. I was so impressed by what I saw today," Ann said after it was over. "It is anybody's game at this point."

Back at the house, the girls practiced their runway walk for the season's finale runway show before they each had a one-on-one conversation with Top Model creator and lead judge Tyra Banks.

They then arrived for the runway show, where they were met by Jay and Top Model judge and runway expert J. "Miss J" Alexander -- who revealed Erin, Jennifer and fellow previously-ousted thirteenth-season finalists Brittany Markert and Sundai Love would also be participating.

"This is the first time that we have brought back eliminated girls," said Jay.

All of the girls then received hair and makeup before the runway shoot commenced. While both were nervous, neither Nicole nor Laura had any significant problems.

"You guys really did a good job, both of you," Tyra told them afterwards. "You should be proud of yourselves. I know you were nervous, but you did a good job."

That night Nicole and Laura arrived for the thirteenth season's final elimination ceremony -- where they were met by Tyra, Nigel and Miss J.

The judges then evaluated Laura and Nicole's photos from the previous thirteenth-season shoots and watched their recent CoverGirl commercial and photo shoot before deliberating their decision.

Tyra then revealed Nicole as the winner.