America's Next Top Model isn't...

...Angelea.

Instead of the "big news" (or as big of news as this show can generate, which is basically about as big as the size of Tyra Banks' heart) being that Lisa won, it's that Angelea was disqualified from the show. Here's what we know from the CW via Zap2It:

"After production wrapped on the current cycle of America's Next Top Model, we learned information that made Angelea ineligible and she was subsequently disqualified from the competition. As a result, new scenes were filmed to address this for the audience during the finale."

And from that, here's what we can assume: Angelea won initially. Otherwise, there'd be no reason to disqualify her in light of any information revealed after the filming. On Twitter and message boards the consensus is that Angelea leaked her victory on Facebook at the start of the cycle. Lisa's YouTube features a video of her and Allison (who normally lives in Brooklyn, just  a hop, skip and jump from me) hanging out in L.A. in October (this is a very nice catch via the Television Without Pity forum). That could very well have been the time of the reshoots, and if so, falls in line with the Facebook theory.

But I don't buy that theory, and not just because no one has produced a screen shot of Angelea's reveal (calling oneself "a winner" is not calling oneself the winner and I think the shot I just linked to was too recent for them to turn around an alternate ending in time). (Update: As many have pointed out, this comes from a fake profile anyway. Bianca is setting everyone straight on Twitter as I type this. Take it from an insider!) More importantly, that's just not a good enough reason to sweep whatever this show is sweeping under the rug. Notice how at the start of judging, there was a brief mention of this new information coming to light and Angelea's subsequent disqualification and that was that. On a show whose host routinely draws out its title when she says it so that you'd think that ellipses were as crucial as letters ("America's...Next...Top...Mo...del..."), they really breezed by that one. Furthermore, America's Next Top Model has no problem humiliating its contestants and making examples out of misbehavior. While it would have no doubt been devastating to those involved had Angelea slipped and revealed herself to be the winner (and I think she's too smart and waaaaay too greedy for that -- the girl knew what was on the line), I can totally see her being called out on television specifically for defying orders. They could have filmed a follow-up special to dance on her grave, to take back her crown in person. This show has punished girls for far lesser reasons (gaining weight, being sexy, listening to orders too closely, etc.). Why wouldn't they pounce on the opportunity to punish Angelea, if they were just going to reshoot anyway?

Something tells me that we have no idea what this information was (that's, of course, if there was information in the first place -- I wouldn't put it past the show to invent this development entirely for the sake of a dramatic final act). I have a feeling that it's something that would have shamed the show far more than Angelea. She hasn't been arrested since filming (per TMZ's lack of coverage), and pregnancy isn't too big of a deal on this show, given its tendency to cast young mothers. I'd guess the secret information would have somehow revealed a lapse in background checking that would ultimately make the show look negligent for signing Angelea on in the first place. I write this hoping it's nothing. I wish nothing but the best and a stellar permanent record for Angelea. I find her so endearing and I hope that she succeeds. I wanted her to win this mostly because she wanted it so badly. I would hope that her potential prior offense was something minor that you could see the show freaking out about and then hate the show even more for freaking out about something that's such a non-issue (say, if Angelea was a stripper or did porn or something -- although porn probably would have already circulated its way around the Internet).

If it something major, I hope for Angelea's sake that we never know. She's been embarrassed enough. That said, I'm sure whatever it is, it's fascinating. Angelea made revealing her past job of working in a bank the most memorable moment of the season. Imagine her recounting something truly juicy! So, if it must come out, I hope it does and I hope it's via audiobook.

It's very, very irritating that the show presented the information the way it did. In a competition based on arbitrary decisions, this seems like the most arbitrary one of all. As much as I'd hate for Angelea to be humilated, I would love to know what went into the decision-making process and what kind of supposedly unsavory skeletons this show thinks it's above hosting. I just like to have something to shake my fist to.

All of this makes Angelea the Vanessa Williams of ANTM and I for one cannot wait until she releases her own "Save the Best for Last." Even if it never comes, she's immortalized in a way few of her kind ever are. A real maverick, that one.

But anyway, that was different. At least ANTM gave people something to care about temporarily. It hasn't done that in years! I'm going to try to get Allison to come over this weekend (and hold her up at knife point to make her reveal what the hell happened), but other than that, I think I'm done with this cycle. And probably this show. Although, I never say never. I only say, "You will see me again..."

 

Comments

[Sarah]

I be like NO.

[Easter Buffy]

Rich, you have the only relevant comments on this issue on the internet. I love your carefully reasoned reasons and, like you, ache to know what the what was. She did come across much better this time around (to me), although I always felt Allison was the more deserving competitor. Sigh. Those shy girls. Smart, too. I hope she does well.

During your interview at knifepoint, can you get her to reveal what her salary was for this debacle? Sheena intimated that the gig was paid this time around (here! She revealed it to you!). I'm just hoping Allison got enough coin to make it worth her while.

Love your writing. Will check in again for other non ANTM topics. Feliz Navidad.

[matthew (hardcore ANTMer)]

Happy Lisa won, I would have been happy if any of the top 4 won, actually.
Thanks Rich, for doing some investigative analysis of this. The whole Facebook story is so obviously a coverup of whatever really happened. I can't believe we can't even get the truth these days from ANTM. What is happening to society?

[Charlie]

Lord, Rich, I don't even know WHAT to think about this "finale"...

Besides that She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is full of a steaming load? And that BOTH Angelea and Allison were robbed, of course. I mean, did you see Allison's dress? It was the best of the three and I think I saw heaven! And Angelea just had this shit in the bag plain and simple. I am really wishing Angelea is well, my heart and curiosity goes out to her. I hope that you can get her on your couch eventually (that would be absolutely amazing) to get the T on her "disqualification".

Anyway, thanks for making the last cycle of ANTM I'll ever watch bearable. I only stuck around for Allison and you made me fall in love with Angelea again because bitch, she worked in a bank. Hope to see Allison related videos soon!

[Scott Free]

Love you, love your cats, love Allison & Angelea.
Thanks for recapping this shitshow once again!

[Esteban]

Lisa won? Ugh. Glad I skipped this non-season.

[Scott Free]

maybe it's because I'm high but goddamn this post is spot-on and amazing!

[toochie]

The twitter post you referenced in regards to Angelea calling herself "a winner" came from an Angelea facebook fanpage- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angelea-Preston/192030140811927
I can't wait to see what you uncover, love you detective rich!

[required]

I am done with this show too. I should have been done long ago. Your recaps kept me sane throughout the madness.

[Reese]

I'm hearing the DQ was for this tweet by Angelea: http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/64933762.html?thread=11144984962#t11144984962

The Facebook thing is from a fb fan page and is not the real Angelea (this is what I heard anyways). I wouldn't be surprised if Anglea is actually being punished for something that was Trya's web team's fault. Months ago, the contestants elimination segments were added to Tyras's website in the order the contestants were actually eliminated on the show. Angelea's was added last which indicated that she had won. Since people had been spoiled for the winner for so long, I wonder if a decision was made to change the winner and create a bit of buzz for the show.

Personally, I don't really care for Angelea, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's being unfairly maligned for the sake of buzz and ratings.

[KawaiiBerry]

If there's anything "ANTM gave people (...) to care about temporarily", that's your priceless recaps.

Please do consider recapping next cycle. Its whole concept is such jank, I can't wait for you to bring more laughter and jokes to this cheap fest.

By the way, I hope you'll address how incoherent crowning Lisa as ANTM was. I'm sure you'll milk that occasion to underline how big a fool Tyra's made of herself on this better than I will.

[JC]

To play devil's advocate, the whole shaming of Angelea on camera for leaking the winner would necessitate Angelea willingly coming back and participating, correct? So perhaps Tyra, like a consummate bully, didn't want to shame Angelea if she couldn't do it to her face and get a reaction, so they played the whole thing off.

Eh, whatever. Get Allison over! More Allison!

[Diane Lawyer-Trabajo]

I am done with this show, too. I loved Angelea, and on that night, she was the best at everything! For a show that loves to drag everything out for maximum effect, I am baffled as to why Tyra did not disqualify Angelea in person, on camera, in front of the panel, Lisa and Allison. I would have loved to have seen the well-deserved ass-whooping 716 would have given Tyra. For this reason, I feel like Tyra will never speak of Angelea again. She is scared of her.

[jessica]

and to think, there was a time when both Lisa and Angelea were the bottom two...if not for Latoya...

[DTS]

Perhaps it was just an obiter dictum on Tyra's part, but I thought it interesting that she said that "the producers [of ANTM] and the network" were involved in disqualifying Angelea. What would incite the CW to become involved in this fiasco? Quite the mystery!
I greatly appreciate your well-reasoned comments on this situation, Rich, and I look forward to your tete-a-tete with Allison.

[Patty]

Clearly Angelea slept with all the men on the show turning them all straight and ratings plummeted as a result. Tyra sez: Off wid dat bitch!

[Sara]

Here's my crazy conspiracy theory:

What if it's all a crazy publicity stunt? As in, no one has given two fucks about who wins ANTM for ages, but this morning people are actually writing about it because of the mysterious DQ. What if they paid Angelea off, got her a contract somewhere, and let her go forth as a badass with a mystery?

OK, it's far-fetched, but I like it more than some bullshit about facebook, because I hate to think facebook posts outweigh 'bitch, I worked at a BANK.'

[Dara]

I can't wait for your interview with Allison!! Get the scoop, Rich!!!

[leelah]

for all of the people who watched every episode...and was hoping to see a complete finale......they're owed a full explanation.

the situation was handled HORRIBLY by CW.....and that 3 second explanation from Simon was GARBAGE...i watched last night, but haven't watched in a very long time...the situation with angelea reminded me why i stopped watching ANTM some time ago.

ALT is gone, and the writing is on the wall....janice dickerson was sooooo right...the show is rigged, and cover girl...is driving the show and picking the winner.

time for this "franchise" to bow out...if not "gracefully"!!!!

[Matt]

Poor Allison. She's been eliminated 3 times (twice on final panel). That's got to be a record.

[Bored dude at work]

^ Nope. Angelea has also been booted three times. I'll leave it to the others to fine tune this, but I know Angelea was brought back one or two seasons later after her first elimination.

[Vanessa M]

Rich, we'd all love to see another interview with you and Allison but you and Angelea are a couple that are fated to be together, at least for 20 minutes or so. Can this be made to happen?

What pisses me off the most is this is the most press the show has had in years.

The fact that Lisa won (and I say this as someone who thought she was robbed in her cycle) means this show has finally crossed the event horizon of irrelevance that I thought they had crossed years ago. Quantum mechanics is so elusive like that.

[Rachel]

Not only would a stripper past be a non-issue just because, but they've had at least one stripper on the show in the past. I can't remember who, but I distinctly remember a conversation about it. I think from the Whitney and Dominique cycle?

[Christin]

Rewatching this morning, I agree with your assessment that Lisa and Allison both knew who would be the "winner" going into final panel. Allison seemed utterly relaxed, just going through the obligated motions for a paying gig--because surely she was paid to come re-shoot the final judging. She looked more checked-out than we've ever seen her (and in her position, most of us would take advantage of craft-table mimosas). Lisa, on the other hand, looks anxious for the filming to hurry up, move along, because she has a busy-ass day of sudden new Top Model obligations, knows that she's going to sit through some serious contingency-plan meetings, and she wants to get moving.

I wonder how much the question of "Can you still do the prize-jobs, given your schedule?" factored into Lisa's win. I think Lisa was a perfect winner, and would have been my first choice anyway, but stuff like the E! correspondent gig would be a much bigger hassle for Allison. I would wager that they both essentially re-interviewed for the job of being the cycle winner, and in those terms, Lisa is absolutely the better fit.

[ZantiMissKnit]

I don't think that Sara's theory of a crazy publicity stunt is too far-fetched, myself. How many people were searching for the answer to this since last night? Did ANTM get on any trending lists?