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

[Mrs.Patel]

I am sorry but I have been an avid antm fan from the beginning and this season reeked with Tyra and Nigel's hypocrisy. I absolutely hated this season, that has never happened to me before. Sure I've disagreed with winners (much like this cycle), but they did so many hypocritical things. Let's talk about age; they have always pressed the age issue on the show and for the modeling world Lisa is ancient. Also they swear elimination isn't based on doing one bad shoot after subsequent good shoots doesn't necessarily equal elimination, hello Laura? She rocked all season long, and faltered once and boom she was gone and Angelie was rocky all season long and she stayed? Personally I think Tyra has favored Angelie from the beginning and manipulated things to make her get to the top, I bet she did win in the end after Tyra pretended to not like photos or over exaggerated positive comments toward Angelies pics. So many times she praised Angelie and Lisa for that matter that she would have criticized girls in past cycles. Especially the way Angelie would have melt downs and cuss like crazy during challenges and in front of influential people, I am sorry but what high class fashion types will want to work with someone who carries themselves that way and someone who over- reacts to any criticism. I agree I thought the winner should have been Laura or Allison. They both had the whole package. And one last point she eliminated Laura this cycle saying she wasn't high fashion, well during her original cycle, she thought Laura could be both high fashion and commercial. And Tyra had admitted Laura had improved since her cycle. So again manipulating her words to make things go her way. I have always loved Tyra and believed in her until this season, now it is so apparent she fixes the competition based on who she likes best. So disappointed!!

[Patricksmith]

I am so sad that Angelina does not the qualify the award.
Staples Coupon Code

[Dianimal]

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980883132

In case anyone is still interested in this drama, apparently Angelea is set to give a press conference today where she will explain what happened.

[jeneria]

I have a friend who worked on ANTM in the past as a production assistant and she says Tyra would not have had any say in Angelea's dq if Angelea did indeed violate the terms of her contract. The network supersedes Tyra (hard to believe I know) and if Tyra would have addressed the DQ during the show, then Tyra would also have been in violation of her contract. So there's probably no major conspiracy, just the network covering its butt.

[Vanessa M]

Damn it, if this is a publicity stunt, I curse myself that it's working. I haven't cared this much about this busted show in years.

In the midst of Googling this nonsense, I followed a link to an US Weekly article where Lisa promised to explain what "really" happened only to find the big revelation is Lisa saying she's the true winner because her back story touched Tyra the most. Also, evidently she's delusional.

[Mark Liddell]

Speaking of Lisa, I've yet to read an interview where she succeeds in a) sounding pleasant, or b) stringing together a sentence that doesn't consist entirely of mixed metaphors.

"I have been lining up and building my racecars all these years, and being the All Star winner, definitely is the icing on the cake and kind of pushes the envelope a little bit and seals them as well."
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/exclusive-lisa-damato-talks-about-top-model-win-angelea-preston-12957.php

[Sabrina]

@Rachel - it was the other Lisa from Cycle 9, who said she was an exotic dancer!

[matthew (hardcore ANTMer)]

There were these comments on that same Us article, I don't know if it's legit or not:

#
December 10, 2011 - 1:54am Jeff A. Cohen

MMG - Model Management Group USA & Canada There are false reports that Angelea Preston will hold a news conference to discuss why she was disqualified from the All Star Season of America's Next top Model. Those reports were made to the press came from an unauthorized source. Angelea will discuss this matter at an appropriate time and place. Although Angelea is currently a freelance model and some sought to personally benefit from this situation, MMG will be representing Angelea on this matter and is currently exploring all appropriate avenues and remedies before any new information is released. MMG or Angelea will be the only official sources for information on this matter.
#
December 10, 2011 - 1:53am Jeff A. Cohen

MMG - Model Management Group USA & Canada Angelea Preston was not disqualified for leaking or posting any information on any social media site. Also, no one should believe at this point any of the speculative reasons that have been posted on any site or by source. Information will be released at the appropriate time and the public can decide at that point how they feel about CW's decision.

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/lisa-damato-why-angelea-preston-was-disqualified-from-top-model-all-stars-2011912#ixzz1gFSydMSQ

[zamblee]

Rich don't be afraid to make the Allison interview 2 hours long.

[matthew (hardcore ANTMer)]

Yes let Winton handle the first hour just to relax her so she will be more receptive to some ANTM grilling by Rich in the second hour.

[eLLe123]

Thank you Rich for this particular posting. I could not agree with you more. I was thoroughly disappointed with this final episode and in fact, will remain true to my word to not watch this show another season. I am done for real. Such a waste. Angelea was CLEARLY outshining the other two in these last episodes and out of those three should have been and most likely was-- the winner. I hate that I wasted my time, energy and brain matter on this ridiculous series. Not again. I do hope Angelea continues to make a name for herself and that she keeps on shining and succeeding-in fact, winning in life. BTW--I like Andrea's theories--too big to fail. Ha!

[Arne C]

Maybe she robbed a bank?

[Mollie]

To be honest, it all felt a bit rigged for Angelea to win it (blatant post recording of praise for Angelea's blog, ridiculous number of second chances)from the beginning so a twist like this felt so weird. I was an Angelea supporter at the beginning but I'm glad Lisa won in the end, she played the game admirably in my opinion. As for Allison (my favourite contestant ever) I'm glad she's now free to do pretty much whatever she wants without the stigma of winning ANTM.
Cheers for making ANTM and popular culture in general worth following Rich.

[Hänni]

Rich, I know it must've been painstaking to recap this sh*t bomb of a season (urg, am so mad at the finale), so thank you for doing so. I hope you will recap whatever dog and pony stuff comes next-God help us if we have another "All Star" cycle (I think this is possible as Tyra crowned Woody Harelson, I mean Lisa, "The first ever America's next top model all star." A first implies there will be more, non?) The horrors!

[Jodie Whalo]

Allison has been my favorite contestant on this show since Elyse Sewell on Cycle 1 (who also didn't win but went on to become arguably the most successful model to ever have been on ANTM). I am actually glad that she didn't win because now she can do whatever she wants. She has no shortage of fans and any agency would love to work with her. Allison forever!

[loopygorilla]

Well tookie didnt see this coming at all.

Poor Tookie when she was born, she marked by the evil vicious supermodel queen, whose name we shall not say, Lady Naomi Campbell.

Tookie was hidden in normal people land, but soon Ho-warts was calling, so they sent Grand Wizard Nigel Barker went to fetch her.

When she arrived at Ho-warts, Tookie made friends with Mr J and a fierce cat-walker named Miss J and at first they were rivals with another model, Janice Dickinson.

Then one day the big day came for Tookie to go casting for the cover of Vogue USA by the grand wizard queen Anna Wintour, but Tookie failed because she was stopped by her arch-nemesis Naomi Campbell, who cast a spell Crazy-coooky-Silly-dildo-baggings-explode-anus on Tookie.

From that day, Tookie has never being the same again. she had to rely on stunts, crazy bat shit stuff to get through life.

[investigatoryjournalist]

Loopygorilla, that was like an early Christmas present.

[loopygorilla]

investigatoryjournalist, glad you my book hahaha :P

LOL that is basically her book :) from what i have gathered, modelland is combination of Harry Potter + ANTM.

[Account Deleted]

Sucks that Lisa won! I don't really care about the other prizes other than the Vogue spread which I so believe should have gone to Allison. She so deserves to model I really hate the fact that her look, those EYES get overlooked and don't get into those fashion magazines!

I wanna see more Allison! Looking forward to that interview, Rich! And maybe an interview with Angelea. I would have preferred if she won over Lisa. I too am so intrigued why they disqualified her.

[abraham]

I did not even bother to watch this cycle because when I saw the participants, I knew beforehand the whole thing was going to be a joke.

Anyways, im waiting for another "normal" cycle, because the last one (16th) IMO was one of the best of all cycles.

I think Tyra just needs to bring real models,and leave the drama away just a little bit. She should take a look at how the things work in shows like BNTM --- at least they are more objective and they choose more wisely the winners... and the show is still worth watching.

[Widya]

I agree with Lynette. Moreover, I think if Krista were White we wouldn't be vahing this discussion on did she deserve to win. She was the obvious winner after getting best pic 3 times in a row. Why can't people except that black is beautiful & in this case more talented than the rest she had the personality, the bone structure, the walk & she took awesome pics she almost brought Andre to tears. Ok she's skinny but she's also very tall & she doesn't look like she's starving herself. Raina didn't deserve to win just like the others didn’t deserve to win. I’m happy for her & I’m sure somebody will pick up Raina who did well in the competition but she just wasn’t as fierce as Ms. Krista! GO KRISTA! You have many haters but you can laugh @ them all the way through your very promising career! Bob you are very ugly for saying something so ignorant! Ugly is as Ugly does!

[Russ]

That is it. I am finished with this show, not so much for the whole DQ controversy, but I felt that Tyra crossed the ridiculousness line and ruined the show. Pot Ledom?! What the hell is that?! And what was that garbage modelland crap?! What kind of overkill catwalk was that at the end? Is this the offspring of Wipeout and ANTM?

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