America's Next Top Model

After 32 aspiring models arrive in Pasadena, Calif., to face host Tyra Banks, art director of photo shoots Jay Manuel and runway expert J. Alexander, the field quickly narrows to 13 finalists, however, the finalists are given little time to settle into their posh new mansion in Los Angeles before Jay Manuel reveals in a jaw-dropping announcement that they will be bald for their first photo shoot.

The two-hour premiere episode devoted an hour to narrowing 32 contestants to 13 finalists, and the second hour featured the first photo shoot and elimination. As the girls moved into their house in Los Angeles, the oldest contestant, 26-year-old Jade, claimed she was "the undiscovered supermodel" and declared herself front runner of the competition. The bedroom themes for this cycle were Twiggy, Janice Dickinson, Christie Brinkley, Iman and a room themed of past contestants of America's Next Top Model. The girls were led to believe that they would all be shaved bald as a way to level the competition for the photo shoot, when in fact they were fitted with skull caps and posed wearing Swarovski crystals in an array of mannequin heads. Seen lacking in potential, the self-described hillbilly from Brevard, North Carolina, Kathy was eliminated over Furonda, (whose photo was the worst in the group) because the judges felt that she looked lost in her photo.

At a Beverly Hills salon, Tyra, Jay Manuel, J. Alexander and salon owners Joel Warren and Edward Tricomi transform the models with unbelievable makeovers; and the participants are challenged to show off their personal style by celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and Cycle 4 Winner Naima Mora, who give the girls the opportunity to win a $5,000 shopping spree at Los Angeles boutique, Nanette Lepore, and then head off to a photo shoot where they pose with ice sculptures.

This episode featured the eleven remaining contestants practicing the runway. Like contestants from past cycles, several girls tripped or fell during the challenge and during an impromptu Vivienne Westwood style runway challenge at judging. The girls had to do a runway with cockroaches for Jared Gold's spring collection. Gina was very afraid to do the challenge and with Jade knowing this she tried to tell Gina to kiss it making Gina afraid and screeching. Jade Cole was praised for kissing the roach at the end of the runway. For the photoshoot, the girls had to take a photo while falling and were posed as a character from a popular fairy tale.

After a coaching session with supermodel Janice Dickinson and Cycle 5 competitor Lisa D'Amato, the models participate in a quick-change photo shoot representing all four seasons and a second photo shoot that symbolizes their career goals.

After getting a lesson in improvisation at the legendary comedy workshop The Groundlings, the models are challenged to successfully deliver a mostly-improvised CoverGirl commercial, and one lucky girl, whose improv skills are superior, wins a guest starring role on "Veronica Mars" .

The models are given tips on advanced runway techniques and are coached by two movement experts. Later, the women take part in a church fashion show. At the photo shoot, they model a line of shoes while krumping a hip-hop dance with Tommy the Clown.

After getting a lesson about the ugly side of modeling, the participants are tested on their ability to handle harsh criticisms, and one model must face a difficult surgical procedure, while two lucky models receive special visitors from home.

The models are coached on how to handle challenging interview questions from public relations expert Rachel McCallister, then put to the test by tough interviewer and Vanity Fair contributor George Wang; and they all receive surprise news that they will travel overseas to a major fashion destination.

Loaded with never-before-seen footage from the first nine weeks of UPN's hit dramality series, this special episode includes Gina's habit of biting others, Joanie imitating Furonda and Danielle playing a prank on Jade.

The girls are now in Thailand and must learn classic Thai dance moves, and make a beautiful picture at the same time. Then they are taken to the middle of a jungle, and must pose on top of an elephant. Also, one of the girls are rushed to the E.R.

The final four models meet Thai designer Pichita Rucksajit who sends them on a challenge to travel via "tuk tuk" (Thai taxis) to meet and impress local designers; after which the girls fly to Phuket where Tyra talks about the Tsunami to remind them of the importance of respecting local history and culture when modeling internationally.

In Bangkok, the three remaining models face-off and struggle to deliver their lines and best poses for a CoverGirl commercial and photo shoot, and after the challenge one girl is eliminated on the sixth-cycle finale of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL.