I don't follow reality TV shows.  Except for Top Model.  (I don't watch talk shows either, but I'm typing this tuned into Tyra.  Hmm.)  I'm not sure how many Sparkle readers follow America's Next Top Model, but I am an avid watcher.  This season was hyped up due to their first transgendered model, Isis, who was eliminated pretty early on due to her self-doubt, and with each week more models have been cut.  Last night's episode was the last before the season finale, in which the remaining three contestants of Cycle 11 will be narrowed down to two, and eventually to the one girl who will become America's Next Top Model.  If you haven't watched up until this point, don't click, as I will be discussing the top three!

When this season premiered, I was ultimately rooting for Sheena.  A Japanese-Korean mix from the Bronx, she was full of personality, but her photos ultimately came across too sexy for serious modeling.  My next fave was Elina, despite her oh-so-wannabe-Angelina tattoos.  Of my top three, the one who lasted the longest was Marjorie, who was only eliminated in the most recent episode, the second to the last of this cycle.  Marjorie's awkward charm and natural talent for posing would have made for a great Top Model, in my opinon, and I suspect she will go far even without the winning title.   She is definitely the girl who would draw my eye in a photo spread.

Down to the wire now, only three girls remain...

Sam

Samantha is 18 and from Woodland Hills, CA.  Although her haircut at makeover helped, her clothing and mannerisms are anything but modelesque.  She has remained in the competition due to her ability to pull out a great photo, although in last night's episode this required a lot of coaching.

McKey

A student from Illinois, McKey is a boxer with striking features.  Her modeling skills grew throughout the season, from at first having to base every pose on a boxing move, to now modeling seemingly effortlessly.  My boyfriend is convinced she will take the title with her "interesting" face, although something about her just seems trashy to me.

Analeigh

Analeigh is a 19 year old ice skater from California who has held her own through the competition, learning to translate her skater moves into model ones.  Although she bores me slightly, I am now rooting for Analeigh.

I avoid spoilers, but I do follow some communities and try to read clues from the episode editing to predict the show winner.  From the beginning it has been whispered that Analeigh is getting the "winner edit."  Her slow but steady improvements are touched on lightly, but she is generally breezed over, although she's always close to the top of the pack.  This is similar editing Cycle 10's Whitney Thompson received, and predictions for ANTM's first full-figured winner were dead on.

This cycle of Top Model has seemed to focus a lot more on photo shoots than on runway or commercials than previous seasons.  I'm interested to see how well the final two girls do on the runway challenge next Wednesday night when the finale airs.

Instead of one season per year, Top Model films two cycles.  Wanna be on ANTM Cycle 12?

What do you guys think of the "winner edit"?  What are your predictions, and who are you rooting for?

Photos from the CW, Top Model LJ Community