Brooklyn Baker wants to see the world and get away from the sunflower farm in Kansas where she was born and raised. With her girl-next-door good looks she enters a modeling contest, a reality show really. Ten men and ten women are paired up to compe...
It's the moment of truth. Alexis, Ry and I stand on a real stage this time, not the makeshift ones we've been using for most of the season. We're at some Hollywood studio, I don't remember which one. There's a panel of around ten judges in front of us. Chris wears a tuxedo, matching the formalness of the occasion.
"Welcome everyone to the final elimination ceremony and photo showcase for season one of Model Dreams. We have our three finalists here with us who have spent the last week at a location of their choice. Tonight they are ready to present their photos to you. Before we meet our judges let's look back over the whirlwind journey these three took to get to the finals."
There is a pause and make-up comes forward to powder Chris's face. He seems nervous which is surprising, I've never noticed him nervous in the past. Nothing plays on the screen so I assume they'll edit a highlight reel for each of us.
Rhiannon steps out. "We need some reaction footage." There are at least five cameras pointed at the three of us. "Smiles." We all comply. "Frown." We do. "Surprise." This has to top the list for most contrived shots on this show. Rhiannon nods her approval and moves off.
"And welcome back. Let's meet our panel of judges. For this important elimination we have a myriad of employees from Dream Modeling Studios here in Los Angeles. From the CEO, to managers, and even a photographer is joining us tonight." The judges all wave but honestly it is refreshing not to have them introduced one by one. "These ten representatives will choose which of our three contestants wins the exclusive contract to model with their company for a year." Chris smiles at us, "Quite a sought after opportunity."
"First up is Brooklyn Baker." I step forward. I'm surprised that I'm not more nervous. I think the fact that I don't want to win is helping. "Brooklyn spent her week in Paris with her twin brother Austin who is an amateur photographer." He gestures to the screen. "Let's bring up Brooklyn's photos."
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I can't help but smile when I see the pictures. They remind me of how much fun Aussie and I had in Paris. The screen continually rotates through the six photos we turned in. I'm fully prepared for the judges criticism after all we didn't even do a photoshoot. But I'm caught off guard by what they actually say.
"There is a playfulness to your photos that I think highlights your personality."
"I love the intimate feel to your pictures. The closeness between you and your brother comes through."
"I like the mixture you've presented, different outfits, different times of day, different locations. They feel like vacation highlight photos but with great fashion."
"My favorite is the white leather jacket in the car. It almost seems like fashion is an after-thought, like the focus isn't on the clothes. But I can't look away from that jacket. It makes me want to buy it."
The older judge, who I think is the boss says, "Going with a black and white theme, along with this more casual style, gives a warm, inviting feel. I would call these photos charming. This was not what I expected, but I like them."
