I was actually surprised by the choice, but not as much as last season (Teyona should have never won).
I was shocked that Nigel and Tyra called Nicole's walk "signature", it needed help. I'm not a model (by any stretch of the imagination) and I don't walk like that. Her walk was just atrocious (IMPO).
But I stand by my opinion that they choose the person that "needs" the contract not "deserves" the contract. I'm sure Laura already has a contract with an agency.
It broke my heart to see Laura crying, she just broke down. I've seen the other girls cry, but not to the extent of how Laura was. Poor girl.

Awww, I'm kinda sad. I think Nicole is very talented, but I really liked Laura - though probably more as a person than a model.

Um, you took just about every single word right out of my mouth! haha! I agree 100% on all of this!

I felt the same way. I actually really liked them both, but I wanted Laura to win, because I liked her personality the best.

I'm not mad about the winner, I think she has beautiful photos...in fact, she probably lands in my top 5 favorite winners. But, I'm definitely surprised she won with that walk.

*Ditto on all counts. :(

*I do like Nicole better than I did at the beginning of the season. I knew it would end this way, but I held out so much hope. It was a wrap from when Nigel called Nicole a "high fashion model." Oh well, we love you, Laura!! lol

*I was excited for the update on Dani. I saw her in Essence and so it was cool to hear about it and know what they were talking about. I saw Eugenia from Cycle 7 in the same issue. And did anyone else catch Ya-ya on the Macy's commercial? I wonder if Tyra made sure that would play specifically during an ANTM commercial break. :p

*Aaaaand does anyone else find it weird that the winner of the petite season is the only one tall enough to have been in a regular season??? Shoot, she's technically taller than Eva (5'6.5")!!!

I saw that! I let out a squeak :)

Ok, I'm absolutely convinced now that this season was all about saving $$. They BROUGHT THE LOSERS BACK for the fashion show?? Really?? You actually couldn't afford enough to hire a couple of real models? Although I do really think it will be good for them - there were probably quite a few people in that audience that could get them somewhere - but STILL - SRSLY???:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

This is the first season I've really wished there could be two winners, because I liked them both. I think the right person won, but I liked Laura better.

Yeah, I liked Laura better, too. I agree that Nicole's walk was strange. So easy, a caveman could do it! Haha

I didn't think either of them were actually glamorous, though. They both had some stunning photos, but I just didn't feel the high-fashion, glamor vibe like with previous contestants. I didn't watch this show religiously this season, but I watched about 3/4 of the episodes online.

vv

Ditto everything you said.

I loved them both, but I thought Laura was more of the "total package" than Nicole, even though Nicole's pictures are consistently beautiful. And that walk... what WAS that??? I thought Miss Jay was going to be all over her for sure. I have no idea how they thought that was "signature walk", unless she's a linebacker. Laura, on the other hand, rocked it.

In person... Laura has the better personality, but Nicole looks more like a model. At judging, though, I thought they both looked awful. The hair was gross and the sparkles just made them look night-club-sweaty. And Nicole's dress was ugly.

Unfortunately, my boyfriend completely ruined the finale for me. I had meetings that evening, so I had to watch the show later that night and he blurted out the winner when it popped up on the news on his computer. He HATES the show, but he felt really bad. He assumed I'd already seen it.

Before the episode, I thought Nicole would win...but after the runway show and the judge's comments, I thought for sure it would be Laura.

On a side note, Rachel (aka Bambi Eyes) was signed by BMG on Tyra's show yesterday.

I noticed some of the judge's comments were shorter for Nicole, which made me think she was a shoo-in as I was watching it (must edit obvious praise!). Based on judge's comments:
Laura = American appeal, better walker, will get work & make money, but more on the commercial side
Nicole = Milan appeal, "signature walk", awkward, quirky, high fashion

So Laura is a better all-around package as a money-making prospect in the US, but Nicole fits the bill of high fashion that Tyra is desperately clinging to. And the awkward ones often tend to be some of the judge's faves, although they usually haven't won until now.

I like Nicole, and I like her as a winner. I'm sure they'll both get work, to the extent that petite models do. It will be interesting to see what kind of updates they do for them in future seasons!

It still cracks me up that they keep saying "petite." I realize they're shorter than other models, but I'm 5'6", and I am NOT petite! I think they just wanted to make it sound nicer than "short."

If you aren't "small and trim" then you aren't petite. Those women are "small and trim," so they are considered petite.

They certainly aren't just "short" because they are a lot taller than I am. :D They are shortER than the average model, though.

They've always had the "losers" around for the fashion show... but they're usually just decoys. This is the first season where they've admitted to having other girls walk in the final show.

As for Nicole's walk, it's pretty awful, but it's not like a short girl is really going to get much runway work anyway.