Last week started off with a rather entertaining test shoot called "What's In My Bag." We were each given a bag with either something personal or something random. We then had to explain to Jennifer Peros of Us Weekly what the item was and why we were carrying it.
Stephanie definitely won for most embarrassing item. She pulled a condom out of her bag and went on to answer every single question Jen threw at her, instead of opting for the "that's personal" option. Either way, Steph handled it really well and her reactions were wildly entertaining. I could not stop laughing. Ebony also received a condom in her bag, which is something she probably does carry around with her. I believed it when she said any chance her and her boyfriend have to get away from the kids, they go at it.
I pulled a pair of boxers out of the purse, which did not belong to my boyfriend, by the way, but I thought I articulated a pretty good answer on the spot. When Karolina asked who my celebrity crush was, it was honestly a no-brainer. However, Jen did not seemed impressed with my answer about how I would react to Jared Leto hearing he was my crush and then seeing him on the red carpet a week later. Maybe I should have said, "I'd probably faint if I saw him on any carpet, anywhere," instead. Oh well, hopefully Jared watches the show, then all of that would be worth it. Zi Lin ended up winning the challenge with her Chinese charm. Good on her!
Next up was the campaign. We were to walk a red carpet in gowns designed by Guido Maria Kretschmer, while talking to fans and the paparazzi. First off, let me just say I died over everyone's gowns. They were all SO beautiful, I truly wanted to steal mine. I was in love with that black beaded masterpiece. Devyn and Zi Lin also had really amazing dresses.
Team Coco went first. I felt really confident about my performance on the red carpet. I think I carried myself gracefully, I engaged with the fans and my answer to Jennifer Peros' question on the red carpet was spot on as a spokesperson for Ulta beauty. Stephanie did a fantastic job being her bubbly self, she was engaging with the fans and had no problem acting quirky on the red carpet, but I knew she would do well.
Stephanie and I were both up on our talk shows, so we both greeted Wendy Williams with a big, "How you doin'?" Wendy cut straight to the chase and asked me why I should be the face of Ulta beauty. It honestly took me a second to gather my thoughts because no one likes to talk themselves up. It's uncomfortable and almost always comes off as disingenuous so I basically said I am always willing to learn and grow as a model, and that I just want to get better.
I now realize that totally didn't answer her question but I'm happy with that over something like, "because I'm beautiful and makeup looks really good on me,"cough, Jocelyn. Stephanie went next and being the eloquent speaker that she is, answered her questions very well and I thought Team Coco might just have a chance at winning this one.
Karolina's team went second. Devyn looked absolutely radiant on the red carpet and Ebony's smile shined brighter than the sequins on her dress. Wendy asked Ebony some VERY personal questions about her children and their fathers, but Ebony answered with poise and class. She did an amazing job.
When it came to Devyn, Wendy asked how she felt about working as a black model and Devyn responded with, "I don't really see myself as a black model." I think we were all a little confused by her answer but Naomi was outright shocked. She said Devyn was black and what she said was a disgrace. Devyn quickly clarified her statement by saying she felt like she has an "international look". Naomi still didn't seem satisfied with her answer in the end. It was not looking good for Team Karolina.
Keep reading to find out who was sent home >>
Team Naomi went last. Both Jocelyn and Zi Lin looked stunning on the red carpet. Zi Lin really worked her Guido Maria Kretschmer gown. Wendy asked some pretty invasive questions regarding both of the girls' boyfriends, and more specifically if Zi Lin was a virgin. Zi Lin was doing really well with her answers until she was asked the name of the eye shadow she was wearing. She stumbled with the answer, saying she likes to wear purple because her name means purple in Chinese and if she could, she would name the lipstick, "Ulta Special Purple". A simple, "I don't know" probably would have been a better answer but better for Team Coco I suppose. Jocelyn was a little more reserved giving short diplomatic answers to each of Wendy's questions.
Later the coaches met with the judges, William Norwich and the legendary Pat Cleveland, to discuss how each team did. They had amazing things to say about all of us but in the end Team Karolina ended up winning. That meant all four us — Zi Lin, Jocelyn, Stephanie and I — would have to face Karolina in the elimination room.
Karolina first addressed Zi Lin and Jocelyn. Zi Lin gave a convincing argument as to why she deserved to be the face of Ulta and then Karolina went on to ask Jocelyn why she should be the face of Ulta, to which she responded with, "I can speak." A blatant personal dig at Zi Lin, but not enough to sway Karolina's opinion that she didn't really want to win it.
Next Karolina asked Stephanie why she should stay and Stephanie gave an eloquent speech about how she's a fast learner and did really well with the last couple of challenges that have required more personality and speaking skills. Karolina then asked me why I deserved to stay over Stephanie and I told her that Stephanie came here to learn how to model and I came here to win, which is the truth.
Public speaking can be learned quickly, it's a very popular fear among people, but modeling is something that takes time and practice. You have to go to photo shoots and castings and get comfortable with the whole business. It takes a lot of time and work and that's my honest opinion. Ulta needs the whole package but they need a model first. Stephanie is an amazing, sweet, girl who is very good at speaking but she still has a lot to learn about modeling.
Karolina apparently agreed with my thoughts, saying Ulta needed someone who was ready right away, and chose me over Stephanie. She then chose Zi Lin over Jocelyn. Walking back in to the loft I could already tell Naomi was not happy. Continuing the trend of butting heads, Naomi told Karolina how big of a mistake she made yet again and Karolina calmly replied that she wanted the best girls to stay. Making the honorable notion that to be the best you have to beat the best.
Margaux made it to the final four! Get to know her even more >>
Naomi, who's always looking out for number one, felt the need to tell Coco and I how uninspired she was by how our team has performed the entire competition and Coco fired back something along the lines of, "at least my girl didn't lie." Naomi lost it and said "Do not say my girl lied... check your lipstick before you come and talk to me, because you're wearing it." Coco's face was priceless and the show ends with her saying, "I did check my lipstick and it's called Margaux is going to win."
Tune in to watch the finale March 26 at 9/8C on Oxygen and find out if I am The Face!
Photos credit: NBC
Don't forget to check out Margaux's other blogs before the finale airs!
The Face's Margaux blogs: The claws weren't out yet
The Face's Margaux blogs: Christy should be ashamed to call herself a model