Yes, it's true. I have made the finale of #DNTM5 - All Stars, hosted by Dimitra. I personally am shocked by this and thought I was for sure getting 4th once again, but that's not the case and I have accomplished what I had set out to do and make that finale! The Season 1 Cast were Guinea Pigs for what this game has become. We were not the most polished, but we all had heart. Back in Season 1, I had a pretty consistent track record but unfortunately just didn't do what I needed to towards the end and got cut right before the finale. Immediately after that I knew All Stars was in my future, and when the call came best believe I answered. Am I the most fashionable, editorial or creative model.... well no, but I am a #BRAND and that's marketable in the modelling industry. I was nervous coming into this competition due to that fact, but towards the middle of the season I was able to find my footing and really cement my legacy. Now I want to go back and look at the photos I created this season.
Premiere: Golden Light Entrance
Oh, this y'all, is just the promo look. I knew we were not getting judged, so I just put on my little gold dress and served some face and baby the face is on and stamped. This reminded the audience who I am, but they never forgot.
PHOTOSHOOT 1: ๐บ Botanical World ๐ฟ
For the Botanical World photoshoot, I originally was trying to go for a look using Lavender. It didn't look great and gave try hard vibes just a little bit. I opted to go for a more tropical look with warm colors and makeup in front of a beautiful backdrop. This photo was serviceable and safe which in this stage of the competition I was okay with.
PHOTOSHOOT 2: ๐ฅ The Morning After ๐ฅ
The morning after photoshoot was one of the hardest to produce. It's difficult to create a messy atmosphere that still looks clean enough to be a fashion editorial. I went through a bunch of different options before landing on my outdoor Garden Tea Party concept. I figured my competition would all likely stay indoors and my location would help me standout. This round I landed in the Top 3 (Top 2 without including advantages) and I am very happy with what I produced here. I'd say I deserved the win but that would be in bad taste.
PHOTOSHOOT 3: โ๏ธ Industrial Power โ๏ธ
The Industrial Power photoshoot was the first challenge I came into knowing exactly what I wanted to give. When thinking of construction machinery, the first thought that comes to my mind as a Gay Man is Miley Cyrus' 'Wrecking Ball' video. (Shoutout to Jaded) So I was pretty much dead set on invoking that energy in some way. Originally of course I wanted the model to be sitting on the wrecking ball like Miley was, but that came with difficulties so instead I opted to hang by the chain. I was really happy with how this turned out in the end and thought it would be my first FCO of the season. It was not, so I had to just keep pushing.
PHOTOSHOOT 4: ๐ Moonlight ๐
Moonlight was a challenge that didn't exactly move me. My inspiration came from Dagger of Marvel Rivals fame as I had been playing the game a lot at the time we got this particular challenge. I think the image I presented was clean and my outfit was serving Body which I'm known for (The Body Girl), but it was just too safe for this leg of the competition. By this point we had the Mass Exodus of Quits, so the competition had thinned drastically and there was no more room to hide. I landed in the Bottom 3, but at least I was pretty!
PHOTOSHOOT 5: ๐ค Festival Fever ๐ช
Another challenge I was not particularly excited for. Creating one body that looks semi realistic is one thing, so to create an entire crowd of people was much more difficult. The photo I ended up with I was very happy with though. My competitors all went in the Coachella festival vibe for the most part and I think choosing a rock concert and aesthetic made the most sense for me as the red head pretty girl. I was able to show the judges I'm not just pretty; I can get messy too.
PHOTOSHOOT 6: ๐ง Mermaid Fantasy ๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ
I will not be posting my Mermaid look. I find it to be hideous. To all the people who want to play #DNTM in the future trust me when I say DO NOT NAP on photo submission days. Yeah, so I came into this photoshoot trying to be a concept queen and by the time I realized my concept was not working honey I had 30 minutes left. Not my best work and we move on.
PHOTOSHOOT 7: ๐ Bold Beauty ๐
This was a challenge I was very excited to do! As the self-proclaimed Face Queen of All Stars, I knew this could be the week I break through and get my top photo! I almost got it too, but penalties and advantages stopped that from happening. I do agree with the judges that there were some minor errors that needed to be adjusted like the smudging of makeup on the cheek, and I also wish I had fixed the stones in the eye makeup to be symmetrical. We keep it pushing though.
PHOTOSHOOT 8: ๐ฅคFizz Factor๐ฅค
Fizz Factor! My first winning week. This was a challenge I was really excited for. Back in Season 1, we had a perfume challenge that was similar and I didn't do too well in that. This was my chance at redemption. This challenge called for Branding and my Brand is serving Body, love it or hate it! I do feel some people try to clown and say its p0rn, but if you felt that way about a computer-generated image, please seek help. Try to make it yourself, it's not easy trust. I could easily see a photo like this on a Billboard driving into NYC and THAT is a model. My favorite photo of the season and first FCO!
PHOTOSHOOT 9: ๐ Good vs. Evil ๐
Alright so as the winner of the prior challenge I got to pick the pairs so of course I had to pick Lewis. I felt we had a similar type of mindset in terms of what we like so the pair worked very well. We did procrastinate, but in the end, we served a pretty on the nose Good v Evil Angel v Devil but make it camp look. I showed everyone a new side to myself with this Evil Queen updo and honestly... I live! Proud of how it turned out.
PHOTOSHOOT 10: ๐ง Vertical Edge ๐ง
This was a week I did not bring it how I needed to. After some pretty strong weeks back-to-back, this photo brought me into the BTM2 officially where I stayed the rest of the season. Am I disappointed in the photo, not really. I felt the assignment was met and could easily be seen in catalog for like Colombia or North Face. Catalog Models are real Models. Bottom line is that's not what the judges wanted this week, so I understand my placement.
PHOTOSHOOT 11: ๐ฉ Wonderland ๐ฉ
Being in the Bottom and having a trip to Greece right around the corner the pressure was ON for this challenge. I ran through probably the most options I had for any photoshoot this season. Originally, I was trying for the Cheshire Cat, then a Flamingo look, then a Mad Hatter and eventually I landed back on my Flamingo Cricket look. I felt the photo was strong and certainly out of the box, but at this stage of the competition everyone's photos are beyond gorgeous, so it really is hard to tell how you will place. For the posing I gave a bit of a nod to my Tennis photoshoot back in Season 1 and I think the dynamic action shot was enough to take me over the edge and earn my 2nd FCO of the season!
PHOTOSHOOT 12: ๐บ Ancient Gods ๐บ
Now that I made it to Greece, the pressure was ON. Angie K would personally send me diamonds to change my name had I flopped, but this theme was right on my alley. I chose to mimic the Greek Goddess Nike, the Goddess of Victory. She's best known for her angelic wings, but I did not want to give her an exact replication, so I chose to only do one wing. The judges didn't live for this but SUE ME, I liked it. I was able to survive this week and make it to the Top 4 once again!
PHOTOSHOOT 13: ๐
Santorini Sunset ๐
The final photo shoot before the Grand Finale. At this point I was behind my competitors by a lot, my only way of making it to the end was with a winning photo. The category called for drama, sultry and power. That's what I brought to the table. Sometimes it's okay to play on the nose. When thinking of Santorini photoshoots, the big dress flowing in the wind is the most iconic thing someone could think of! Of course, I wanted to give that in my look but turn the notch up a bit so that I was not just standing there. Submitting this look I felt it was the best I could do, although I wasn't sure it would be enough to bring me to the end of the competition. Thankfully, I won! I was shocked by this because the work my competition submitted were truly all works of art. I am proud of myself for not only beating my past placement but also earning 3 FCOs, giving me 5 across both my seasons.
TRIBUTES:
Thiii - we didn't interact too much in the game but given all the quits I feel you deserved to get a call back to the competition. I hope to see you again in DNTM.
Jordie OhEmGee Gabs - I respect you all and just wish you would have stayed! It was hard to represent the OGs all by myself. Drama aside love you all Season 1 Sisters forever.
Fancy - You are always so kind! I'll send you voice memos if you root for me to win.
KaliMinaj - My Big 3 sis. If I was told preseason, you would be out this early, I would not have believed it! I do think what you brought to the competition was just too safe.
CupidStunt - We went right from the Skinnisha Beach to the DNTM Mansion, and this experience was much better for us than survivor. I loved comparing photos with you and helping each other out in the competition. Wished you could've stayed longer!
Honey - Another skinnisha girl in the DNTM Mansion. We didn't really help each other out too much, but you were always hyping up my photos which was very much appreciated! hugs.
Goomybear - The Willam Belli of DNTM. Drama aside you were a fierce competitor, but the BBG Scandal does put a bit of damper on the experience so its best we move on.
Marquis - You are a fighter! To go from the Bottom 2 for the very first week all the way to top 8 is a huge accomplishment, to do that while also just competing on Season 4 you deserve a round of applause.
Lewis - My Duo Partner I loved having you in the competition, you'll see me in The Drag Haus soon.
Manyomash - Fierce competitor. You brought it each week. We didn't speak too much, but I gave you the partner you wanted so kisses diva.
GuiltyAsSin - Just like Marquis you came just from Season 4 so applause is in order to you for making so many looks back to back. Great job this season, I'm sure we will see you back at some point.
Maris - I'm heartbroken. You were such a good friend to everyone in the competition. You offered me helpful advice many times and I can't thank you enough! I feel bad to be the one taking your spot in the Top 3. In my opinion you deserve it just as much, if not more </3
Medusaluh & Seong my fellow Finalists! You both have been the standard for this competition. Each week I would see your submissions and be wowed so congrats to you both. Medusa you especially were a big help to me so I appreciate all the advice you gave to me throughout the competition.
Lastly, shoutout to my AngieKStanStan's who gave me their candid opinions and undying support of my submissions each week namely: WowPlatinum, Morgan, Tisha, skinny, AMANDA & gay
Now for the Final Photoshoots. Wish me luck xoxo.