[Saph]

2nd - Cycle 6 (2006)



wow okay so I debated which of these iconic cycles to put 1st and 2nd for ages because they're both neck and neck. I finally (after like 6 days) decided to give the runner-up slot to Cycle 6.

This cycles casting episode introduced us to a whole bunch of new girls like cage dancer Joanie, no-nonsense Danielle, the iconic phone sex operator Furonda, the legendary miss undiscovered supermodel Jade and also Wendy who hadn't heard from her family since hurricane Katrina but for some reason decided to come on the show anyway



I'm not even sure where to start with this one, but lets go with then the final 13 girls had an impromptu press interview with Janice Dickinson, the girls were all saying their piece, while Furonda was trying to speak, Jade snatches the mic away and starts talking instead



The girls have to wear bald caps for their first photoshoot and somehow some of them look great while others look awful. Country Kathy is the first to be eliminated. Then came the makeovers and Jade was furious that her afro had been cut off and dyed blonde and was adamant that she needed long hair. Meanwhile back at the house Wendy had finally managed to re-connect with her family over the phone, until Jade comes up and demands she needs to use it. Leading to one of the most iconic scenes from the show between Jade and Furonda "sitting there with that crown on your head, they aint even real diamonds"



Wendy leaves the phone room and says to Jade "you need to not take your anger out on other people" to which Jade replies "goodbye JLO goodbye JLO"

oh, and then Wendy was eliminated once production found out her missing family storyline was over nnnnn

After the girls had their makeovers, Furonda was really feeling her new long weave and decided she was gonna hand out a list of her 'rules' to the other girls..

Youtube video

my personal favourite is "if you need anything other than emergency items, please do not ask me"

Joanie also got her teeth re-done because they looked bloody awful. Danielle got the now infamous gap closing too.



For the runway that week the girls had to walk with a bejeweled cockroach as an accessory. Jade was taunting Gina backstage with her cockroach and caused Gina to slip on the runway. When it was Jades turn to go she actually kissed her cockroach.



The girls also had that infamous panel test where they had to walk in the 6 inch heels. Danielle actually sprained her ankle from falling so hard.




One of the biggest storys of the cycle was Nnenna and her possessive boyfriend John, which came to blows when Nnenna kissed a male model on a shoot. Brooke had decided she was sick of Nnenna and completely flipped out, telling the whole house how much of a selfish bitch she was.

Janice Dickinson joined the girls for dinner one day and her and Jade were getting on well. Janice then asked Gina who she thought was the bitch in the house and Gina pointed to Jade, who gave us the iconic "wha?" gif. Janice then decided to let rip at Gina for ratting out Jade, "we NEVER rat out our bitches!"




The girls also did that infamous improv challenge with Nick Cannon, when they had to do an improv rap, Jade and Furonda were paired against eachother and the rest was history...




Then there was the iconic covergirl improv commercial, where each girl had to improv their lines while walking through a party. Practically all the girls did an awful job. Brooke gave her iconic "I just LOVE wearing covergirl...its just SO nice to wear" and then Jade of course delivered her legendary performances..

Youtube video

As I've said before, when the girls go to Asia you know its going to be a scream, this cycle the girls went to Thailand and it was a complete culture shock. As Jade and Nnenna were the challenge winners, they were treated to a Thai massage by the other girls. Joanie was the only one who took it seriously while Furonda and Danielle were poking with their fingers instead

At the go-sees, no girl made it back on time. Jade decided to see all the designers which made her over an hour late. Danielle got really sick while in Thailand and had to spend a night in the hospital to recover from food poisoning.

For the challenge, the girls had to perform a traditional Thai dance in front of an audience, the whole challenge was a mess and gave us Furondas iconic crunk hula dance



There was also drama at the elephant photoshoot when Joanie accused Sara of copying her poses on the elephant.

Eventually the final 3 came down to Jade, Joanie and Danielle. Jade was eliminated before the final runway and gave us one of, if not THE most iconic exit of all time

"I have what it takes, it’s just that my look is in a different realm. People don’t know how to handle it. This face will definitely be hard to forget. Jade.. will be hard.. to forget."

Youtube video

Joanie and Danielle both killed the final runway and ultimately Danielle won. This was a very strong top 2 but I think Danielle had taken so many consistently strong photos and endured so much during her time on the show that it was almost a no-brainer to give her the win.

Cycle ranking: 10/10



and to read us out, a poem by our very own Jade Cole:


Leftover lady,

let alone the strongest to be subdued,

If only I had the magic key,

that would unlock the realms

to the plateau of the highest me,

even though I’ve been badly bruised,

living in a house, to become a popular muse.