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Since Peach was eliminated, it would be safe to assume that Ify won't be picked by a new designer (because everyone's been loyal, so far, and Ify's got a reputation for being "difficult"). If I'm not mistaken, I remember Ify from the Ford Supermodel of the World competion in 2008 (a lot of stars were discovered that year like Hyoni Kang, who won, Kendra Spears, and Jacquelyn Jablonski). She represented an African country (Nigeria or Kenya?) and I remember that she had a killer walk.
I don't really get the utter hatred for Gretchen. Most of her opinions about the othert designers are told in testimonials or confessionals and I think that they are encouraged to express their real views and discern which looks they disapprove. If you watch the first few episodes, Michael C. has been very critical and has proven to have a very sharp tongue. Yet people have forgotten about this and have forgiven him because none of the other designers respect him. And one joins a competition thinking they are going to win so what's wrong with a proclamation done during a confessional where you say that "you're a force to be reckoned with". If you don't believe you have whatever it takes to win the competition, then why join in the first place? You have to show your confidence. Nobody wants to see a weepy sap worry wart (woe is me) like you-know-who.
Amen.Originally Posted by Duckyface;4054520;
To paraphrase the great Hamlet, "This show seems out of joint." (Knew that English degree would come in handy some day.It's all so petty and mean this season on all sides, even Tim and even between Tim and the judges.
[snip]
) First there's been the lousy judging...contestants like Rockell (?) getting eliminated when she by far was not the worst...contestants like Wretchen winning when she by far was not the best (the motto for that jumpsuit? "I am a jumpsuit. Hear me snore."
) I mean, the judges have made bad decisions before (Emilio's bikini, anyone?
), but it takes the cake this season.
Then there's Tim acting totally out of character. When he first made that tirade, I cheered. Since then, however, I've kind of changed my mind. I still agree with the sentiment, but I think he should have kept it more low key. Something along the line of "I hope you've learned a valuable lesson, AJ, to never compromise your vision but always do what you think is right." He still could have made the point and shamed Wretchen and crew, but without seeming so out of control. It was a little unnerving seeing Tim act like that.
And of course, the all-consuming drama with MC. As Estygal pointed out, there have been contestants before who didn't have formal training, or who were a little quirky, but they weren't treated this horribly by their fellow contestants. There's just something wrong with Wretchen and Hivy, and I mean that in all seriousness. Clearly these two had some issues before they ever came on the show, and now it's being magnified since they're in front of a camera. This is especially true for Hivy...that kind of vitriol just doesn't come out of nowhere. She probably acts this way in real life, too, only it wasn't quite such a big deal then because only a few people knew her.
In fact, I was reading the board over at Lifetime last night, and somebody there made a good point. Wretchen and Hivy are acting like the proverbial spoiled children, which means that maybe nobody ever told them they were less than perfect. It's true. Wretchen sounds like she was Mommy's Little Darling who always got what she wanted, and Hivy sounds like the proverbial head cheerleader/prom queen from every bad teen flick. I mean, like, how DARE you say that little nobody is actually capable of making a dress? Don't you know that I'M the only one here who can make good dresses? Worship ME! If she weren't so hateful, and if MC weren't so nice, it would almost be funny with her, too.
And somebody else made an interesting point over at the other board: what on earth do the sponsors think of this train wreck? Do Garnier and Loreal really appreciate having their elegant names being associated with this mess?
I started out liking Gretchen. Her thinking she was so great didn't bother me because, as you say, most designers say stuff like that. It didn't bother me that she and others were trashing Michael C's design of the "hat dress" and his abilities to each other and in confessionals. It did bother me that Gretchen and most of the other designers didn't congratulate Michael on his good reviews from the judges and then his win. Just rudeness, IMO.
In the team challenge during Team Luxe's planning phase, Michael C. made a suggestion. Gretchen gave Michael a dismissive look and totally ignored him and went on to her next point. I started disliking Gretchen a bit then. Team Luxe decided that they would stand together as a team and let the judges decide the outcome. Gretchen starts talking and after a couple of minutes tells the judges she hopes they'll make their decision on who to send home based on who they want to see more from. Way to throw your teammates under the bus, Gretchen. That was obviously code words for "I've won twice, you probably want to see more from me than from some of these other guys." I disliked Gretchen even more after that.
Then there was the completely gratuitous trashing of Michael during the judging. I liked Gretchen a whole lot less after that.
So, yes, I do dislike Gretchen. I also dislike Ivy for her active acts of meanness. I'm very disappointed in many of the other designers for following Gretchen and Ivy's lead in their treatment of Michael C.
Brilliant!Machiavelli would love you.
"Tis better to rule through fear than love, because when you're on top there's always somebody waiting to stab you in the back." Very loose paraphrase of the master of realpolitik. Right now Wretchen is riding the coolness factor, but there are those waiting in the wings (read: Valerie) who think they're just as cool and are just waiting for the right moment...wouldn't be surprised in the least if Valerie throws Wretchen under the bus at some point...and then Hivy will join Valerie in doing it, because her alliance with Wretchen was only for the moment and against a common enemy...yep, the vultures are circling and Wretchen doesn't even realize it. I am almost...almost tempted to feel sorry for her, because I'm guessing when the moment comes she'll be surprised. This is why I dislike Hivy the most...she's not only arrogant and spiteful, she's unscrupulous. Valerie is a close second for my dislike, but for right now, Hivy is the most vocal so she takes the prize.
Interesting point about April...yep, keep an eye on her, too. I don't think the group would follow Hivy, but it would be interesting to see who they chose to replace Wretchen, April or Valerie.
And poor Michael C is caught in the middle of this. Honestly, I don't think this is really about him. As somebody said, he's just the easiest target. I really do think this is a personality problem, at least for Wretchen and Hivy. The real issue is that they are so narcissistic that they believe they are superior fashion designers, and so they feel threatened by the judges who dare to tell them otherwise. Hence the carping about how lousy the judges are. Since they can't destroy the judges, they will eliminate the other contestants until they can get out in the real world and "prove" how superior they are. I believe that if by some miracle anybody ever did hire them they would bad-mouth other designers just to keep elevating themselves.
Thank you.
Regarding your theory: I actually thought of that while I was watching the show. I just forgot to mention because I had so much else to say.
Alas, poor Paige, we knew you well. Another victim, along with AJ, of this Michael C mess (in the sense that nobody is talking about them). I agreed with the judges that she should go home. However, I will miss her. She showed talent and grace under pressure, even when leaving. A real class act that the show desperately needed this season.
I noticed that originally with Casanova too, but I think and hope that his win last week (the team challenge) really humbled him a bit and made him appreciate what he's doing. I do think his clothing also has improved a bit - then again just about anything is better than his very first dress, tough yeah... it would fit Star Trek well.
Seriously doubt he'll win but he's good for humor now. He may be our only light-hearted humor now that Peach is gone. I really can't stand the snottiness of Gretch and Ivy - and it's that, snottiness.
Irina, Emilio, Mila and a few others I've seen who were snobs actually COULD back up what they said.
And some, such as Irina - understood talent and skills. She wasn't too complimentary of Gordana as a designer, but DID know she could sew like nothing else. That's why she chose her to help in the final runway, and I think that's a reason why she won.
Emilio respected Seth Aaron's talent, even though he hoped to win and was arrogant about it. At least he showed respect for other's talents. (Though yeah, SA was going to win unless he really had a bad outfit IMHO).
Mila I think grew and became more appreciative of what she was doing and getting to go to final runway. I do think that's what gave her the edge in the showdown.
And there are probably others in previous seasons, but I could only start watching in Irina's season.
That said, I do not see that with Gretchen and Ivy, and I think it'll hurt them in the end. I'm hoping other good designers such as Mondo and all don't fall - at least long if they have - into their bitterness or it'll affect their designs.
TLo (from Project Rungay) interviewed Peach for their blog today. Here's a snippet that might shed some light on why Michael C. is so despised by the cast:
She was very polite about it, but it ties in with what other leaving contestants have said. Apparently, he talks about sex. A lot. And most of his comments in the workroom had very heavy sexual connotations that were borderline offensive attached to them that made a lot of people (including the men) feel uncomfortable.TLo: Alright, enough of that, let’s gossip. What is going on with this group this season? A.J. last night tweeted that Michael Costello was a "massive d-bag" and that he was acting for the cameras. Everyone hates him but he comes across as this little wounded lamb to us. What’s the deal with Michael Costello, Peach?
Peach: [Laughs] Michael Costello came onto the show, he even said this to us, because he wants his own reality show and he’s creating this character that you see. There were two sides of Michael Costello and one of them did not have the nicest language; not just curse words, subject matter too. I don’t know how to put it, but he is not the victim that they’re painting him to be.
What's REALLY interesting is that Lifetime is showing NONE of this. Hmmm...
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