Australia's Next Top Model Cycle 5 - Live Final

Yeah I know, its a little past the live final. But can I just say that since Clare got booted last week, I've been pretty ambivalent as to who wins? Let's face it, Cassi has the face and figure if not the attitude or the walk. Tahnee has the face and the walk, she's such a nice girl and she's just not skinny enough for high fashion. Don't get me wrong; I think she has an amazing figure but it really is more Victoria's Secret than Lanvin.

So the live final took place at Luna Park, with guest judges Priscilla Leighton-Clark of Priscilla's Model Management, photographer Russell James and editor of Harper's Bazaar Australia, Claudia Navone. The models had hair and makeup done by Nigel Stanislaus from Maybelline and Joh Bailey and we had some running commentary from ex model and current MTV host Ruby Rose.

The season's models finally came out on the runway, wearing whatever outfit they had on during their final photo shoot. And I just have to say - I love Clare. Then we had Jessica Mauboy doing a live performance - absolutely hot outfit. Next came a montage of Cassii vs Tahnee in the runway stakes (and we know who wins there) followed by another of Alex and Charlotte bickering throughout the season.

This gives the models just enough time to get changed for the Australian Designers Parade, where the girls model outfits by Josh Goot, Marnie Skillings and Fernando Frissoni. Finally, Cassi and Tahnee reappear in stunning black Alex Perry gowns, waists so narrow its a wonder they could even breathe. And again, I couldn't help but think that the darkness of those dresses would have contrasted beautifully with Clare's luminous pale skin and hair.

Out comes Sarah, also in a sparkly Alex Perry gown and announces Australia's Favourite Model. And its Clare! Cassi and Tahnee go through their photos and talk about them, before the judges weigh in on their favourite photos as well. Finally we start getting the judges votes. Jonathan went with Tahnee while both Russell and Claudia went with Cassi. I think it was obvious that Claudia would have gone with whichever girl could do high fashion. And we know that Harper's would feature more girls like Cassi any day, over girls like Tahnee. Yes its a shame but its fashion.

We then took a bit of a brea from more votes, with Sarah calling in Tahnee's mum Jane to share in the excitement. She then surprises Cassi by inviting her mum out (as we know, Cassi's mother had moved to LA). Another performance by Jessica Mauboy and more interviews. And Tahnee has a nosebleed! The first on any Top Model history ever! Back to the judges votes: Sarah and Charlotte voted for Tahnee, while Alex and Priscilla go for cassi. So Cassi leads. I love Charlotte's little rant when she explained why she wasn't going to vote for cassi, and I agree with her. If Cassi really does marry that boyfriend of hers who, at 25 is still too young (in my eyes; let's not even go near her age!) to get married anyway she's never going to make it big in the modeling world.

Finally Sarah opens that all-important envelope. And the winner is ....TAHNEE!!!!!!

Australia's Next Top Model Cycle 5 - Week 9

Its Fashion Week! The models trekked over to Priscilla's and were given the news that they had a series of go-sees for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. First up was Ginger & Smart where Clare was picked up. Next came Wayne Cooper. Poor Tahnee was deemed too voluptuous while the other two got through, though Cassi was told that she had to improve her walk. At Nicola Finetti, Clare once again got the job, along with Tahnee. The girls then donned fab swinsuits for Anna & Boy. Tahnee's boobs were too big, Clare's were too small and Cassi walked away with the catwalk prize, amidst endless crowing about getting a show that Clare didn't. Never mind that Clare scored every thing else. Finally, the girls auditioned for the Diet Coke Little Black Dress show and all got through.

Clare starts off the shows with Ginger & Smart. The other two and noticeably sour-graped as they say their goodbyes. Clare walked like a seasoned model, garnering praise from jonathan and Sarah. She shone once again at Wayne Cooper and while Cassi was walking a lot better, she still looked a bit wobbly. At Nicola Finetti, Alex wasn't too happy with Clare's walk but Tahnee was an absolute hit. Cassi was very much improved at Anna & Boy's show and by the time the Little Black Dress show rolled up, she showed a lot more confidence on the runway. As Charlotte said, Tahnee was a sex kitten in Alex Perry while Clare was sexy, edgy, international and expensive.

After the shows, Sarah revealed that Fashion Week had been a challenge and of course, there would be a winner. No surprises that it was Clare, who scored 4 out of 5 shows. Her prize was a flight to Broome where she would be staying at the Pinctada Cable Beach Spa and Resort.

But before that, the weekly photo shoot! The girls were driven to Gary Beach where they met up with Jonathan and photographer (and past Top Model judge) Jez Smith. The brief was for a group shot - natural, beautiful and serene. The girls took positios both by the water's edge and in the water, Cassi losing the top of her dress during a particularly strong wave. After a costume change, the girls had their individual shoots. Clare was up first and though Jez thought she had a very good range, he also found her too posey. Next came Cassi who was very at ease and looked to be taking some beautiful shots. Finally Tahnee had her turn. I find it very curious that they seem to always put her in the shiny sparkly dresses, given she does carry the most weight though she isn't in any way fat. But both Jez and Jonathan also picked up on the fact that she didn't always know how to position her body, to show off her best angles.

At elimination, Jez and Director of Development of Elite New York, Doll Wright guest judged. Everyone loved the group shot , and though judging was supposed to be based on that shot, the individual photos were also shown, which I think might have skewed the results somewhat. But that's just my opinion. The girls were asked why they thought they should be Australia's Next Top Model.

Tahnee, desperately trying not to cry, and totally failing was up first. She thinks she's versatile, with the ability to carry off editorial and commercial shoots but admits that she may be a little big. Yes, she is wonderful in photos but as the castings showed, she isn't as versatile as she (and Sarah) would like to think. Sarah maintains that Tahnee's figure is perfect (which it is, if she were planning a career in swimsuit/lingerie modelling and becoming a Victoria's Secret model - which she has previously said she wants) but what Sarah says, and what the designers want are two very different things. Cassi came next and managed to shock the other two, by saying that unlike Clare and Tahnee, who only wanted to win for the money, she needed to win. She added that she had leanred to control her temper and not to scream at people and punch walls. Gee, what a wonderful human being she must now be. I admit that Clare's little spiel threw me a little. She started off with a quote; "I’m a bit of a nanna. I believe it’s all about being professional, and working hard’. And these are Sarah’s words from Foxtel Magazine." To be fair to me, I think the judges were a little gobsmacked as well. But Sarah did praise Clare for being as prepared as that, which is something she had been all along in the competition.

The girls left the room and the judging commenced. Clare did not draw much love from Jez or Doll, both choosing to concentrate on her photo rather than her overall modelling versatility and capability, citing that she had a very unusual and specific look (hello, Coco Roach and Anja Rubik?) Tahnee's size was ignored because her photos (that again) were just too beautiful. Cassi was described as being very international but oh, let's just ignore that bad walk. It was finally crunch time and Tahnee's name was called out first. I just had a bad feeling Cassi's name would be called next and I was right. She kept her cool till the end though, and walked out head held high.

I wish I could say I was very excited for next week's live finale but with Clare given the axe, I can't help feeling a bit blah about it. I hope Tahnee wins because she's a lot better than Cassi, who's only saving grace is that she does take stunning photos. But as a close friend said, "In a year, Clare will be doing high fashion, Tahnee will be doing TV and Cassi will be doing meth." Yes he's a bitch, but in this case, I think I agree with him.