As she looked back on her Top Model experience, Amanda couldn't keep the tears from falling. "I wanted to win so I could get the one hundred thousand dollar contract and buy a house." She had no regrets and felt like she showed that "people who have disabilities or shortcomings can work through it and find joy in everything."
Neither Eva nor Yaya had any difficulty in finding the irony they were the final two. Eva broke it down, saying it was "either the tomboy or the Afro-centric one." For a moment they danced around each other but the barriers quickly fell away. Eva said, "What I'm learning about Yaya is that she has her defenses up but that there is a sweet person underneath that." Yaya saw the good in Eva: "I'm finally able to see a little bit of her for who she is."
It was time for the final one-on-one with Tyra and Eva went first. She puts it on the line, asking, "What do you see in me that shows you that I have so much potential?" Tyra replied, "A girl that is very troubled that is trying to be better. It's not about perfection but striving to improve ourselves." This pushed Eva to tears. She told Tyra, "There isn't a testimony without a test."
Yaya sat down for her moment with Tyra. She wrestled with her pride as she talked with Tyra. "It's natural for me to want to be proud." Tyra explained, "I'm still a black woman, representing beauty to people that never really thought a black woman was beautiful."
Eva was very excited for the final fashion show. She said, "I know I can walk." When they meet Jay he quickly clarified, "This is not a show for you two. This is a real show." Both girls took a look at the stage and it was not your average runway: it had got corners! Jay explained that it was going to be a very Japanese style show, slow and somber, and Miss J. walked to show them what Mr. Jay was talking about.
It was show time. All the judges took a front row seat with Miss J. sporting a kimono. Yaya was first to walk. "Walking out, feeling them watching, it was exhilarating." Eva had to modify her sass. "I like to walk strong and this show doesn't allow that." At the last moment Eva and Yaya nearly collided…but didn't.
As the show wound down, each was confident. Yaya said, "My chances of winning are very good." They were stunned to learn that from the show they were to go directly to panel.
Yaya and Eva emerged all dolled up in front of the final panel--Nigel, Janice, Tyra and Nolé. Tyra explained there was no guest judge as these four know them best. "We know your strengths, we know your weaknesses."
They rolled video of the fashion show and Yaya was first. Nigel said, "I was breathless. You looked beautiful." Nolé was more reserved: "You were technical. You lacked personality." Janice concured, "Your look was zombie. Glacial."
Eva fared a little better. Nigel was impressed that Eva's personality showed through. "You had the Zen and a little bit of swagger." Tyra didn't let Eva get off that easy, saying, "You looked a little bit like an egret."
Then, in preparation for the final judgment, the four judges and the two remaining contestants reviewed every photo from week one. Nigel admitted he liked Yaya from the first shoot they did in Jamaica and he was not afraid to tell her that. Eva turned up the heat at the alter-ego shoot, causing Janice to gush, "Drop dead knockout Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth." Both of the girls dazzled the judges with their diamond and spider shot and Tyra was very impressed with Yaya when they were posing in lingerie and selling mobile phones. She said, "You were taking notes in your head when I was posing."
As they arrived at the final photos, Janice couldn't hold back her enthusiasm. "Eva Diva, this is Eva Diva extraordinaire. Girl, you were slamming." Tyra's praise was spread evenly. She said, "The Cover Girl's motto is good girl with a wink. Both of you would make it."
The girls were sent from the room and the final deliberation began. Nigel felt Yaya had an "old-fashioned look," while Eva "has a look I see more of right now." Tyra was impressed at Yaya's fluidity even though she had never modeled. Janice added, "I'm more prone to Yaya's refinement." In the end, Nigel felt torn. "I have instincts that say Yaya. Another side says Eva."
The girls were called back in. Tyra brought them into the present reminding them that in a moment the girl that she called would be America's Next Top Model. Eva could barely contain herself. "This feeling is so overwhelming," she says.
Tyra begins, "You two are so different. Both of you have strengths and weaknesses." To Yaya she says, "You went from a girl that was all strut to someone who was likable and relatable. We kicked that chip right up off your shoulder and now you stand before me radiant and a true model." To Eva she recalls the earlier days of, "'I'm gonna' hate on you before you hate on me.' Now a real model stands before me."
Tyra paused, drawing out the suspense. Finally, she said, "Eva."
Eva was hysterical, overcome with emotion. "I am a Cover Girl." Through her tears she said how her dream had come true. "This little tomboy who has never been beautiful, now I'm America's Next Top Model. I get to represent all the little girls everywhere that feel the way I feel." Then she punched it, "Watch out world--here comes Eva!"
