THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST

The search for America's Next Top Model begins as 35 finalists land at the airport in Los Angeles, ready and raring to audition. While thousands of girls tried out, only 14 will make the final cut, and the decision proves to be a tough one for Tyra and her panel of experts.

We first meet Noelle, a 20-year-old realtor's assistant from Reno, Nevada; Kahlen, the 21-year-old restaurant hostess from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Brittany, the 22-year-old elementary school instructional aide from Tallahassee, Florida; Lluvy, the 21-year-old janitor from Modesto, California; and Brandy, the 20-year-old cosmetology student from Houston, Texas, all of whom are thrilled to be arriving. While Kahlen has never been to LA before, Brandy has never even been on a plane, so she is "totally tripping out." Tiffany, the 22-year-old mother from Miami, Florida, also arrives and is relieved to have been given a second chance at becoming a Top Model. During auditions for cycle 3, Tiffany's temper got the better of her during a raucous evening out on the town. Mary, a plus sized model who also didn't make it to the final cut for cycle 3, is back again and she is "not wasting anything with this one."

All 35 contestants gather in the Westin Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. They howl enthusiastically when Jay Manuel and casting director Michelle Mock emerge to greet them. Jay asks the girls what qualities they think Tyra is looking for, but Tyra soon arrives to tell them personally what she's after. "I'm looking for girls with pizzazz, I'm looking for girls that are beautiful on the outside…but I'm [also] looking for the beauty on the inside, something that is rare, something that is extra special." Everyone is overwhelmed by Tyra's appearance, grateful that she took the time to pay them a visit.

GETTING STARTED

The panel of Mr. Jay, Miss J. and Tyra set up to start the interview process, and the girls make their entrances one by one. First up is all-American Rebecca, the 22-year-old former flight attendant from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Keenyah, the 19-year-old student from Compton, California; and Kahlen, who says she has never watched a single episode of ANTM. Lindsey, a former Mormon from Louisiana is next, followed by the confident Jennifer from California. A vivacious Brittany enters the room and livens things up, and Jay wonders what would happen if he put Brittany and Janice Dickinson in a room together. "I think Brittany would come out alive," Jay says, getting a high five from Tyra. When it's Tiffany's turn, she reveals that she's taken anger management classes since auditioning for cycle 3, and notes how supportive her grandmother is of her dreams

That night at the Century Plaza Hotel, the girls take a dip in the pool and hot tub, playing chicken and a wild game of Truth or Dare. Some of the girls get crazy, trading bathing suit tops or doing pole dances, but Brittany shocks them all as she pulls her top off altogether and runs around the pool, strategically covering her assets. After their swim, the girls split up into two groups: the over 21s and the under. Those over 21 head off to the red-hot club White Lotus, while the others get "a surprise" trip to, of all places, a bowling alley. The girls get their party on in both locations, but the under 21s are happy when they find out that they stayed out later than the older group did.

Auditions continue with Jessika, aka Lady Kat, with her long nails and cat-like features, followed by Sarah, the 22-year-old waitress from Baltimore, Maryland, and Lluvy, who appears in a black, sophisticated dress. Tyra realizes immediately that that's not who Lluvy really is, and asks her to change into her street clothes. Once she's happily back in her jeans and tee shirt, Lluvy tells the group about her rough childhood. Michelle, the 19-year-old wrestler from Terra Haute, Indiana, talks about her career, and Naima, the 20-year-old coffee shop waitress from Detroit, Michigan, explains how she is named after a John Coltrane composition. Texan Brandy is up next, and she is feeling the pressure of the competition already. Tatiana, the 18-year-old waitress from Maui, Hawai'i, tells how she spent her rent money on a plane ticket to try out for ANTM, and that although she left high school, she will be getting her GED soon. Bronx native Estela brings tears to Tyra's eyes as she explains that she and her daughter were homeless at one time, and she wants to do well to provide for her child.

PUT THOSE CLAWS AWAY

Later that evening, there's a birthday party for two of the girls, and Lady Kat riles things up a little by hollering at the entire group of girls, especially annoying Sarah. The next morning, everyone takes a visit to Griffith Park, and Tiffany advises Lady Kat to chill, knowing she'll lose a huge opportunity if she doesn't settle down.

Interviews begin anew, and Mary is next to see Tyra, Jay and J., followed by Rachel, another plus sized model; Alexandria from Fort Collins, who gets some reassurance from Tyra; and self-confident Christina, the 24-year-old fashion marketing student from Tallahassee, Florida. Brita, the 25-year-old waitress from La Cañada, California, tells Tyra that she grew up wealthy, but that when her father broke his back he was unable to provide for the family, and she now supports herself as a waitress. Noelle is next, and she explains how even though she has endometriosis, she was able to have a baby, and the experience changed her life.

WALKING OFF IN LINGERIE

Once the initial interviews are completed, Tyra brings everyone in for a lingerie walk-off to see how all the girls can hold their own next to each other while wearing skimpy attire. In groups, they strut their stuff for the panel, bringing the audition process to a close. Jay gathers everyone at the hotel to say that final picks will be announced the following day. Many of the girls pray together, and some cry, intensely feeling the drive to move forward.

The next day, the girls learn that the first cut will take the number of potentials from 35 to 20, and Jay and J. point to a room where the ones who will move on will find their portfolios. A mad dash ensues. Many of the girls scream and cry in joy when they find their photos, while the others are devastated and tearful.

TURN ON THE CHARM

The 20 finalists meet their first challenge of sorts: to pose for pictures inside a photo booth. They all line up and take their turn, some simply smiling, others turning up the heat and striking fierce poses. Tyra and the judges get together to analyze the pics, each pointing out what they like and don't like about the girls. Jay thinks Keenyah was a little flat and J. finds Tatiana a bit rough around the edges, but Tyra thinks both girls have something to offer. They like Lluvy and her "giraffe eyelashes," believe Kahlen can be molded into something special, and disagree about Noelle (Tyra digs her; Jay not so much). Naima is seen as sharp and edgy, Brittany is a little Janice Dickinson, and J. worries about Michelle's neck. Brandy's hair is a big topic of conversation: to weave or not to weave? J. loves Sarah, and Brita's got the glam thing going on, while Jay wants to keep Estela because of her emotionally moving story. Rebecca is a "clean palette," Jessika is a little one note, while Tiffany has something they can build on. J. doesn't want to see plus-sized Mary compete against the rest of the girls, despite her beauty.

THE DECISION IS MADE

Once the difficult decision is completed, Tyra gathers everyone to present their pictures one by one, cutting the final six girls in the process. Rebecca is called first, followed by Christina, Keenyah, Brita, Naima and Noelle. Michelle is seventh, and Sarah, Brandy, and Brittany are next. The tensions run high as the last four slots are filled by Kahlen, Tatiana, Lluvy and, finally, a joyful Tiffany. Tyra hugs the last six left behind, and saves her longest hug for Mary, who's had her heart broken a second time. Estella bows out with grace, knowing she and her daughter will make it no matter what.

The fourteen finalists are thrilled to be part of the final group, but they won't have much time to celebrate. Soon they'll be moving into the Los Angeles loft, the challenges will begin and the real competition gets started as they all vie for the title of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL.