ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE: MICHELLE CUT
This week the girls get a lesson in channeling their animal instincts when learning to pose like creatures of the wild. Later, they are sent off to the exotic locale of South Africa for an animalistic photo shoot, where some enjoy the comforts of home, while others fend for themselves in the bush. But when elimination time comes, Michelle, the 19-year-old wrestler from Terra Haute, Indiana, and Keenyah, the 19-year-old student from Compton, California, are both called forward, Michelle is sent home because she doesn't seem strong enough to survive in the tough modeling industry.

After Tatiana's elimination, Michelle recognizes that she's got to step up her game, and some of the other girls reflect on the progress they've made since the beginning of the competition. Tyra Mail later arrives asking, "Are you born to be wild?" The next day, the models find out the meaning behind that clue at 8:30AM, when they are driven to a wild animal park to meet with J. Alexander. He reveals that they will observe and learn to pose like animals such as tigers, bears and leopards, with supervision from animal trainers Jet and Eric. After observing trained animals, J. instructs the girls to imitate some of the poses the animals struck, and they all get down on the ground (in the pouring rain) and give it their best shot.

The winner of the posing competition is Brittany, the 22-year-old elementary school instructional aide from Tallahassee, Florida, and she chooses Christina the 24-year-old fashion-marketing student from Tallahassee, Florida, and Keenyah to share in the spoils of a future reward. J. then brings out Tyra, "the fiercest animal of all," to deliver some thrilling news: they are all traveling to South Africa for their next photo shoot. Everyone is stunned and excited, and once they get back to the loft, they only have two hours to pack.

GOODBYE LA, HELLO CAPE TOWN
After the flight to South Africa, Michelle's feelings of isolation continue due to the tight bond between Brittany and Keenyah. Although she tries to contribute to the conversation, the pair tends to make fun of her no matter what she says, and it's difficult to make the effort when she's constantly smacked down.

The girls endure a lengthy van ride to the Aquila Reserve and are greeted by reserve manager Pierre Kameel, Tyra and a traditional group playing drums. After the drum circle, Pierre sends everyone on safari, where their guide Shelton gives them information on what they're seeing. When a hippo comes into view, Shelton says they weigh "one and a half tons," and someone remarks, "Same amount as Keenyah." But Keenyah laughs it off, feeling confident because Yoanna, winner of ANTM cycle 2, also had problems with her weight.

DO NOT DISTURB. SERIOUSLY.
The girls see springbok, zebra, rhinos, ostrich, giraffes, and when the tour arrives at the lion zone, Shelton warns everyone to keep quiet, since the open air jeep has nothing to prevent the lions from attacking. As everyone expects, Brittany continues to talk, and soon a number of the lions move closer, scaring everyone in the truck. They escape unscathed, but blame Brittany for riling up the animals.

After the safari, the group comes to a dark campground where Shelton announces that the winner of the earlier animal pose challenge, Brittany, as well as Keenyah and Christina, will be spending the night in deluxe accommodations. Naima, the 20-year-old coffee shop waitress from Detroit, Michigan, Kahlen, the 21-year-old restaurant hostess from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Michelle will be out in the wilderness, where they will have to build their own tent. The high-maintenance trio, as designated by Michelle, enjoys champagne served to them in their hotel. But when they try and use the Jacuzzi they are grossed out by the bugs they find in the water. Later, more bugs creep into their beds, causing the girls to freak out. The other three in the bush, however, enjoy a peaceful evening by the fire, and sleep through the night. The next morning, everyone meets up for breakfast, and Keenyah reveals that she's gained twelve pounds. Despite her concerns, she eats a large breakfast, and when Brittany comments on it, Keenyah isn't happy.

Photo challenge time arrives, and Jay Manuel lets everyone know that they'll be posing as a specific animal. Kahlen will be a springbok, South Africa's national animal, Christina an ostrich, Brittany a giraffe, Michelle a zebra, Naima a cheetah and Keenyah an elephant. Keenyah laughs off her animal, but a little bitterness shows through since the other girls all get to be sexy. "Why do I get struck with these fat characters? What is going on?" she wonders.

CROCODILES AND OTHER PREDATORS The girls get another surprise when they find they will be posing with a crocodile for the Lubriderm themed shoot. Gerda Genis is the photographer, and after hair and makeup, Christina goes first. She is graceful as an ostrich, posing well and sparkling when Jay makes her laugh. Michelle is next, and Jay repeats the advice he's been giving her since the beginning of the competition: drop her chin and adjust her eyeline. Naima turns on the cheetah with strength and style, but Keenyah has a tough time thinking "sexy" when posing with her stomach exposed. Brittany isn't crazy about her giraffe look, and she comes off a little stilted, but warms up after a few minutes. When Kahlen is up, Jay says she "did the best job of taking on her animal."

OUTCAST Later that night, the girls have dinner at the Five Flies restaurant, and when Michelle is quiet, Naima asks her point blank, "Do you feel alienated?" Michelle is hesitant to answer truthfully, but Brittany is over her attitude and believes that if she hasn't become part of the group yet, it's not going to happen at all. Tyra Mail arrives, which sends the group to a fabulous oceanfront hotel for the night.

The next day, the girls arrive for judging and are greeted by Tyra, Janice, Nigel, Nolé, and Gerda as guest judge. The girls will have to demonstrate certain emotions including anger, fear, aloofness, happiness and passion. When they finish the challenge and evaluations begin, Michelle is first. Nigel says she looked like she was demonstrating fear during the entire challenge, but she managed to pull off a good photo. Naima is next, and she was close to great in demonstrating the emotions. Given a second try at displaying "passion," she pulls it off. The judges are split regarding Naima's photo, but Gerda thinks it's brilliant. Keenyah's challenge emotions were bland, two of them looking exactly the same. Her photo turns out beautifully in the face, but Tyra reveals that there was a great deal of retouching necessary to slim down her midsection. Keenyah tries to defend herself, but Janice and Tyra will have none of it, saying no one will retouch a photo extensively for someone new to the industry.

PASSION, DICKINSON STYLE Christina's emotions were all more frightening than anything, but her photo is her best one yet, in Janice's opinion. Her top lip doesn't stand out, so Tyra shares a trick to help her, by rolling a piece of material and placing it between her lip and gum. Brittany is next. Her emotions didn't cut it for Nigel-- they're too overblown. But she nailed her photo, which turns out to be subtle and gorgeous. Kahlen is up next, and she got every one of her emotional challenges right except passion. When Janice and Tyra stand up to demonstrate passion, Janice plants a huge smooch on a surprised Tyra, and the two fall to the floor while Janice writhes atop Tyra. Everyone cracks up hysterically. Kahlen's picture is terrific, and Nigel says, "You are a chameleon. You have the ability to turn into anything and everything. It's not sexy, but it's very cool."

The judges begin their deliberations, and while Nigel admires Naima, Gerda felt she held back a lot. Brittany "has what it takes to be a top model," according to Janice, but Nigel disagrees: "She's an exaggeration; she's a walking exclamation point." Michelle can pull a picture off, but she's not good in person, and Kahlen really connects with the camera and was fantastic as a springbok. Christina brought back her ice queen personality a bit in panel, but she was the perfect ostrich, whereas Nigel says Keenyah "has had it too good for too long. She's being extremely pleased with herself and is slipping week by week for me."

DOWN TO FIVE The big moment arrives. Tyra calls Kahlen forward first and says, "Who is this girl standing in front of me? You may have been a springbok this week, but you're a lion [of the competition]." Next up is Christina, followed by Naima, who needs to bring more of her personality to get noticed. Last called is Brittany, who must perform better in the panel competitions to move ahead. The last pair standing: Keenyah and Michelle. Tyra wonders if Michelle is strong enough to withstand the slings and arrows of the fashion industry. And as much as Tyra hates to admit it to Keenyah, to be a model a girl has to fit the clothes, and right now, Keenyah doesn't. But Keenyah gets a chance to improve when Tyra hands her a picture, and Michelle is eliminated.

Michelle is tearful as she packs her things, but she remains positive about her experience. "I wanted this more than anything in the world. The advice I have gotten and the criticism I've gotten have helped me change, definitely. I've become more confident, and actually, I feel beautiful. I don't think I've ever truly felt that before."