‘America’s Next Top Model’ Cycle 14 preview: Six standout ladies

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“America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 14 premieres Wednesday night, and 32 new girls are vying to get into the final group. As you know, Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley is joining the judging panel this cycle, but he won’t be in the premiere. Tyra Banks, Miss J. Alexander and Mr. Jay Manuel helm Wednesday night’s ship. Oh, and a certain loathsome gossip columnist, pictured, makes an appearance.

Fans are going to love the premiere. It has all the elements we love: cattiness, touching back stories, not-so-touching back stories and, of course, ‘Ty-overs’!

Of the initial 32 girls, here are my six favorites Wednesday night:

(Don’t worry, I won’t be telling you anything about the final group that the CW website hasn’t already shared with the world. If you’ve avoided even checking the website, I promise I won’t tell you which gals made it!)

Alasia, 18, from Marietta, Ga. -- You won’t be able to miss Alasia, at right. She’s a bit of an ugly duckling, but Tyra has supermodel sight, so I believe she can be “Ty-overed.” She flips her wig when Tyra makes her first appearance and she has a bit of a split personality.

Angelea, 23, from Buffalo, N.Y. -- You may remember her from Cycle 12 when she made it to the top 25, but her anger management issues put her on the chopping block. She’s back and she has dialed down both her style and her attitude. I think her reputation precedes her, though, and the other girls are instantly sensitive to her.

Gabrielle, 18, from St. Louis -- Her racial mix has made for quite a stunning look. Once she opens her mouth, though, she’s a bit of a turnoff. She has issues for days over race and men. All that masks a girl who is probably one of the most self-informed contestants on the modeling industry that I’ve seen on the series.

Jeana, 21, from Chicago -- Jeana, at left, is one interesting lady. She’s going for the traditional plus-size model spot on this cycle, and “plus” is a great way to describe her big personality. There’s no getting past the huge Chaka Khan hair and she says she’s infatuated with drag queens. Things begin to make sense after that. She also inspires one of the strangest interactions between Tyra and Mr. Jay I’ve ever seen.

Krista, 25, from Pine Bluff, Ark. -- Krista has her eyes set on the prize. She has tried out four or five times and she knows her age probably makes this her last chance. A couple of the girls instantly get on her nerves. In judging panel, she explains why she hasn’t dated Caucasian men and I swear Miss J. was going to need CPR.

Naduah, 22, from San Diego -- Naduah, at right, is rocking the bald head look and I mean it when I say “rocking.” She’s breathtakingly gorgeous without hair. She also has one of the most bizarre back stories I’ve ever heard anywhere, not just on “Top Model.” She’s one to watch.

‘America’s Next Top Model’ premieres Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the CW.

Check back here after you watch the premiere and let me know who your standouts are!

Thursday morning: Check back here for my thoughts on the Cycle 14 premiere.

-- Jethro Nededog (follow me on Twitter @TheRealJethro)

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‘America’s Next Top Model’: Vogue’s André Leon Talley takes fourth judging spot

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