America’s Next Top Model ended its eighth cycle on Wednesday night. The three remaining girls, Renee, Natasha and Jaslene had to film “My Life as a Covergirl” spots, ad-libbing the text and trying to sell some lipstick. Jaslene injected some sabor latina into her spot by speaking Spanish. It scored big points with the judges. It was a brilliant move.

Natasha showed great personality, but not so great ad-libbing skills. Renee, aka NeNe, was the best spokesmodel by far. She even had the best Covergirl ad.

The judges even told her this.

Then, they turned around and sent the Hawaiian mom of one packing. At only twenty years old, she photographs “too old” to be a top model. Me-ouch! They also felt that Renee’s face wasn’t extraordinary. She had a less than unique look.

The poor girl looked stricken. Can’t say that I blame her, though. They were rough on her. Renee left in a dignified manner and proved that she’s very professional. She hugged Natasha, who looked shocked to be staying, and Jaslene. She told Natasha to win it for the mamas because they both have babies. Awwww!

In the final challenge, Natasha and Jaslene walked the runway for Sass & Bide, a pair of Aussie designers who have shown at New York’s famed Fashion Week. The story of the show was the evolution of woman. Natasha rocked the runway, I thought. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I actually felt that the pretty Russian-American with the full, pouty lips and sex-kittenish ways, was gonna win.

Boy was I wrong!

The judges saw things differently. They felt Jaslene got stronger as the night wore on and, well, she’s just edgier. They obviously wanted her to win, so she did.

Jaslene wouldn’t have been my pick. She didn’t do as well in the commercial Covergirl shoot, but…hey, I’m not Tyra Banks. Not even in my dreams.