HNTM-report

Lieve Nicky

As I write this, I fantasize about a creamy croque madam, a frothy latte (I could actually make that, but when I get up, my horizon shifts), a steak or a croissant with Nutella. The legacy of a long, grand, and captivating evening, the finale of Holland’s Next Topmodel 2014, which started at 4:00 PM in Studio 21 at the Hilversum Media Park.

 Het draait allemaal om het haar

A and together with her roommate, she tried to pry out who the big favorite was to win HNTM. “We’re just lying here and don’t talk to or see anyone else…” Nice try, I have professional secrecy and besides, I had no idea who would win either because just pick one out of those four. would it be. Because the dress itself was quite present with leather and sequins and well, just a lot of party, I wanted my hair to be a bit casual. Actually exactly how Frida Gianini sent her models down the catwalk for her fall/winter look. Let me just say that I am good friends with Rachel Geerman from The Building, who also did the hair for the Gucci show. With done hair, Twingo sped off to Pilotenstraat where fellow jury member Dirk picked me up. The amayzine editors had claimed Twingo, hence on the way back I joined my love, so I could really enjoy the victory champagne.

 Backstage baby

At 4:00 PM we wandered through the nooks of Studio 21. Crawl through, sneak through, turn left, turn right, up the stairs, twice left, through the canteen and there was our dressing room corridor. I have never been a top model and certainly won't become one, but the fact that my name was under the word ‘top model’ was quite a moment. And that there was a chilled bottle of Piper Hideseck in my room too. Exactly how you want it.

 That dress has to come off

There I was, made up and all, with a big black hairdresser's cape on out of fear of dirtying my beautiful Gucci. Occasionally I lifted my cape for an interested passerby (Fred, Freek, or Dirk) and they all said, “You look stunning, but maybe you should try on that other dress.” So suddenly my white robe was hanging on the hanger (handy for Thursday because then we celebrate that amayzine.com has been around for a year) and I was sitting in a black Gucci on my jury chair. Luxurious position.

 Reunion with the girls

Still half in the scaffolding (curlers in my hair, bathrobes and slippers on), suddenly ‘our’ girls dripped by. Sweet Nicky was eating a fish in the canteen, I saw Lincey in the restroom. The poor child. Turns out she has a poorly functioning thyroid which suddenly makes her struggle with her weight. Really so sad. Of course Holly, who was there with her mother, stylist Xandra Brood, Liz who looked really beautiful and strong, June with new hair (brunette is the new blonde according to June), Debbie of course who was really at her most beautiful last night, and Sanne and Aisha.

 And..showtime

There I was. Dirk and Freek by my side and as I looked a bit further into the hall, I saw my love and amayzine Liesbeth, Josselin (Jet had another party, namely the premiere of Pak van mijn Hart that brother Kees directed), sales director Daniëlle and our super interns Maud and Lisa

 Debbie, Sanne, Nicky, and Aisha

“I’m doing fine with the tension. No, really, I’m fine.” Aïsha said to Anouk Smulders. Well, they were almost not chattering from the stress, but ‘it's not that bad with the stress’ was not really the case, in my opinion.

During the first two rounds, I kept glancing at Dirk and Freek. “My heart, my heart” I whispered. Sending Aïsha home and then Debbie. Debbie. She crashed off the catwalk. That skin, that body, her gaze, the posture. To kick in an open door; there can only be one winner.

 We all love Nicky

There she stood. Crying on stage with a check that is a ticket to her future. The bullied farmer girl from Brabant who had never heard of Anna Wintour and didn’t know what a skyline was. Sweet Nicky, you are going to conquer the world and I’ll be watching you.