The Bay Area’s lone representative — and ”crazy ‘hood rat” — has been dismissed from “America’s Top Model.”

We’re talking Marvita, the hard-edged contestant from San Francisco who never really seemed to have her heart in it. By the end of the night, she and the plus-sized Whitney comprised the bottom two and Tyra made it clear that Whitney was her girl, just because she seemed a little more invested in the competition.

Marvita, meanwhile, came off as detached to the very end. Earlier in the episode, she talked of her rough street days and how she had been “molested and raped” and didn’t very much trust her fellow human beings. “I don’t do the hold-your-hand and kiss thing,” she explained, all of which had Claire describing her as a “crazy hood rat.”

Later came a photo shoot in which the girls had to pose with paint dripping all over their faces. Marvita’s session, according to Mr. Jay, was a “disaster” — even worse than Fatima, who inexplicably forgot to shave her armpits. Ugh.

The CW announced today that, for its 10th cycle, “America’s Next Top Model” will head back to New York City where it all started. Also, supermodel Paulina Porizkova joins the panel of judges when the season kicks off on Feb. 20.

Here are capsule rundowns on the 14 new contestants, including one from the Bay Area: Read the rest of this entry »

Now who are we supposed to root for?

With Heather’s ouster last night on “America’s Next Top Model” there is no reason to keep watching this cycle. She was the underdog, the Rocky of the bunch — and clearly the most photogenic. Her Asperger’s kept her from shining socially and outside of the photo shoots, though. It was painful to watch her try to do the Covergirl commercial and to find her “go-sees,” but I wanted her to succeed.

I can’t say that for the other four finalists. The lack of empathy for Heather was disgraceful. Their mean girl behavior — laughing at Heather as she struggled with certain tasks — was a turnoff.

Now we’re left with four — Bianca, Chantel, Jenah, Saleisha — that I can’t muster up any genuine enthusiasm for. That’s a first for me.

But who am I kidding? I’ll be tuning in next week, if only to see if there’s any karmic payback.