The fifth cycle of Asia's Next Top Model (subtitled as Asia's Next Top Model 5: Expect The Unexpected) aired from April 5 to June 28, 2017. Filming for cycle five took place in Singapore and Malaysia. Cindy Bishop and Yu Tsai returned as judges for panel this cycle, while Kelly Tandiono departed from the show, and was replaced by Cara G. McIlroy.[1]
The cycle featured 14 contestants: three each from Indonesia and the Philippines, two each from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, and one each from Taiwan and Vietnam. Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, and South Korea were unrepresented. Taiwan marked its comeback after its absences from the two previous cycles.[2]
The prize package for this cycle included a Subaru Impreza, a cover and fashion spread in Nylon Singapore, and a modeling contract with Storm Model Management in London.
The 14 finalists arrived in Singapore and were immediately put to the test with a daring lingerie catwalk challenge across a bridge, where Shikin was deemed to be the best performer. They later had a “runaway model” photo shoot overlooking the skyline of downtown Singapore. At panel, Nametha and Anjelica landed in the bottom two, and Anjelica became the first model to be eliminated.[17]
With 13 contestants remaining, drama ensued when jealousy creeped into the model house after a unique dance improvisation challenge. The winners of the challenge were Maureen, Dorothy, Shikin, Layla and Nametha. The challenge was followed by a smiling photo shoot for Colgate. At elimination, Jennica and Heidi were chosen as the bottom two, with Heidi becoming the second contestant to leave the competition.[19]
The cycle upped the ante on the much anticipated makeover day. In an unprecedented twist, Dorothy was allowed to pick all the contestants’ new looks, which they each had to rock in a denim photo shoot out in the open fields. At panel, there was a special appearance by internationally renowned Malaysian supermodel, Ling Tan. Maureen and Jennica landed in the bottom two, with Jennica becoming the third contestant to leave the competition.[20]
Featured photographer: Shavonne Wong
Special guests:Ling Tan, Mervin Wee, Cheryl Wee, Jean Yip
56
4
"The Girl Who Learnt That She Was Flawsome"
26 April 2017 (2017-04-26)
The contestants received an unexpected wake up call from digital superstar Andrea Chong, who teamed them up for their first social media challenge of the cycle, where Valerie was chosen as the winner. They later had to work together again within the confines of a bus for an edgy model on the move photo shoot with resident judge Yu Tsai working behind the lens. At elimination, Layla became the fourth contestant to be eliminated from the competition after landing in the bottom two with Dorothy.[21]
Special guests: Andrea Chong, Jason Godfrey, Madi Ross
57
5
"The Girl Who Made 'It' Happen"
3 May 2017 (2017-05-03)
The contestants were asked to create photo stories from specially selected text phrases in a challenge that was collectively won by Clara, Cindy, Dorothy, and Maureen. Later, they each had to personify “It girls” in a paparazzi-inspired photoshoot at the National Gallery Singapore. At elimination, Clara and Alicia were chosen as the bottom two, and Alicia became the fifth contestant to leave the competition.[22]
Featured photographer: Shavonne Wong
Special guests: Cindercella, Nigel Stanislaus, Madi Ross
The models were tasked with an eye-opening social media challenge which was won by Dorothy, and later had a photo shoot for Neutrogena in which they had to pose inside a bathtub. Tension surfaced after it was revealed that Nametha had used Wi-Fi to communicate with her family, breaching the contract of the show. At panel, Dorothy was originally eliminated after landing in the bottom two with Veronika, but was allowed to remain in the competition when Nametha was disqualified for having broken the rules.[23]
Featured photographer: Joel Lim
Special guests: Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw, Fiona Fussi, Madi Ross
59
7
"The Girl Who Fakes It Until She Makes It"
17 May 2017 (2017-05-17)
The remaining contestants were split into teams of two in a social media challenge for Zalora, which was ultimately won by Cindy. The models later took on their next photo shoot, which came in the form of a video campaign for the brand where they were paired off into teams once again. At panel, the girls were surprised with the news of a double elimination, which saw Dorothy and Valerie leave the competition.[25]
The remaining six contestants had a go-sees challenge, which was won by Minh Tu, before being photographed by Yu Tsai in a black-and-white bondage photo shoot with a male model where they had to convey power and seduction. At elimination, Clara and Veronika landed in the bottom two, and Veronika became the ninth contestant to leave the competition.[26]
Featured photographer: Yu Tsai
Special guests: Daniel Boey, Audrey Ong, Kevin Seah, Pavan J. Singh, Cheryl Wee, Dominic Lau, Joel Willfors
The remaining five contestants took part in an extreme photoshoot where they were harnessed in gowns above a Subaru as it performed stunts. They later attended the 2017 Subaru auto show, where they were introduced to the CEO of Subaru, Glenn Tan, along with some former contestants of the show. At elimination, Minh Tu received the highest score and was chosen as the newest ambassador for Subaru. Cindy was originally eliminated after landing in the bottom two with Clara but was allowed to remain in the competition. Immediately afterward Cindy Bishop beckoned a new addition, Xiao Qing, to enter the judging room. Xiao Qing's exact role in the show, however, was not revealed.[28]
This episode recapped the entire cycle, and showed previously unaired footage for the first time. It was also revealed that Xiao Qing would serve as an undercover judge for the cycle, having entered as a 'new' contestant.[30]
The 'top six' had to catwalk on a bridge as part of their challenge at Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia, where 'Xiao Qing' was deemed to be the best performer which makes the girls get threatened by her. Later, the girls had to model as ice queens at a skating rink in Sunway Pyramid and confronted Xiao Qing regarding her suspicious presence in the competition. At elimination, Maureen had best photo of the week. Cindy was eliminated after landing in the bottom two with Xiao Qing, with Minh Tu only narrowly avoiding being in danger of elimination.[32]
The contestants took part in a vertical runway challenge for Subaru, which was won by Shikin, and later had a vintage road trip photo shoot with photographer Kevin Ou. Xiao Qing was finally revealed to be a judge at panel, where Clara and Maureen landed in the bottom two. Maureen was chosen as the third and last finalist, while Clara became the eleventh contestant to be eliminated.[34]
Featured photographer: Kevin Ou
Special guests: Daniel Boey, Glenn Tan, Xiao Qing Zhang
The final three contestants received a surprise visit from their loved ones, and were later photographed at an avant-garde "motherland" themed photo shoot with Yu Tsai, where they had to embody the essence of their home countries. The finalists were later taken to the National Gallery Singapore, and reunited with some of the previously eliminated models for the final runway show, where they were dressed in renaissance inspired designs created by Xiao Qing Zhang. After the final deliberation of the cycle, Maureen was crowned as the fifth winner of Asia's Next Top Model.[36]
Featured photographer: Yu Tsai
Special guests: Pia Wurtzbach, Ruby Adler, Adele Chan, Glenn Tan, Daniel Boey
The contestant was originally eliminated from the competition but was saved
The contestant was disqualified from the competition
The contestant won the competition
Scores
(Total and average scores on the table only reflect scores calculated from the full sets added during panel)
Place
Model
Episodes
Total Score
Average
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
1
Maureen
38.7
35.3
20.5
42.5
45.3
43.4
32.3
45.0
25.0
47.3
32.7
WIN
408.0
37.09
2-3
Minh Tú
35.0
32.2
27.5
45.0
38.9
36.5
40.6
42.2
31.0
40.1
39.0
OUT
408.0
37.09
Shikin
35.9
32.3
25.0
38.7
41.8
43.0
40.8
41.8
30.0
43.0
44.8
417.1
37.92
4
Clara
44.7
34.5
24.5
34.5
32.4
37.8
40.1
33.9
22.0
44.5
32.4
381.3
34.66
U. Judge
Xiao Qing
37.3
37.3
37.3
5
Cindy
34.6
43.5
29.0
39.2
34.3
44.1
30.5
37.5
18.0
36.6
347.3
34.73
6
Veronika
36.0
40.3
22.0
39.3
34.0
35.5
38.7
32.8
278.6
34.82
7-8
Dorothy
35.3
44.0
23.0
30.0
40.3
34.8
OUT
207.4
34.57
Valerie
41.5
31.4
21.0
42.0
41.3
42.5
219.7
36.62
9
Nametha
30.6
33.0
24.0
43.2
35.3
43.7
209.8
34.97
10
Alicia
34.3
31.2
34.2
32.0
155.7
31.14
11
Layla
33.2
36.0
23.5
29.0
121.7
30.43
12
Jennica
34.9
28.5
19.5
82.9
27.63
13
Heidi
35.6
24.5
60.1
30.05
14
Anjelica
29.8
29.8
29.8
Indicates the contestant had the highest score that week
Indicates the contestant was in the bottom that week
Indicates the contestant was originally eliminated that week, but was saved
Indicates the contestant was eliminated that week
Indicates the contestant was disqualified that week
Indicates the contestant was an undercover judge who is posing as a 'contestant'
Indicates the contestant won the competition
Average call-out order
Episode 13 & the undercover judge are not included.
Rank by average
Place
Model
Call-out total
Number of call-outs
Call-out average
1-2
1
Maureen
39
11
3.55
1-2
2-3
Shikin
39
11
3.55
3
2-3
Minh Tú
42
11
3.82
4
5
Cindy
47
10
4.70
5
4
Clara
52
11
4.72
6
9
Nametha
35
6
5.83
7
7-8
Valerie
41
7
5.86
8
6
Veronika
47
8
5.88
9
7-8
Dorothy
46
7
6.57
10
11
Layla
34
4
8.50
11
10
Alicia
47
5
9.40
12
13
Heidi
19
2
9.50
13
12
Jennica
33
3
11.00
14
14
Anjelica
14
1
14.00
Bottom two/three
Episode
Contestants
Eliminated
1
Anjelica
&
Nametha
Anjelica
2
Heidi
&
Jennica
Heidi
3
Jennica
&
Maureen
Jennica
4
Dorothy
&
Layla
Layla
5
Alicia
&
Clara
Alicia
6
Dorothy
&
Veronika
Nametha
7
Cindy
Dorothy
Valerie
Dorothy
Valerie
8
Clara
&
Veronika
Veronika
9
Cindy
&
Clara
None
11
Cindy
&
Xiao Quan
Cindy
12
Clara
&
Maureen
Clara
13
Maureen
Minh Tu
Shikin
Minh Tu
Shikin
The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom two.
The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom two.
The contestant was eliminated after their third time in the bottom two.
The contestant was eliminated after their fourth time in the bottom two.
The contestant was eliminated and placed as the runner-up/s.
The contestant was disqualified.
Makeovers
Alicia: Cut short and dyed dark brown
Cindy: Long straight black extensions with graphic bangs; later, extensions removed
Clara: Shoulder length shaggy bob
Dorothy: Trimmed with bangs and dyed auburn brown
Jennica: Chin-length bob and dyed blue-black
Layla: Ombré with blue extensions
Maureen: Layered with heavy bangs
Minh Tu: Dyed dark auburn red
Nametha: Layered and dyed ash blonde
Shikin: Cut short and dyed blonde
Valerie: Chin-length bob
Veronika: Shoulder length cut with bangs and dyed burgundy
Notes
^In episode 3, Nametha and Alicia had a tied score of 24.0, but were called separately.
^ In episode 6, Dorothy was originally eliminated, but was saved. Nametha was disqualified immediately afterwards for having used Wi-Fi to contact family members, violating the rules of the competition.
^In episode 7, Cindy, Dorothy, and Valerie landed in the bottom three. Cindy was saved with a score of 30.5. Dorothy and Valerie's scores were both omitted due to a possible editing mistake.
^In episode 9, Cindy was originally eliminated, but was saved. Immediately afterwards, Cindy Bishop beckoned a new addition to the top five, Xiao Qing, whose real identity and goal remained unknown until the next episode.
^In episode 11, Xiao Qing received a full set of scores to keep up the ruse. Xiao Qing landed in the bottom two with Cindy, though it was actually Tú who had the second lowest score as an actual contestant.
^In episode 12, Cindy Bishop revealed Xiao Qing's true identity during panel to the remaining contestants. Xiao Qing now joined the other judges to judge the top four, who learned that they were actually all part of it.
