The 33 semifinalists are driven to San Fernando Valley, California, where they meet Alpha J and Beta J (Jay Manuel and Miss J.) at the fictitious “Top Model Institute of Technology”. Inside, they go through a series of reviews and catwalk analysis. Later, Tyra-bot (Tyra Banks) meets the contestants and individual interviews begin. In between, Isis reveals that she is transgender, surprising some of the other contestants. Twenty of those vying continue and they take part in the first photo shoot – posing in blue metallic catsuits. After final deliberations, fourteen contestants are chosen.
