This decision really shows me how close to the end we must be to be losing girls like Sam, who was easily my favorite girl in Cycle 1 for so many reasons.
First of all, you really need to know that Sam came into AusNTM with some previous modelling experience, but, even if you didn't know, Sam wasn't shy of reminding us all and would love it when she lost a challenge because "finally, I get to be the underdog instead of always having to be the experienced one!"
Sam's confidence/borderline cockiness and in-your-face, upfront and brash character would usually turn me right off a girl and yet, on Sam, it was always endearing and charming...? IDK, maybe it was just me but I loved how she would act like winning challenges didn't mean shit or that not winning them actually benefited her in some way but then would win one and completely change her tune. Sam was hilarious and she actually took some of the more fierce shots in Cycle 1 as well...
And let's not forget that this is the girl who had her own signature pose, the Triple S (Sam Shoulder Squint)..
Sam was consistent throughout the entirety of Cycle 1 but never really felt like a legitimate threat to win based on what we were seeing. She seemed a fair bit older than the other girls and was often framed as the bossy/overbearing one. She was eventually eliminated just prior to the first cycle's finale for being too one-note and I remember being satisfied at the time that the final 3 of Gemma, Chloe and Shannon had become a reality.
Post-AusNTM I've seen Sam playing "mum with toddler in high-chair" on an ad for InsuranceLine or something like that. Looking online it appears she now has made a little family and is enjoying life away from the pressures of always being the standard that the other girls are compared to, which I am happy to see.
Numbers Chosen:
Numbers Eliminated:
Numbers Saved:
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So now we're getting some brutal cuts! Let's fire up two more numbers between 1-29 not chosen and get PDC back up to take another girl out just short of the ULTIMATE JUDGING!!