In part one of the eighth season premiere, 32 aspiring models are flown to Los Angeles, where they are immediately thrust into model boot-camp with J. Alexander and Jay Manuel. Later, the girls get a chance to meet Tyra, who gives them a military-style talk, and the catfights erupt as different personalities clash. Finally, the final 13 are selected.

The girls are taught about the art of self expression and storytelling and are later put to the test when they must tell stories of their own using their new skills. Later on, the girls go out but one model stays home sick, giving the other three the chance to gossip about her while she is absent. In their photo shoot, the girls are body painted and must use traditional clothing and Aboriginal dance to express themselves. While one model completely embraces the dancing, another bitterly complains about having to do so. Finally, the panel lights on fire when the girls are asked to give the name of the person who they think has the most potential at winning the competition and one girl gets verbally attacked by the rest.