America's Next Top Model returns for cycle 12 with 13 new contestants eager to be crowned the next top model. To find the 13 selected, the 34 models are first put through a photo shoot at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Tyra then chooses the best 13 and sends them to the loft in New York City. Next, the ladies work a fashion show and then bring back some childhood games as they participate in another photo shoot.

Nigel Barker directs a photo shoot for the remaining 12 models using lights in creative manner, after receiving a makeover. One more contestant is eliminated.

Miss J and two former contestants teach the models runway etiquette before taking part in a Jill Stuart fashion show. Next they will participate in a photo shoot aboard a tour bus. One person will be eliminated at panel.

Former season 3 contestant Toccara Jones hosts a slumber party for the women and offers up tips concerning the model industry. Later, the contestants compete in a posing challenge and use images of immigrants of the early 1900's for a photo shoot at Ellis Island. One model is eliminated at the panel.

The fallout of the previous week's elimination continues to rock the house as the girls return home, and a divide is created between Aminat, Teyona and Tahlia and the rest of the house, resulting in Aminat and Natalie getting into a verbal altercation.

The models take an acing class which will be judged by Clay Aiken, followed by season 11 winner McKey helps the remaining ladies in preparation for a cosmetics commercial shoot.

The first half of the season is recalled.

Ciara stops by the models apartment as a surprise and will be joining them for a photo shoot. Tara reveals the site of the overseas location during panel.

The remaining six contestants have arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where they will be challenged to a scavenger hunt throughout the city, testing their navigational skills. The photo shoot finds the ladies posing as cultural icons.

The girls met Paulo Borges, the director of São Paulo Fashion Week before being sent on go-sees throughout the city.

The girls arrived at Águia de Ouro and met Paulina where they learned the steps in samba dance. The next day, they were put to the test and had to create an illusion of having a good time through the dance they learned.

The three remaining ladies work a photo shoot for cosmetics before one more contestant is released. Then the remaining two models will walk and crawl along the catwalk before a winner is chosen as "America's Next Top Model."