Pussycat Dolls Present Girlicious: "You Are Girlicious" (Episode 210)

Wednesday's finale showcased the final five--Natalie, Tiffanie, Chrystina, Charlye and Nichole--duking it out for the three spots in Girlicious.  And while most had put their differences aside and made peace with one another, Charlye still held tight to her "discomfort" with Natalie and Chrystina.

Fittingly, the last challenge was learning how to trust yourself.  Robin, Mikey and Kenn have been teaching and shaping each girls' talent and look over the past weeks, now was the chance for them to rely on their newfound confidence and skill and show the judges an entire package.  For the final elimination night, the girls were assigned "Ladies Night" as a group performance as well as a solo song so the judges could take one last hard look at them individually.

As the song were handed out, each seemed pleased.  Charlye was given Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," Tiffanie "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman," Natalie "Say It Right" (had to squeeze one last push for Nelly Furtado in there Geffen!) and Nichole "Givin' Him Somethin' He Can Feel."  As Robin worked her way down the line to Chrystina, the poor girl was fully anticipating something along the lines of the others but was blindsided by Heart's "What About Love."  Not a song every 18 year old knows, and Chrystina was frustrated since she's had lyric memorization issues in the past.

After rehearsing, Ron Fair wanted to have a one-on-one chat with each girl in order to get to know them off stage.  He asked how they felt about being in the group, how everyone gets on, how they think their personalities blend.  Everyone gave very peppy, PC answers until Charlye.  She was (dumbly) the only one who faltered and admitted that she doesn't get along with everyone and is uncomfortable around Natalie and Chrystina.  Ron said if she's not ready to jump off the cliff with him, Robin and her potential two bandmates, then she needs to be fair to herself and everyone else and walk away.

During the final group number dance rehearsal, Robin and Tiffanie were cracking each other up, leaving Natalie pouty and sulky that no one was paying attention to her.  Meanwhile, Charlye pondered what Ron said in their one-on-one and still couldn't seem to shake her uneasiness about being in Girlicious with certain people.  I think someone's hoping to snag a solo gig thanks to the show!

The group performance went well.  Everyone blended, sounded good, looked good.  So, it was down to the solo performances for the judges to make their final choices.  Tiffanie was up first and hit all her marks, prompting Ron to say she has so much more room to grow and that he had to have her in the group.  Next up was Charyle, who seemed lifeless compared to Tiffanie.  Something was missing, which left Robin thinking she didn't want this as much as the others. 
 
Nichole performed third and the judges gave themselves their usual pat on the back for "transforming" Nichole from the little girl she walked in as into the "sexy star" she is today.  She's Lil' Kim's fave and vote for a must have in the group.  Natalie was next and totally won me over out of the five (bear in mind she was my least favorite back at the beginning of the season!). She may not have the best voice, but as Ron said, what she lacks in vocal chops she more than makes up for in performance skill, a la Jennifer Lopez or Marilyn Monroe.

Chrystina rounded out the solos, giving her best performance of the season, according to the judges.  Ron was often in doubt whether she was ready but said this performance changed his mind.  Robin was still on the fence though, unsure if this was a true representation of what Chrystina has become of just a fluke and a great night for her.
 
In the end, the judges surprised everyone with their chosen lineup.  Nichole and Tiffanie were the first to get the good news, followed by an indifferent Charlye being dismissed.  This left best buds Natalie and Chrystina vying for the final spot, until Robin announced Girlicious would grow from three to four to accommodate them both.  Great news for Nat and Chrys who were faced with going home, but terrible for Nichole and Tiffanie--their piece of the money pie got smaller!

The show wrapped with the world premier of the first official Girlicious' video, aka a cheap version of Christina Auguliera's "Dirrrty."  Everyone's cute, fresh-faced looks from the nautical-themed video shoot challenge were looong gone!  Poor Nichole looked like Jenna Jamison with her overly plumped lips, Tiffanie was bestowed some unfortunate bangs and everyone was outfitted in the trashiest ensembles Robin's PCD fashion line could sew up.  Looks like Girlicious' target audience no longer skews younger than the Pussycat Dolls, eh?