In the ninth season premiere, 33 semifinalists are sent out on a Caribbean cruise, where a life-jacket runway challenge, a beach-set photo shoot, and an appearance by Cycle 8 winner Jaslene Gonzalez help thin the pack down the final 13.

Jay Manuel introduces the girls to a "green" form of transportation. Then, the contestants move into their mansion, where J. Alexander gives them all a style lesson. Finally, the models participate in a photo shoot portraying the negative aspects of smoking.

First, the girls don straightjackets for a runway session with Miss J. Then, while the girls help one contestant with her image, an argument breaks out. Finally, the winner of the couture runway challenge is sent to Paris, and the rest of the ladies face-off in a rock-climbing wall photo shoot.

It's the makeover episode! One contestant is shocked when she is told that all of her hair will be cut off. Later, the models face off in a runway challenge and a jungle-themed photo shoot.

Benny Ninja takes the models for a lesson on high fashion posing on high grounds as the models are required to pose in the air while jumping off a trampoline and later while being lifted by an ice skater for their challenge. Finally, the top models must work the camera in a fierce photo shoot that requires them to pose as gargoyles on the top of a building.

The girls get a lesson on how to be a spokesperson and later must improvise a sales pitch and divide into groups to create public service announcements for charity. The winner of the challenge gets to participate in a makeup photo shoot directed by Mary J. Blige. Meanwhile, the week's theme for the photo shoot is "green," which finds the ladies posing as recyclable materials.

Tyra surprises the girls and gives them an in-depth lesson about how to model in front of a moving camera. One model continues to get jealous and be very critical of her competition.

The models go to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) and are paired with a student designer to be their creative muse to design a dress.

When the models arrive in China they are introduced to their new penthouse suite, and one model who is left without a place to sleep becomes very upset.

The final three use all things they've learned up to this point in the competition for the penultimate shoot; a commercial and national print ad for Cover Girl.