Exclusive: That Grape Juice Reviews ‘The Face’ Season 2 / Episode 1 (Starring Naomi Campbell)

After making its 2013 debut as Oxygen’s premier modelling competition, ‘The Face’ is poised for a second bout at the runway.

We at That Grape Juice were given the opportunity to preview the Season 2 opener of the supermodel search, and were pleasantly surprised at not only the surplus of raw beauty, but the heightened dramatics one could only expect from a Naomi Campbell production.

As in its first season, the show aims to test the 12 “modeltestants” in their ability to demonstrate fundamental skills and distinct versatility throughout various challenges molded after real-life instances of the everyday supermodel. However, this go around we find last year’s coaches Karolina Kurkova and Coco Rocha have been replaced by Victoria Secret angel Anne V. and publishing heiress/model Lydia Hearst, who both join Campbell. Famed photographer Nigel Barker also returns in an extended role as both host and advisor to the hopefuls as they seek to be the next “face” of Frédéric Fekkai’s 2014 national ad campaign.

We’re introduced to the girls as they’re thrust into their first task: tackling a pop-up runway show in the middle of New York City’s crowded Bryant Park…in nothing but their underwear.

As the three coaches come together in taking their first glimpse of the group, it becomes clear that Naomi hasn’t lost an ounce of the wit and sheer honesty that have brought her both popularity and disdain throughout the years.

In referencing one of the contestants who lacked the proper runway strut, the 43-year-old stated, “That walk has to be changed. She looks like she’s climbing up the steps.”

After their high impact first challenge, the girls are taken to their posh New York City loft, in which they’re greeted by life size images of their three coaches and gifted contemporary jewelry by Alex and Ani. The sisterly bonding session is tested as Russia-born Kira stirs the pot in boasting of her previous experience and her plan to use the show as a platform, saying, “I’ve done probably more than all of you…I’m already thinking about what I’m going to do after the show.”

Ultimately, the attitudes remain on high as the coaches arrive to individually construct their teams. At one point in the conflict, Naomi is baffled at the “complete disrespect” of one of her fellow coaches.

In the latter half of the episode, Team Naomi, Anne V. and Lydia go head-to-head in a live store window advertisement for Juicy Couture. Keeping in line with last season, it is left up to the winning coach to determine the fate of one member from both losing teams.

We can appreciate that ‘The Face’ continues to differentiate itself from its ‘America’s Next Top Model’ predecessor by utilizing the coaches as consistent and hands on aides to their prospective teams, and we’re here for it.

Season 2 of ‘The Face’ premieres on tonight, March 5th, at 10 PM ET/PT.

Will you be tuning in?