Merida (A5)

**Princess Merida** (/ˈmɛɹ.ɪ.də/ *MERR-ih-də*) was a contestant on Cycle 5 of ANTM in 2022. She was the runner-up. She later returned for All-Stars 2, where she was the third model eliminated and placed twelfth.

## ANTM

### Cycle 5

Merida came into the season with something to prove as one of the more overlooked Disney princesses, and she definitely made an incredible first impression by obtaining two FCO callouts in the first three weeks. While Merida was a fantastic model, the judges thought she was rehashing her poses and getting too repetitive. In Episode 6, Merida got nervous when she started to slip in the competition and called her friends for support. The panel felt she was completely overshadowed by them in the picture but kept her in over May for her potential. Merida made it overseas but was told to step it up as she was becoming too average.

Merida's crying shot showcased her vulnerable side and was believable, which was seen as a sign that she would recover. Merida did well at the Magazine cover photoshoot, but she was told not to rest on pretty as she had very unique features that gave her a strong look. Her next picture was very controversial with the panel but she still got to make it to the finale over Ciri. Merida would finally put all the advice she received to work to produce one of the best Covergirl shots in the entire series, earning her a spot in the final portfolio battle. Nonetheless, Nezuko had been such a strong presence that it was impossible to overcome.

### All-Stars 2

Merida was a much-anticipated returnee after barely failing to make it into the first All-Stars season. She wanted to rely on her own beauty this time and took a more conservative approach towards posing. This soon came to bite her as she was harshly criticized for her newbie-like modeling, though she was kept in over fellow runner-up Azula. She was warned that while her facial expressions were improving, her posing had become worse. Merida became friends with house pariah Jean and the two ostracized themselves. Merida tried to go all-in on posing, but failed to produce a good shot again. She landed in the bottom two with Fluttershy, who had also failed to meet her standards, but after a double elimination fake-out, only Merida was sent home.

## Trivia

* Merida is tied with Nezuko for the most FCOs in Cycle 5, with three.
* Merida was on the ballot for All-Stars 1 but didn't make it in. She obtained 22 votes, 46.8% of all submissions.
* Merida's promo pic in both All-Stars seasons was her Cycle 5 Weapon shot, which had earned her her second FCO.
* Merida was the only contestant on All-Stars 2 from the pre-All Stars era.
* Merida claimed after her elimination in All-Stars 2 that she wished Mera had made it in.

## Gallery

### Cycle 5

PromoWinter/ChristmasTransportationWeaponWhite backgroundAnimalsCity/Town/BuildingsMermaidsSad/CryingMagazine coverFood/DrinkCovergirl beauty shots
### All-Stars 2

MakeoverToys/Dolls/Statues/FiguresBlack and white
## References

1. ↑ In All-Stars 2, Merida mentions it had been 3 years since her last season, but not even five months had passed in-between airing each season. Either the seasons had been recorded much earlier than they had been aired, Merida is a time-traveller, or Merida is a terrible liar.