America's Next Top Model Cycle 15 Recap: What You Missed in Episodes 1-7

America's Next Top Model Cycle 15 continues to be one of the most addictive, surprising Cycles in recent history. With seven episodes already aired, it may seem impossible to jump into the current competition if you haven't seen any-or all-of the ANTM Cycle 15 action. If you want to jump back to where it all started, try my recap of the season premiere.

For ANTM Cycle 15, the contestants were narrowed-down to a final 14. As of episode 7, only 7 girls remain: Ann, Liz, Kayla, Chris, Chelsey, Jane and Esther. Here is a quick summary of the America's Next Top Model highlights you've missed thus far:

ANTM Cycle 15 Spoiler:Even Bigger Prizes - One of the most important things to remember about the fierce ANTM Cycle 15 competition is the prizes. This year, the winner will win not only the routine $100k Cover Girl deal and a contract with IGN Models; she will also have the incredible opportunity of posing for a spread in Italian Vogue and land the cover of Beauty in Vogue. Many established models never manage to grace Italian Vogue or Beauty in Vogue, so winning both in one shot would be a huge boon for any aspiring model.

ANTM Cycle 15 Spoiler:Ann's Record-Breaking Streak - For the first time in America's Next Top Model history, awkward and tall Ann managed an unprecedented 5-week best photo winning streak. Only in episode 7 did someone-Liz, to be specific-dethrone Ann's seemingly effortless and accidental domination of the game. She still came in third, with Kayla's portrayal of designer Vivienne Westwood and Liz's take on John Galliano surpassing her performance. "Ann walking down the street in person-perhaps one of the most awkward photo shoots in person I've ever seen in my life," Tyra commented at panel during episode 6, "and then I look at the film, and it's shot after shot like this-I don't get it."

ANTM Cycle 15 Spoiler: Kayla aspires to be the first lesbian Top Model winner - Although America's Next Top Model has featured members of the lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the past, none of the contestants have ever taken the Top Model crown. Kayla, who is openly gay and very forthcoming about her sexuality, aspires to be a role model for the GLBT viewers. She has remained in the top four photos at panel for the majority of Cycle 15, and continues to be one of my personal favorites along with Ann.

ANTM Cycle 15 Spoiler: Liz complaints all the time - Every time something goes wrong during a photo shoot or competition, Liz is the first to voice her complaints. This really started after her make-over, in which she complained that her new look made her appearance too androgynous-something Tyra complimented her on, as recently as episode 7. In fact, her neutral-gender look made it that much easier for her to win best photo for her portrayal of John Galliano in that episode. "Liz is a pain in the butt-everything is a complaint from her," Jay lamented during episode 4 after a particularly difficult photo shoot with legendary Matthew Rolston, in which the girls portrayed undersea goddesses.

ANTM Cycle 15 Spoiler: More emphasis on knowing Designers, Photographers, and Stylists - Although every Cycle of America's Next Top Model features tons of amazing Designers, Photographers and Stylists, Cycle 15 is putting extra pressure on the models to know the fashion industry and the celebrities therein. "There's a big chance that the girl that goes home today--is going home because she didn't know who the designer was," Tyra warned the remaining eight contestants prior to elimination in episode 7. In fact, Tyra has been very blunt and unrelenting about her expectations for the girls this Cycle: "I think you guys are so confused about modeling being about you, and it's about what's there-and it's about feeling the pain (and) complaining between shots to yourself."

America's Next Top Model airs every Wednesday at 8/7c on the CW. You can find your local station on the CW TV website. Episodes are available the following week on the website; if you want extended recaps of the ANTM episodes, please feel free to visit my blog on Starpulse or follow me here on AC.