Photo Credit: Jordin Althaus/Syfy

I can’t believe season nine of Face Off is already here! Anyone else thinking about what incredible things the show has got up its sleeve to celebrate the big tenth season? Getting ahead of myself, as per usual. Season Nine! Okay, so, in the season nine opener, the new contestants met at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles for a spotlight challenge. That’s right. Not a foundation challenge. A spotlight challenge right out of the gate!

For the first spotlight challenge, host, McKenzie Westmore told the artists that they had to work in pairs to create an original alien animal using not one but two models! Face Off judge, Neville Page was on sight to help kick off the first spotlight challenge. The artist each of the contestants met on their way into the museum was their partner. Easy picking. I like it.

Each team chose a piece from the museum as their inspiration for their animal. Nora and Scott chose the Ram Horn, Jasmine and Ricky chose Alligator Skin, Meg and Missy picked an Herbivore Jaw, Brittany and Jason picked a Turtle Shell, Omar and Kevon chose Clay, Stevie and Libby picked Native Silver, Jordan and Ben chose Azurite with Malachite, and Sidney and Evan chose Schorl Tourmaline with Albite.

Nerves were in the air during the sculpting phase and series mentor, Michael Westmore had everyone either A) thrilled that they were on the right track or B) a complete mess about the idea of not being on the right track. So. The usual, you know. Ha ha.

Photo: Top Looks, Jordan & Ben

So based on the introductions alone as each new contestant was introduced and their past work was briefly shown, there were a few standouts that I think could be possible favorites of mine. They include Brittany, Jasmine, Sidney, Kevon, Jordan, and Stevie. We’ll see if I’m right as the weeks go on though two of these were in the bottom this week, eek! Two were also in the top, so… I think I’m judging at a pretty good start.

As for the reveal stage, judges, Ve Neill, Glenn Hetrick, and Page were ready to see the first creatures of the season. My favorite looks came from Sidney and Evan & Ricky and Jasmine.

The judges’ top looks were Sidney and Evan & Ben and Jordan, the latter being the winning team and the sole winner being Ben. Their bottom looks were Omar and Kevon & Stevie and Libby with no one being eliminated. Yep. No one. The show gave an incredibly difficult challenge just to see what everyone was capable of. But no more going easy on them now! I haven’t connected with any of the artists yet so I wouldn’t have cared if there were an elimination. Though since there wasn’t, I’m especially looking forward to seeing what the bottom looks from this week bring to the next challenge. Were there any standouts for you in the premiere?

Elimination Recap:
No Elimination
Brittany, Jasmine, Libby, Meg, Melissa, Nora, Stevie, Ben, Evan, Jason, Jordan, Kevon, Omar, Ricky, Scott, Sidney

Face Off airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Syfy.