One of the judges called it "the making of an icon" but the Maltese hopeful on Britain's Next Top Model threw a tantrum when her luscious blonde hair was chopped off to make her look like a "pixie".
Tiffany Pisani, 18, was at the centre of Monday night's episode where the second of 14 finalists was eliminated from the television modelling contest.
During the popular reality show, the girls were given makeovers by top stylists, as happens in every season of the television franchise. The girls were warned that at least one of them would have her hair cut short, prompting Tiffany to tell the cameras she adamantly did not want short hair.
"I've had my hair short before and I don't think it suits me. I really hope I'm not the one," she said, in her trademark deep voice. But supermodel and show presenter Elle Macpherson told her she was the only girl with the jaw line to pull it off and she wanted her to look like a pixie.
A teary Tiffany needed a lot of convincing to cut her hair, prompting other participants to say she should dry her eyes because in the modelling industry "your hair is going to change".
After finally accepting to go with it, Tiffany said she hoped the judges would realise how much she wanted to be Britain's Next Top Model - but she remained grumpy throughout the rest of the show.
During a photo shoot, the photographer pointed out she looked like she was going to burst out crying. "It's getting to me. I looked upset. It's probably because I was crying all day and all night," she told the cameras.
But her sullen face did not ruin the photo, which won over the judges nonetheless.
Tiffany was compared to Edie Sedgwick, one of Andy Warhol's muses, and one of the judges said her photo was "worthy of an editorial".
They urged her to embrace the haircut and not let it "overtake" her.
"This is the making of an icon. It's a fantastic photo. I'm super happy with what we've done with her hair," judge and stylist Grace Woodward said during deliberation.
Elle Macpherson warned Tiffany her attitude could change everything.
Tiffany was the fourth girl to be saved from elimination.
The show is aired on Living TV on Monday nights at 10 p.m.
Started by former top model Tyra Banks, the franchise is followed everywhere and churns out aspiring models who have to face a number of trying challenges during the series and withstand the backstabbing of the modelling industry, as well as enjoy a taste of its glamour.
Tiffany started out about three years ago by joining a model scouting competition called Virtual Model, organised by stylist Marisa Grima, and was immediately snapped up by Pink magazine, published by Allied Newspapers, for its fashion photo shoots.
If she wins, she will receive a £1 million modelling contract with Europe's major modelling agency Models 1, which has listed Kate Moss, Naomi Campell, Claudia Schiffer and Twiggy among others.
She is also in the running to become the face of Revlon's autumn/winter 2010 trend collection.
Tiffany's new look can be seen at:
http://bntm.tv/gallery/45?page=11