Recent Top Model Successes

Cycle 11 of "America's Next Top Model" will begin next month. It made me think about the last couple of seasons, particularly 9, since they went to China. Last time I did follow-ups on all the models from all the cycles, 10 was in progress and the contestants from 9 hadn't been out there long enough to do much. There's been a little activity from both groups now, so I'll hit a few highlights.

Cycle 9

Saleisha Stowers won that cycle and has appeared in the following publications and ads: Seventeen, Florida International, 24 Hour Fitness, MetroStyle, Paper Doll, Essence. Saleisha had done some modeling before the show, and had attended Tyra's camp. This brought a good deal of criticism.

Bianca Golden was one of the final four and she won a challenge that put her picture on a billboard for the Olympics. I don't kow whether or not that was actually used to promote the Beijing Olympics, but it was an exciting moment on the show. Bianca has done ads for The Source, Style Bermuda, and Destination Runway, a charity fashion show. I always like Bianca because when she had to have her hair cut very short, her beautiful face could really show. I loved how quickly she embraced the new look.

Chantal Jones was the runner up. Her post show work includes shoots for Bl!sss and 7x7 San Francisco. Kimberly Leemans, who was one of the earlier girls to leave, has done regional publications, as well as work for Keiko Lynn and Imagen.

My favorite that cycle was Heather Kuzmich. I always seem to be drawn to the bright, off-beat girls. Heather has a form of autism and has been featured in more articles than most ANTM alumni. Those include People and Spectrum, an autism-related magazine. Most recently, she did some real model work wearing gowns in the Wedding Essentials magazine.

Cycle 10

These girls have only had less than a year to build careers, but winner, Whitney Thompson has appeared in People and InTouch. She has also appeared in Eclectic Jewelry print ads. Being the first full-figured model to win on the show may have brought her extra attention.

Allison Kuehn didn't stay on the show too long because her experience with modeling made her think she knew it all. She must have known something, because she has been featured in M as well as doing work in the far east.

Finally, Claire Unabia, one of the spunkiest gals in the cycle, has appeared in Stork Magazine, Glamour UK, Island Weddings & Honeymoons, and Mute. I think Anya Kop may be with the Elite agency, but if she is, she is using a differen last name. She is so beautiful!

May the coming cycle's contestants do as well as some of these girls have. It should be very interesting.