Guilty Pleasure: America’s Next Top Model

We admit it – we love ANTM! We love Tyra and the ‘smizing’ – not many people can say they’ve created a new word! Since the introduction of Andre Leon Talley as a judge, we love ANTM that little bit more. He is a fashion force to be reckoned with and we can’t think of many men his age that can carry off those overcoat/poncho hybrids he likes to wear!

We can’t overlook the face that ANTM is probably the most PC show on TV – we’ve had contestants who are black, white, Asian, Indian, mixed, gay, blind, burn victim, transgender, plus size, mothers, school leavers – you name it, chances are she’s made it to the ANTM house.

But what of the winners? Where are they now that they’ve had the $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, a cover and spread in 17 magazine and a one year contract with a top modelling agency?

We can’t cover every winner – like we said there have been 15 cycles – but we’ll take a look at how some of our favourites have fared.

Cycle 3 - Eva Pigford (Marcille)
Born Eva Pigford but changed her name to Eva Maricille, she said in order to not use her modelling fame to get into acting but  we can only imagine how a name with the word ‘pig’ in it went down at casting sessions!

Eva

Since winning ANTM, Eva has carved out quite a career for herself and appeared on TV shows like The Young and the Restless, Smallville and Everyone Hates Chris. Modelling wise she’s worked for DKNY, Samsung, Apple Bottoms and Red by Marc Ecko and done shoots for Jewel magazine, King magazine, ELLE and ELLE Girl.

She is now dating ‘rapper’ Flo Rida and is often seen at red carpet events, sometimes looking a little worse for wear!

Eva and Flo Rida

Cycle 4 - Naima Mora
Anyone remember Naima from cycle 4? We hardly did either! She was rather quiet on the show and really only stood out in the final episode when she worked it on the catwalk.

Naima

Professionally she has been busy! She has modelled for ELLE, Fuego Magazine, IN Touch Magazine, Star Magazine, and Teen People and walked for Christopher Deane Spring 2006 Collection, Gharani Strok Fall 2005, Carlos Miele Fashion Show and at NY Fashion Week 2007.

Her real passion appears to be music and she is a member of musical duo Galaxy on Tar. In May 2010, they released two singles via their independent label and spent the remainder of that year touring the United States.

Cycle 6 - Danielle Evans
With her gap toothed smile and heavy southern accent, the judges weren’t sure about Danielle (now goes by the name Dani) but she won them over with her ‘signature look’ and ‘fierce’ runway walk.

Dani

Still a successful model, she was worked for ELLE, Essence Magazine, The New York Post,  Sephora, Akademiks, CoverGirl eyewear and the Tory Burch line for Saks Fifth Avenue.

She is one of the few winners to have her contract with CoverGirl renewed for a second year and to be invited back to NY Fashion Week.

Next week we look at the remaining winners.