May 15 2008
Full Figure flatters the Fashion World as Whitney Thompson is Crowned America’s Next Top Model
It’s official, curves are in ladies as America’s Next Top Model selected it’s first bootylicious winner last night. Whitney Thompson, the not-so-plus plus sized model was selected among 13 girls competing for the title.
The 20 year old student from Atlantic Beach, Florida claimed the prize - a management deal with Elite Model Management; a $100,000 contract with cosmetics company CoverGirl; and a cover story and six-page fashion spread in an issue of Seventeen magazine, after a grueling cycle of sharing a household with ’stick thin’ wannabe’s and catty personalities.
Coming into the competition she was known to have said ”I have breasts, I have hips, I have a butt — and I am so proud of those things. I am here and I am me. I’m not going to change myself.” And not change herself she did!
Finding herself in the top three, among Anya Kop, a beautiful tall blond waif from Hawaii and Fatima Siad, tall and exotic from Somalia, Whitney remained true to herself, focusing on her goal and not allowing her weight or anyone else to bring her down. Luckily the two remaining in the end were Anya and Whitney. Lovely Anya who thought Whitney was beautiful when she cried, was nothing but genuine. The remaining two seemed such a tough decision, I was convinced they would have selected two.
After a strut down the Versace (we’re talking Donatella Versace!) runway in Rome, Anya looking like a true model and Whitney revealing her curves in a pink number a la Victoria Secret look-alike-model, the judges finalized their difficult decision.
I am quite satisfied with this season. Not only did it let the public know Elite Model Management is actually willing to take on a ‘plus size model’ but it’s ok to go into a competition like this and just be yourself and try your best. Good things can only come when you have a positive outlook - no matter what the cards may look like at first glance.
