'America's Next Top Model': And the winner is...

The times, they are a changin'.  America now has its first official plus-sized/full-figured/whatever you want to call it Top Model. Curvier girls who felt awful about themselves yesterday can hold their heads high today.  Actually, all things considered, especially in light of Tyra Banks' previous ham-handed attempts to handle weight issues on her talk show, Whitney's status wasn't as exploited as much as it might have been, especially since Tyra all but said that she liked Fatima because she was a victim. 

The "Top Model" finale was not very different from previous finales. Anya, Fatima and Whitney were all shot for a Cover Girl commercial and spread, one that didn't look as all-American and smiley as it has in the past.  While on the commercial Fatima rushed her lines and Whitney displayed what Paulina Porizkova described as "fakeness," Anya stumbled over her lines but displayed natural Cover Girl Charm.  However, the judges felt her picture failed in comparison to Whitney's (although it could be argued that all three photos looked the same).  Fatima was eliminated. 

It was revealed that the remaining girls would walk in a Versace fashion show, which made one wonder how Donatella would feel about a plus-sized model, but the designer never appeared. Anya and Whitney stomped down the runway only twice, both wearing similar vacant, open-mouthed expressions, although the judges deemed Anya's walk a failure and Whitney's a success.

While Whitney certainly is beautiful, Anya seemed to have been a darling of the judges throughout the competition: she was unconventionally good-looking, high-fashion, easy to work with and pleasant.  "Whitney's the girl you want in the bedroom and Anya's the one you buy the dress from," was Paulina's thought. 

The judges didn't explain why they chose Whitney over Anya, so cynics may just assume they decided to toss it to the plus-sized girl for once.  Whitney talked briefly about how winning this made her feel validated after so many years of being judged, something she hadn't discussed too much on the show and thus seemed somewhat shoehorned-in (and it's interesting to see that she hasn't always been a plus-sized model--scroll down in the post to see pictures of a much more svelte version of her.)

The lesson we learned tonight is that you can overcome anything in this world -- being a refugee, wearing a size larger than a 4 -- as long as you are incredibly beautiful. 

Stay tuned for an ANTM chat Thursday at 2 p.m. PST at chat.latimes.com and an interview with Whitney to appear here on Show Tracker on Friday!

--Claire Zulkey

Comments

[rahul]

hi you send to me your pictures

[Wallace Gary]

I have finally come to the realization that Tyra Banks has officially lost all of the little brains I thought she had left! There's no way that Fatima or Anya should have been beaten by Whitney! Fatima will have a huge career regardless if she had won of not,and so will Anya. Fatima is a natural beauty and is a designers dream and Anya is as fresh and the morning dew! That will have great careers and though Whitney is a good looking girl,she just remind me of those little girls in the pagents with all of the makeup and big hair .

[Whut ?]

Eum...

The Whitney in your link is NOT Whitney Thompson....

[jozielee]

Good to see a girl with an ounce of meat on her bones win America's Top Model. Whitney is certainly beautiful at size 2 or 10, which is the point, isn't it? For once ATM had an opportunity to promote a real girl their audience can relate to and they did by choosing Whitney. One thing I love and continue to be awed by Tyra - she knows her audience and she's a champion of all girls.

The year Danielle Evans won (the southern girl with a heavy accent) knocked me out. I see her everywhere - posters in the mall, billboards, makeup and television commercials. And every time I see her beautiful face I'm thrilled that she's living her dreams. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Evans

Best wishes to Whitney as she embarks on a new phase of her modeling career.

[Christine]

The only reason Tyra picked the "bigger" girl was because Tyra was called fat last year. As ususal it was all about Tyra. She choses girls who could be audience members. She doesn't want to aliienate her fans. I also think Tyra has issues with Black women who have thier "OWN" long hair. More often than not, it's the black girls who gets cut damn near bald. I think she's jealous. There is really no reason Whitney should have won. NONE! At the end of the show, she looked like a pretty in a pretty dress. NOT A MODEL!

[Tiff]

Scroll down the page from the link... Whitney is on there and she is very thin! I am very disappointed!

[jk]

Whitney is georgeous in person and in pictures. She speaks clearly and knows how to present herelf without being told. She is spot on a model and she's not even plus she's like a 8 or 10?
The other runner up proably will get picked up by an agency, but did she have it all? She folded in comparison to Whitney.
Sometimes having your own personality that draws people in just with your presence iswhat a total packadge is. She can selll it to a client in person and can sell it to those who get to view the clients product.
She is stunning and I am glad she won even if she would have been a stick like that Fatima.

[Claire Zulkey]

Whut, scroll down in that post: you'll see pictures of Whitney as a thin model.

[Ash]

If you look at those pictures of Whitney, how are you suppose to know if she is smaller or not? It's not as though you have her measurments. She never looked fat, but some women have wider hips, rib cage etc. that doesn't leave them in the traditional modeling pool...

And I thought that Whitney deserved to win. Minimizing it to "throwing a bone to the plus-sized model" is just condescending. Anya and Fatima may have had more model-esque bodies. But they both looked gaunt and shriveled. Also, it seemed to me that Whitney had that better energy and personality that is looked for in a "Top Model".

[Marcy]

This season had to be the "worst" ever. The girls were boring and predictable. While Whitney was nice looking, I think she was chosen because she was not the skinny llittle one and kids today need to see that you don't have to starve yourself to become a model. Even as a full figure modrl, she just didn't have it. Anya...she was so sickening.. Every time she opened her mouth I cringed. I honestly didn't see beauty in her...She reminded me of a robot doll. Just my opinion. The past seasons were so much better and the girls were very pretty. Tyra...bring back the kind of girls you've had in the past, Danielle, Nic, Jade, Jada... etc.....they made you want to tune in every week. They had beauty, personality and spunk which this season lacked. .

[Katherine]

Seriously, I thought for ONCE that ANTM would actually chose someone that had potential to become a star and a top model...like Fatima or Anya. But no, they go again and pick someone that will fade away like all the rest of the winners.

[F. Johnson]

Whitney should not have won. No way is she a "Top Model" or a model at all. Tyra just had to put a plus size model to win this season, but let's face it, Whitney is not high fashion or a designer's dream!

[Leslie, Phoenix, AZ]

This show has been getting progressively more predictible and BORING over the last 3 seasons. When you look at seasons 3 - 6 the shows were much more fun and active. The contestants were given "tests" in panel that were humorous and insightful. In the last 3 seasons it's been nothing but constant "confessionals" and photo shoots. We never really get to know the girls, with their flaws and positives. Seeing how some of them (Eva and Naima) mature and grow through their experience.

If this show doesn't go back to that fun, edgy style they started with I know of one fan that won't be watching (me).

[Lia]

I just can't fathom how whitney won over Fatima or Anya. The judging on this show is laughable at best.

[Julie M]

only people that are overweight in real life are happy that Whitney won because they use it for self validation that they are not ubnormal. modeling industry has its own size standards and i wish that ppl stop measuring 'real' ppl against models. yes, size 10 is not fat. but it is for a model. i wish ppl would realize that difference and stop talking about it

[Robyn]

i think it is a greatthing she won.i was wrooting for her from the begining

[Chantel]

I am so proud that Whttney won! She deserved it! She was the best throughout the entire series and i am glad she won!

[Lani Brooke]

The only reason Whitney won is because Tyra wanted a plus size girl to win. Anya was such a high fashion looking model with a great heart who never put down anyone... I can't believe they choose Whitney who in previous shows on ANTM was disrespectful to Dominque... Whitney to me seems very fake and something about her I just don't like about her personality. She is a beautiful girl but she not Top Model looking... I know Anya will do well in her modeling career she will out shine Whitney 100percent.

[Sam]

Whitney had a very strong local modeling career for several years and she was not plus-size at that time. I'm not sure if she put on weight in order to be in this competition or not. She was always nice and curvy but far from as heavy as she was in this show. She was in Jacksonville magazine several times...and a few other local publications and she looked more like the Victorias Secret type of model...just not runway skinny. Maybe she had to gain the weight in order to not fall in that in-between category...but it wouldn't surprise me if she soon loses a few pounds and gets back to her old self.

[Kelly Mentzer]

I think that it's awesome she won. It's about time a plus size model won. I'm so tired of the cliche of having to be a size 0 to be a model now days. You can be bigger and still be beautiful. Not everyone in the world is a tootkpick. Now we can see a normal size girl representing the world. I love Americas Next Top Model.

[Kelly Mentzer]

I'm glad she won I think it's about time that they had a plus size girl win. She deserved it and the world needs to feel they dont have to be a size zero to be beautiful and be a model.So all the haters get over it she won because she deserved to win.

[Brianna]

Anya should have won.She probably would get the most work out of all the ANTM girls.Whitney is not going to get that much.

[Jenny]

Julie M: Your comment about people only liking Whitney for self-validation is completely ridiculous! I am a size 4, and I've never been overweight. I also work in the fashion industry, and I definitely think Whitney has the most potential out of the three finalists on the show. Not only does she have a beautiful face and exquisite bone structure, but she also takes direction well and has a killer walk. And, very importantly for this particular competition (and unlike Anya and Fatima), the girl can SPEAK CLEARLY AND AT THE RIGHT PACE. If you're going to be representing Cover Girl for several months by way of national TV commercials, you've got to have the speaking voice... Anya and Fatima just don't. Not to mention that Fatima has bad skin (not great for go-sees, where often you're asked to show up wearing minimal or no makeup) and Anya's dumb as a doorknob. In fashion, we're always looking for what's next, what's new. Not the same old thing. The industry already has plenty of pretty but vacant models who are a size 0 or 2. And for those who keep saying there's no place in the modeling industry for Whitney, do your research! There are plenty of well-known, high-end designers out there who are devoting all or part of their collections to dressing full-figured women---Marina Rinaldi (MaxMara's plus-size collection), Rachel Pally White Label, MICHAEL Michael Kors, and Paige Premium Denim are just a few that come to mind. I say, good for Whitney. She has earned her present and future success, and she definitely deserved to win.

[clemycali]

I think the guys at Ellite Models are "thrilled" that they have to keep for a year a girl with Anna Nicole's looks and that is unbookable for any high fashion show on Earth. The first Versace dress was bearly fitting her and the second looked like a cheap plus size lingerie piece. Paulina got t right when she said that Witney will make man want her in their bedrooms but Anya will sell the dress. Unfortunatelly, I think the other judges are just for decor. The only opinion that matter is Tyra's. And Tyra is happy she crowned a plus size girl as America's top model. I suppose we'll see some changes in the judges coming next season.

[Julie M]

Jenny:
i agree with you on Whitney's good qualities, but Whitney would have NEVER won if she was a skinny girl. yes, she definitely have good attributes, but WHITNEY WON BECAUSE SHE IS A PLUS SIZE!! SHE NEVER STOOD A CHANCE IF SHE WAS SKINNY!!
do you seriously think the Versace keeps designs in size 10??? all she can do is catalogue work. no designer would ever make special outfits for their one and only fat model.
(Jenny, Im canadian and we have different sizes here. do you mind if i ask your height and weight? it is announymous after all)

i wish that ppl would stop saying "normal size girl in modeling". models are not supposed to be "normal" size, that's why they are models!!!

[Jenny]

Versace certainly makes a size 10 equivalent (an Italian 46) and for a runway show could just as easily pull that size as it could something smaller. And, as I stated above, MANY designers would and DO create designs in plus sizes, and some even offer entire collections for full-figured women. Please do some research before making blanket statements about what designers will and won't do. Also, someone mentioned Victoria's Secret; that would be a great avenue for Whitney and is not limited solely to catalog work... Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm assuming you've seen the widely televised VS fashion shows featuring Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum---the two highest-paid models in the industry. I have seen the pictures of Whitney when she was thinner, and I think she would have been a winner at either weight; her being thinner would not have detracted from any of the good qualities I mentioned above. And, by the way (since you asked), I am 5'8" and 126 lbs.

[J. T.]

Im so disappointed. How do you cut the beautiful/elegant girl who could have done couture runway (Fatima) and leave a vacant, mumble mouth (Anya) and a prom queen wanna be, who wont fit into high end clothing (Whitney) to battle it out in the end? Iv watched this show since its beginning and Iv noticed over the years that Tyra always seems to cut the girls that would threaten her the most in terms of modeling, as if she was still a model herself, which shes NOT. And she thought Naomi was horrible? The industry is cut throat, it doesnt matter how pretty you make it look.
My niece works in the fashion industry in NYC and she constantly has to remind people that the fashion world has its own rules when it comes to clothing size. Yes, it may seem cruel that high end fashion doesnt fit the majority of the American population, but the truth is, that you only want to buy the clothing, cause it looks so good on the people modeling it and oh thats right, theyre THIN!
One more thing people... before we all go trumping on about how we should embrace our plus size selves, lets all put down the cheese steaks and dough nuts and concentrate on our health first.

[Virginia]

I am so glad Whitney won. She recieved so much grieve because of her personality, I am so glad she over came that and won. She is a very beautiful young lady.

[Julie M]

Let's make this our private blog :)
No, being skinny would not have detracted from her qualities, but it would not have got her the win. she won because Tyra wanted to make a statement, especially given the criticism that she faced upon her own weight gain.
she can definitely be a VS model, IF SHE LOST WEIGHT. she looked great when she was skinny. then she got bigger and suddenly became all rah-rah pro-fat and wants to be the representative for bigger American girls. like whatever!
and i dont understand the relevance of mentioning Gisele and Heidi. they are a completely different league. so what if they are the highest paid supermodels? they weigh 40 lbs less than Whitney!!!
and while you did mention some names of plus size models that do well for themselves, they are familiar only to ppl interested in the industry. but there isn't a single famous plus size model.
and of course she'll find work - obviously they need fat girls so they can model stuff for fat "real' girls

[Charmaine]

Why are you people hating on Whitney? She deserved to WIN...yes she deserved to win. She is an extremely beautiful girl, can speak well and has a fun personality. I like her style. I was on Team Whitney and was so excited when she won. Why did Anya or Fatima have to win...because they are thin. They all got the exposure that they needed to further there career. Winning doesn't guarantee you success...so they can move forward and pursue their modeling career at least they have a nice portfolio since they made it to the end.

[ms]

OH MY GOODNESS... ANYA Should have won! I can't believe she lost. They REALLY need to find a way for the judges to not make such huge HUGE mistakes... maybe include the audience into the voting (like they do in American Idol) or they bring back Wildcard models that everyone loves that season so the best has a chance to win.

[phil]

I didnt see all of ANTM this season but when I saw Whitney I thought she was the best looking girl. She is smaller than previous "plus size" girls. I like my girls with some meat on their bones! Whitney is fine!

[Heather]

I'm glad Whitney won!

Fatima was too weak and would have cracked under the pressure of the industry - she hid behind her past too much, I felt she was really disconnected and could not connect with the wider American audience.

Anya - she is beautiful. But an IMPORTANT thing you must remember... when the judges were deliberating Tyra argued that Anya was the most 'high fashion' model they have had yet, but then posed the question "is she a COVER GIRL model?" Of course shes not - shes HIGH fashion. Thats what America's Next Top Model is all about, its not about finding the BEST model, or the next runway diva, but finding the next Cover Girl.

Out of the three finalists Whitney was the best choice.

She is promoting healthy body image, and positive thinking for younger girls. Whitney represents the VAST majority of American females and she has the qualities to be a Cover Girl model. Also, Cover Girl (like many beauty companies such as Dove) is changing their marketing strategies - moving towards more "natural" beauty approach. Its about time.

Now I think it is wrong for some of you to assume she gained weight simply as an advantage, and I also think it is wrong for MANY of you to say shes "fat" or "over weight" - do you realize that you are a contributing factor to eating disorders in America? It is unhealthy perspectives and criticism like that which make it a very difficult place for a girl who isn't a "desirable" size (according to YOU). I'm tired of seeing young girls (10-15) always comparing themselves to thin models, and never having someone they can relate to.

Whether Whitney was thin or voluptuous - she exerts a tremendous degree of confidence, regardless of the skin she is in, and THAT makes her a top (role) model.

[Ali]

Yeah, Whitney!!! I'm glad Whitney won... she has REAL curves like REAL women do. I do not understand what is sooooo beautiful about a grown woman with no boobs or curves! The fact is, Anya's final photo's were HORRIBLE... I'm sorry, they made her look like an older witch with her pointy nose. Whitney's black and white Cover Girl photo was absolutely STUNNING!

I, for one, will buy ANY dress Whitney wears and I know that most American women will do the same.

[Kenya Wilson]

Let me preface by saying that I am full-figured - Whitney is not. She is "plus" size only by modeling standards (which I'm starting to believe is society's standard). I agree that Tyra, in all of her Tyraness, chose the one who had yet to be chosen. Is Whitney beautiful - yes. Did she give great pictures - yes. Did she have a great runway walk - arguably. Did her attitude stink - yes. Is Anya beautiful - yes. Did she give great pictures - definitely. Did she have a great runway walk - no. Did her attitude stink - no. I believe that Anya should have won it; my only issue with her is that she should have worked on her walk throughout the competition, KNOWING that the last test would be the runway. Both of them will experience success, but in different areas and on different levels.

[MG]

So, reading some of the comments that are posted here I'm little confused... Do you guys not realize that this show is NOT all about finding the next high fashion/Heidi Klum/whatever model?? Its about finding a beautiful girl with TALENT that can work as a model to be a ROLE MODEL for girls and try to change the face of the industry. To be honest, I was rooting for Whitney from the beginning and I jumped up and down screaming when she won! She deserved it more than ANYONE else on ANY of the seasons! She has an actual purpose and a reason for wanting to be a model. While I applaud Fatima and Marvita for trying to use their model status to change the world (a VERY good thing to do with fame...) Whitney's mission actually has to do with the fashion industry. The world's view of women is SOOO screwed up that we need a TOP MODEL to show us that it doesn't have to be that way. YAY WHITNEY!!!!!!

[Glenda]

Way to go Whitney!! I was rooting for her from Day One. ANTM finally got one right. Fatima became a snob and Anya, while good in pictures seems very dull and not in touch with reality. For those of you who say she was skinny and put on weight just to be on ANTM, have you not seen her pictures on TV from her earlier years? Evidently not! Quit raining on Whitney's parade...this is what's wrong with this country Someone always has to be negative about someone's good fortune who TRULY deserves it. You go Whitney!

[fattie]

why is it that models have to be skinny? i keep reading that here over and over again, that they're MODELS so they just have to be thin... why? aren't models just a model of humanity of what we all look like, shouldn't every color and size be fairly represented, a beautiful version of every color and size but diversity nonetheless. if people say models HAVE to be thin it just says to me that their perception of beauty is incredibly narrow (you're saying the only kind of beautiful that exists is in the leggy and lean variety). get over it - stop perpetuating this nonsense ideal. do you want your daughter/niece/sister/cousin/friend/child growing up in a world where a physical obvious thirst for fulfillment is unattractive? really?

[ginny]

This was a set-up from the start. How is it that for the fashion show they somehow managed to have not one but two large dresses for Whitney? They also put Anya in a dress which was impossible to walk in. When they showed the pictures of the girls taken for the Covergirl shoot, they must have picked the worst of the lot for Fatima and Anya, I don't believe it. I suppose now they won't need to make any excuses for not picking a plus size model, for me it was a ripoff and I'm disappointed in them.

[Anita]

I have read all the comments and am glad Whitney won over Anya and Fatima, but I don't think any of the top three were this cycles best. After they eliminated Kat...... it was all down hill. She was the only one that resembled a model and if they would have been patient with her like they were with Fatima, I think she had what it took to be ANTM. I thought cycle 9 was disappointing and dull, but cycle 10 has taken the cake. It was painful to watch.

[bre]

Tyra Banks is full of herself.
Whitney deserved to win, she had great photos throughout. Anya was so dumb.. every time she spoke I wanted to punch her.
Fatima was annoying and boring.
Whitney has personality.

[Adriana Blair]

Although I think that Tyra partly chose Whitney as a publicity stunt, I'm glad that it happened. Whitney was my favorite girl all along because she was the most relatable, which I think is the most important aspect of a Cover Girl representative. Anya was gorgeous and was nice to everyone in the house, but I don't think that that was enough, considering her speech impediment, or whatever that was. It was hard to listen to her speak; her speech made her sound really stupid and it was hard to even understand what she was saying. Sure Whitney could be catty at times, but it just shows that she has a real personality, just like her real body. PLUS her commercial was by far the best. Paulina just couldn't stop hating!

[kisha]

I cannot believe Whitney won, Im so dissappointed in Tyra, Anya should have won, that was a complete let down

[mwannabe]

"...it is interesting to know that [ANTM's] apparently little more than a staged farce all for the sake of justifying Banks' disingenuous "Work it girl! I'm every woman!" pretext while she hypocritically relies on tons of makeup, all manner of wigs, and slimming camera lenses." This was commented on DLister.com by Gry. It was eloquent, poignant, & took the words right out of my mouth! I have no problems with Whitney, by the way, but she was criticized all season for her shortcomings, including that horrible walk & Italian commercial. First a Latina must win, then an underprivileged Tyra camp graduate, & now oh it must be a full-figured girl. The show is now as fake as Tyra.

[Ronda]

Tyra is a hypocrit, she pretends that she is fair and just and that she cares about the models and hates the judgement for the "Plus-Size" models. Tyra calling this girl the "First Plus-Sized" Model, shows how two faced she is. Why is this girl Plus-Sized? Tyra is the one labeling this model at her current weight and height as Plus-size, so she is telling all the young girls that are the same size as Whitney that they are Plus-Size, I can see the fingers going down the throats already, for Tyra to call this young lady Plus-Size, she is destroying the young ladies out there that now see themselves as Plus-Size because Tyra said so.

Tyra is a loser and no role model for anyone. She flautns her fued with Naomi Campbell on her show and then she gets the young lady that Naomi threw her cellphone at to come on her show to make herself feel better. What kind of example is that? I don't like you so I'm going to make sure all America sees your faults and belittle you. Is this a Role Model we want for our daughters? NO.

Tyra is all about herself, she doesn't need fans because she loves herself enough and things she is just the greatest when she's not, she's a loser. She puts down and belittles these women for doing the exact thingss she did to get where her big head is today. When she did these things to further her career it was ok, and now that she is a back stabbing bitch, she berates and degrades these young women that look up to her (I don't know why). To me it is an example of the Roe V. Wade Case. The woman that wanted an abortion back in the day did everything she could to make sure she could get an abortion but now she doesn't think that way and wants to change the very cause that she felt she had the right to do, she now wants to take away the right of women that she herself fought long and hard for. HYPOCRIT.

[Betsy]

Since when is a size 8 - 10 a plus size model? I thought size 16 on up is a plus
size model. Is it because she is not flat chested like the other models does that make
her a plus size model. I think that is ridiculous, I would love to be between a size
4 - 10. Most of America does not wear a size 0 to 4 so get real,high end fashion. How many people can afford high end fashion.

[Dawnetta]

Whitney is a beautiful girl, however at the young age of 20, she should not have a double chin. When the judges sent Fatima home, I lost interest in the competition because the contest was not based on the best model. I believe it is silly for fat girls to expect to be models. My personal opinion Fatima or Anya should have won the Top Model contest.

[teresa]

I hate when people say REAL women have REAL curves. I'm real and I have no curves and I am totally fine with that! Skinny girls are allowed to love their bodies too.

And Whitney does not represent the average american woman-she has a very attractive face whereas people are just plain and average looking. Even though she is "bigger" she isn't some big lard ass..I see fat ( oh EXCUSE me...CURVEY) people every day and I would never think of Whitney as fat, curvey,or plus size. She just isnt a size 2.

[Julie M]

i'm with you on that Teresa! i'm real and im skinny (5'9.5" and 127lbs), and while i do have an hourglass shape, i wouldnt call it "curves". and i love my body! and i dont think i wouldve been better off if i was 50 lbs more and had a double chin just because i wouldve been able to say that i have "curves"

[Jessica shed]

Girl you rock at the runway......i would love to see you model agian, i hope i will be just like you when i get alittle older!!!!!

[ally]

i am so glad that a plus size model has won the hit tv show of antm because it proves that you dont have to be a size 2 to be a model. Each girl can be beautiful just the way they are and they dont need anyone to stop their dreams of becoming a model just because they arent as skinny as some other models. I feel like a model can come in any shape and size but many people dont realize the same thing. They think that the best "model" needs to be skinny and tall. It is stupid that people that arent as skinny as a stick cant be accepted into the model industry because they are "fat." People are so judjemental these days! GO WHITNEYY!!! WOO! =)