'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

[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.