US Supermodel Tyra Banks’ glamorous reality show 'America’s Next Top Model' (ANTM) flagged Chicago’s Jaslene Gonzalez as no.1 on the list in her second try making her the first full Latina to win the competition.
Jaslene Gonzalez, a 20 year old online college admissions advisor, beat finalists Renee Alway, 20, and Natasha Galkina, 21 in the arduous 8th cycle of the competition aired on CW network. Along with America’s next best top model title, she walked away with a contract with Elite Model Management, a six-page spread and cover photo in Seventeen magazine and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics.
Jaslene was also the part of the previous season of the show but was not chosen. Overwhelmed with her win in her second try she said, "I think that shows to all young women, if you have that drive, keep going,” Also earlier during the show, Gonzalez threatened to pull out Natasha’s hair if she won the show.
After 13 weeks of grueling eliminative competition the top three girls were short listed for Cover girl shoots, one for an ad-libbed TV spot and one for a print ad which the season 7 winner Caridee helped out with.
The judges commented that Renee Alway, the 20-year-old stay-at-home mom from Maui looked older than the other two and eliminated her.
"I've seen this face before," photographer and judge Nigel Barker said as the panel deliberated after round one. "It's not the freshest face for me. And we're looking for America's Next Top Model."
Before the day of the elimination Always confessed that she thought Natasha walks like a “pigeon-toed duck with a piece of poop hanging out of her ass” and hoped that she doesn’t get to walk the final runway. But after the elimination she hugged Natasha and said, ''Win this for the mamas, okay?''
To the judges’ decision Renne reacted saying, "I'm completely blown away by the judges' decision. I had the best commercial, I had the best picture, which apparently wasn't enough for them...I'd rather have wisdom in my eyes and knowledge in my head than be blank and stupid and have nothing there."
Natasha Galkina, the 21-year-old Russian-born college student from Dallas who was almost eliminated in week two, is said to have improved each week by the judges, making her reach the final round. She was also admired by the judges for maintaining her poise when her skirt slid to her feet while walking down the ramp in a fashion show in Sydney, Australia but she stepped out of it and kept walking, making it look planned.
Judge Nigel Barker told her, "Your imperfections are often what make you so beautiful. You have all the bits and pieces that you need."
"I personally think she is the most beautiful of the three," 1960s-era modeling icon Twiggy said.
Jaslene, according to the judges took a sweet and soft photo. Tyra commented saying, "She knows how to take a fierce picture.
Both Jaslene and Natasha tried to justify why they should win.
"She is more fierce, and I am more exciting and fun," the Galkina said passionately.
"I'm the Latin spice here!" Gonzalez added. "I'm the edgy girl. I'm not the girl next door, but I'm the girl down the block in your hood!"
To this, judge Banks reminded Galkina and Gonzalez, "Strong but not stiff," and "Strong but not drag queen," respectively.
At the time of declaring the final result, the judges expressed the difficulty they faced to reach a conclusion.
"I love them both," Tyra Banks said to her fellow judges during Wednesday's finale. "What the hell will we do?"
Both the finalists were praised for their strong ethnic cultures and consistency throughout the competition. The decision was declared in favor of Jaslene, saying that she had an edge over Natasha who lost her charm a bit during the end of the show, after Natasha’s final thank you speech in Russian and Jaslene’s in Spanish partly. Jaslene exclaimed, "I'm the Latin spice here. I'm not your girl next door but I'm your girl down the block in your hood."
Model Twiggy called Jaslene's photos "some of the best of all of the girls'," but went on to say "they're both lovely girls."
"Every little girl has a dream to be something," Gonzalez said, after being crowned ANTM "And to be here, I overcame so much. I didn't make it the first time, but now look at me...That shows to all young women, if you have that drive, keep going. Second time around, and I'm America's Next Top Model!"
America’s next top model (ANTM) is a competitive reality TV show hosted and co produced by former Victoria’s Secret model Tyra Banks with the first cycle premiered in May 2003.
In episode 7 the girls were asked to give themselves a nickname which would be used for the rest of the cycle and were used in a photo shoot. The nicknames they chose were Jaslene by Jaslene, Nata by Natasha and Nayiem by Renee (later changed to "NeNe" by Tyra).
I agree with NATASHA
since the very first i love natasha. Even after her hair changed, she is still beautiful. She makes variations with her new and old hair. Hey style is simple but classy. i can't believe jaslene won!natasha or NATA can do waaaay better.