Over 130 beautiful models stood before Tyra Banks to compete on America’s Next Top Model. But, only some of them went on to make their splash in the real world.
As a show that is often looked down upon for being overly dramatic or insensitive, America’s Next Top Model successfully lasted twenty-four seasons. With over a million viewers, the show has introduced many hopeful models into the industry – even if some have harsh feelings toward their experience.
With America’s Next Top Model streaming on Netflix and Hulu, fans are rewatching the series and wondering where the contestants are now: these are the top 10 contestants that have made it big since appearing on the show.
Analeigh Tipton
Analeigh placed third on Cycle 11 with the hopes of becoming a commercial model, however, her career took a turn after the show. During elimination Tyra told Analeigh, “you are a star actress that can get a lot of modeling campaigns. We think that’s probably the direction that you should go.”
Analeigh took the advice to heart and went on to star in some big Hollywood films, including Two Night Stand, Manhattan Love Story, Warm Bodies, and most notably, Crazy, Stupid, Love. Overall, Analeigh has appeared in over 40 film productions since her time on America’s Next Top Model.
Winnie Harlow
Winnie was featured on Cycle 21, but despite her huge success after the show, she was eliminated early in the competition. However, during a redemption episode she was brought back to win sixth place. It’s argued that Winnie is the most successful model to come out of the show. Not only did her beautiful, unique skin make her memorable, but she continued to use her modeling talents and excel in the fashion world.
The A-lister has appeared in high-fashion campaigns, editorials and runaway shows. She even made history at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show as the first model with vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of pigmentation loss on the skin.
As one of the biggest names in modeling, Winnie often gets asked about her experience on America’s Next Top Model. During an interview with Andy Cohen she confesses that her fame came after appearing on the reality TV show, “so I really started after the show, cause that didn’t really do anything for my career. Which it doesn’t do anything for any model’s career, realistically.” Despite the dig at the reality show, Tyra and Winnie have responded and expressed they have no hard feelings about the experience and have respect for one another.
Eva Marcille
Eva won Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model, but her reality TV presence only continued to grow. She went on to star in MTV’s improv show Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out, Scared Famous, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Beyond reality TV, Eva joined the cast of The Walk, Crossover, and I Think I Love My Wife. She was later nominated for a NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama, and went on to win a Young Hollywood award.
She additionally hosted the reality series Hair Battle Spectacular and was featured in several music videos, including 50 Cent’s “I get Money” and Jamie Foxx’s “Dj Play A Love Song”.
Matthew Smith
Matthew appeared on Cycle 21 of America’s Next Top Model. At just 24 years old, he placed 12th in the competition. But people might recognize Matthew from a different reality show – Too Hot Too Handle.
Didn’t notice Matthew on Too Hot Too Handle? Don’t worry, not too many people did. On Too Hot Too Handle Matthew was quickly labeled ‘Jesus’ for his new, chilled-out hippie style. Definitely a different look compared to his short chop featured on America’s Next Top Model.
He additionally had a cameo in Fox’s New Girl and starred in the short movie, The Commissioning.
Yaya DaCosta
After finishing second on Cycle 3, Yaya went on to have a successful career in both modeling and acting. In addition to being featured on the covers of numerous magazines, Yaya has appeared in advertisements for Garnier Frutis, Radioshack, Sephora and Dr. Scholl’s.
Her acting career took flight after guest-starring in an episode of Eve and landing supporting roles in independent films. Yaya continued to appear in supporting roles, including the comedy-drama film The Kids Are All Right, the medical TV drama Chicago Med, and the action-adventure film Tron: Legacy. Most notably, Yaya starred as musical icon Whitney Houston in a Lifetime television film about the singer’s life.
Isis King
Despite only placing tenth in Cycle 11, Isis King made tremendous strides as the first transgender contestant to compete on America’s Next Top Model. Since leaving the show, Isis has appeared on episodes of The Bold and The Beautiful, Shameless, Strut, and When They See Us.
Acting, however, was not Isis’ only endeavor. She continued her modeling career beyond the reality show and appeared in Us Weekly, Seventeen Magazine, Out Magazine, and the cover of Swerv Magazine. Most notably, she became the first openly transgender model to work with American Apparel. Isis is among the small, yet growing, number of transgender people in print and television. In honor of her accomplishments she was featured on the fifth anniversary cover of C☆NDY along with 13 other transgender women.
Adrianna Curry
Adrianna won the first cycle of America’s Next Top Model and initially signed with Wilhelmina Models in New York City. She appeared in several magazines, including Us Weekly, Star, People and even made the Hot 100 list in Maxim magazine. Despite continuing to model in runway shows, commercials, and print, Adrianna’s career took off in television.
She was the co-host for the game show Ballbreakers, a celebrity panelist on Gameshow Marathon, and competed in the science fiction reality show Celebrity Paranormal Project. Adrianna then joined the fourth season of The Surreal Life and began dating her fellow house guest, Christopher Knight. The couple was later given their own show documenting their life, My Fair Brady. Adrianna can additionally be seen in NBC’s Celebrity Family Feud and Stan Lee’s World of Heroes.
Nyle DiMarco
Before joining the cast of America’s Next Top Model, Nyle was a freelance model for a year and had a recurring role in Freeform’s Switched at Birth. Not only did Nyle go on to win Cycle 22, but he made history as the show’s first deaf contestant.
Following his win, Nyle signed with Wilhelmina Models and walked for Giorgio Armani in Milan Fashion Week. He was additionally featured on DIVERSEability Magazine’s 2017 issue and was honored as DEAF LIFE Magazines ‘Deaf Person of the Year” in 2017.
Not only did Nyle win America’s Next Top Model, he later went on to win season 22 of Dancing with the Stars. Nyle can also be seen in Hulu’s Difficult People and Dan + Shay’s ‘Tequila’ music video.
Lisa D’Amato
Lisa placed sixth in Cycle 5 but went on to win the All Star Cycle at age 30, making her the oldest winner in the show’s history. Lisa’s reality television presence only continued after leaving the show. She appeared on Celebrity Rehab, Marriage Boot Camp, and even pitched her product, Dare-U-Go!, on Shark Tank.
Despite being a television personality, Lisa continued her career in modeling. She’s starred in advertisements for numerous companies, such as Barneys New York, Guess, Surfer Magazine, and Seventeen. She has also walked in runway shows for Barneys New York, Levi’s, H&M, and XOXO. Most recently, Lisa appeared in a six-page spread in Vogue Italia.
As a true jack of all trades, Lisa made the transition from modeling to music, particularly in rap, electro rap, and hip hop. She released two albums, ‘La Puchinetta’ and ‘Flippin’ The Bird’. She’s performed at the Viper Room in Hollywood, MGM Hotel and Casino, Hard Rock Hotel, Magic in Vegas, and Coachella.
Leila Goldkuhl
Leila placed third in Cycle 19, after originally auditioning and not being selected for Cycle 13. Leila is one of the few contestants from the reality show to model high-fashion. She has done campaigns for Alexander Mcqueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Saks Fifth Avenue, Vera Wang, Prada, and Calvin Klein.
Leila also walked for several other designs during Fashion Week in New York, London, Milan, and Paris; Modeling for Fendi, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Versace, and more.
In 2015, Leila was also ranked by Cosmopolitan as one of the most successful contestants from America’s Next Top Model.
