Image via Complex Original
On The CW tonight, at 9pm EST, remaining contestants Brittani and Molly will catwalk it out in hopes of becoming the 16th aspiring runway-walker to ever be called America's Next Top Model by Tyra Banks and her panel of judges. But we all know it doesn't really matter who wins. The show is really all about exposure and, gauging from the 16 seasons that have passed since the first cycle aired in 2003, a lot of gorgeous girls have been exposed. Professionally, that is.
Thanks to the hit reality competition, we've been introduced to future actresses, 15-minute-famers, and unsolicited divas who've made for exciting television. So, in the spirit of the series devoted to judging beautiful women who aspire to be paid for being, well, beautiful, we've scoured the past line-ups to rank the 25 Hottest America's Next Top Model Contestants. Tyra would be proud.
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On The CW tonight, at 9pm EST, remaining contestants Brittani and Molly will catwalk it out in hopes of becoming the 16th aspiring runway-walker to ever be called America's Next Top Model by Tyra Banks and her panel of judges. But we all know it doesn't really matter who wins. The show is really all about exposure and, gauging from the 16 seasons that have passed since the first cycle aired in 2003, a lot of gorgeous girls have been exposed. Professionally, that is.
Thanks to the hit reality competition, we've been introduced to future actresses, 15-minute-famers, and unsolicited divas who've made for exciting television. So, in the spirit of the series devoted to judging beautiful women who aspire to be paid for being, well, beautiful, we've scoured the past line-ups to rank the 25 Hottest America's Next Top Model Contestants. Tyra would be proud.
Washington
25. EUGENA WASHINGTON
Featured in: Cycle 7
Washington, the second runner-up in season seven, followed her stint the way most ANTM contestants have—by signing with a small agency, walking low-key runway shows, and appearing in numerous music videos. Her credits include B.o.B.'s "Nothin' On You" and Donnie Klang's (yes, the white dude from Making the Band) "Take You There."
House
24. YOANNA HOUSE
Featured in: Cycle 2
In her season, Ms. House was once the subject of scrutiny when a fellow contestant started a rumor that she had an eating disorder. Ironically, following her win in the second season, Yoanna hosted The CW's Queen Bees, a reality show geared towards reforming mean girls.
Swafford
23. AMANDA SWAFFORD
Featured in: Cycle 3
Swafford was known for being the first legally blind contestant, yet also the one who stunned judges when her perfect photos didn't need any retouching after one of the challenges. Throughout the season, we watched this blonde beauty struggle with retinitis pigmentosa, a degentive eye condition that was supposed to leave her completely blind by 30. Now at 32, Swafford continues to model and fortunately still maintains partial vision.
An
22. JENNIFER AN
Featured in: Cycle 13
As one of the show's few Asian-American contestants, An made an impression on the judges with a number of striking photos. Unfortunately, she was eliminated during a surprising double-elimination, but that hasn't stopped her from starring in Amazon Kindle advertisements.
Scullark
21. BRE SCULLARK
Featured in: Cycle 5
This Harlem native and season five second runner-up continues to work as a model for Target and Old Navy, in addition to editorials for magazines such as Ebony. In a move that we're sure made Tyra happy, Scullark has also become a spokeswoman for Drop Dead Gorgeous, an organization focused on ending child sex-trafficking.
Isis King
20. ISIS KING
Featured in: Cycle 11
Isis was one of the show's most stunning contestants in more ways than one. Not only is she beautiful, but she was also once a he. As the first transgendered model of the show, Isis made a impact that not only affected the modeling industry, but affected the entire entertainment world as a whole. Her presence and success on ANTM increased the visibility and empathy for those struggling with their gender identity.
Thompson
19. WHITNEY THOMPSON
Featured in: Cycle 10
Thompson was a pretty big success, not only for the show, but for plus-sized ladies all over America. As the first plus-sized model to win the competition, Thompson was named one of Lifestyle MSN's "Most Influential People" in 2009 and also shot a CoverGirl commercial with Rihanna. These days, she's an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association.
Racey-Tabrizi
18. SARA RACEY-TABRIZI
Featured in: Cycle 2
Sara Racey-Tabrizi may not be memorable enough for her own Wiki page, but the Seattle native was a strong enough competitor to place sixth on ANTM and grab the attention of the website Persian Mirror, which dubbed her "The Persian Beauty."
Stewart
17. SHANNON STEWART
Featured in: Cycle 1
This model turned Ohio pageant queen caused some controversy in season one when she refused to go nude for a photoshoot because of her Christian values. Unsurprisingly, casting directors have selected the conservative, moral girl to stir up even more ratings-grabbing tension in the upcoming ANTM All-Stars edition.
McDonald
16. CAMILLE MCDONALD
Featured in: Cycle 2
As a finalist on the second season, McDonald's arrogant attitude destroyed her chances of winning the competition. Yet after the show, she was immediately signed by Major Model Management and has since walked numerous runway shows, posed for glamorous magazines, and started her own lingerie line, called Lingerwear. Think of her as the Omarosa of ANTM.
Cunningham
15. WHITNEY CUNNINGHAM
Featured in: Cycle 8
Since gaining fame as one of season eight's two plus-sized models, Cunningham returned to a quiet life at Dartmouth College to earn her B.A. After graduation, the aspiring Tyra Banks-wannabe moved to New York, where she continues to model for plus-size designer Ashley Stewart and is currently preparing for a college tour as a motivational speaker to promote positive body image.
Shorte
14. MERCEDES SCELBA-SHORTE
Featured in: Cycle 2
Evidently, ANTM doesn't just choose models based off aesthetic appeal, but also for their potential to become a role model. Although she lost, Shorte was the perfect contestant. The sexy Latina became a spokeswoman for the Lupus Foundation of America immediately after the show, while appearing in several ad campaigns.
Mora
13. NAIMA MORA
Featured in: Cycle 4
With her spiked mohawk and exotic facial features, Mora didn't seem like a strong candidate for victory. But season four's eccentric winner has become one of the show's most recognizable faces. Nowadays, when she's not taking part in small runway shows, Mora sings in her band, Galaxy of Tar.
Jones
12. TOCCARA JONES
Featured in: Cycle 3
Arguably the show's most memorable plus-size model, Toccara's strong presence proved that women on diets stricken to air and calorie-free soda aren't the only ones qualified to for post-ANTM fame. With her gorgeous face and voluptuous body, Toccara became a KING cover girl, starred in numerous reality shows (such as Celebrity Fit Club), and worked with famed photographer Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue.
Tipton
11. ANALEIGH TIPTON
Featured in: Cycle 11
Despite being eliminated after forgetting her lines for a CoverGirl commercial shoot, this second runner-up has since found work as an actress. Tipton has only guest-starred on The Big Bang Theory and landed a small part of The Green Hornet, yet The New York Times has boldly named her one of the "Faces To Watch" in light of her upcoming role in the Steve Carell/Ryan Gosling rom-com Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Evans
10. DANIELLE EVANS
Featured in: Cycle 6
Although her problematic southern accent almost got her eliminated from the show, Evans remained a strong competitor on the catwalk and continued to stun judges with her striking facial features. The judges must have figured that, when you're a model, no one expects you to talk, anyway.
Bickerstaff
9. MELROSE BICKERSTAFF
Featured in: Cycle 7
Bickerstaff literally made a name for herself as "Melrose" by combining her first and second names, Melissa and Rose. Although she claimed it was the editing that made it seem like she was disliked by her roommates, it's not entirely implausible for someone who dropped the "issa" off of her first name because she "didn't need it" to come off as a bit unlikeable.
Siad
8. FATIMA SIAD
Featured in: Cycle 10
All of her undeniable beauty aside, Siad was the Somali-Ethiopian model who made headlines when she admitted to undergoing the cultural process of female genital circumcision in Somalia at only seven years old. Placing third on the show increased her visibility and encouraged her to speak out about changing the practice to make it less horrific for young girls in the future. Amen to that.
Stowers
7. SALEISHA STOWERS
Featured in: Cycle 9
Early on in Stowers' season, there was some debate about her eligibility to compete due to her previous modeling work (i.e., an appearance in a Wendy's ad) and participation in Tyra Bank's self-esteem camp, Camp T-Zone. But it was ultimately decided that her gig wasn't quite on the level of Kim Kardashian's Carls Jr. commercial and her past relationship with Banks was virtually non-existent, so it was all good. Ironically, Stowers would eventually win that season.
Linkletter
6. NICOLE LINKLETTER
Featured in: Cycle 5
Despite North Dakota roots, Linkletter has the most classically European high-fashion look of all the past ANTM contestants, a statement even qualified by Tyra Banks herself. After winning season five, Linkletter worked the runway for Alice and Olivia and Bebe, among others; she's currently a Forever 21 model.
Galkina
5. NATASHA GALKINA
Featured in: Cycle 8
Even though Galkina didn't walk away with the grand prize, the Russian model still left the show with a slew of agency offers. If you can't seem to find her on Google under the name Natasha Galkina, try searching for her alter-ego Alie M. Don't worry, we're sure the name change has nothing to do with the recent discovery of spies living in the United States.
Pigford
4. EVA PIGFORD
Featured in: Cycle 3
From joining the cast of The Young And The Restless for the entirety of its 2008-2009 season to starring in Tyler Perry's TBS sitcom House Of Payne, Pigford, known as Eva Marcille today, is now best recognized for her acting credits. Unsurprisingly, her off-screen relationship with former boyfriend, and House of Payne actor, Lance Gross brought her to the attention of hate-filled gossip bloggers. But they can never take her hotness away.
Curry
3. ADRIANNE CURRY
Featured in: Cycle 1
Curry has proven to the most memorable ANTM winner of them all, not only because she was the first, but also because it'd be difficult to forget anyone who made a reality show (My Fair Brady) out of role-playing with Chris Knight, a.k.a. Peter Brady.
DaCosta
2. YAYA DACOSTA
Featured in: Cycle 3
Losing ANTM is rarely the end of a contestant's career. Rather, such failure was what catapulted Yaya DaCosta into the Hollywood scene. Since she competed on the show, she has notably landed a starring role in 2006's Take the Lead, a supporting part in the critically acclaimed indie film The Messenger, and a few sexy scenes in last year's Oscar-nominated drama The Kids Are All Right.
English
1. CARIDEE ENGLISH
Featured in: Cycle 7
As the winner of season seven, English's all-American girl-next-door look took us back to the time of the Niki Taylor and Christy Turlington. Since ANTM, she's gone on to guest star on One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl, as well as walk the runway for designers Jill Sander and Christian Siriano.