THE CATWALK HEATS UP AS THE CW NETWORK REVEALS THE 13 FINALISTS WHO HOPE TO BECOME "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"
February 1, 2007 (Burbank, California) -- The competition intensifies for the eighth cycle of The CW's hit series "America's Next Top Model," as the 13 finalists fight to turn their dreams of becoming a top model into reality. This season, an incredible transformation takes place as the finalists face tougher challenges and photo shoots ranging from the very glamorous to high-tech to controversial, all while living under one roof in a posh Los Angeles mansion. See the drama unfold in the two-hour, eighth-cycle premiere of "America's Next Top Model" on Wednesday, February 28 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on The CW.
"America's Next Top Model" participants are:
Name: Brittany
Occupation: Bartender
Age: 21
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Name: Cassandra
Occupation: College Student
Age: 24
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Name: Diana
Occupation: College Student
Age: 21
Hometown: Garfield, New Jersey
Name: Dionne
Occupation: College Student
Age: 20
Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama
Name: Felicia
Occupation: Sales Associate
Age: 19
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Name: Jael
Occupation: Band Manager
Age: 22
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Name: Jaslene
Occupation: Online College Admissions Advisor
Age: 20
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Name: Kathleen
Occupation: Hairstylist
Age: 20
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Name: Natasha
Occupation: College Student
Age: 21
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Name: Renee
Occupation: Stay-At-Home-Mom
Age: 20
Hometown: Maui, Hawaii
Name: Samantha
Occupation: Sales Associate
Age: 19
Hometown: Pinson, Alabama
Name: Sarah
Occupation: Photographer
Age: 20
Hometown: Lake Zurich, Illinois
Name: Whitney
Occupation: College Student
Age: 21
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida
During this cycle, the 13 participants live together and ferociously vie for the grand prize, competing in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp. The participants' abilities are tested each week as they strive to master the runway and fashion photo shoots, perfect publicity skills and learn the business aspects of becoming a supermodel, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the "America's Next Top Model" cameras. Throughout the series, supermodel Tyra Banks, art director of photo shoots Jay Manuel, and runway guru J. Alexander mentor the participants.
Banks leads the panel of "America's Next Top Model" judges, comprised of leading fashion industry experts, including supermodel Twiggy, photographer Nigel Barker and runway expert J. Alexander, who closely evaluate the progress of the models to narrow the field each week. In addition, special guest judges appear to critique within his or her area of expertise.
The winner of The CW's "America's Next Top Model" will be managed by Elite Model Management. She also receives a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl. Finally, the winner will appear on the cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine.
"America's Next Top Model" is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment, in association with Bankable Productions. Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Anthony Dominici ("The Amazing Race").
America's Next Top Model Cycle 8 (l-r): Whitney, Sarah, Cassandra, Brittany, Samantha, Renee, Kathleen, Jaslene, Jael, Diana, Natasha and Dionne. Seated bottom row: Felicia stars in AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (cycle 8 ).
