Can Italian Vogue Produce an American Top Model?
By Cate Young | Dec 6th, 2010
Chelsey Hersley and Ann Ward moments before the announcement of the Cycle 15 winner. (Photo Courtesy cwtv.com)
But after 14 highly rated seasons, has ANTM actually produced any Top Models? Each cycle’s winner was awarded a $100,000 contract with a reputable agency, a contract with Covergirl and a spread in Seventeen Magazine. More than enough to launch a career, one might think.
Unfortunately, while many of the show’s contestants do in fact continue on to become working models, none have completely broken into the industry and achieved the ‘Top Model’ status that the show claims to promote. Some feel that this may be because each model’s first spread was in Seventeen Magazine, a magazine that is not necessarily known for its fashion editorials.
ANTM’s 15th season concluded last Wednesday with Ann Ward and Chelsey Hersley competing in the final round. The two models walked in a Roberto Cavalli fashion show and shot their Covergirl commercials. In the end, Ann prevailed and was named America’s Next Top Model. A beautiful brunette of 6′ 2″, Ann proved to the judges that she had the ability to make it in high fashion. The question now however is this: will appearing in Italian Vogue really help to propel Ann to Top Model status?
Ann Ward by Patrick Demarchelier for ANTM Cycle 15. (Photo Courtesy cwtv.com)
In a few short weeks of competition, Ann has already had the privelige of working with some of the industry’s top professionals, including photographers Mathew Rolston and Patrick Demarchelier. By beginning her career with a spread in the world’s most reputable fashion magazine, Ann is basically guaranteed the kind of exposure that she needs to make a significant mark on the industry. Italian Vogue is the big leagues. The models who appear in this publication demand attention and respect, and Ann is sure to have the most important people in the business clamoring to see her debut.
Ann totally has what, I believe, it takes. Her look is astonishing and unique. She has a classical beauty (timeless) and I look forward to her gracing the covers of Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Marie Claire. Not to mention wearing the heck out of some of the industries top designers. Go ANN!
I’m looking for Ann in Covergirl commercials with my friends as well as the Victorian Secret Fashion show and italian vogue and anywhere we can find her. Ann was totally the coolest model in ANTM history. We want more ANN!
Am I the only one who saw Chelseas sour grapes at the end of the show? Crying like a baby and saying that the judges made a huge mistake and that she was way better than Ann. If that is what this author thinks embodies Americans Next To Model then he or she is the reason the modeling industry is as jacked up as it is. Way too many Chelsea types. Roberto Cavalli saw right through her. He picked up on Ann because she is both gorgeous and refreshingly new. Ann was the best possible choice.
I DID see chelsey’s tantrum at the end of the episode and to be honest, I laughed at her. I don’t think she’s vogue italia material because of her attitude. i actually don’t like her very much. she’s kind of a b*tch… i wanted Kayla to win to be completely honest. my point was that between ann and chelsey, i think that chelsey has a better understanding of what makes the industry work, and how to deliver what a designer wants, as opposed to ann who basically kind of fell into it. i think that chelsey would have done more with the opportunity because she is better able to market herself and generate a client base. People who work with chelsey are likely to keep using her. I think that ann will get hired for her look, but people will find her hard to connect with. not something you want from your top model.
I’m so glad Ann won…Chelsey attitute was terrible, just think if she won and had to be with other models in the model industry…same disrespect and probably would’ve been fired or got the beat down. In this world beauty and a pleasant to beautiful attitute comes naturally…and Ann has all the above.
You Rock Girl!!!!!
Peace and Love,
Sparkle