Who Says Models Have To Be Tall?

For the first time in TOP MODEL history, Tyra Banks announces that girls must be 5’7” and under in order to become AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL. After 12 cycles of a minimum height requirement of 5’7” – matching the industry standard – Banks and the casting director of The CW’s hit reality series AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL are searching the U.S. for females, ages 18 to 27, of diverse backgrounds, shapes, sizes and with a height requirement of 5’7” and under.

“There have been top supermodels in the past that weren’t as tall as the industry demands, like fashion icon Kate Moss,” said Banks. “So we are changing up ‘Top Model’ for cycle 13 and making it a year for the shorter model!”

Open Call Cities:
Saturday, February 28 – Miami, Florida
10:00am-3:00pm
Eden Roc (A Renaissance Beach Resort and Spa)
4525 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33140

Tuesday, March 3 – San Francisco, California
10:00am-3:00pm
The Westin San Francisco Market Street
50 Third Street
San Francisco, California 94103

Saturday, March 7 – Washington, D.C. *
Saturday, March 14 – New York City *
Saturday, March 21 – Dallas, Texas *
Wednesday, March 25 – Chicago, Illinois *
Saturday, March 28 – Los Angeles, California *

* Locations and times are TBD. Please visit http://www.cwtv.com/ for up-to-date casting information, applications, as well as additional open calls sponsored by local CW Affiliates.

Whitney wins ANTM

(photo from The CW)

Whitney Thompson, 20, was named the winner of the tenth season of America's Next Top Model last night.

The size 8-10 U.S. "plus-size model" will receive a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, a deal with Elite model management and a photo spread with Seventeen magazine.

"It feels amazing to be America's Next Top Model," Thompson said. "This is exactly what I want. This is exactly everything that I ever wanted since I was a little girl."

There has been speculation that Thompson won because the show has never had a fuller-figured winner.

"People always say you have to be stick-skinny, emaciated and unhealthy and I've kind of stood up for [being full-figured] my whole life," Thompson told The New York Post.

Thompson said even some of her friends did not believe she could become America's Next Top Model.

"Right before I left for the show, one of my best friends said to me, 'You're not going to go that far. You're fat,'" Thompson told People. "Every week I would remember her saying that. And every week I was like, 'In your face!'"