Saleisha Stowers (born January 10, 1986), is an American fashion model who became the winner of Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model.

Early Life & Modeling Career

In her Seventeen Magazine interview, Saleisha stated she had a rough life growing up because both her parents were drug addicts, and her mother had bipolar disorder. Therefore, she lived with her grandmother in Madera, California. When she was 14, she attended Camp T-Zone, Tyra Banks' self-esteem camp just for girls. Saleisha worked as a receptionist in Los Angeles. Before appearing on Cycle 9, Saleisha was signed with Photogenics Model Management and had also appeared in a commercial for fast-food restaurant Wendy's, with actor Tom Lenk. She had modeled for DOMIJ clothing.DOMIJ Clothing, and d.e.m.o.d.e.m.o.She was also an extra in an episode of the TV series Ugly Betty and on two episodes of the Tyra Banks Show, modeling for Rami, Project Runway season four contestant. Saleisha appeared in the "Welcome Back" music video, and had an ad for 24 Hour Fitness.24Hour FitnessShe also modeled for Especially Yours wigs, and was featured in a fashion spread for InTouch Weekly. She was recruited for America's Next Top Model, which she subsequently won.

America’s Next Top Model

Saleisha entered the competition with a lot of confidence and high self-esteem. Her bubbly, positive personality, and her strong walk won the judges over.Cycle 9 Episode 1 But the judges in the beginning felt she relied too much on her commercial look, so they gave her a Louise Brooks inspired black hair weave to edge her out.Cycle 9 Episode 4 She struggled in the beginning with her photos, but after she landed in bottom two with contestant Victoria Marshman and was surprisingly spared, she got a wakeup call and started improving, producing better photos. She received 2 first call outs, but 2 bottom two appearances. Saleisha also won 3 challenges.Cycle 9 Statistics. In one of the challenges, she won an ad for Old NavyOld Navy In the final deliberation, the judges were impressed with Saleisha’s command on the runway and for her fluidity. She won against Chantal Jones.Cycle 9 Episode 13


Saleisha is the fourth woman of African American heritage who has won America's Next Top Model. Prior African American winners being Eva Pigford of Cycle 3, Naima Mora of Cycle 4, & Dani Evans of Cycle 6. She is the second ANTM contestant from Los Angeles, California to win, the other is Eva Pigford of Cycle 3.America's Next Top Model

As part of her prize, Stowers won a contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics which features her campaigning for WetSlicks Fruit Spritzers, and appeared on the cover of the February 2008 issue of Seventeen magazine. She has also won a contract for representation with Elite Model Management. Like previous winners of ANTM, Stowers appeared in weekly segments of My Life as a CoverGirl during the running of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10.

Controversy

Since Stowers's win, there has been controversy regarding her eligibility to appear on the show. The show's rules state that a contestant must not have appeared as a model in a national advertising campaign during the last five years. Stowers appeared in a 2006 commercial for Wendy's. There is debate among viewers of the show over whether the commercial for Wendy's could be considered an advertising campaign, which would make Stowers ineligible to compete in America's Next Top Model. The CW said in a statement that Stowers did disclose her participation in the Wendy's spot, and "after reviewing the commercial, it was determined that her appearance did not amount to "modeling" experience, and therefore did not exclude her from participating in the show". Several blogs and news outlets have speculated that her past relationship with Banks (her participation in Banks' T-Zone camp and her past appearances on Tyra's television shows and her appearance as a model on The Tyra Banks Show and Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model), may have influenced the selection of the winner. Saleisha had also been a national spokesmodel for Especially Yours wigs for more than a year before the show ran as well as appearing in an episode of the hit US sitcom Ugly Betty.RealityTv WorldE! NewsBuddytvE! Online

Post Show Career

Saleisha is currently signed to Elite Model Management and L.A. Model Management La Model Management

Print Work

Saleisha currently has a Metro Style campaign along with fellow winners, Jaslene Gonzalez, Dani Evans and Whitney Thompson. Stowers was on the cover of Seventeen as part of her prize. She has appeared on the cover of Paper Doll MagazinePaperDoll PaperDoll Magazine, had a cover and spread in Florida International MagazineFlorida International Magazine and had spreads in the January 2008 issue of InTouch WeeklyInTouch Weekly, OK! MagazineOK! Magazine,the July 2008 issue of Essence Magazine,Essence Magazine Jam Style.Jam Style and had a four page spread in an issue of Macy's.Macy's She has modeled for Gilt GroupeGilt Groupe and Macy's catalogue online.Macys catalogue She has also modeled for DereonDereon, Apple BottomsApple Bottoms,Baby PhatBaby Phat,and Love Tease Love Tease .

Runway

Saleisha has walked for Tibi in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008.Tibi Fall 2008, Peter Som's Bill Blass Fall 2008 Collection at Saks Fifth Avenue on April 2, 2008Peter Som's Bill Blass Fall 2008, Carson Kressley's Safilo USA Spring/Summer '08 Designer Eyewear Fashion Show at Vision Expo East on April 12, 2008Carson Kressley's Safilo USA Spring/Summer '08, Jose Duran for NYC fashion week, which also showed on her My Life as CoverGirl commercials, a GenArt Fashion Show for Jennifer Mary, Billabong's 2nd Annual Design for Humanity fashion show in Los AngelesBillabong's 2nd Annual Design, and Pamella Roland at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009.Pamella Roland Spring/Summer 2009 Stowers appeared on the finale episode of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10 to give encouragement to the final three, and she opened for a mock Versace runway show. Saleisha walked for Beach Bunny Swimwear Beach Bunny Swimwear Spring/Summer 2009 and Lana FuchsLana Fuchs Spring/Summer 2009 in Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009. She also appeared on the Tyra Banks Show for the episode titled Tina Knowles modeling in a House of Dereon fashion show.Tina Knowles

Other

She has appeared on the Tyra Banks Show multiple times. This includes the time when Saleisha along with Tyra Banks, Jaslene Gonzalez, Claire Unabia and Michael Bloomberg planted a tree on April 10 in New York City in honor of Earth Day which aired on April 30, 2008She already dug a hole and the Fiercee Awards along with past ANTM contestants that aired on May 14th.1st Annual Fiercee Awards Stowers attended the premiere of Polanski Unauthorized, the Vavoom Upfront party with Caridee English and Jaslene Gonzalez, |1&axs=0|0&id=81076906 Vavoom Upfront party and the CW Upfront Party celebrating the Cycle 10 finale with past ANTM alums.