Whitney Thompson is an American
fashion model most notable as the winner of the
tenth cycle of
America's Next Top Model. She was the first '
full-figured' competitor to win the competition, participating as a
U.S. dress size 10.
[Usmagazine.com | Whitney Thompson Named America's Next Top Model]
Early life
Before her appearance on the show, Thompson worked locally in northern Florida and appeared on the cover of
Jacksonville magazine three times
[All ANTM - Print Work]. Besides modeling, Thompson worked at Chets Creek Elementary School in the before-and-after-school day care programs. She attended the
Duncan U. Fletcher High School and the University of North Florida, where she became a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
[Jacksonville.com magazine article, 28 Feb,2008]
America's Next Top Model
Thompson competed against thirteen other contestants to win Cycle 10 of
America's Next Top Model. She was selected as one of the finalists to enter the 'Top Model house'. Some of the judges criticized her performances and personality as being 'too pageant' and 'fake'. Thompson received a first call-out
['First call-out' occurs during the elimination period of the episode where a model's name is the first called by Tyra Banks to receive their photograph. 'First call-out' indicates First Place in the particular photoshoot.] during the music-themed photoshoot, and won one 'CoverGirl of the Week' title, from the final photoshoot challenge of Cycle 10. She landed in the 'bottom two'
['Bottom two' refers to the two remaining models left unnamed during the elimination process; a tool used to build tension and suspense.] a total of four times - more times than any past winner.
In the end, Thompson ended up against
Anya Kop and won the title. She was the very first plus-size model to win America's Next Top Model; marking history for the show.
Although she is naturally a
brunette, Thompson received
blonde hair extensions for her
makeover on the show.
As part of the
ANTM prize package awarded to her, Thompson received a contract with
CoverGirl cosmetics and a contract from
Elite Model Management. She also received the
cover and six-page editorial spread in the July 2008 issue of
Seventeen. Thompson's
CoverGirl contract includes a U.S. national TV commercial, print advertising, and a
billboard in
Times Square.
Post show
Since her win, Thompson has been featured in interviews with
People magazine [All ANTM - Print Work] and in the June 2008 issue of
In Touch Weekly, and has appeared on
Live with Regis and Kelly,
Entertainment Tonight,
Extra,
The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch,
E! News, and
The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.
She is currently a spokesperson for Smile-Stylist and Right Fit.
[YouTube - Whitney Thompson in Smile Stylist commercial][www.topmodelgossip.com/whitney-thompson-named-right-fit-spokesmodel/] Thompson currently has an ad with Metrostyle along with fellow winners
Dani Evans,
Jaslene Gonzalez and
Saleisha Stowers. She was on the cover of Jacksonville Magazine for the August 2008 issue with an assorted spread. She has also been featured in a Silhouette catalog and had a cover and spread in Supermodels Unlimited, September/October 2008
[Whitney Thompson's All-ANTM Portfolio]. Whitney had an ad for Salon Z and Eclectic Jewelry as well
.
She did presentations for
JCPenney and
Saks Fifth Avenue at
New York Fashion Week 2008
[www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/100108/nes_338225071.shtml]. She has also walked for
House of Dereon on the
Tyra Banks Show.
Since her win, Thompson has been quite vocal about anorexia in fashion, stating that while there are women that are naturally skinny, it sends the wrong message to those who aren't and should love their body
[community.livejournal.com/topmodel/2225319.html#cutid1]. She is scheduled to be on a show called
Little in the Middle focusing on girls with eating disorders
. She has also appeared in two episodes of
Cycle 11[Now You See Me, Now You Don't] and in the finale, including opening the runway.
She has recently been voted by MSN as one of the most influential women of 2008
[lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/bigger-picture/staticslideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=15893872&imageindex=12]
