Simply My 12 Favorite Contestants From “America’s Next Top Model”

In no particular order except for #1. And two honorable mentions.

“America’s Next Top Model” was a show that I grew up on until I didn’t. And I have so many enjoyable moments from the show that I hold dear. I see that as of late, Tyra Banks has gotten a lot of flack for the show, and yes, race-switching is weird especially given the undertones of it for someone of a less desirable race or skin tone.

Yelling at Tiffany because “we were all rooting for you…” hmmm…okay. Whatever. And telling Yaya that she was too “Afrocentric” and not standing up for her when the other non-black judges held their xenophobic own, yes, this is valid because it’s racist and ethnocentric.

Yet I think that many people, including other African Americans too, many people forget how unpopular Africa has been until recent years. But this could probably be another story for another day.

Anyway, this doesn’t change the fact that Top Model was still monumental — iconic even — in what it achieved. I really liked that it had girls I could look up to and I didn’t have to like the ones I couldn’t relate to. I could find one or many who I could.

• So first, it had stories.
• And second, it represented black girls and women well. Representation seemed equal, and I probably saw more variations of dark-skinned girls on Top Model than American or global media at this time — it was a healthy outlet for me.

So all of the complaints now I don’t know, it feels like it’s not really pointing the finger at the more serious offenders. Overall, “Top Model” did more good than bad for my self-esteem and it actually featured more Africans and underrepresented African American looks than American media did too, even with the unfortunate moments. Tyra Banks should get a lot more credit for this.

Anyway, in no particular order, let me go ahead and list my favorite contestants. Actually, Dani Evans I really still love — she is my favorite winner, hands down. She’s on the list. Let’s start with her.

1. Danielle (Dani) Evans

I could relate to her being from Arkansas and being country before getting speech lessons. I wish that they didn’t change her gap because it was a defining feature, especially when a white model was praised for hers. Still…she’s still on magazine covers now, just on Harpers Bazaar last fall.

Look: Round and gently chiseled face, almond eyes, dark skin

2. Shandi Sullivan

Shandi was a basic plain jane from Walgreens who went super glam. Who doesn’t love this story? She broke up with her boyfriend when she kissed another boy. But she was moving up in the world so it was kind of bound to happen I felt watching.

Look: Endearingly gangly and awkward, uniquely shaped face, not the regular blonde-haired blue eyed expectation, light skin

3. Nnenna Agba

I’ve only recently started to look for the African contestants as I’ve started to understand my own African heritage. And I liked Nnnena. She had a sweet fairy quality.

Look: Chiseled face, soft, full features, short hair (which didn’t bode well on the mermaid shoot — ANTM could have done this look better justice), dark skin

4. Yaya DaCosta

YaYa was amazing. She existed comfortably in her Afrocentric style which sadly made the judges uncomfortable, even Tyra at times. She had a natural gorgeousness that resonated from within. And she was really smart and was studying at a very prestigious school.

Look: Chiseled face, soft, ballet dancer quality, Afrocentric style, dark skin

5. April Wilkner

I didn’t so much relate to April’s story in the corporate world, but it did open my eyes to possibility. I also liked how she was open about being Asian and how that felt, being represented less as a model. I also like how she enjoyed herself more through the season.

Look: Angular soft face, unique chin, full lips, light skin

6. Jade Cole

She is as steely as her angular face. Jade was kind of a jerk and said what she thought, sometimes to the point of making others fear her or cry. And really, I admired her confidence.

Look: Short hair, angular face, looked Asian and wasn’t, light skin

7. Ambreal Williams

I didn’t watch Season 9, but Ambreal I’d see walking through the Fine Arts department when I was in school. I went to the same school as her. She was studying theatre when I was a musical theatre major. So I’ll give her the props she deserves for her beauty and being a part of this iconic show.

Look: Short pixie, soft face shape, almond eyes, dark skin

8. Naima Mora

Her soft personality resonated with me and struggle with confidence. I can relate to this. I just liked her punkish quality more than anything and she was pretty-beautiful.

Look: Elfin-looking, short punkish pixie, light skin

9. Yoanna House

I liked Yoanna because she had a story. She loved fashion and had lost a lot of weight to get to a place where she was happier. She was the first season’s winner. She had an Audrey Hepburn-type vibe.

Look: chiseled face, normal-looking “model” with a simple but stunning quality, dark hair, light skin

10. Aminat Ayinde

I liked Aminat because she told the truth as it is — and she was an honest person. Her eyes sat nicely on her face, and they smiled when she did. Her soft quality was ironic with her New York accent too.

Look: Softly angled face, almond eyes, full lips, dark skin

11. Mercedes Scelba-Short

I liked Mercedes’ bubbly spirit. I liked her because she struggled with lupus and you got to see her vulnerability and how she still pulled through each week. I remember when they said that she looked more commercial, but just let her be.

Look: Baby face, short hair, full lips, light skin

11. Celia Ammerman

I liked Celia because she reminds me of myself now. I can’t believe that the other models were calling her old for being there at 25. Now I look at this with my own goals of modeling in my 30s, and I admire Celia for holding her own.

Look: round face, Nordic-looking, reverse-shaped mouth, light skin

These last two models, I liked their look but didn’t know their stories. So I’m only going to describe their look. It helps me to connect to their stories as well before I really connect with their look too.

• Allison Harvard: She had very big mesmerizing eyes, like out of a Tim Burton movie.
• Marjorie Conrad: She reminded me of Molly Ringwald, who I have loved since forever. She had a quirky, whimsical quality I loved.

There are others — these are just the ones I remember off the top of my head. And these are the only Gifs I could find — just these three. I would have included one of everyone if I could. This is my list. Do you have a favorite contestant from ANTM? Na…nananana.