AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL CYCLE 5
ASHLEY ELIMINATED DURING TWO HOUR PREMIERE OF "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"

Ashley, a boutique buyer from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was the first girl eliminated from the fifth cycle of UPN's hit series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool from 13 girls to 12.

At the conclusion of Robin Leach's Beverly Hills "tour of the stars' homes," the girls were surprised when the glamorous home they stopped at would actually be theirs to live in for the remainder of the competition. As each became acquainted with their swanky new surroundings, both friendships and tensions began to surface when the girls began to learn more about their competition.

Later that afternoon, a stretch limousine escorted the girls to a Los Angeles nightclub. There they met with photo director and make up artist Jay Manuel who informed them that they would be attending a Life & Style Magazine party and starring in their first runway show for all the celebrities and guests at the party. During the show, many of the girls had trouble walking in high heels, while others went the wrong direction on the catwalk. Ashley began to reveal her competitive side when she refused to help her roommate Kim apply her make-up. "I honestly have to say that was the absolute worst fashion show I've ever done," Manuel said of the girls' awkward performance.

The next morning, the girls joined Jay Manuel again, this time for their first photo shoot where they were challenged to pose as supermodel superheroes while suspended on an overhead wire. Jay Manuel was impressed with the overall effort of the girls, however, he felt that Ashley seemed awkward and had trouble lengthening her neck. "Ashley definitely struggled a little bit on this photo shoot. If we're lucky we got one photo out of Ashley," he commented after her shoot.

Although many of the girls showed a need for improvement, Tyra and the judges felt that Ashley's runway walk at the fashion show was boring, her supermodel superhero photo didn't show enough intensity and her effort within the competition was based solely on her beauty. "She just doesn't have that magic ingredient for me," Twiggy noted during deliberation, causing Ashley to become the first girl eliminated from the running to become AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL.

This cycle, Tyra Banks once again leads the panel of judges that will narrow the field of girls each week, as they take them into a high-pressure, high-stakes series of competitions that will determine the series winner. Legendary supermodel Twiggy, renowned photographer Nigel Barker and J. Alexander, an acclaimed runway expert, also serve as judges.

The winner of UPN's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will have the opportunity to be managed by Ford Models. She will also receive a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl. The winner will additionally appear in a fashion spread in Elle magazine and on the cover of Elle Girl Magazine.

The fifth installment of UPN's hit dramality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL follows 13 young women as they attempt to prove they have what it takes to make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of modeling. Banks, who created the show, also serves as executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Anthony Dominici ("The Amazing Race").

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL airs Wednesdays, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. For more information about AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL log on to www.upn.com

The Interview

Being the first girl eliminated from America's Next Top Model can't be fun. It can also be filled with mixed emotions. Elation because you've made it to the final 13 out of thousands of girls. Heartbreak because it all ends too soon. But Ashley has a slightly different take on it all, and she summed it up perfectly in one sentence: "Who remembers anyone from the middle?"

Who indeed. Ashley pointed out that people remember the winner and they remember who went first. That may allow people to see that she has potential. "My family said I got robbed" and maybe they aren't the only ones that think so. I for one was a bit surprised that Ashley was the first to go. With her knowledge of the industry and her natural beauty (the "pretty gene" in her family) I was sure she would go further. She did, too. "Nobody wants to be the first eliminated. I thought I'd done average. But if you look at past seasons, average seems to be the 1st to go." When asked if she was angry about the way things turned out, Ashley gave an emphatic "no". "Of course I was taken by surprise, but when I told the girls to make me proud, I also knew that I was leaving a group of women that are going to work their butts off. They're going to take what they learn and be better.... I'm going to be proud of them."

Getting into the final 13 was just the beginning. The girls were then thrown into a whirlwind of modeling activity. When I asked what her favorite part of being on the show was, she divided it into two categories. "As for the competitions, I really liked runway. It was really thrilling." Ashley had never done a runway show before, and the energy and catwalk and being in front of the crowd was a challenge that she thrived on. But outside the competition? "The limo ride back after the Life Style party." The girls were finally able to relax, be themselves, learn more about each other, and laugh. "I have never laughed so hard in my life!"

Ashley isn't currently talking to the other girls right now, but not because of any hard feelings. "I want to be surprised." Many people have questioned whether she and Kim would remain friends after not helping out her cosmetics-challenged friend, and the answer is yes. "Before the fashion show we had 30 minutes to either put on our make-up or go out and socialize. I had my make-up on and my goal was to network. It's why we're here." She went on to explain that there can be friendship amidst competition. "In the house we're friends. But walk through those doors and you need to shine. It's nothing personal. Kim knows that. In fact we never even talked about it. We were holding hands backstage. We're fine." She then added "I can't wait to see her again. I love Bre and Nick, too. I can't wait to talk to them and have them tell me everything that happened. You can be sure I'll be ready with popcorn every time a new episode airs!!"

Ashley remains tight-lipped about who her favorites are from this season, but shared with us who she has liked from the past seasons. "The only season I watched from beginning to end was the one that Yoanna won. It was a good season. I also really liked Ann. I got to see her in New York and I'm really impressed by her. I could also relate to Yoanna as someone trying to lose weight and wanting to model. I rooted for her."

What came across the most in talking to Ashley, was how in awe she seemed by the fact that she has fans. "They have no idea what it is like to be heavy... and then to lose weight and try to model and have strangers support you. Of course your mom and your aunt can say you're pretty, but to hear it from a stranger... it just means so much. It is so heartwarming. You can feel the energy from people." I got the feeling that it is this support that shapes her advice for future America's Next Top Model wanna-be's. "Do it. Why not? Having never been to a casting call before, look how far I got. You need to put yourself out there... it's scary. But do it." She also warns of the scams and people to be wary of. "Don't ever let someone make you pay to be a model. This show is great for showing people that. Don't get involved in the scams. Work hard and soak it all in."

For now Ashley is working on strengthening her portfolio and getting into an agency. She also wants to make sure that being in front of the camera is where she truly wants to be, versus the behind-the-scenes styling and make-up that she also loves. "It is so much fun. It takes one picture. To be given a character and having to bring it to life, it is so alive." Just talking about it you can hear the spark coming through her voice.

If you would like to e-mail Ashely, leave comments for her, or just keep up with what she is doing, please visit her site at One Model Place.

~September 22, 2005

Read about America's Next Top Model Cycle 5
Read about America's Next Top Model Cycle 4
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 3
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 2
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 1

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