UPN has unveiled the identities of the finalists who will compete on the upcoming "third cycle" of its hit America's Next Top Model series, and as the show's ratings continue to grow, apparently so does the size of its cast.
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This season's edition, premiering Wednesday, September 22 at 8PM ET/PT, will feature fourteen finalists, an increase from the second season's twelve and the first edition's ten. The increased cast size should allow America's Next Top Model, which became the struggling network's break-out hit during last spring's second edition, to have a thirteen-episode season similar to the format that new UPN chief Les Moonves (who's also run fellow Viacom sister network CBS for several years) has grown accustomed to with CBS's hit Survivor reality series.
As in the last two editions, this season's third America's Next Top Model cycle will follow the fourteen young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes as they live together in a New York apartment and vie for a modeling contract. The women will be asked to demonstrate both inner and outer beauty as they learn to master complicated cat walks, intense physical fitness, fashion photo shoots and perfect publicity skills.
Banks will once again lead this season's judging panel, which will also feature returning judges Janice Dickinson, the self-described "world’s first supermodel," and photographer Nigel Barker. Last season's fourth judging regular, Eric Nicholson, a senior fashion editor of Jane magazine, has been replaced by stylist Nolé Marin. Additional special guest judges may also join the panel on a weekly basis.
The fourteen women competing on the "third cycle" of America's Next Top Model are listed below. Larger photos of all the finalists are available in our America's Next Top Model 3 Photo Gallery.
Name: Amanda Lynn Swafford
Occupation: Mother
Age: 25
Hometown: Hendersonville, N.C.
Name: Ann Elaine Markley
Occupation: Student
Age: 21
Hometown: Erie, Pa.
Name: Cassie Ann Grisham
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Norman, Okla.
Name: Eva Marcelle Pigford
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Los Angeles
Name: Jennipher Frost
Occupation: Bartender
Age: 22
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho
Name: Julie Ann Titus
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Kent, Wash.
Name: Kelle Jacob
Occupation: Online Art Gallery Owner
Age: 20
Hometown: New York
Name: Laura "Kristi" Gromment
Occupation: Student
Age: 20
Hometown: St. Louis
Name: Leah Darrow
Occupation: Sales Associate
Age: 24
Hometown: Oklahoma City
Name: Magdalena Maria Rivas
Occupation: Student
Age: 24
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
Name: Nicole Borud
Occupation: Former punk rocker
Age: 21
Hometown: Minot, ND
Name: Norelle Van Herk
Occupation: Sales Associate
Age: 19
Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif.
Name: Toccara Elaine Jones
Occupation: Student
Age: 22
Hometown: Dayton, OH
Name: Camara "Yaya" Da Costa Johnson
Occupation: Student
Age: 21
Hometown: Harlem, N.Y.
America's Next Top Model is executive producered by Ken Mok (Making the Band) and Tyra Banks. The "dramality" series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Mok and Kenya Barris. America's Next Top Model is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.