10 'ANTM' Contestants Who Went Into Fashion & 10 Who Had A Change Of Heart

The girls of America's Next Top Model are diverse and numerous, with 24 cycles of contestants now living life post-ANTM. Participants have duked it out to win the infamous title of America's Next Top Model since 2003's Season One, all fighting to follow their dream of creating a successful modeling career. But does being named America's Next Top Model really equate to success after the cameras stop rolling? Can't the losing contestants be successful within the fashion industry, too? Also, what about the girls who change their minds?

Fortunately, there are answers to all of these questions hiding in the resumes of the show's former contestants.

While some of the girls did continue on to model professionally, many of the other girls wound up doing something totally different with their lives, and that's OK, too.

While the current it-model Winnie Harlow got her start on ANTM, other girls have gone on to become everything from waxing queens to wall street bankers. Read on for a walk down memory lane through what has been called "the most successful TV show ever," to see who made it in Fashion and who took a totally different career path.

20 Winnie Harlow Becomes A Bona-Fide Force

Winnie Harlow has certainly made a name for herself within the Fashion Industry, working with top photographers and magazines, and even attending the Met Gala 2018, fashion's biggest event of the year and hardest invite to snag. Winnie was the cover star of Elle UK's May 2018 issue, adding to her cover list of Harper's Bazaar Singapore, Marie Claire Mexico, Elle Canada, and Glamour. The model is recognizable for her Vitiligo, an auto-immune disease that causes her skin to be white in places, but she has become a positive role-model for others afflicted with the same condition. She encourages other people living with Vitiligo to accept themselves and love the skin they're in.

While participating in the 21st cycle of America's Next Top Model, Winnie went by her real name, Chantelle Young. The spokes-model came in sixth out of the original 14, however, Tyra Banks thought highly of Chantelle, saying of the model:

“When I see somebody like Chantelle I'm like, 'This is beautiful, this is unique, the world needs to see that'.”

While the cycle of ANTM ended in 2014, Harlow's career began to take off after she left the show, without the modeling contract prize. Her career has been picking up steam lately, and Winnie is poised to become a true supermodel within the coming year.

19 Fatima Siad Becomes A Model With A Cult Instagram Following

Fatima Siad is a gorgeous Somali model who left ANTM Cycle 10 as the third runner-up. At 5'10" with striking features and flawless skin, Fatima was quickly scooped up and signed by New York Models. According to the Cut, the model worked quietly but diligently in the commercial market, shooting only for catalogs and department stores, for three years. Then, Fatima made her break into the world of high fashion, landing on the runways of Spring 2012 to walk for Dries van Noten and Hermès. She also snagged a spring campaign for Hervé Léger, shot by Swedish photographer Camilla Akrans. Fatima now has over 130,000 loyal Instagram followers.

Fatima had a powerful story to tell. As a young teenager, she and her mother had to flee their home nation of Somalia and come to the United States as refugees after losing her two sisters during the country's Civil War. She had never pictured herself as a model or even as a beautiful woman, but her perception of herself changed during ANTM. Fatima spoke of a run-in with Tyra that happened years after her appearance on the show, "I ran into her in the Lower East Side and she hopped out of her car yelling, 'Fatima, girl! I'm so proud of you!' She shows me, love… I always thought she was really tough on me, but now I see, I think she saw potential."

18 Leila Goldkhul Finds Gap-Toothed Success In High Fashion

Leila also was third-runner-up in her season of ANTM, cycle 19. She is another one of the show's best success stories, signed with Next Model Management, Chic Management, and M4 Models, and still working in the industry currently.

The gap-toothed beauty made waves in 2015 as a member 0f Riccardo Tisci's Givenchy girl-gang, breaking into the world of high-fashion.

Now 26, Leila is still actively modeling, her profile on models.com  registering her latest work as print advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein and Prada summer 2018, as well as walking in the Spring 2018 shows for Calvin Klein, Valentino and Chanel Haute Couture, among others.

Leila spoke to Vogue about her time on ANTM, and how it set her up for success, although she isn't likely to be on a reality TV show again. “Being filmed constantly is invasive and very odd," the model said. "I'm not into a ton of people staring at me all the time, so being on television was strange for me. I didn't love it, because it made me anxious at first, but now that I look back I realize that it was a cool experience and led me to meet people who got me to where I am now. I can appreciate the experience more now that it is over." While it may have been uncomfortable for Leila, she certainly has built quite a career on that foundation!

17 Elise Makes Moves In The Asian Fashion Market

Elise Sewell was the know-it-all pre-med student of Season 1. While Elise did not win the cycle, she was heavily favored throughout her time on ANTM, her slim figure photographing beautifully. Although Elise was a natural model, she would not concede that there was more to success in the modeling industry than "good genetics," ultimately insulting Tyra and being sent home as the third runner-up.

Although Elise did not win the competition, she also did not go on to complete medical school, as she had planned. Elise found great success working in the Asian fashion market, with her large eyes, youthful face, and Twiggy-esque figure. According to ANTM 411, Elise appeared in print advertisements for Chanel and Chow Sang Sang Jewelry and made the cover of Harper's Bazaar Hong Kong. She signed with multiple agencies, including Zucca Tokyo, Dream Models Hong Kong, Elite Santiago, Wilhelmina West Models, and Studio KLRP Paris. Elise also dated the keyboardist of the Shins, Marty Crandall, for a time before 2008, when they allegedly had a disagreement in a Sacramento hotel. Both Crandall and Elyse were charged, though their cases were later dismissed, and her career success was not changed.

16 Toccara Jones Signs With Wilhemina

Toccara Jones was among the first true plus-sized models featured on America's Next Top Model, appearing in Cycle 3. Although she was eliminated before the season finale, being the eighth to go home overall, Toccara did go on to have success within the Fashion industry.

According to ANTM 411, Ms. Jones has been on the covers of Be, The Next Level Magazine, Black Men Magazine, Black Hair Magazine, Braids Magazine, and King Magazine. She also appeared in the December 2008 issue of Ebony Magazine. She has modeled for numerous brands, including Avon, Torrid, New York and Company and Target. On the runway she met with less success, walking most notable for Alice & Olivia Fall 2006.

While Toccara's career did stay primarily commercial, she had one notable breakthrough.

The model had a Vogue Italia shoot with a remarkably long 14-page spread. The feature was photographed by Steven Meisel, one of the most famous and renowned fashion photographers in the world. Her spread appeared in the all-black Italian Vogue issue.

15 Melrose Bickerstaff Signs With Storm Model Management

Melissa Rose Bickerstaff became well-known after her stint on ANTM in season 7, finishing the series as the first runner-up. Before the show, Melrose graduated from The Art Institute of California - San Francisco with a degree in fashion design, and had subsequently as a fashion designer, according to ANTM 411. The designer-turned-model went back to dabbling in both career paths after the show ended, working with Michelle Rodriguez on her new clothing line, Ishkidada. She signed with Storm Model Management in late 2007, the same agency which manages models Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, and Alek Wek, as shared by her 411 page. Her editorial appearances include the December 2006 issue of Seventeen, and she has been a special correspondent for E! Television.

According to Bickerstaff's twitter bio, she is a Capital Markets Specialist, Fashion Designer, Model, and Writer. Her Fashion brand, Paradisiac, is linked as well. The brand sells mostly neon and grey athleisure-streetwear hybrid clothes. Transitioning into design is a great way for women to stay in fashion after they age away from modeling, and if Melrose has the talent to make it happen, that's awesome!

14 Natasha Galkina Graces All Of The Top Magazines

Natasha Galinka, or Natalie Gal, as the model now goes by, is a relatively successful model with a serious social media presence. Natasha was born in Russia, attending school in Moscow but having financial troubles throughout her life. Her now ex-husband brought Natasha to the United States so that she could pursue modeling. Natasha appeared on season 8 of ANTM, and, according to her ANTM 411 page, started out as one of the weakest contestants in the competition, narrowly avoiding elimination in the second episode. She soon proved herself, lasting all the way to the final two of the competition.

She photographed well and was optimistic and likable but in the end, Natasha was only named a runner-up.

As written on her 411 page, Natasha Galkina is currently signed with Red Model Management in New York under the name “Alie M”. She has periodically been signed with  MUSE Modeling Agency, MGMT First, Ace Model Management, and Beatrice International Models in Milan. The model has continued working but strays away from high-fashion. She has become a very vocal animal's rights activist, posting regularly about her vegan lifestyle. Natalie is still very much model material, sharing selfies and pictures from photo shoots to her nearly 700-thousand Instagram followers.

13 Chantal Jones Becomes A Model Mama

Chantal was the runner-up on season 9 of America's Next Top Model, in 2007. The blonde beauty has now been in the industry for over a decade, and is, unusually so, still working as a model at age 29. Also, she's had a baby! The glowing young mother couldn't seem happier, sharing snaps of her husband, son and beach trips to her nearly 10 thousand Instagram followers. Chantal shared this sweet shot of herself on set, captioning it, "Today was bring my baby to work day! Don't forget to set your intentions! Manifest your dreams! NOW is a powerful time!"

Chantal is currently signed with Nous Model Management, L.A. Model Management and Paragon Model Management in Mexico. She used to be signed with 62 Models and Talent in Auckland. She appeared in several runway shows, including Oscar de la Renta, at the height of her career, as well as being cast in a music video for the Black Eyed Peas. Aside from that, Chantal also recently shot a commercial for AG+ and a Shiseido deodorant, according to PopSugar. Although the model mama is staying pretty commercial these days, she's still found success within the industry, and a happy work-life balance to go along with it. We're so happy for her cute little family!

12 Katarzyna Dolinska Is Signed In Three Different Cities

Katarzyna was a competitor in season 10 of ANTM, hailing from Lublin, Poland. The Eastern European beauty already had an ivy-league degree and a well-paying job, but went on America's Next Top Model to discover her calling, according to the ANTM fandom Wikia page. Although she only made it to fifth place, Kat had a relatively successful fashion career. Dolinska has signed to Elite Model Management in New York, Ace Models in Athens, Greece, and Ford Models Europe in Paris, France.

She has walked in Fashion week shows in Athens and Paris, as well as walking for Haute Couture week in Paris, an honor not easily won.

Katarzyna was featured on a billboard in Times Square for a Lot 29 ad and has snagged covers of Women's Wear Daily and TJF Magazine. Kat has also made appearances in many magazines, including Cosmogirl, Cosmopolitan Greece, L'Officiel France, and, most impressively, Italian Glamour and Australian Vogue. The model these days keeps a low-profile, keeping an Instagram page only as a modeling portfolio. Since she's still signed and publicly showing a portfolio, it would be great to see some comeback work!

11 Lisa Jackson Is Featured In 'Project Runway'

You might remember Lisa Jackson from cycle 9 of ANTM. She had previously been a night dancer, which caused a lot of controversy within the house and with the judges, however, she was dead-set on becoming a model. Lisa lasted well into the competition, ultimately becoming the eighth girl to get eliminated. The model was eliminated in Shanghai, and Tyra questioned how well she handled critiques.

According to ANTM 411, Jackson is currently signed with Major Model Management in New York and Studio Model Management in Paris. Lisa walked for TRESemme at Mara Hoffman Spring 2010 show amongst many other shows.

Lisa went on to work as a model on Project Runway, being coupled with the winning designer of season six. Since she and her designer won, Lisa was awarded a cash prize at the end of the show and was prominently featured in related media.

10 Heather Kuzumitch Becomes VP Of Corporate Development

Heather was one of the top-performing contestants of season 9. The ANTM star was the first girl on the show to reveal that she had Asperger syndrome, a type of Autism. Heather photographed strongly, and placed fourth in the cycle, despite struggling with approaching people and her communication skills, as she stated. After the competition, Heather worked in the industry for a time, signed by Elite Model Management, however, she eventually went back to school to study Video Game Design.

According to her Linkedin profile, the model graduated from the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago, with a Bachelors in 3D Art and Video Game Design.

She has been the Vice President of Corporate Development at YEP Nation Inc for a year, working with students as well as professionals to produce corporate projects. Her company seeks to "address the impact that "Negative Media" is having on Youth… by enabling Youth to become "Producers" of Positive and Up Lifting Media ( i.e. Music, Video, 3D Animation, and Games, etc.) versus just being "Consumers" of Negative Media." Heather was a great role model for people with autism while on ANTM, and she continues to inspire young people today!

9 Analeigh Tipton The Actress In 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'

Analeigh Tipton was the third-runner up in ANTM cycle 11. Analeigh was a competitive figure skater before entering America's Next Top Model, beginning her skating career at age two. While successful in that field, Analeigh's distinctive look and memorable features lead her to be fierce modeling competition. After being eliminated, Analeigh signed with Ford Models in Los Angeles and Abrams Artists Agency, but had her first taste of acting in a guest appearance she made in 2008 on the tv series The Big Bang Theory.

Analeigh is now a full time and well-known actress, with her strong modeling, looks transferring to film as well. The dark-haired beauty is well known for her role as Jessica, the teenaged babysitter in Crazy, Stupid Love, as well as her starring role as Nora in Warm Bodies. Analeigh also worked in Two Night Stand, Damsels in Distress, and on the television series Manhattan Love Story. Tipton continues to act, with four acting credits in productions that are being completed in 2018 listed on her IMDb page so far. While we loved Analeigh on the show, we're thrilled that she's found her passion in acting and is pursuing it each day! We can't wait to catch her next movie, The Long Home, in which she co-stars with James Franco!

8 Jenascia Becomes "The Waxing Queen Of Seattle"

Jenascia was Cycle 2's "short sassy waitress." The doe-eyed beauty had a spunky personality, and was the shortest model to compete up to that point in the show, standing at 5'7". You might remember Jenascia for the drama; on the morning of the very first photo shoot, she didn't wake up on time and was left by the other girls to eventually arrive two hours late. While she narrowly avoided being sent home for the blunder, the judges had a hard time accepting her shorter stature, and the model was sent home after week 4.

While Jenascia seemed to be in it to win it while in front of the cameras, after her elimination, she seemed to drop her modeling dream entirely, saying…

"I'll just go back to slinging wings at Hooters' for now."

Jenascia gave birth to a child shortly thereafter, becoming a mother in 2007. Although gorgeous, Jenascia did not actively pursue modeling after the show, appearing only in a few test shots and a calendar, according to ANTM 411. According to Jenascia's Instagram, she has opened up a waxing business, and she's apparently very good at it! She receives rave reviews from her dedicated clientele and has dubbed herself the Waxing Queen of Seattle.

7 Big-Eyed Allison Is An Artist

Allison Harvard was the lovable big-eyed runner-up of season 12 of America's Next Top Model. The fan-favorite also returned for the All-Stars Cycle, once again making it through to the bitter end, but only taking second place. The slender beauty was memorable for her intense, large blue eyes, pale skin, and long light blonde hair, however, she was labeled strange and freaky after revealing her fascination with blood and nosebleeds. Allison signed with Nous Model Management in L.A but did not pursue modeling with a real fervor. She has appeared in several magazines and advertisements over the years, as well as singing with Next Model Management and Elite Model Management.

Instead of focusing solely on modeling, Allison worked towards another of her passions and became an artist. Allison now works as a painter and photographer, creating work she deems “surreal” and “psychedelic.” Her works typically feature thin-framed feminine creatures with large and watery eyes. Her artwork is featured in the novel The Story Told at Night by Lisa Kuznetsova but is also available to view on her Instagram, @aliharvard. Allison does still model, however, she does primarily art based shoots. Her Instagram has garnered nearly 700,000 followers. Allison is one of the models who retains a large cult-following fan base and is someone that ANTM lovers-whether they loved or hated Allison- always remember.

6 Renee Alway Has An Unfortunate Run In With The Law

Renee Alway was a bright-eyed, beautiful model with short blonde hair in season 8 of America's Next Top Model. She placed in third, having a rather successful run on the show. Afterward, Renee struggled, saying it was closed door after closed door. Always wound up in a bad place, struggling with substances, She gave birth to three children and gave up custody of them all.

“I felt like a failure because I couldn't get past the reality TV stigma that had been put on me… "

"… and then there's the pressure of the fans. 'Where are you?"What happened?'" Alway revealed to ABC. According to their interview, Renee was taken into custody in 2013 after a six-hour standoff with a SWAT team in Palm Springs.

Renee was sentenced to twelve years in prison. She created a twitter account in 2016, through which she posts sporadically. She seems to have found a bit of peace, calling herself "the [gay,] atheist your parents warned you about," but also sharing smiling selfies and bits about her life with her girlfriend. We hope she finds happiness!

5 Yaya DeCosta Stars In 'Chicago Med'

Camera "Yaya" DeCosta was the runner-up of ANTM season 3. Now 35, the beauty has developed quite an acting career. She had her first acting job at 11 years old, in an educational film. Yaya was called one of the most memorable contestants of ANTM and did pursue modeling for a while. She has modeled for Target, Olay, Isaac Mizrahi, Kohl's, Seven Magazine, Interview Magazine, Essence Magazine, Marc Bouwer Fall 2005, Seda, Garnier Fructis, Radioshack, Dr. Scholl's, Vibe Magazine, Venus, and Sephora, among others, according to her ANTM 411 page. Yaya began acting again in 2005 following the show, appearing in an episode of the TV series Eve. She went on to act in All My Children, Ugly Betty, The Kids Are Alright, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Lee Daniels' The Butler, and Whitney, snagging the role of Whitney Houston in her memorial TV movie. The gorgeous actress is now 35 and has enjoyed a very successful acting career.

4 CariDee English Becomes A Spokesperson For The National Psoriasis Foundation

CariDee English was the winner of ANTM cycle 7, in 2006. The victorious Caridee won a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a modeling contract with Elite Models, and a six-page fashion editorial and cover for Seventeen magazine, according to her ANTM 411 page. Perceived as fun and outgoing, the judges made CariDee the first natural blonde to win the coveted title. CariDee's bright personality sometimes lead her to be unpredictable, but the judges knew that she had an "it" factor. After the show, CariDee kept modeling in the Commercial world, doing work for JC Penny, InTouch, and Seventeen, and had limited success in the high fashion world, modeling for Jill Sanders and Christian Siriano. The vivacious model also was called upon to host the host the Capital Fashion Awards in Sacramento in 2009.

CariDee had suffered from Psoriasis for 15 years before competing on the reality show.

The skin condition can cause uneven coloration and rashes, often manifesting in textured, red bumpy patches. CariDee became a top spokesperson for the National Psoriasis Foundation, saying "Psoriasis awareness is very important to me. I want others with the disease to know they are not alone. I want to inspire them to live their dreams.” She opened a Walk for Awareness in 2008 and was subsequently featured on the cover of Allure. 

3 Katie Cleary Becomes A 'Deal Or No Deal' Box Gal

Katie Cleary was a glamorous diva during ANTM Cycle One. She was the second girl to be eliminated overall because the judges found her appeal too blatant and obvious during the swimsuit photo shoot. Although her stint on the show was quite short, she left the elimination room and said to the camera that she would absolutely continue to model. While not successful in the fashion industry, Katie has found her place in the world of Television. She was in movies The Break-Up and The Lake House, as well as the comedy Stripper Academy. Katie found a steady job as a part of the cast of Deal Or No Deal, becoming the permanent box girl for box number eleven. She also appeared on the show Millionaire Matchmaker, becoming engaged to Andrew Stern. Tragically, she lost her husband in 2014.

According to her Instagram bio, she has channeled her energy into animal rights activism, becoming the President of Peace 4 Animals, as well as founding World Animal News. She is also the Executive Producer and Writer of Give Me Shelter, a program on Netflix. While Katie's modeling dreams may not have come true, she seems to be passionate and fulfilled by her career since!

2 Kim Stolz Becomes A Successful Banker

Kimberly Stolz was a contestant on Season Five of ANTM. Kim was open and honest about herself on the show, however, her being gay perhaps made the judges more harsh about her appearance. They often criticized her for appearing "masculine" and "boyish." Kim later told AfterEllen:

"I think that a lot of people were very quick to merge my gender and my being gay, and that made them scrutinize my masculinity a whole lot more than they would otherwise.”

Kim lasted quite a while within the competition, ultimately being the ninth girl eliminated. Kim did pursue modeling for a time after the show, signing first with Elite and then with Ford. Kim worked for a time at MTV, being a video jockey and then an MTV news correspondent. Her bachelor's degree in government and international politics from Wesleyan University came in handy while she interviewed presidential candidates for the network. Kim has since settled on a career in banking and is currently the Head of Americas Prime Brokerage Sales at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, according to her LinkedIn.

1 Sara Racey Tabrizi Founds An Athletic Brand

Sara was a lovable, quiet girl on America's Next Top Model Season 2. Sara was kind but did not possess the fierceness needed for the competition, saying once that giggling cutely was a "nervous tick" for her. The model's hair was dyed blonde in her makeover, and she made it to the “Shake Ya Body” music video before being asked to leave. Her elimination was memorable and emotional, with Tyra even shedding a tear, and hugging the cast-away Sara, the first girl to receive a rare hug from Tyra upon elimination.

According to her 411 page, Sara has done some print work, including L'Oréal, Converse, Pulse, King, and Maxim. She is still represented by Elite Models, although nowadays, the former ANTM-darling is running her own "Luxe Retro Active Brand." Sara's Instagram page is all about her business, Athletic, which was recently featured by DuJourMedia as a place to shop "chic fitness apparel." The fitness designer is also a mother now, but she throws it back to her ANTM days frequently, and produces a shirt that perfectly sums up everything Tyra thinks a model should be: "Humbly Cocky."

References: Wet Paint, The Cut, Vogue, PopSugar, ANTM Wiki