America's Next Top Model

Last month, Whitney Thompson became America’s Next Top Model’s first full figured model to win the show. She began her modeling career at age 15 in Florida but was never able to find commercial success because of her size. Whitney had her ups and downs throughout the season but always prevailed, in even her darkest moments. Up against Anya, a consistently strong model, in the final two, it was Whitney who became the last woman standing. She is featured in the July issue of Seventeen magazine and is preparing to kick her career into gear. As a plus size model, how will Whitney fare in the harsh world of fashion? Let’s take a look.

Here’s the good news for Whitney. Many high fashion designers have started to use plus size models in their shows. Jean-Paul Gaultier and John Galliano have showcased plus size models since 2006. Full figured models have been featured on the covers of more magazines, such as Glamour and Vogue. Certainly, Top Model’s sponsors, Cover Girl and Seventeen, are also more than willing to feature a full figured woman.

Maybe, though, Whitney needs to become Top Model’s accessible winner. Let’s face it. Once these ladies win, we never really see or hear from them again, short of a My Life As A Cover Girl stint as part of their contractual obligation. Dani swiveling her hips around behind Queen Latifah in a Cover Girl commercial doesn’t count and neither does Adrienne’s embarrassing reality television career. Whitney could model for anyone from Lane Bryant to Old Navy and really position herself as the everywoman. After spending months investing in the storylines of the girls who compete on Top Model, it would be nice to see them start working with designers, clothing stores, and magazines that are accessible to us as consumers and as fans of the show.



- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CW)