After making a name for herself and breaking ground for plus-sized models during her stint on reality television, America's Next Top Model Cycle 10 winner Whitney Thompson is still going strong.  She hasn't just achieved her 15 minutes of fame, but gained a supermodel status worldwide.  In addition to that, Thompson was recently chosen as part of Microsoft Network's Lifestyle list of most influential women of 2008. 

The 21-year-old celebrity was named in the list, as revealed in an MSN Lifestyle report, because of her recent work.  She has currently been seen around New York, where she signed on two major modeling contracts.  These were with Fashion Bug and Cover Girl, both in the plus-size category.

Joining America's Next Top Model Thompson on the list are Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, and U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.

According to the MSN report, Thompson “could very well set the standard that the champagne-and-cigarettes-starved chic look is out and a healthy hourglass figure glow is in.”  Her father, Atlantic Beach Assistant City Manager David Thompson, was filled with pride for his daughter. 

“Certainly, if you look at the other people on the list, it's quite a spectacular list,” he exclaimed.  “For her to even be on that same list with those people, it's quite an honor.  Whitney is doing something that she loves doing.  She represents herself and represents women well.” 

“She's showing people that you can have curves and you can be intelligent.  You can be so much more than a stick figure in the fashion world.  She's in an industry that's full of emaciated women and she's trying to make changes,” David Thompson continued. 

In addition to her unique contribution to modeling, Whitney Thompson is the national spokeswoman for Autism Awareness.  It's not just her looks that count anymore, since her shining personality has also been commended. 

“To be proud of the fact that she's pretty would be pretty shallow,” explained the father of the America's Next Top Model winner.  “I'm proud of the fact that she's stayed who she is.  She's not given into the Hollywood lifestyle and the drugs.  Whitney remains who she is and she's very well-grounded and intelligent.” 

Being called an influential woman in today's generation is truly an honor for Whitney, but her dad says the family keeps her in check.  “She's not influencing countries or changing public policy.  Her influence is primarily in that fashion industry.  That's where she makes a difference.”  Somehow, we wouldn't have it any other way.


-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Jacksonville News
(Image Courtesy of The CW)