Niki Taylor, host and judge of Make Me A Supermodel, has gone the Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum route of re-inventing herself as a reality show star to kickstart a new career in the entertainment industry after a successful run as a supermodel herself.

What else is Niki up to when she's not busy assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the model hopefuls on Make Me A Supermodel? She's helping out a charitable cause, and saying goodbye to a business venture.

Niki is helping out Mercy Ministries, an organization that says it is “transforming the lives of young women with life-controlling issues around the world.” The group is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Niki will be participating in one of the fundraising galas planned for the group. The Make Me A Supermodel host, the group says, “will make a special appearance at the fundraising gala at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night, April 17th.”

Other celebs will be joining Niki in supporting the organization over a series of events, including American Idol finalist Mandisa and Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlop.

However, Niki's busy schedule has meant she's had to say goodbye to another venture. She has a high-end boutique in Cool Springs, TN, called Abbie and Jesse, but she's realized she needs to close the business because she can't dedicate the time she would like to.

Her manager said that real life simply interfered. “Marriage happened and it started to snowball and we realized it was gonna take so much more than we were prepared to put into it.”

The store is names after Niki's dogs, and her manager joked that they are having trouble adjusting to the idea it is closing.

“Abbie and Jesse were pretty disturbed by the fact that the store will no longer be here,” Niki's manager said. “Their royalty checks kept them flush in chicken rawhide, treats and greenies and so..."

While her pups might be saddened, one hopes with one less thing on her plate, Niki will have a little extra time to give the dogs some additional walks and belly rubs and make up for the loss.

- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: WKRN, PRWeb
(Image courtesy of Bravo)