Fatima Siad came into the competition with a powerful story to tell and a chance to inspire others. She placed third in her cycle. She received three first call-outs and four bottom-two appearances, the same amount as winner Whitney Thompson. She won one challenge, in which she received 50 extra frames. Fatima was criticized for not being able to take direction well. She was given long, chestnut brown extensions as part of her makeover. Siad missed a photo shoot, unable to get travel documents which she allegedly lost in Atlanta. That almost cost her the competition, and she landed in the bottom two along with Stacy Ann Fequiere, but a stronger, improving portfolio saved her. She is the second girl to miss a photo shoot and be able to move on in the competition, the first being Shannon Stewart of Cycle 1 who was chosen over Robin Manning who also missed the same photo shoot. Siad is the first girl to miss a photo shoot and be chosen over a girl who had done the photo shoot.
In one interview, Siad stated that she felt that the show was a joke and thought Claire Unabia, Lauren Utter, Katarzyna Dolinska or Anya Rozova should have won or at least not have been eliminated as early as they were. She also stated that the show may be based on politics.
Fatima was the last girl featured in the Top Models in Action segment that aired during Cycle 12. Since appearing on the show, she signed with New York Model Management in New York City. She also did runway work and has been seen in print ads and magazines like Front Page Style and D la Repubblica Delle Donne. She also placed third in the Modelville competition and appeared in the show Kell on Earth.