UPN reveals identities of 'America's Next Top Model 5' contestants
By Steve Rogers, 08/18/2005
UPN has unveiled the identities of the wannabe models who will be competing on the upcoming "fifth cycle" of its popular America's Next Top Model reality series. Top Model 5 will debut Wednesday, September 21 at 8PM with a special two-hour premiere.
After steadily increasing its cast size until the leveling off at fourteen contestants for its last two editions, Top Model 5 will feature a first for the series -- a smaller cast (thirteen contestants) than its proceeding edition.
More significant than the absence of one more model wannabe is the show's previously announced decision to shake up its judging panel. Gone for Top Model's fifth edition are Janice Dickinson, the self-described "world's first supermodel" who had been with the series since its inception, and Nolé Marin, a stylist who first joined the panel with last fall's Top Model 3.
Taking their places will be Lesley "Twiggy" Hornby (another former model who despite being four years older than Dickinson, is described by the network as the "first teenager to become a supermodel in the 1960's") and J. Alexander, who had previously served as the reality show's "runway expert."
Top Model hostess Tyra Banks and fashion photographer Nigel Barker will round out the four regular members of the judging panel, which, as in previous seasons, will also feature special guest judges.
After spending its first three seasons in New York before moving to Los Angeles for last season's fourth edition, Top Model 5 will remain in the Los Angeles area and house its fifth season contestants in a luxurious Bel-Air mansion.
Ranging in age between 18 and 24, Top Model 5's contestants include two Californians, two Floridians and two New Yorkers.
The thirteen women competing on the "fifth cycle" of America's Next Top Model are:
• Ashley, a 22-year-old boutique buyer from Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Bre, a 19-year-old student from Harlem, NY
• Cassandra, a 19-year-old student from Houston, TX
• Coryn, a 19-year-old retail clerk from Minneapolis, MN
• Diane, a 23-year-old criminal defense investigator from Orlando, FL
• Ebony, a 18-year-old student from Sylmar, CA
• Jayla, a 20-year-old delivery driver from Tucson, AZ
• Kim, a 21-year-old student from New York, NY
• Kyle, a 19-year-old Dairy Queen manager from Dexter, MI
• Lisa, a 24-year-old assistant wardrobe stylist from Los Angeles, CA
• Nicole, a 19-year-old student from Grand Forks, ND
• Nik, a 21-year-old office coordinator from Atlanta, GA
• Sarah, a 18-year-old fragrance counter representative from Boonville, MO
Linear Mode
