America's Next Top Model season 9
The ninth cycle of America's Next Top Model is the third season of the series to be aired on The CW network. This cycle's promotional tagline was "The Future has arrived." The promotional song was "Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna.
The prizes for this cycle were:
- A modeling contract with Elite Model Management
- A fashion spread and cover in Seventeen magazine
- A 100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics
Among the top thirteen contestants was 21-year-old Heather Kuzmich, who has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism spectrum disorder. The season averaged 5.12 million viewers, making the cycle one of the most successful in the show's history. This was also the last cycle to date in which Twiggy was featured as a judge. For cycle 10, she was replaced by Paulina Porizkova.
The winner was 21-year-old Saleisha Stowers from Los Angeles, California with Chantal Jones placing as the runner up.
Contestants
| Contestant | Age | Height | Hometown | Finish | Place |
| Lyudmila 'Mila' Bouzinova | 20 | 5 ft 10 in | Boston, Massachusetts | Episode 2 | 13 |
| Kimberly Leemans | 20 | 5 ft 11 in | Ocala, Florida | Episode 3 | 12 |
| Victoria Marshman | 20 | 5 ft 10 in | New Haven, Connecticut | Episode 4 | 11 |
| Janet Mills | 22 | 5 ft 9 in | Bainbridge, Georgia | Episode 5 | 10 |
| Ebony Morgan | 20 | 6 ft 0 in | Roseland, Illinois | Episode 6 | 9 |
| Sarah Hartshorne | 20 | 5 ft 10 in | Heath, Massachusetts | Episode 8 | 8 |
| Ambreal Williams | 19 | 5 ft 11 in | Dallas, Texas | Episode 9 | 7 |
| Lisa Jackson | 20 | 6 ft 1.5 in | Jersey City, New Jersey | Episode 10 | 6 |
| Heather Kuzmich | 21 | 6 ft 0 in | Valparaiso, Indiana | Episode 11 | 5 |
| Bianca Golden | 18 | 6 ft 0 in | Jamaica Hills, New York | Episode 12 | 4 |
| Jenah Doucette | 18 | 5 ft 11 in | Farmington, Connecticut | Episode 13 | 3 |
| Heather 'Chantal' Jones | 19 | 6 ft 0 in | Austin, Texas | Episode 13 | 2 |
| Saleisha Stowers | 21 | 5 ft 10 in | Madera, California | Episode 13 | 1 |
Episodes
Summaries
Call-out order
Bottom two
Average call-out order
Casting call-out order and final two are not included.Photo shoot guide
- Episode 2 photo shoot: Glamour shots smoking/detriments of smoking
- Episode 3 photo shoot: Couture Rock Climbing
- Episode 4 photo shoot: Flowers & plant life
- Episode 5 photo shoot: Fashion gargoyles on top of building
- Episode 6 photo shoot: Eco-friendly fashion portraying recyclable materials
- Episode 8 music video: Enrique Iglesias, "Tired of Being Sorry"
- Episode 9 photo shoot: Stranded in the desert
- Episode 10 commercial & photo shoot: CoverGirl queen collection ad & commercial
- Episode 11 photo shoot: Chinese princesses / lion & dragon dance
- Episode 12 photo shoot: Great Wall of China warriors/Group shot
- Episode 13 Commercial & photo shoot: CoverGirl wetslicks fruit spritzers commercial & print ad; Seventeen magazine covers
Other cast members
- Jay Manuel – Photo Director
- Sutan – Make-up Artist
- Christian Marc – Hair Stylist
- Anda & Masha – Wardrobe
- Ann Shoket
Makeovers
- Victoria - Blonde highlights
- Janet - Dyed black
- Ebony - Naomi Campbell inspired long black weave
- Sarah - Cut short with blonde highlights and eyebrows lightened
- Ambreal - Pixie cut and dyed black
- Lisa - Cut short and dyed light brown
- Heather - Trimmed with chestnut brown highlights
- Bianca - Buzz cut
- Jenah - Long ice blonde extensions
- Chantal - Long platinum blonde extensions with bangs
- Saleisha - Louise Brooks inspired bob cut with bangs
Post-''Top Model'' careers
- Mila Bouzinova did some test shots, did some print work for Cosmopolitan and used to be signed with Basic Model Management in New York.
- Kimberly Leemans signed with Elite Model Management in Chicago, after winning Elite Chicago's E-Tube's contest. She used to be signed with Basic Model Management in New York and International Model Management in Brussels. She was one of the models in the finale of season 6 of Project Runway. After ANTM, Kimberly decided to pursue her career in acting by moving to New York City. After earning her SAG card, Kimberly worked on television shows: Gossip Girl: Life on Mars: Cupid; Law and Order, and HBO's "How to Make It in America." She was also in the campaign model for "Palmers Hair Shampoo" and has been on several Florida magazine covers, Ocala, Cosmopolitan, and Unvogue. Kimberly is a very passionate animal activist and has been a vegetarian for several years. She is a major supporter and personally involved in the animal rights movement.
- Victoria Marshman has returned to Yale University and started to finish her Medieval History course.
- Janet Mills signed with Level Model and Talent Management.
- Ebony Morgan has gone back to dental school and was seen in Tyra's Fiercee Awards on The Tyra Banks Show as one of the nominated models.
- Sarah Hartshorne became an extremely successful writer, comedian, and content creator, best known for "Neither of Those Things. She was the plus-size contestant on Cycle 9 of America’s Next Top Model. After ANTM, Sarah modeled all over the world for clients like Glamour, Vogue, Skechers, and more. Sarah was also the "before" in a Weight Watchers commercial, and modeled plus-size costumes in New Jersey. She's written about her experiences with plus-size modeling, travel, body image and more for the Guardian, Bustle, Self and GoNomad. Since “retiring” from modeling she's performed standup all over New York and the country, as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She's also part of the Feminist Buzzkills of Comedy Tour with Abortion Access Front, where she is currently a staff writer. You may see her on Netflix's ‘Explained’ and HBO's ‘Vice’.
- Ambreal Williams signed with Click Model Management in Los Angeles. Ambreal became a successful model for clients such as Trina Turk, Estee’ Lauder Cosmetics, and represented Apple Inc. for store advertisement and products. In 2019, she hosted Santa Fe Fashion Week. While still modeling and teaching modeling classes, Ambreal moonlights as a professional massage therapist. She enjoys sharing knowledge, music, life, and of course, modeling.
- Lisa Jackson is currently signed with Major Model Management in New York, Studio Model Management in Paris and Muse Model Management in New York. She was one of the models in the finale of sixth season and was the model for designer Michelle Lesniak Franklin, Season 11, of Project Runway and walked for TRESemme at Mara Hoffman Spring 2010 show amongst many other shows. She has also modeled for Source, Carmen Marc Valvo and numerous brands and magazines. She has also been featured twice in Top Models In Action, the first time in Cycle 11, and the second in Cycle 13. She has appeared in the music video for Sean Paul's "She Doesn't Mind". Lisa also was the winning model on season 11 of Project Runway, winning $25,000 and the cover of Marie Claire. Since ANTN, Lisa is still an active, successful model. Lisa has appeared in international editions of Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and La Femme. She worked with designers, Oscar de la Renta, Estee Lauder, Lanvin, and Loccitane. In between modeling and traveling, Lisa studies luxury interior decorating, plays the piano, and stays active with bike riding, boxing, and yoga. Lisa is of Jamaican-German descent.
- Heather Kuzmich signed with Elite Model Management in Chicago and Hong Kong. She did a photoshoot for the July 2008 issue of Wedding Essentials. She has modeled for the clothing company "Blue Eyed Girl". She has appeared on the cover and inside of Spectrum Magazine, a magazine for families and individuals who have autism. Kuzmich also appeared on 'Top Models in Action' on cycle 12. Since 2008, she graduated from the Illinois institute of Art in Chicago, with a bachelor's degree in 3D Art and Video Game Design. As of 2023, Heather is the Vice President of Corporate Development at Yelp Nation, Inc., a major multi-media company. She is both traditionally and self-taught in 2D and 3D design. and experienced in digital and traditional mediums, skilled in human and animal anatomy, as well as fictional creatures.
- Bianca Golden is currently signed with Major Model Management in New York, Fusion Model Management in South Africa, Ford Models in Chicago and Click Models in Boston. She was one of the models in the finale of fifth season of Project Runway. She has modeled in Essence, Cosmopolitan, The Source and for various brands. She has also taken part in Farah Angsana Spring 2010 presentation as well as multiple fashion weeks and BET's Rip The Runway shows. Bianca has also appeared on The Tyra Banks Show several times. She also participated the all-star version of America's Next Top Model along with other returning models, and was eliminated in episode 7 alongside fellow contestant Kayla Ferrel. Bianca retired from modeling and started a ministry at her church for young women. She graduated from Lincoln University and teaches school in New York. In July 2022, Bianca married her partner of 13 years, Shawn Harris, in Cancun Mexico.
- Jenah Doucette has done some test shots and print work and was featured as one of the presenter in Tyra's Fiercee Awards on The Tyra Banks Show in 2008. As of 2015, Jenah is an executive assistant and therapist in Los Angeles, CA.
- Chantal Jones is signed with Nous Model Management, LA Models, Paragon Model Management in Mexico, and Synergy in Hong Kong. She appeared in a Black Eyed Peas music video and several runway shows, including for Oscar de la Renta. Chantal shot a commercial for AG+, a Shiseido deodorant. As of January 2023, she focuses on raising her family and hosts her own podcast called "Tough as a Mother." Her name is now Chantal Jones-Griffiths.
- Saleisha Stowers is currently signed with Elite Model Management in New York and Los Angeles and with L.A. Model Management. In 2013, she joined the cast of the online revival of All My Children, and in 2015, joined the cast of Days of Our Lives.