The eighth cycle of America's Next Top Model aired from February 28, 2007, to May 16, 2007, and was the second season of the series to be aired on The CW network.
The winner, similar to all of the cycles aired on The CW network, received representation by Elite Model Management, a cover and six-page spread within Seventeen magazine, and a US$100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics.
The international destination during this cycle was Sydney, Australia, the show's first visit to Oceania.
The cycle's promotional tagline was "Welcome to the Jungle, Ladies" and the promotional theme songs were both Danity Kane's "One Shot" and Shiny Toy Guns' "Le Disko".
The winner was 20-year-old Jaslene Gonzalez from Chicago, Illinois, who notably had made it to the Top 50 of Cycle 7, but was not cast. Gonzalez was the first Hispanic woman to win ANTM. She also became the first winner to compete on more than one cycle as well as have no bottom two appearance. Natasha Galkina placed as the runner up this season.
The cycle's finale episode attracted more than 6.6 million viewers, a record for both the franchise and the CW.
Contents
Contestants
(Ages stated are at start of contest)
Summaries
Call-out order
The contestant was eliminated
The contestant won the competition
Bottom two
The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom two
The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom two
The contestant was eliminated after their third time in the bottom two
The contestant was eliminated in the final judging and placed as the runner-up
Average call-out order
Casting call-out order and final two are not included.
Photo shoot guide
Episode 1 photo shoot was split in two halves:
First half: Mark Ecko's Pool Party (casting)
Second half: Political Controversies
Episode 2 photo shoot: Highschool clichés
Episode 3 photo shoot: Nude Candy-coated
Episode 4 photo shoot: Crime Scene Victims
Episode 5 photo shoot: Gender-swap
Episode 6 photo shoot: Four Personalities Beautyshots
Episode 7 photo shoot: Unforgettable ANTM moments with Past Contestants
Episode 8 commercial: CoverGirl Queen Mascara Commercial with Australian Accent
Episode 10 photo shoots: Swimsuits for Women's and Men's Magazines
Episode 11 photo shoot: Aboriginal Dances
Episode 12 photo shoots & Commercial: Covergirl beauty shot; "My Life As A Covergirl" commercial shoot for truShine lip color; Seventeen magazine covers
Other cast members
Jay Manuel – photography
Sutan – make-up
Christian Marc – hair
Anda & Masha – wardrobe
Makeovers
Cassandra - Voluminous curly black afro weave
Felicia - Long layered curly black weave with bangs
Diana - Long blonde extensions
Sarah - Cut shorter and dyed light brown
Whitney - Long wavy black weave
Jael - Long dark brown weave; later, weave removed and Mia Farrow inspired pixie cut
Brittany - Long wavy red weave; later, weave removed
Dionne - Kelis inspired cut and dyed black
Renee - Yoanna House inspired cut
Natasha - Vidal Sassoon inspired shoulder length cut with bangs and dyed chocolate brown
Jaslene - Trimmed and blown-out
Post-Top Model careers
Kathleen DuJour posed for some test shots. She now works as a hair stylist in Brooklyn.
Samantha Francis was signed with Fusion Model Management in New York City, Apple Model Management in Bangkok and Style International Management in Hong Kong. She used to be signed with Elite Model Management in New York. Her print work credits include Knit.1, Ming Pao Weekly, Macau Closer Lifestyle, Harper's Bazaar Hong Kong and Thailand, Elle Thailand, Seventeen and Elle UK. She was featured as a "Top Model in Action" during Cycle 13.
Cassandra Watson was signed with Look Model Agency in San Francisco and SMG Models in Seattle.
Felicia Provost used to be signed with Elite Model Management in Chicago. She was in Time Out Chicago and Brune magazine. She is now a dance teacher in Hong Kong.
Diana Zalewski continued her education, and posed for some test shots. She modeled for Skorch magazine in 2007.
Sarah VonderHaar was signed with Elite Model Management in Chicago. She became a recording artist and had a debut album in 2008 called "Are You Listening Now" with music videos for "I Got Sunshine" and "All Mine".
Whitney Cunningham had posed for some test shots and was in Plus magazine and IMT Styles magazine. She used to be signed with CESD Modeling Agency. She is now the president of a marketing company.
Jael Strauss used to be signed with Otto Models and also had her own clothing line with Hitch Couture. As of 2012, Strauss was reported to be battling methamphetamine addiction. Appearing on the Dr. Phil show on September 13, 2012, she discussed her struggle with addiction. She made a full recovery and modeled for HeartWater and The Legging Project in 2017. In 2018, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and died at age 34 on December 4, 2018.
Death of Jael Strauss
On December 4, 2018, Strauss died at age 34 due to stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer.
