Life After The Catwalk

Modelling is a funny old business. We can’t think of many other careers where you peak as a teenager and retire in your mid 30’s. That said, according to TV documentary The Model Agency (Channel 4, 10pm), the girls can make between £5 and £15,000 a day. Yes – a day! The window of opportunity is relatively small but the girls stand to make a small fortune.

But what do you do when you hit the ripe old age of 35 and the newest 17 year old has stolen your crown? In a word – diversify.

Take a leaf from these ladies books who, according to Forbes magazine, were among the highest paid models in the world.

Tyra Banks

A former Victoria's Secret Angel, Tyra rakes in around £19 million a year thanks to her television endeavours. Her company, Bankable Productions, produces True Beauty (with Ashton Kutcher), Stylista, The Tyra Show as well as the worldwide franchised Next Top Model, which she hosts in America (which in our opinion is the original and best).





Iman 

Wife of David Bowie, Iman is famous for her revolutionary line of cosmetics for women of colour as well as for being a model. The 55 year old Somalian (who doesn’t look a day over 35) also has a home decor line, her Global Chic clothing and accessories collection and hosts The Fashion Show on US channel Bravo.






Gisele Bündchen 

Gisele was the highest paid model in the world for 2010, taking home almost £16 million. Another former Victoria's Secret Angel, Gisele lent her name to Brazilian flip flops Ipanema and earned herself over £5 million from the 30 million pairs sold in 2009.

She also launched environmentally friendly skincare line Sejaa in 2010 and owns the Palladium Executive Hotel in Brazil.

Despite giving birth in December 2009, just six weeks later she was on the cover of US Vogue and managed to keep her top spot on the list from last year with exactly the same earnings.

Where Are They Now? ANTM Winners

Continuing our look at winners on ANTM, Cycle 8 was won by Jaslene Gonzalez – the first Latina to get this far.

Jaslene and Tyra. Notice how Tyra is 'on top'?

One of the slimmest girls to win, and with a more ‘typical’ model figure, Jaslene has worked in the US, Malaysia and Asia and been on the covers of numerous magazines. She has walked for Sass and Bide, Armani Exchange, Project Runway and numerous Latin designers.

She also leads ‘Runway Retreat’ workshops which she says she ‘take the lessons I learned, like when I was in Malaysia, and break the mould of what beauty means. It's open to all girls, not just Latina girls. I don't want to limit it because I'm promoting a broader idea of beauty that shines from within.’

Cycle 9 - Saleisha Stowers
Saleisha was a model before she was recruited for the show and had worked on The Tyra Banks show, done an ad campaign for Wendy’s and had a bit part in Ugly Betty. She had also attended Tyra’s self esteem camp for girls which is why people were whispering ‘fix’ when Saleisha went on to win the competition. Did she even need the show – sounds like she was doing ok!

Saleisha

She is now a working model at L.A. Model Management.

Cycle 12 – Teyona Anderson
With a body to die for and a ‘wind in the face look’ we guessed Teyona would go far.

Since the show, Teyona has walked in nearly 30 shows in Arise Cape Town Fashion Week and taken part South Africa Fashion Week. She has modelled for Destiny Magazine, Glamour Magazine (South Africa) and Soul Magazine.

Teyona

Teyona is still with Elite Model Management in New York and Cape Town and a big hit in South Africa.

Cycle 14 – Krista White
Never have we seen someone want is as bad as Krista! At 24 she was considered ‘old’ but what she lacked in youth she made up for in determination!

A very photogenic girl, her picture was called first a record amount of times.

Krista

Since winning, she has walked the runway for top New York designer Nicole Miller in New Zealand Fashion Week and modelled for Betsey Johnson.

All in all, it seems winning the show hasn’t hurt the girls careers at all but hasn’t catapulted them into fashion superstardom either. They aren’t internationally successful models, walking in Paris or London but do well, no doubt earning a decent living, mainly in America. The show has certainly helped on their journey as models but unfortunately, supermodels they are not.

Guilty Pleasure: America’s Next Top Model

We admit it – we love ANTM! We love Tyra and the ‘smizing’ – not many people can say they’ve created a new word! Since the introduction of Andre Leon Talley as a judge, we love ANTM that little bit more. He is a fashion force to be reckoned with and we can’t think of many men his age that can carry off those overcoat/poncho hybrids he likes to wear!

We can’t overlook the face that ANTM is probably the most PC show on TV – we’ve had contestants who are black, white, Asian, Indian, mixed, gay, blind, burn victim, transgender, plus size, mothers, school leavers – you name it, chances are she’s made it to the ANTM house.

But what of the winners? Where are they now that they’ve had the $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, a cover and spread in 17 magazine and a one year contract with a top modelling agency?

We can’t cover every winner – like we said there have been 15 cycles – but we’ll take a look at how some of our favourites have fared.

Cycle 3 - Eva Pigford (Marcille)
Born Eva Pigford but changed her name to Eva Maricille, she said in order to not use her modelling fame to get into acting but  we can only imagine how a name with the word ‘pig’ in it went down at casting sessions!

Eva

Since winning ANTM, Eva has carved out quite a career for herself and appeared on TV shows like The Young and the Restless, Smallville and Everyone Hates Chris. Modelling wise she’s worked for DKNY, Samsung, Apple Bottoms and Red by Marc Ecko and done shoots for Jewel magazine, King magazine, ELLE and ELLE Girl.

She is now dating ‘rapper’ Flo Rida and is often seen at red carpet events, sometimes looking a little worse for wear!

Eva and Flo Rida

Cycle 4 - Naima Mora
Anyone remember Naima from cycle 4? We hardly did either! She was rather quiet on the show and really only stood out in the final episode when she worked it on the catwalk.

Naima

Professionally she has been busy! She has modelled for ELLE, Fuego Magazine, IN Touch Magazine, Star Magazine, and Teen People and walked for Christopher Deane Spring 2006 Collection, Gharani Strok Fall 2005, Carlos Miele Fashion Show and at NY Fashion Week 2007.

Her real passion appears to be music and she is a member of musical duo Galaxy on Tar. In May 2010, they released two singles via their independent label and spent the remainder of that year touring the United States.

Cycle 6 - Danielle Evans
With her gap toothed smile and heavy southern accent, the judges weren’t sure about Danielle (now goes by the name Dani) but she won them over with her ‘signature look’ and ‘fierce’ runway walk.

Dani

Still a successful model, she was worked for ELLE, Essence Magazine, The New York Post,  Sephora, Akademiks, CoverGirl eyewear and the Tory Burch line for Saks Fifth Avenue.

She is one of the few winners to have her contract with CoverGirl renewed for a second year and to be invited back to NY Fashion Week.

Next week we look at the remaining winners.

~Bad Bitch Of The Week: Trya Banks At French Vogue's 90th Anniversary Gala~

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“Every woman has a story,” -Tyra Banks

We all know I'm not Tyra's biggest fan but this week she proved my theory that she definitely has a inner bad bitch... She looked nothing short of fierce at French Vogue's 90th Anniversary Gala in Paris this week. Welcome to the Bad Bitch Club Tyra...

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