Ann Ward

Ann Ward originally came from the Dallas, Texas area. She graduated from Prosper High School in Prosper, Texas in 2009. She was mocked during school due to her height and slim figure, which caused her to develop self-confidence problems.In 2010, Ward appeared in Cycle 15 of the CW Network reality television show, America's Next Top Model, in which she competed against thirteen other aspiring models. Ward was immediately distinguishable for her 6'2" height. The judges were also shocked by her extremely thin waist, which was so skinny that judge J. Alexander could nearly wrap both his hands all the way around it.


Upon first seeing Ward, show host and retired supermodel Tyra Banks said, "There's something about her that I like!" A trailer for America's Next Top Model showed Banks's comments immediately after a discussion about Ward's waist, which created a public backlash that Banks was condoning overly skinny models. Later, Banks released a press statement clarifying this was not the case, claiming the editing gave the wrong impression, and apologizing for "any confusion, anger or disappointment" it caused.

Ann is this season's breakout star, beginning the cycle with a five-show best picture streak unprecedented in Tyra-town. Her waifish face, slightly large ears, and super-tall super-skeletal frame endeared her to fashion houses and photographers, though she suffered whenever a challenge required her to speak in public.

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Ward ranked first among the models for the first five weeks of the show, marking the first time a contestant received that honor.However, although her photos were lauded, she was also noted for her shyness, insecurity and awkwardness outside of photo shoots, as well as her difficulty during challenges that required talking.The Los Angeles Times described her as "the most reclusive and shy model to get this far in a cycle to date".
In the season finale, Ward and fellow contestant Chelsey Hersley filmed a CoverGirl Cosmetics commercial participated in a Roberto Cavalli fashion show and walk. To that point, Ward had not won any of the show's challenges, while Hersley had won three. Ward defeated Hersley and was crowned the Cycle 15 winner of America's Next Top Model. As a result, she received a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a contract with IMG Models, the cover of Beauty In Vogue, fashion spreads in Vogue Italia and Beauty In Vogue, as well as a prominent feature on the Vogue Italia website, Vogue.it.  An emotional Ward said the victory was especially gratifying because she was mocked in her childhood for being "too tall [and] not normal", to which judge and fashion photographer Nigel Barker said, "Guess what? You're not normal. You're 'America's Next Top Model.'"
Ward is the tallest winner, and also the first contestant from Texas to have ever won the competition. Her cover of Beauty In Vogue will be published in May 2011.