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NEED TO KNOW
America's Next Top Model rewarded its winners with various brand campaigns and modeling contracts
The groundbreaking reality competition series ran for 15 years from 2003 to 2018
In addition to the actual prize, several contestants and winners also utilized the exposure for other aspects of their career
America's Next Top Modelintroduced hundreds of people to the modeling world during its 15-year run.
The competition series, which was hosted by supermodelTyra Banks, featured aspiring models embarking on challenges — from typical photoshoots to walking on a runway with swinging pendulums — in hopes of being crowned the winner.
After 24 "cycles" during the hit show's run, 24 winners ultimately took home the grand prize. While the reward differed for cycles depending on sponsors and partnerships (and one winner claimed to not receive her prize) the champions typically secured a six-figure brand contract, modeling agency signing and a magazine spread.
In addition to the package itself, the winners and other contestants scored major exposure. However, the show was not without its flaws, as past contestants and Banks, herself, havecriticized aspects of the competition.
The Netflix three-part docuseriesReality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, which hit the streamer on Feb. 16, features interviews with Banks and former contestants discussing the show's legacy, controversial judging moments and offensive challenges.
Here's everything to know about what the winners ofAmerica's Next Top Modelgot.
What did the winners ofAmerica's Next Top Modelget?
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Over the course ofAmerica's Next Top Model15-year circuit, the competition series primarily awarded its winners with a modeling agency contract, a fashion magazine cover or spread and a $100,000 contract with one of the show's partners — including CoverGirl.
As the show progressed, the prize changed and featured additional components, such as campaigns with major brands, such as Sephora, Guess and Zappos.
WhenAmerica's Next Top Modeldebuted its first cycle in 2003,Adrianne Currywas declared the inaugural winner. She was awarded a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models, a spread inMarie Claireand a Revlon cosmetics contract, although she claimed to never receive the latter.
Over the years,America's Next Top Modelwinners were signed to a variety of agencies — including IMG Models, Ford Models, Elite Models and NEXT Model Management.
The magazine that included the winner's photos also changed over the years, but frequent participants includedNylon, Seventeen, Vogue, ElleandPaper.
Did the winners get anything in addition to the prize package?
While the ultimate prize onAmerica's Next Top Modelwas to take home the crown, there were several other benefits to advancing on the show.
When the series was airing, it was one of the most viewed programs of its time and was the highest-rated show on the CW for three years in a row. Even if someone didn't win, they could launch their modeling — or other entertainment-related — career with the exposure alone.
Since appearing on the show, winners and other contestants alike have pivoted from modeling to acting, hosting or social media influencing.
For instance,YaYa DaCostalost to cycle 3 winnerEva Marcille (née Pigford), but she transitioned her career to acting and has appeared in several shows, fromChicago MedtoThe Lincoln Lawyer.
Another notable contestant who made a name for herself on the show isWinnie Harlow, who was eliminated in the earlier rounds of cycle 21. She has gone on to have a successful career in modeling — including walking theVictoria's Secret Fashion Show— as well as doing skincare ads, scoring acting roles and focusing on social media content creation.
Other contestants whose careers skyrocketed after the show include cycle 22 winnerNyle DiMarco, cycle 8 winner Jaslene Gonzalez, cycle 7 contestant Toccara Jones, cycle 11 contestantLio Tiptonand cycle 11 contestant Isis King.
What have pastAmerica's Next Top Modelwinners said about the prize package?
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Past winners and contestants have expressed differing opinions on the show in the years since they appeared.
In June 2025, cycle 1 winner Curry alleged that she "was the only winner thatwon no money. Zero dollars."
"There was no money in my win," she claimed onJust B With Bethenny Frankel. "I got a title." Curry claimed that she was told she'd receive a Revlon campaign as part of her prize, but that she never heard about it after winning.
"Banks was telling us we're gonna be this huge Revlon-like superstar, because I don't think any of us would have fought as hard as we did for what the prize really was, which is the title," Curry alleged. "So I always joke because people are like, 'You still call yourselfAmerica's Next Top Model?' I'm like, 'It's the only f---ing thing I won.' I'm gonna put it on my tombstone."
In a 2023 story forEntertainment Weekly, she did say she earned $15,000 from the brand. Curry did also win a contract with Wilhelmina models, but claimed ina 2017 blog postthat Wilhelmina was angry the show switched to IMG for season 2 and no longer worked with her.
In a statement toEWin 2023, Wilhelmina VP Ray Lata said, "Twenty years ago, Wilhelmina had different owners and staff. Wilhelmina is now a public company. It seems unlikely there would be sufficient motivation to harm Tyra and not try to maximize a model's earning potential."
Meanwhile, Banks has mostly stayed quiet about the controversy surrounding her show but admitted in a 2020 since-deleted message on X, perVariety, "Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past 'ANTM' moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs."
Banks and several other memorable characters from the show are speaking out about the groundbreaking series in the Netflix docuseriesReality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, which hit the streamer on Feb. 16.
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