America's Next Top Model/Characters/Cycle Twelve

Teyona Anderson

Teyona Anderson was a contestant and winner of Cycle 12 of ANTM.

During the Top Model semi-finals, the New Jersey native was the ninth girl called to join the final thirteen competing for America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 12. Throughout the competition, she had been called first three times, being widely considered versatile and naturally photogenic by the judges. She also received praise for her consistent photos and chameleon portfolio, as well as her “wind-in-the-face” look. She struggled with her final commercial, and landed in the bottom two for the first (and only) time, but survived against fellow competitor Aminat Ayinde. At the final judging, she was deemed to be neck and neck with fellow contestant Allison Harvard, but was believed to have a greater passion for modeling, making her the judges’ pick for America’s Next Top Model.


 * Alliterative Name: Post show, she became known as Asia Anderson.
 * Celebrity Resemblance: With Vivica A. Fox.
 * Eternally Pearly White Teeth
 * Rapunzel Hair

Allison Harvard

Allison Harvard was a contestant and runner-up during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

The American artist and fashion model from Houston, Texas, resided in New Orleans, Louisiana during her appearance on America’s Next Top Model. She is a painter and photographer, who describes her style of art as “surreal” and “psychedelic.” Her artwork is featured in the novel The Story Told at Night by Lisa Kuznetsova.

In late 2005, Allison gained notoriety as an internet meme on 4Chan, where she became known as “Creepy-chan” due to her ghostly digital photos of herself in heavy eyeliner and broken-baby doll outfits and poses, as well as her fascination with nosebleeds. When cheerier images later surfaced, her moniker was updated to “Cute Chan.”

Allison successfully auditioned for Cycle 12 of America’s Next Top Model. She stated that she wanted to enter the competition because she was into art and photography. During the audition process, she stated that she loved nose bleeds and hemophilia.

Allison performed consistently throughout the competition. She was called first by Tyra Banks four times, in episodes two, ten, twelve and thirteen (the first part of the finale). Despite her consistent performance, Harvard was in the bottom two twice. In episode four, she landed in the bottom two, with contestant Nijah Harris, because she was said to have over-analyzed her shoot. In episode seven, she landed in the bottom two with contestant Tahlia Brookins because she had a lackluster commercial and she was told she wasn’t versatile.

Allison made a significant improvement, and during the finale episode of America’s Next Top Model, she gave a convincing Covergirl commercial and was hailed for her improvement from the previous commercial. Allison made the final two due to her improvements in her Covergirl commercial and her unique high-fashion look. In the final runway walk, she was deemed the most improved, despite being deemed the worst walker out of the bunch at the beginning of the competition. Paulina Porizkova commended Harvard’s runway to Tyra Banks by saying, “She looks awesome!” while Banks replied, “She does.” during the fashion show. Despite her improvements and strong look, Harvard lost the competition to Teyona Anderson, making Allison the runner up.


 * Adorkable
 * Ascended Meme
 * Blue Eyes
 * Innocent Blue Eyes
 * The Cutie
 * Cloudcuckoolander
 * The Ditz: Zig Zagged. She is a clever girl, but she does have ditzy moments, oh boy! In the end it just adds to her overall cuteness.
 * Dumb Blonde: Gets accused to be this by some other contestants but she is actually very smart and creative.
 * Friendship Moment: She had lots of this with Celia.
 * Graceful Loser
 * Hair of Gold
 * Nightmare Fetishist
 * One of Us: Before appearing on the show she was internet famous. She's sometimes known as "Creepy Chan"
 * Smarter Than You Look
 * Strange Girl
 * Too Quirky to Lose: Unfortunately Averted. She was one of the finalists, but didn't make it.
 * What Beautiful Eyes: Let's just say she hears this constantly. Completely Justified.
 * Wide Eyed Idealist: Only when compared to some of the other girls. She comes across as seeing with rosy colored glasses. Physically she fits this trope to a T.

Aminat Ayinde

Aminat Ayinde was a contestant and runner up during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

The 21-year-old student from Union, New Jersey was an incredibly strong competitor during her appearance on America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 12. She started the show with very strong photos, but began to have weaker photos as the competition continued. She did win one reward challenge during episode three, but subsequently the 11th girl eliminated from the show.


 * Alliterative Name
 * Funny Afro: Before her makeover.
 * Statuesque Stunner: She is listed as being 6'1".
 * Tall Dark and Bishoujo: After her makeover.

Celia Ammerman

Celia Ammerman was a contestant and runner up during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

In 2007, at age 23, Celia tried out for the CW Network reality television show America’s Next Top Model, but was not chosen as a contestant. In 2009, an acquaintance who tried out for Stylista, another CW reality show, introduced her to an America’s Next Top Model casting agent, who encouraged her to submit photos and attend a closed casting call. This time she was chosen to perform in the show’s twelfth cycle. It was during her time on the show that she learned she was cross-eyed, a fact she was not aware of until judge and photographer Nigel Barker told her.

At age 25, Celia was the oldest contestant in Cycle 12, and judges repeatedly expressed concern that she might be too old to be a model. However, she was also complimented by the judges on multiple occasions for her elegance, her love of fashion and its reflection in her personal styling, and what Paulina Porizkova, a judge and former model, called her “non-traditional model looks”.

During the March 25 episode, after the judges voted to keep contestant Tahlia Brookins on the show, Celia told the judges she felt Tahlia should be dismissed because she had been expressing a great deal of self-doubt and questioning whether she should stay on the show. Tyra criticized Celia for making the public statement, claiming that decision should come from Tahlia rather than her.

Celia was among the final four contestants when she was eliminated from the show on the May 6 episode. During the same episode she was eliminated, Celia ranked first place in a dance challenge and was complimented by Banks for her bone structure and strength. The day before the episode ran, several reporters predicted Celia to win the competition.


 * Christmas Cake
 * Competence Zone: Discussed. See her bio.
 * Friendship Moment
 * Hair of Gold
 * That Was Objectionable: The aforementioned Thalia incident.

Felicia "Fo" Porter

Fo Porter was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

This student from Albuquerque, New Mexico was 19-years old during her appearance on America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 12. Fo’s performance had its highs and lows, but generally, she produced strong photos and ended up being the 5th runner up. Additionally, Fo was the only girl during Cycle 12 to win two reward challenges in one episode (episode 10). Fo was eliminated during episode 11, following the bathing suit photo shoot with Nigel Barker.


 * Ambiguously Brown
 * But Not Too Black: She is half-black and half-mexican or "Blaxican" as she likes to say.
 * But Not Too Foreign

Natalie Pack

Natalie Pack was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

This 19-year-old Palos Verdes, California native was a student during her appearance on America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 12. To most watchers of the show, she was the resident rich girl during this cycle.

Natalie, who started the competition with some minor modeling experience, told E! Online that she felt she’d been butchered by unfavorable editing. “I think they edited me to make me look like I was spoiled. I am completely opposite of the character they made me be on the show. They actually cut and pasted lines to make me sound like I was a spoiled brat because they were desperate to make me look that way.” She was even shown on camera commenting on the accommodations in Brazil, saying such statements like, “I wish we had a pool.”

Natalie isn’t the first reality show contestant to complain about how she was portrayed on the show, nor will she be the last. But she did have some interesting things to say about Tyra’s involvement in the show’s progression.

Before Natalie was eliminated, she pointed out that Tyra’s criticism of her photo was a far cry from the words of encouragement she’d been hearing on the set from the photo director, Jay Manuel. Tyra shot her down, and Natalie was eliminated soon thereafter. Natalie said of the incident, “It was very, very shady. I think the judges thought that I lied and that’s why I got sent home. I have a feeling Tyra and Jay don’t really click that well because they have totally different ideas. I have a feeling they didn’t even really communicate because to have completely opposite ideas that you want the girls to do is completely ridiculous and unfair.” She went on to say that she thinks Tyra plays favorites, a suspicion many ANTM watchers have had for years. “Tyra definitely has a soft spot for Aminat and Teyona. I think she just loves [their] personalities. I feel like they’re most relatable to Tyra, since Tyra was a black model struggling. I think she has a hidden emotional connection with the black girls, and I think that’s where a lot of favoritism comes from. I’m not accusing her of it, but that’s just my opinion.”

Natalie said this about the winning model: “I think Teyona will [win], but I hope Allison will. Teyona has the judges on her side; she has the ability to take a great picture. Though, when you see her in person, it’s like, how do you even tell that she’s a model? With Allison you know she’s a model. She’s beautiful, and she has something special. I really want Allison to win, but I think it’s going to be Teyona.”

Natalie performed well during the competition, with good and mediocre photos, but ended up becoming the 8th girl eliminated from the show due to her poor performance during the Carmen Miranda shoot. Natalie won one reward challenge during episode four.


 * Beauty Mark: Located just above her lips.
 * Celebrity Resemblance: To Keira Knightley.
 * Hazel Eyes
 * Offscreen Moment of Awesome: She apparently had a screaming match with Tyra after being eliminated, not that we saw it.
 * The Ojou
 * Statuesque Stunner: She is 6 feet tall.
 * Tall Dark and Bishoujo

Lauren "London" Levi-Nance

Lauren “London” Levi-Nance was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

The 18-year-old Arlington, Texas native was a student during her appearance on the show. London, a 2008 graduate of Martin High School in Arlington, TX, was always recognized for her flair for fashion. Viewed as a trendsetter, her stylish ensembles were sometimes copied by her classmates. And she was always known in the hallways as being “that really pretty girl.”

London, who was a ‘street preacher’ during her appearance on the show, had a strong presence, as well as captivating photos. Unfortunately, London was becoming increasingly self-conscious of her body when she began to gain some weight. Her body issues became more apparent during her photo shoot with R&B superstar Ciara, so Jay discussed weight concerns with her after the photo shoot, telling her that while she was way too small for plus-size modeling she should watch her eating habits to continue to fit in sample sizes. In the end, London was eliminated during episode nine. She had won one reward challenge during episode seven.


 * Alliterative Name

Tahlia Brookins

Tahlia Brookins was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

Tahlia sparked a bit of controversy this cycle when many viewers and those in online chat forums claimed she was cast strictly as a stunt. The 18-year-old Arizona native has severe burns all over her body and an athletic physique, which is not exactly the status quo for a top model. But Tahlia quickly showed those naysayers that she was actually worthy. Week after week, her pictures got better and better and thoroughly impressed the judges. During episode seven, however, Tahlia couldn’t nail the Cover Girl commercial shoot and was eliminated. When being interviewed, Tahlia mentions that she holds no ill feelings toward Celia Ammerman for the small altercation they had in the top model house.


 * Ambiguously Brown
 * Celebrity Resemblance: With Kimberly Locke.
 * Dark Skinned Blond: After her makeover.

Sandra Nyanchoka

Sandra Nyanchoka was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

Born and raised in Nairobi, Sandra began her modeling career at age nine upon winning a competition and was featured on Coca Cola billboards internationally. At age twelve Sandra, her seven siblings, and her parents relocated to the United States following the 1998 bombing of the United States Embassy in Kenya.

Following the loss of her older sister, Sandra was encouraged to follow her dream of modeling. She also enrolled in Montgomery College, balancing her modeling career and education. Sandra was working with modeling agencies in Washington, D.C. and New York City doing commercial, catalog and runway modeling when she was selected to be on Cycle 12 of America’s Next Top Model.

Sandra took strong photos during her appearance on the show, but was constantly told by the judges that she needed to take more photos straight foward, instead of profile. It was because of this weakness that the judges chose to eliminate Sandra from the show during episode six. She did win one reward challenge with Aminat during episode three. During the show, Sandra was seen frequently arguing with other models in the house.


 * Alpha Bitch
 * Dark Skinned Blond: After her makeover.

Kortnie Coles

Kortnie Coles was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

Kortnie is a 24-year-old model from Houston, Texas who works as a non-profit organizer. She reportedly dated NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for a brief time.

As the only plus-sized model participating in Cycle 12, Kortnie took strong photos, but was eliminated following the Immigrant Shoot, when the judges said she struggled and produced a photo with a “sour-looking” face. Tyra also went on to say, “The girl we see in this judging room has such an alertness, that even now as I speak you are [wide eyed]. But the girl in you’re pictures is [much different].” Kortnie became the 4th girl eliminated from the show.


 * Hollywood Pudgy
 * My Nayme Is: Her first is much different than the more conventional spelling.
 * Spell My Name With an S

Nijah Harris

Nijah Harris was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

Despite her promising start that left the judges impressed with her natural beauty, Nijah’s inability to show enough emotion through her eyes proved to be too big of a shortcoming, as the 18-year-old aspiring model from Rancho Cucamonga, CA became the third girl to be cut from ANTM.


 * Statuesque Stunner: She is 6 feet tall.

Jessica Santiago

Jessica Santiago was a contestant during Cycle 12 of ANTM.

The Bradenton, Florida native was an 18-year-old student during her stint on the 12th season of America’s Next Top Model. Jessica didn’t last long on the show, as she was the second girl eliminated, but she definitely left an impression on the judges for her strong sexuality and her strong confidence, which at times came across cocky to viewers.

Jessica came to ANTM with some modeling experience, mostly walking during fashion week in Miami in 2007; she was also briefly signed by Ford Models in Puerto Rico.


 * Small Name Big Ego
 * Spicy Latina

Isabella "Kelly Marie" Falk

Isabella “Kelly Marie” Falk was a contestant from Cycle 12 of ANTM.

The Barboursville, Virginia native was 19 years old when she auditioned for America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 12. She had been pursuing modeling since she was fifteen and modeled for small projects in Virginia.

Kelly Marie has been memorable for being the first girl eliminated from the show and because she was afraid that strobe lights would trigger her epilepsy during runway challenges.


 * Celebrity Resemblance: To Kristen Bell.
 * Inspirationally Disadvantaged: She has epilepsy.