Two Connecticut Women to Star in 9th Cycle of "America's Next Top Model"

September 12, 2007

HARTFORD -- September 12, 2007 (Hartford) – The competition gets fierce for the ninth cycle of The CW's hit series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, as the 13 finalists fight to turn their dreams of becoming a top model into reality. Two of this season's hopefuls are from Connecticut. Jenah, 18, a student from Farmington has always wanted to model and can't wait to be critiqued on the show. She left school to have the chance to compete and is up for the challenge saying, "I know I can win. I came here to win…Look out girls, America's Next Top Model right here". Victoria, 20, is a history student at Yale University. She says, "I am around books all the time, not shoes or handbags…I'm totally out of my element here." Although modeling was not her dream growing up, she says "times are changing and you need smart women out there especially for little girls to look up to. "

This season, an incredible transformation takes place as the finalists face new challenges and photo shoots ranging from the very glamorous to controversial, all while living under one roof in a posh Los Angeles mansion. See the drama unfold in the one-hour, ninth-cycle premiere of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL on Wednesday, September 19th at 8:00 p.m. on CW 20, WTXX.

During this cycle, the 13 participants live together and ferociously vie for the grand prize, competing in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp. The participants' abilities are tested each week as they strive to master the runway and fashion photo shoots, perfect publicity skills and learn the business aspects of becoming a supermodel, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL cameras. Throughout the series, supermodel Tyra Banks, art director of photo shoots Jay Manuel, and runway guru J. Alexander mentor the participants.

Banks leads the panel of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL judges, comprised of leading fashion industry experts, including supermodel Twiggy, photographer Nigel Barker and runway expert J. Alexander, who closely evaluate the progress of the models to narrow the field each week. In addition, special guest judges appear to critique the participants within his or her area of expertise.

The winner of The CW's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODELwill be managed by Elite Model Management. She also receives a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl. Finally, the winner will appear on the cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODELis produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment, in association with Bankable Productions. Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Daniel Soiseth ("Hell's Kitchen").

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CW 20 WTXX-TV is an affiliate of the CW Network and a Tribune Broadcasting station. Tribune Broadcasting owns and operates 23 television stations concentrated in major markets and Superstation WGN on national cable. The group's combined reach is more than 80 percent of U.S. television households. Investment interests include Comcast SportsNet Chicago (25% owned) and TV Food Network (31%). Los Angeles-based Tribune Entertainment develops and distributes first-run television programming for the Tribune station group and for national syndication. Tribune Broadcasting also owns and operates Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team.