America’s Next Top Model Cycle 9 Premiere

Tyra Banks

A new cycle of America's Next Top Model is going full swing with 33 hopeful girls hitting the catwalk for the first time last night.

ANTM producers chose a nautical theme to kick off the ninth cycle, during which all 33 ladies hopped aboard a cruise ship, modeled vivid orange life jackets down a runway and posed on the beach for their first photo shoot of the season.

But in true Top Model fashion, there were a few frontrunners by the end of last night's episode.

Ebony, an outspoken nursing student from Chicago, rubbed more than a few girls the wrong way with her catty remarks and closed-mindedness. But the judges saw something special in the gorgeous 20-year-old and decided to make her one of the 13 finalists.

Then there was Heather, a 21-year-old college student from Indiana who suffers from Aspergers (a mild form of autism) and ADHD. According to Heather, individuals with Aspergers become awkward and uncomfortable in certain social situations. Heather's courage and drive have already made her a fierce competitor in Tyra's eyes.

By the end of the show, the judges had narrowed the field from 33 beauties to 13 finalists who will compete for the coveted title of America's Next Top Model.

Who will Tyra and the judges like best? Tune into America's Next Top Model, Wednesdays at 8pm on The CW.