America’s Next Top Model – Was Cycle 9 Rigged?

Posted on Dec 13 2007 - 3:00pm by Angela | 15 comments

The most controversial season of America's Next Top Model has come to an end, but that doesn't mean people have stopped talking about the "unfair" results.

Fans are absolutely furious that a contestant with previous modeling experience could even be allowed to participate on the show, let alone win.

Saleisha/ Tyra: Photo Credit: CW TVAnd we're not talking about a couple of fashion shows in your local mall - Saleisha has extensive experience in the industry, including prior work with Ms. Tyra Banks herself.

For those of you who don't know, Saleisha not only worked with Tyra at a T-Zone camp (a week-long non-profit summer camp for teenagers) but has also modeled on The Tyra Show and has other modeling experience as well.

In addition, the 21-year-old brunette from Los Angeles has also been featured in nationally televised commercials for Wendi's.

* Click to Enlarge Photos

It clearly states in the rulebook (or at least it used to) that contestants cannot be part of any national campaign as a model.

And while it doesn't state that contestants cannot have previous work experience with Tyra, it seems like an unfair advantage for those who have. After all, last season Jaslene took home the crown, even though she had participated on a previous season and been sent home.

Either way, you can't blame Saleisha for following her dreams.

And if the producers thought it was okay for her to participate, then she should reap all the rewards of winning.

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

I agree! So she had some previous experience, oh well. If Tyra thougth she should be allowed in the competition then, she should! It would really be controversial if someone like a Victorias Secret Model showed up there, then yeah. Has anyone even heard/seen of Saleisha before this????? Then give the girl a chance.

Anonymous (not verified)

Chantal did not do better in the runway show but I think she did better in the competition overall espically since Saleisha had previous expirence...not to mention it was a competetion between white and black

Anonymous (not verified)

Jenah should have won. She had much better pictures than the other two and would have done much better in the runway show. (she won the runway challenge the week before.) Her only "problem" was her attitude that the judges didn't like. They said she thought she was "above the competition." (I don't blame her either, she was so much more fit for the title than the other two, that maybe it made sense that she would be confident with her skills.)

Either way, that problem came to end in her last elimination because she had a breakthrough, and explained why she was always on the defense. So there, problem solved. She still gets sent home? Her only problem was fixed and she isn't deserving of the final challenge?

It's aggravating, and I don't know why she didn't win. Could it have been Tyra wanting one of her previous campers to win? I mean, Saleisha will obviously talk about going to the camp and how it gave her self esteem that she never had blah blah. This will give Tyra's camp a huge amount of publicity, so maybe it was fixed.

I don't know. I don't want to deny the fact that Saleisha should have been in the competition, she should have (the previous experience doesn't bother me) but she certainly wasn't the strongest model in the competition.

Anonymous (not verified)

This is a non-issue. Give it a break! A model is only as good as her shelf-life anyway. If she's that good, it'll be in the proof long after this televised competition. She won! We go on with our lives.

Anonymous (not verified)

I'm glad Saleisha won. I thought she was the best and deserved it!

Anonymous (not verified)

I think that Saleisha deserved to win. I mean every other reality show has people who are "regular people"..then after we see they are models, actors etc.. You can't be in the industry without going for every oppertunity you can. If she was in Tyra's camp...who cares....Im sure she did not plan this for years..Give the girl a break! P.s Her was was amazing!

Anonymous (not verified)

I love that saleisha won. I think that was the best ANTM winner and was so shocked that people prefared chantal over her. did anyone see chantals runway? she looked lost. I dont like the way people have made this a racial thing especially on youtube.There have been more white winners than blacks.there was adrain,yoanna(who i didnt even like),nicole(o my gosh!!! she was as clueles as chantal and stil won-huge mistake!!!.nikki should have clearly won!!!) but no one complained of racism there!!! and then cardiee. So why wont people just let it go. its so frustrating!!! Saleisha won ok. GET OVER IT!!!!!!!

Anonymous (not verified)

I believe all the negative comments regarding ANTM cycle 9 selection need to cease. The decision was made and it was made fairly. Saleisha was the winner and as you all know most of these women get exposure and opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them. So, let it go.

Anonymous (not verified)

Honest commenting should NEVER CEASE! If as fans we feel cheated we should say so and LOUDLY! Hopefully everyone who disagrees with this joke of a decision to select Saleisha will say so with never watching the show again, and not supporting the products that advertise on ANTM.

16Newyork (not verified)

I think that Heather should have won,she is a great person,she took great picture,the only problem with Heather is she has a communication problem.Go Heather, I think that she should enter the 10 cycle.go Heather.You rock!

Leslie Anderson (not verified)

I thought the show was rigged. Heather should have won and I'm black! She took the best pictures and even though she has a disease she did a wonderful job in trying to overcome it. I know it's hard enough to live with a bunch of women even without having the disease Heather has. Heather is a bad BITCH!!!

Anonymous

i thought it was ridiculous they let her compete, when i found out in puerto rico she had experience modeling, i was angry. We go into that competition not knowing what the hell we're doing & i think that's how we all should have been. &&& actually having met Tyra & worked with her before is insanely unfair.

Anonymous (not verified)

Saleisha was the best model there,who cares about her past experience,it obviously didn't mean nothing because she still had to turn to tyra to jumpstart her career. Chantal can make it without top model.

Anonymous (not verified)

I don't understand how anyone could say that Saleisha had the best picture out of those three. Her body as well as her hair look TERRIBLE. At least they photoshoped out the bags under her eyes. They should have given her some boobs while they were at it ...

Brad (not verified)

I guess regulations and guidelines only apply sometimes. What a joke. The show will never be credible again. The other contestants and the viewing public should feel cheated.