America’s Next Top Model Controversy Continues

Posted on Dec 14 2007 - 12:01pm by Angela | 52 comments

It's been almost two days since the Cycle Nine finale of America's Next Top Model, but that doesn't mean fans have stopped talking about the controversy surrounding this year's Top Model winner Saleisha Cooper.

Millions of viewers watched as Tyra Banks crowned Saleisha as this season's champion, despite her previous modeling experience and prior ties to the ANTM judge.

While some fans feel that Saleisha deserved the victory, others believe the competition was staged and that the 21-year-old receptionist from California shouldn't have been allowed to participate in the competition in the first place.

Saleisha: Photo Credit: CW TV

As we've discussed before, the rulebook clearly states that all contestants must enter the competition with very little prior experience in the modeling industry. Contestants cannot have previously participated in any nationwide campaigns that may offer an unfair advantage over the other contestants as well.

The controversy arose when fans found out that Saleisha had modeled on The Tyra Show previous to her Top Model experience and had attended Tyra's T-Zone camp when she was younger.

If a nationwide campaign is considered an unfair advantage, personal relationships with the host of the show may be deemed biased as well.

Tyra Banks has yet to address fans about the controversy of Cycle Nine but many are skeptical to tune into Cycle 10 if no closure comes from this scandal.

Do you think Tyra owes her fans an explanation?

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

There is no doubt it was rigged, they purposely sneaked chantal into the final (knowing that she is beautiful but an amateur model) so saleisha doesnt look as bad if she wins. Even at the first elimination of the finale, the judges all stated that chantal has a weak technique, and she gets picked first? right... Lisa and Heather were Anyways, this was by far the worst ANTM ever and I hope Tyra has an answer to all these pissed off fans out there!

Anonymous (not verified)

Some competition.

joey (not verified)

i don't mind that saleisha won... if she didn't have prior modeling experience! also, jenah's right. models don't have to spit out rainbows and butterflies all the time. just because she has a rare personality doesn't mean she's not a good person... or a good model since this IS A MODELING COMPETITION! not fair. very disappointed this season. the more i watch top model (as addicting as it is), the more i see how biased and unfair tyra is to some of the contestants. especially jenah.

Anonymous (not verified)

She should have won - besides Heather who else had it - Chantel was close but Jenah had the worst attitude. Folks please get over it. She was good - folks in China didn't know her background but yet they liked her.

Anonymous (not verified)

you are so right selisha was great

candyh10 (not verified)

no, se can do what ever she wants in her show

Alice (not verified)

iT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER THAT SHE ALREADY KNEW TYRA. iF YOU'RE GOiNG TO SAY THAT, THEN JASLENE SHOULDN'T HAVE WON LAST CYCLE BECAUSE SHE ALREADY AUDiTiON ONCE. SALEiSHA DESERVED TO WiN. CHANTAL WASN'T THAT GOOD ON THE RUNWAY && HER PiCTURES WEREN'T THAT GREAT ANYWAY. PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY JUST ANGRY THAT ANOTHER MiNORiTY WON. THE RiGHT PERSON WON.

Anonymous (not verified)

you dont get it! there are guidelines for auditioning..it includes not having prior experience or something like that. Saleisha had a lot of experience. she was on runway in cycle 6 and was on a commercial. SHe also model for wigs. it is unfair. jenah would have been the perfect winner.

Anonymous (not verified)

it doesnt matter if jaslene won you can audition as many times as you want

Very Angry (not verified)

Yes she does! In the first episode when she was talking about all of the girls to the two Jays, Tyra made it a point to say "Saleisha needs to be handed this career....". What the hell? She should have just said that she was going to make Saleisha the winner...and if Tyra was so concerned about Saleisha's career, why didn't she help her on her own? Instead Tyra decided to waste all of the viewers and the other contestants time! She better bring this show together because I am so sick of Nigel who talks over all of the other judges and picks a favorite every cycle who seems to win, the "rigged" competition that has happened the last two cycles (Im sorry but Jaslene was horrible also...every time I see her face I want to gag, and is she deaf??), and all of the stupid-ass reasons that the talented models are kicked off...come on Jenah was right about the spewing rainbows. All in all, Heather or Lisa should have been in the bottom 2.

Anonymous (not verified)

I think that the right person won the competition and people are just mad because it was yet another minority who won. Tyra owes no one an explination simply because it is her show and she can do with it as she may. Tyra has paid her dues as a model so her opinion is worth a lot. Many of you are not models had havent got a clue as to what it takes. SO WHAT! Salesha had prior experience. She still had a lot to learn and she learned while on the show,. Isnt that what really matters? isnt the point of the show to identify America's Next Top Model? People need to stop riding her for her decision. Do a couple runway shows have real pertinent experience in the modeling world and then form and opinion, and anyone who didnt think jaslene diserved to win is BLIND. She was a beautiful edgy girl and way better than some of the past winners. Not to mention how bad she wanted and how well she did in ALL of her pictures. Get of it!!!!

Anonymous (not verified)

why are you making this about race? I wanted Lisa to win, Saleisha was not deserving, she wont be successful. Stop trying to make this a race issue, get a life.

Anonymous (not verified)

whatever

Michele (not verified)

I feel that the best person won and just because you had prior knowledge does not make you a good model. Tyra owes no one an explanation.

Anonymous (not verified)

I don't know If is just me or if anyone has noticed, how Tyra always seems to give more chances at the competition towards african american models even if they don't deserve it! If a caucasian model doesn't seem to do well in one photo shoot regardless that previously she had nail the competition but the african american had been doing wrong from the beggining she gives more chances to the afican american and sends the other one home! I am mixed so I get to see both sides! I love the show! But is something that I have noticed!

Anonymous (not verified)

well twiggy does do the same thing with blond girls now and then (and i kind of have the feeling that they tend to chose different races so to keep it open for every culture/race, though they haven't picked a chinese/japanese girl yet -> prob next season :D), but that's not what's bothering most people i think. What is important is that the integrity of the show and the competition is been destroyed because they broke their own rules. No matter how you twist and turn it, they cheated.

Anonymous (not verified)

When are we gonna see America's Next Top Male Model? lol. Watch the ratings jump.

Anonymous (not verified)

yes I shall second that one...why not male model= please we will all watch that...who should host that? please not nigel... I liked him before but he thinks he's so hot EVERY single second....please stop, sometimes it is just too much My ANTM models: Cycle 1: Elyse Cycle 2: Mercedes Cycle 3: Eva Cycle 4: Naima Cycle 5: Kim Cycle 6: Danielle Cycle 7: Cari Dee Cycle 8: Jaslene Cycle 9: Jenah We are all confused about this competition= different models can do different stuff- runway, high fashion, endorsements- of course there are combos of this,...,. look at Heidi Klum or Miranda Kerr.... but this is finding a diamond in the rough and of all those girls in ANTM, the person who could do it all was probably Mercedes or Chantal- Chantal needs some refining and training up, some good opportunities and she will be the next Heidi Klum...well perhaps...

Anonymous (not verified)

saleisha is butt-ugly as ugly as jenah, and both not high fashion. but this is a "reality show" about ordinary looking girls who are wannabe models, not a real modeling competition. many fans feel tricked into thinking that it is a real modeling competition, which it isnt, and there are pissed at this bs. it is just a reality show with a modeling theme, like survivor, dancing with the stars, american idol, etc. u get all kinds of shit on these reality shows to have a good laugh at and that is the intrigue of these reality shows, laughing at wannabes who want attention to see how far they get and what they will do to try to win a reality show.

Anonymous (not verified)

you think selashis ugly haha yeah are you blind

Anonymous (not verified)

I agree. all this is is a Reality show. Everyone who goes on a reality show comes out a winner no matter what happens. It's all to get your name out there. Many of the "losers" that were kicked off the show all are signed with prestigious agencies (thru being on the show) just like all the ppl that were on other reality shows like Survivor & Real World & Gauntlet. (all these reality stars are friends & hook up & Date it's neverending) I'm a stylist & have worked with a runner up of ANTM. Which by the way is the worst name for a show America's Next Top Model. 1st of all No beginner models are going to be doing any of those extreme shoots "challenges" that these girls are put thru on the show. (that is for entertainment purposes only) Many struggling models out there that are doing it the hard way (not on some reality tv show) are lucky enough to get a cool location and some designer clothes (when you're a nobody that's hard to come by) And how come no one mentions that after these shows the only Cover Girl commercial you see the Winner doing is during the next season of Top Model. Current Cover Girls are Queen Latifah, Keri Russel and Drew Barrymore (not Jaslene or past "winners of top model) and the only modeling I've seen of these girls is of the magazine that they are linked to during the show. 17 or elle girl (those are the only ads I see) Tyra is a narcisstic queen. Between her talk show (who is she to have a talk show? she's no psychologist) & her ANTM shows all she talks about is when she was a model & all that she did & faced. She tries to act like she cares and can make a difference. She's a has-been & needs to quit while she's ahead. Who knows about this Saleisha girl & who cares? It's what happens in Real life after the show that counts. Eva diva hosted a "styling show" on BET that was a joke. YAYA is successful doing Noxzema ads (but wasn't she the one that had bad skin?) Chandi cut off all her hair & moved to NYC & is singing Karoake at Arlene's grocery on the w-ends. That girl that had the skin disease I saw on another reality show. she hooked up with Jonny Fairplay from Survivor (the guy that lied about his grandmother's passing) it's all one big happy reality world party!

DancerInDC (not verified)

Absolutely Tyra needs to address this, as it's going to be a stain on the reputation of the show until she does. My personal belief is that Jenah should have won. But it would be a lot easier to swallow Saleisha as the winner if Tyra would acknowledge that she bent the rules for her.

Anonymous (not verified)

Yes, Tyra should address this situation. Then again, whatever PR blurbs she doles out will not change my mind. I was very disappointed with the finale, and could help but walk away thinking we were all duped. The show is rigged. I will NOT be tuning in for Season 10.

Anonymous (not verified)

Well, let's put it this way. Saleisha is going to be America's Next Unemployed Model :) She is pretty and creative but she is plain, her portfolio is mediocre at best, she has one expression and her walk is good but dull. This competition was defenitely rigged. I would have preferred Chantal over Saleisha. Chantal, I have seen her face before too, but she seemed more versatile. Best winner would have been Jenah. Awesome pictures and she is STUNNING.

Anonymous (not verified)

http://www.youtube.com/user/Scandaleisha The proof is in the pudding.

Anonymous (not verified)

chantal should have won. she was consistantly better than saleisha in the competition. PLUs saleisha had a completely unfair advantage. this is bull, and if something is not done about this many viewers will not be tuning in next cycle

Anonymous (not verified)

The problem isn't that Saleisha has had prior modeling experience. Other contestants (including Kimberly from this cycle) have had prior experience. The problem is that not only has Saleisha appeared in a nationwide Wendy's commercial (which should have technically disqualified her, according to the eligibility rules), but she has also modeled on Tyra's talk show. This implies that she has known Tyra outside of T-Zone. This is a MODELING competition. Personality is irrelevant for me, and it's the reason the winners are only mediocre in the real fashion world. If personality is what runs this show, Bianca should have been gone week 1 and Mila should have taken the whole damn thing. I don't understand why Tyra kept saying that Saleisha NEEDED this more than the other girls -- she had more pre-show work than any of them, so she would seem to need it less.

Anonymous (not verified)

ppz....calm down.... we have to remember that most of the winners dont get the most jobs....only a few have reaped the benefits Cycle 1 adrianne curry- diamond commercials, tv personality and finally marrying a celebrity VS elyse- top model in asia, very high in demand in hong kong, and the states, has her own book.... Cycle 2 yoanna....has she done anything other than her contract after stating how much she wanted to do high fashion... mercedes- been the face of soooo many commercials after, more than any antm models put together april- made it big in swimsuit and men magazines, sara is good as well, shandi in a few high couture stuff Cycle 3 Eva- prob one of the few winners to get the most out of it- has been doing some filming- she really has a starlet face her bff from the show Anne is very well as well Cycle 4 nothing came of that... except from Britney who looks like Janice- she;s gorgeous Cycle 5 Nicole- does loads of high couture so she is one of the few along with Eva Kim has gotten quite a lot out of this, along with Yaya Cycle 6 Danielle- only model from ANTM to have her covergirl contract renewed a few girls from this cycle went on to do a few jobs Cycle 7 Cari Dee- this cycle was a flop as well.... other than her campaign about her skin disease...nothing else, so much for her looks being like Nicoke Kidman, I actually think the young high school girl could have made it big if she was more mature.... Jade has been the biggest sensation afterwards- glad she didnt win, it would have restricted her career her personality was a lil diva-ish but so what- makes the show all the more interesting, and hey she along with elyse is one of the most successful models from ANTM Cycle 8- Jaslene well its too soon to know right, but she does seem to be doing well, she needs to pack on 10 pounds to look a lil more human though, but nonetheless she had the best photos Cycle 9 Prediction: Chantal, if she pursues, will be one of the more successful models- she can be shaped since she is amateurish, Jenah has the best face but she needs to work on her attitude- your personality is fine, know when to be yourself and whe nto be professional- i am sarcastic and crazy but when i;m at work, i dont pull that out with my boss...neither would most of us, Heather- has amazing photos- hope someone sees something in her and take her under their wing and she could be the next sensation as well,,,though i dont see that happen soon....Lisa has something but havent you noticed....no one with a background in dirty dancing or stripping has ever gotten the award...just pointing that out I thought Sarah had the best face- be a size 0 or more and she will be IT....or be happy as yourself Sarah, I still think you are the most beautiful of all the ANTM contestants to date!!!

Anonymous (not verified)

My feelings for Saleisha have NOTHING to do with race. She was one of the worse in picture taking. Her previous modeling experience gave her an advantage only in runway walks. She is not attactive and her pictures were less than mediocre. Lisa should have won. But Tyrant was determined to tear her down. This was unfair that she was on Tyra's show modeling and that she had a national campaign under her belt whether or not if she was billed as an actress or model.

Anonymous (not verified)

Saleisha did not deserve to win ANTM cycle 9. this episode comes off as boring and "what the hell" she takes horrible picture and when it came down to the walk( she does know how to 2 do runway) i knew that she was going to win. ANTM died for me when lisa left. Jenah was good also.

Anonymous (not verified)

Ok I think the right person won. I didn't like Jenah, I loved Bianca. But look at Heather, she couldn't comunicate at the go-sees. It's like Tyra said before, if you can't book a job, you don't exist. Just like last season with Brittany, she got eliminated because no client wanted to book her. Yes Saleisha had prior experience, but so did Sarah from last cycle and so did Kimberly, and Tiffany auditioned twice and got in the second time. Jaslene also knew Tyra from cycle 7. So if that's the case, then they shouldn't have been allowed to enter either. Stop hating. If you watch enough of Top Model, you should know that whoever does the worst during the go-sees, that's who's going home that week. Anyway, Tyra doesn't vote by herself,there are other judges. If you pay attention, if the guest judge sees something in a few of the models, they are the ones who stay. Also the guest and the fashion show host talk to Tyra, it's who they want to see in their clothes and also who Cover Girl wants. Remeber, Tyra has outsourced these clients to become agents for the winner. Also the other girls don't exactly leave empty handed. They have gone thru how ever many weeks they stay on the show with learning about make up, fashion, taking pictures, so it's somebody out there who will book them and help them along with their career. Look at Camille Cycle 2 and Mercedes they all have done fabulous, Look at Toccara and Diana, Nik, Bre, YaYa. So the winner doesn't get it all.

Anonymous (not verified)

just because you auditioned twice doesnt mean you have experience.... and most of the judges liked chantel better...and the winner is the only one that walks away with something right then and there...

Anonymous (not verified)

The results of this season were ridiculous and predictable. The rules were obviously bent in Saleisha's favor (as one person on here already said, what was up with Chantal getting her pic first in the finale when all the judges were bagging on her a second earlier?). Jenah, Heather, and Lisa were the most talented this season, period. As for the person who said we're mad because Saleisha's black...that's insane. It doesn't surprise me that people are going to turn this into a race thing, though, to try to distract from the fact that Saleisha and Tyra cheated. Besides, black girls win the show every third cycle in an Asian country (except Naima). The whole series is fixed.

S T (not verified)

As the seasons go on, they seemed to be increasing in production value, yet decreasing in "reality" and fairness. Tyra seems to be able to make anything that one model does into a positive OR a negative depending on how she wants to spin it for that week. Sometimes she seems to be more interested in the journey that someone has gone on than raw talent... meaning that she'd rather see someone who goes from taking crappy amateur photos to decent pictures than someone who has consistently taken good photos throughout the competition. In the real world, models don't get booked because a designer says, "wow! You've come such a long way!" They don't care, they want a good picture. If this is a modeling competition, wouldn't you be more concerned with CONSISTENCY than PROGRESS? I would much rather book Jenah knowing that she will, no matter what, rock out a good photo for my product. Her pictures were very high fashion and her natural talent was quite apparent.

Anonymous (not verified)

Oh, and what is the deal with comparing THREE photographs in the finale?! 3 pictures and the fake runway show was all that they seemed to use to decide who won. Years ago, they would go through every shoot and compare photos. Did that mean that Saleisha and Chantal only did well on 3 shoots and, thus, those were the only ones worth comparing? Any one else think that's messed up?

Anonymous (not verified)

At first I really wanted her to win but as the show went on I got sick of her really fast! she didn't deserve to win if she had modeling exsperiance. But there's nothing I can do about that. I just really wanted Jenah or even Lisa to win they weren't that sparky or hyper. So it makes me sick that TYRA picked someone who didn't even deserve to win when someone who had better pictures and they got eliminated. There could have been so many other people to win but instead she choosed some one that had a very hyper attitude.

ad girl (not verified)

She also did a few National ad for DEMO, which is a company owned by PACSUN. The ads were shot by the talented David LaChapelle. I booked her for the job.... so yes, that would be cheating because the ads ran in Teen Vogue, Cosmo Girl, etc.

Anonymous (not verified)

ohh izzit may i know where can i find all the ad??

Anonymous (not verified)

Ok....First of all Tyra doesn't realize true talent!Just because Saleisha modeled on the Tyra Show and went to Tyras t-zone camp... and THEN REMEMBER IN JUDGING TYRA SAID: "SOMETHING IS MISSING FROM SALEISHA... " I DON'T THINK THAT SHE CAN BE A HIGH FASHION MODEL".. and then she chose Saleisha instead of Jennah? WOW.. both Chantal and Jeenah had way better, stronger pictures through the competition.. so I guess TOP MODEL IS GETTING WORSE EACH SEASON....???? IT was so predictable from the beginning she would win ..... The last judging was about how they did in the whole competition....

Anonymous (not verified)

FOR ONE THING IT SAID ON THE APPLICATION THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY MODELING EXPERIENCE!!! AND WHY DID SALESIHA GET CHOSEN????

Anonymous (not verified)

This makes me wonder? Why do I want to watch Tyra any more on TOP MODEL. Obviously she dosn't realize true talent... SHE IS SOO UNFAIR!!! Even last cycles winner she did not deserve to win.. she is a horbbile role model.. and probably makes girls want to be just like her and girls might starve themselves...Top model is just stupid now.. please interview Tyra...

Anonymous (not verified)

EVERYONE LOOK AT SALEISHA'S FACE IN ALL THE PHOTOS THEY ARE THE SAME!... she is a pretty girl .. but Tyra always picks favorites..I wonder if the ratings are going to drop this year for the show?

badchelor (not verified)

TYRA, SPEAK UP!!! This cycle indeed fishy, among other cycles this is the only one i feel so akward witnessing how the winer was choosen. Why Saleisha? Please, I work in this fashion industry and there's no need for a model to be on acid and be bubbly 24 hours! Get real! Jenah way deserve the tittle more! So yes Tyra! U owe us a clear logical explanation!!!

WS (not verified)

Does anyone actually remember what episode in cycle 6 saleisha was on, does anyone actually know? hha I dont mind that saleisha won, but i would have loved it if jenah won or even lisa, however i wouldnt go to the extreme of saying the whole cycle was rigged.

Anonymous (not verified)

I have proof everyone check out this video to saleisha previous modeling experience! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zbpw7iqSWI

Anonymous (not verified)

the series is always rigged...are you so naive to think that ppl won bc they deserve it....please.... remember even though Tyra is the producer she needs funding and thise mulah comes from the Covergirl and whoever is signing on the girls...if these girls show themselves to be too biased, opinionated and unlikeable from viewers, the agency will not want to sign on this person bc they will be endorsing their client's products and Covergirl;s progducts so for those who want to go on ANTM remember this- be careful of what you say anytime you are on the show so for those few weeks you are in the reality show- be a sweet person but dont oversweeten it thank goodness Mila the sunshine bop was gone the first week because i couldnt stand her fakeness or if it was not fake, i wonder where she was raised....was she bubbled up or given some therapy each day....

Anonymous (not verified)

I will not be watching ANTM or the Tyra show any more... she really did bad by letting Saleisha participate on the show. I used to be a big fan of Tyra and now she is nothing to me.

Anonymous (not verified)

there was no scam it is clear that selisha won fair and square the t zone camp is for self asteem about 100 girls go a year there is not much personal relastionship going on there she was in the picture if youu were a fan you would think better about the situation

Anonymous (not verified)

I am a big fan of ANTM. But,I don't like this cycle too. I just don't see this gal has high fashion quality. Very disappointed for this cycle.

antm forever (not verified)

you are all rediculous just because you idiots dont like the results get real selisha was awful at first rember the show is not staged at all they cant stage pictures or runway walk chantel lost she mad it to the fiinal because although they say she was amutuar she was not the worst evry week tyra owed no apolage

Anonymous (not verified)

This is a reality show. Its all in the editing. They edit what we see and what we hear... good or bad. Even the "best shot" photo at judging is chosen out of dozens of photos. So how can anyone be sure who is the rightful winner when Tyra has the final say with everything from start to finish. Yes she should answer to the viewers since she proudly lists herself as a producer. It seems that Tyra has lost her believability as a host, as a producer and as a former model. Guess whose picture I am not holding in my hands...

Anonymous (not verified)

Because of thr rules they put out I think that she shouldn't have been able to compete. that makes the competition unfair. they are supposed to be looking for raw talent not someone who already has an idea of how the industry works. Salishia was okay but she had a an unfair advantage over the other contestants. Bianca was a real bitch! however she wasn't too bad. she was shaved bald and that drove her to try even harder she was pretty good jenah was a great example of the average american girl she could have been a great rolemodel to children. people forget it's 2008 not 1950 anymore the girl next door is a little ghetto now a days with a few issues. If the ANTM team is so concerned about changing the industry, let go of these ancient ideas of beauty and the industry and start working with real people. Stop crowning the girl who kissed your ass the whole cycle!