America's Next Top Model Cycle 6--- Where Are They Now?

The ladies from Cycle 6 are intriguing; some of them are still modeling and some of them seem to have fallen off the map completely. The ladies that are still modeling are more successful than any other Cycle I have researched thus far! (Winner Danielle Evans on the left, this is some of her work with Click Models)

12th place- Wendy Wiltz who was originally from New Orleans, Louisiana has relocated to New York City. Her myspace page says she is managed by ID Model Management, but when I checked their website Wendy was not listed. She does have some beautiful pictures on her myspace profile- http://www.myspace.com/wendymaria (the picture on the right is from Wendy's myspace page)

9th place- Mollie Sue Gondi is currently signed with Elite Model Management in New York City. I looked at her portfolio and it is both extensive and impressive (http://www.elitemodel.com/). Mollie also has a portfolio that extends outside of the United States, and she is signed with various agencies across the globe; Storm Models in London, England (http://www.stormmodels.com/.stormmodels.com/), Why Not Models in Milan, Italy (http://www.whynotmodels.com/hynotmodels.com/), Elite Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain (http://www.elitemodel.es/), Success Models in Paris, France (http://www.successmodels.com/), and Ace Models in Athens, Greece (http://www.acemodels.gr/). - http://www.myspace.com/molliesue (The pic on the left is from Mollie Sue's page)

8th place- Alejandra "Leslie" Mancia is still living in Arizona. She has modeled for Black Halo Clothing Co. and KLS (Kimora Lee Simons). She is signed with Major Model Management in New York City (http://www.majormodelmanagement.com/ , portfolio is under "Women Management") and Elite Model Management in Los Angeles (http://www.elitemodel.com/). "Miss Leslie" is also signed with "The Agency Arizona Models" in her home state of Arizona (http://www.theagencyaz.com/). - http://www.myspace.com/misslesliemancia (Leslie is pictured on the right with a photo from her page)

6th place- Nnenna Agba, the model with the cloud of anonymity is listed as 23 years old on her myspace page; although most say her age is unknown. She has been featured in ads for Lulu & Red for British Vogue, Jill Sanders. She has been on the covers of Time Out London magazine and Confidence magazine. Most recently Nnenna completed a fashion spread for Spring magazine in Paris (issue: July 2008). - http://www.myspace.com/nnenna
(Pictured on the left is Nnenna with a photo from her page)

5th place- Furonda Brasfield is the one lady in this group that I wish I could have found out more about, but I was unsuccessful. Furonda still looks great, but there were not many pictures available online. - http://www.myspace.com/furonda

3rd place- Jade Cole has a lot of beautiful pictures on her myspace page - http://www.myspace.com/jadeygirll . I discovered through some research that she is indeed signed with Diva models in Singapore (http://www.divamodels.com/). Jade's page said she was signed with some other agencies as well, but I found no proof of that since she did not have portfolio's on their websites.
(Jade is pictured on the right with a photo from her Diva Models Portfolio)

2nd place- Joanie Dodds is still one of the strongest contestants in the history of America's Next Top Model. I could not find information on which modeling agencies she is signed with, but you can check out Joanie's page - http://www.myspace.com/joanietopmodel

Winner- Danielle "Dani" Evans, our Cycle 6 winner has enjoyed amazing success! She is one of only two Top Model winners to have her Cover Girl contract renewed, the other being Cycle 8 winner Jaslene "cha cha diva" Gonzalez. Dani is signed with Click models in New York City (http://www.clickmodel.com/). She has done ads for Akademiks, Cover Girl (cosmetics and eyewear), Metro Style, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sephora. Her runway show experience includes Baby Phat and Zang Toi in Fall/Winter 2007, Angel/ Devil and Jenni Kayne in Spring/Summer 2008, and Zang Toi for Fall/Winter 2008. Her myspace page is private, but you can request her as a friend. She recently had "friends" on her myspace page who were stealing her pics and making fake Danielle Evans' pages, so Dani kicked them off. So anyway trying to take advantage of this intelligent lady, be warned! - http://www.myspace.com/missdevans

The Power of a Dream: Beijing 2008 (Schedule 1)

When I was a little girl, I used to sit in front of the television every two years and watch the Olympic Games. I had a marble composition book where I would record the events, who participated, scores/ times, and of course who won the gold. My favorite team was, of course, U.S.A., and to this day I still record events and feel more patriotic when the Games roll around. My dream was to grow up and become an Olympic reporter and speak with all the athletes following their events and attend all the competitions I wanted to with my press pass.

The Opening Ceremonies will take place on August 8, 2008 (8.8.08) and introduces all the athletes, the Olympic flame is ignited which officially opens the games. (7:30 p.m. eastern time on NBC).

(n.b. All times following are eastern time)

Day 1 of Competition: Saturday August 9, 08

What to Watch:
10 a.m. - 12 noon The U.S. women's volleyball team sets out to win their first medal since 1992; the gals face Japan in preliminary play.

1:30- 2:30 p.m. Beach volleyball begin with out two best hopes for gold being the team of Phil Dahlausser and Todd Rogers for the men and the team of Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh for the women.

3:30- 4:30 p.m. and 5:30- 6 p.m. qualifying heats in swimming including the men's 400m IM

8- 12 midnight qualifying rounds in men's gymnastics and beach volleyball, swimming finals in the men's and women's 400m IM (Americans Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff hold world records in this event), men's 400m free, and women's 4x100m free relay

Day 2 of Competition: Sunday August 10, 08

What to Watch:
10- 12 noon the new "Dream Team" begins a journey that they hope will end in gold; they play Yao Ming and China today in a preliminary round.

3:30- 6 p.m. preliminary heats in swimming, women's 100m back and 400m free and men's 200m free, 100m back, and 4x100m free relay

7- 12 midnight Expect to see Michael Phelps, Brendan Hansen, and Katie Hoff in the water cube tonight. The women gymnasts begin team qualifying rounds tonight. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin lead the way for the U.S.A.

More Sex in the City.............

Season 6 Episode 80: Hop, Skip, and a Week- Carrie, “I couldn’t help but wonder, do we need distance to get close?” Plot: Carrie gets called for jury duty, but that is only the beginning of her problems, her relationship with Berger is becoming more and more of a bother. Miranda discovers that being a mom and having a full time job is more difficult than she thought. Charlotte has a series of bad dates that makes her miss Harry even more than ever. Then she sees him at a Jewish mixer, and not only do they make up but Harry proposes. Samantha’s PR skills are so sharp that Smith is cast in the new Gus Van Sant movie. Carrie and Berger break up.

Quotes:

Samantha : You know what I think? I think, don't do that.
Carrie : What?
[Samantha does an impression of Carrie's pout]
Carrie : Well, I'm sorry, I'm upset.
Samantha : Well, don't be! You'll be even more upset when your face is all lined


My 2 Cents:
I could not have been more happy than when Carrie and Berger broke up, Harry proposed to Charlotte, and Samantha and Smith solidified the beginning of a great relationship.

American Idol Update

Taylor Hicks is playing the role of "Teen Angel" in Grease on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, his myspace page provides links for those who want to purchase tickets (nb. he will not appear on August 1st and 2nd).
He will release his sophomore album this fall. .......
Hicks' Season Five alum, Paris Bennett is expecting a baby girl in October. The almost 20 year old's mom Jameica says, "I'm proud of how she did it. I was 16 when I got pregnant". Her mom would not comment on the identity of the baby's father saying he does not want to be in the public eye, but he has given Paris a ring.

More Sex in the City.............

Season 4 Episode 60: Just Say Yes-- Carrie, “I couldn’t help but wonder, in matters of love, how do you know when it’s right?” The Plot: Aidan offers to buy Carrie’s apartment and move in with her, but when she finds an engagement ring hidden amongst his things she begins to think him moving in may signal more. Then she waits for him to pop the question, and wonders, is she ready for marriage? She bumps into Mr. Big who tells her Aidan isn’t the one for her because hs isn’t the marrying kind. Samantha meets Richard Wright, her new client, and when he tells her he enjoys sleeping around and isn’t interested in marriage their next meeting finds them entering the mile high club in his private jet. Charlotte contemplates adopting a Chinese baby with Trey, but Bunny is adverse to the idea. Steve proposes to Miranda after she tells him that she’s having his baby; Miranda tells Steve he is crazy and that they don’t want to marry each other. Aidan proposes to Carrie (with a ring Samantha picked out; Miranda’s was rejected) while they are out taking Pete for a walk; Carrie says yes.

Quotes:

Miranda: You’re gonna see me with this baby and think you’re in love with me.
Steve: I don’t know, I’ve seen you with my dog and mostly you just seem uncomfortable.

Aidan: I love you Carrie. There’s no one I could love more. I want to live my life with you.
Carrie: (voiceover) Maybe there are no right moments, right guys, right answers. Maybe you just have to say what’s in your heart.
Carrie: Yes.

My 2 Cents: While this episode seems like the beginning for Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte; it is actually more like a turning point. Carrie never marries Aidan, Miranda does marry Steve, Samantha cannot take Richard’s cheating way, and Charlotte divorces Trey and marries Harry and adopts a baby from China.

Season 5 Episode 67 Anchors Away-- Carrie, “I couldn’t help but wonder, when it comes to being carefree single girls, have we missed the boat?” Plot: Charlotte tells the girls she read an article that said women have two great loves in their lives. Carrie says she hasn’t had any, and Charlotte says, yes you have, Aidan and Big. It is then that Carrie realizes will she ever truly love again, or has she used up her two great loves? Miranda is adjusting to her new life with baby Brady while the girls are preparing to party for Fleet Week. Newly single Charlotte is hoping to find her next great love, and flirts with a navy officer at a party. Samantha gets a message from Richard saying that he wants her back; however, Samantha is still angry about Richard’s cheating ways and proves it by not only throwing a martini in his face but by putting posters up all over New York City declaring exactly what Richard is “liar and cheater”. Carrie goes home alone from the party and realizes that she must let go of her past loves before she can find a new one and until that time comes, New York will be her true love.

Quotes:

Carrie: Maybe the past is like an anchor holding us back. Maybe you have to let go of who you were to become who you will be.

Samantha: (walking on the street together) Ladies, seamen, 12 O'clock!!
Miranda: I pray when I turn around, there are sailors. Because with her, you never know.

Samantha: Dirty martini? Dirty bastard!

My 2 Cents: This was the first episode of Sex and the City that aired after the 9/11 attacks, and it was a touching tribute as Carrie expressed her love for New York City. I love Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy, Dr. Bailey) playing a police officer in this episode as Samantha puts up flyers all over town about Richard. Looking back, Carrie wonders if she has used up all the great loves of her lives, little does she know she has, and that she will ultimately end up with a certain John James Preston (Mr. Big).

America's Next Top Model Cycle 5--- Where Are They Now?

Many of the ladies from America's Next Top Model: Cycle 5 have not only made the news but many of them are still successful, even three years later. I found a lot of information on the majority of the contestants, so without further explanations....

11th place-- Cassandra Whitehead from Houston, Texas was the first contestant in the history of America's Next Top Model to quit the show. Cassandra now goes by the name Cassandra Jean, and lives in Los Angeles, California. She has appeared on the TV shows CSI: Miami, CSI, Las Vegas, and Hannah Montana. http://www.myspace.com/texastrideltgirl

The photo on the right is from Cassandra's portfolio, her hair is a lot different from when she was on Top Model!

9th place-- Diane Hernandez from Orlando, Florida is now living in Brooklyn, New York. She is still modeling and has appeared in Latina magazine (November 2006 issue). http://www.myspace.com/51314731

8th place-- Coryn Woitel, I am not sure that Coryn is still modeling but you can request her as a friend and find out: http://www.myspace.com/corynwoitel

7th place-- Kyle Kavanagh has her own website and is trying to break into television with a focus on television hosting. She has appeared on numerous TV shows and in magazines; you can see a list on her resume which is available on her website.

http://www.kyle-k.net/ -- Kyle's website

http://www.myspace.com.crazyky19/ -- Kyle's myspace page

The photo on the right of Kyle is from her website.

6th place-- Lisa D'Amato joined Top Model as a wardrobe stylist living in Los Angeles. She still lives there but is pursuing a career in music. She has modeled for Shoshona Lonstein, Old Navy, Ford Fusion, Elle Girl magazine, and Lipservice just to name a few. Perez Hilton's gossip website showed an allegedly drunk Lisa getting crazy at a party in Las Vegas last Thanksgiving 2007 (if you dare: http://perezhilton.com/?p=9250) . You should also take a listen to Lisa's music on her myspace page.... http://www.myspace.com/lisadamato

5th place-- Kim Stolz is not only enjoying success as a model but also as a correspondent for MTV News. Kim also hosts and serves as a vj (video jockey) for The Freshman, a series on mtvU. This is her blog for the show: http://vjkimblog.mtvu.com/ . Kim has modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch, REUHL No.925, American Eagle, Teen Vogue magazine, and that is only a small part of a list. http://www.myspace.com/23031170

4th place-- Jayla Rubinelli is still modeling locally in her home state of Arizona. http://www.myspace.com/hate_me_too

3rd place-- Bre Scullark was called one of the best walkers ever on America's Next Top Model by runway diva coach extrordinaire, J. Alexander, so it is no surprise that Bre has runway credits that include Valentino and Nicole Miller. She has done commercials for Target, Old Navy, and Pantene, and is currently in the June/July 2008 issue of CosmoGirl magazine.

2nd place-- Nik (Erika) Pace is still modeling, that is for sure; although, there were so many myspace pages that claimed to be Nik that I could not figure out which one was really hers. I believe it is this one-- http://www.myspace.com/nikpace

This bad (amazing) photo of Nik on the right is from Rolling Stone.

Winner-- Nicole Linkletter is currently signed with NOUS Model Management (http://www.nousmodels.com/). You can view her portfolio on the website.

So You Think You Can Dance: Summer's Sensation

So You Think You Can Dance is entering its fourth week of voting in the search for America's best dancer. It has easily been the sensation of the summer for the past three years and now in its fourth season it remains hotter than ever. Nigel Lythgoe, judge and executive producer, said earlier in the season that there is no clear cut favorite this year; however, I do think there are individuals or couples that stand out in the group of 20 that has quite easily been narrowed down to 14 by America and the judges.

Out of the six that have been eliminated so far, only one was eliminated before her time and that was Susie Garcia, the 25 year old salsa dancer from Miami, Florida who was as hot as the city itself. Unfortunately, Susie and her partner Marquis Cunningham had to do a smooth waltz their first week, and on the second week Susie did not live up to choreographer Alex DaSilva's eccentric salsa routine. Nigel said it was hot, but not hot enough.

I am going to write about who I think should be in the top 4 (well, I have selected 5 dancers because I just could not do otherwise). This is my top 5 in alphabetical order:

Joshua Allen-- this 19 year old hip hop phenom from Fort Worth, TX surprises me every single week, and his partnership with Katee Shean in unreal. he has danced hip-hop, broadway, and samba and not missed a beat. His hip hop routine with Katee to "No Air" (Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown) was effortless, the tricks were crazy good, and when he needed to hit it hard; he hit it.

Stephen "Twitch" Boss-- I guess the second time around is always better, at least this holds true for Twitch. He auditioned last year for So You Think You Can Dance and just missed the top 20, but wow was he worth the wait. Twitch just has a style all his own which has shown up in his three dances so far, broadway, Vienesse waltz, and hip hop. I love his partnership with Kherrington; they make each other better, and Twitch is more gentle on the dance floor at all the right times because of her.

Kherrington Payne-- Kherrington is the youngest competitor this season, but her dancing shows great maturity and poise. The contemporary jazz dancer catches on quick, and her face is just stunning. She has made Twitch a more thoughtful dancer, because she makes herself rely on him; her vulnerability is beautiful. But do not mistake her vulnerability for a lack of strength because she is probably the strongest female dancer in the competition.

Katee Shean-- I must admit I was slightly soured when this 20 year old contemporary dancer living in Orange County, California said that if she didn't make the top 20 she would not audition again. I thought if this is your passion in life, if this is what you really want to do you need to do whatever it takes. Katee has not disappointed since she hit the dance floor; she is so versatile and the chemistry between her and Joshua is amazing. I cannot wait to see what she does next.

William Wingfield-- Will is agruably the most gifted dancer on the show this year or maybe even ever. He is so good that there needs to be a new word for good. Debbie Allen is Will's mentor and you can certainly see her influence in his dancing every week. He makes his partner Jessica King improve with every step and she is now a dark horse in this competition. He has helped her boost her self confidence. His tango was masculine, the hip hop was dirty, and his disco was Travoltaesque, what more could I want?

All pictures are from the official website for the show: http://www.fox.com/dance/