'America's Next Top Model' winner Nicole doesn't fall short

Congratulations to Nicole, "America's Next Top Model" winner, the shorty who made history in the 13th cycle of the reality show as the first under 5'7" Top Model.

[Update: It's been pointed out that cycle 3 winner Eva Pigford was only 5'6 1/2". True. Eva the Diva makes her own rules. This season's emphasis on petite girls, however, guaranteed a winner 5'7" or shorter.]

"I'm a dork and I'm America's Next Top Model!" exclaimed the misfit Nicole upon hearing she had won, beating out adorable Kentucky competitor Laura. "This journey was incredibly hard. I had to learn to embarrass myself and to speak ... I didn't think I would survive."

Let's take a look back at the finale and how Nicole got here.

Laura and Nicole are in lovely Hawaii again, prepping for their CoverGirl commercial and photo shoot. Predictably, Nicole rocks the photos. Unfortunately, despite doing well in the last commercial challenge, this time she's awkward and comes off as low energy/snooty. Laura's pictures seem to lack the depth of emotion noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker wants, but she delivers a decent, upbeat commercial despite her dyslexia.

After doing a "Seventeen" magazine photo shoot with Gilles Bensimon (ex-hubby of New York "Real Housewife" Kelly Bensimon), the girls have a special visitor. Tyra Banks is at the door. The girls jump up and down like a couple of chihuahuas. Tyra's here!


During their talks, we learn just how far they've come. Nicole was so socially awkward, she used to eat her lunch in a bathroom stall so that people wouldn't see she was eating alone. Um, bathroom is worse. Laura has gone the farthest of all her family members, considering her dyslexia and that teachers called her stupid.

For the all-important runway show, eliminated contestants Erin, Sundai, Jennifer and Brittany are walking with them, along with Cycle 12 winner Teyona. Who? Yeah, we forgot her too. Wind tunnel girl, remember?

The show is actually pretty fun, and the Julia Clancey designs are feminine with a bit of flair. In general, Nicole's walk is a little odd, a bit aggressive and leading with the forehead and chest. Laura's is a little on the slow side, but her poses and expressions are great. The best bit is the "wind" part of the four elements in the show. The girls had to power through a wind machine while wearing a heavy translucent veil over the upper half of their body and face, then whip it off at the end to reveal the dress more fully. The water writhing thing just made me laugh.



At judging, a look back makes it clear that Nicole has some uncanny talent to take great photos and make herself look taller (it's that long neck!), but that Laura comes off very model-y in pictures versus in person.

When Nicole is announced the winner, Laura cries of course, but naturally sees the upside of getting this far in the competition. Her family will certainly be proud of her, and we all know she'll get work, no matter what. We'd love her to get some acting gigs on The CW! She could totally outshine Ashlee Simpson's wild-eyed, mincing performances on "Melrose Place."

Nicole joins Tyra -- who's wearing an Amazonian yellow outfit -- in a photo shoot.

Oddly enough, Tyra ends the show with a mini voicevoer monologue that congratulates Nicole for representing "for the shorties everywhere, Love Tyra." What was that? I expected her to say "XOXO" like Gossip Girl. Never let us forget that even though it's Nicole's time to shine, Tyra has the last word!

Your thoughts? Are you happy with the winner?

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Related:

Zap2it's 'Top Model' episode analysis by bonafide short model Isobella Jade