Was America's Next Top Model Fixed?

Since her ANTM win Wednesday night, rumors have started swirling about Saleisha Stowers' modeling past and her relationship with host Tyra Banks. And from what I've read and heard? There's definitely some suspect and/or fishy stuff going on, people. (cue ominous music)

While it was previously acknowledged that Tyra knew Saleisha from her T-Zone girls camp, which Stowers attended when she was 14, what's now coming to light is that their relationship extended far beyond that. E! News reports:

...sharp-eyed fans soon dug up footage showing Saleisha walking the catwalk in an ANTM cycle-six fashion show, as well as appearing on the runway in an episode of The Tyra Banks Show.

Viewers also found that Saleisha had appeared in a nationwide Wendy's commercial that aired in 2006, seemingly in violation of an America's Next Top Model eligibility rule that states would-be contestants "must not have previous experience as a model in a national campaign within the last five years (including, but not limited to, appearances on television and print advertisements)."

So umm, clearly some finagling was done to make Saleisha eligible, rules be damned? And perhaps because she had an -- ahem-cough -- VIP 'in' on the show? Veeeeery interesting, to say the least.

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UPDATE: Saleisha has now publicly defended her relationship with Tyra.

Whattay'all make of this whole thing?