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.

source

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

Whattay'all make of this whole thing?

Comments

[birdgal]

So. Rigged. Her photos were never really that mind-blowing (the Wall of China one was good, but the angle was really what made it) and she never really 'stood out' to me. Jenah, in spite of her crazy chompers, always 'stood out' to me (and I was not a Jenah fan--though I think Ty-Ty ruined her chances with that stank weave), as did Heather. I just can't believe that without her prior connection to Tyra that she would have won.

[The Muse]

Okay, my only thing with the Wendy's commercial, is that the eligibility mentions not being a model in a national campaign, including but not limited to TV & print.

I would read that as a model/spokesmodel for a campaign, which (in my eyes) doesn't really reflect the Wendy's commercial.

As someone in the ad world, I would definitely to see her as a "model" for the Wendy's commercial, just as non-verbal, paid talent.

Now, if she had done a commercial for Baby Phat and was shown walking their clothes down the runway, or perfume (i.e., something that is "worn" - something that is "modeled"), I could definitely see where that would cut.

As far as her other Tyra connections, I can't speak for those, but I still say the Wendy's connection is stretching it a bit. (Fine print and loopholes...)

[sweetney]

i'm really torn about all this myself, but for the record am also still bitter about Heather getting cut, so that might be coloring some of this for me, pushing me toward the "It's rigged!" camp.

[Mandy]

if you watch the video of when she was on the Tyra Banks show. the designer on there is Rami from Project Runway!

[Jennelou]

Every time I see a post about this damn show, I hope that someone else will hate it as much as I do and leave snarky comments....

[veronica]

Hadn't thought to much about it being rigged or not...but I am still pissed about Heather!!! I was hoping she would have been the winner as she consistently had the best freakin' photos!