Ashley Eliminated During Two Hour Premiere of America's Next Top Model  9/22/05

Ashley, a boutique buyer from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was the first girl eliminated from the fifth cycle of UPN's hit series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool from 13 girls to 12.

At the conclusion of Robin Leach's Beverly Hills "tour of the stars' homes," the girls were surprised when the glamorous home they stopped at would actually be theirs to live in for the remainder of the competition. As each became acquainted with their swanky new surroundings, both friendships and tensions began to surface when the girls began to learn more about their competition.

Later that afternoon, a stretch limousine escorted the girls to a Los Angeles nightclub. There they met with photo director and make up artist Jay Manuel who informed them that they would be attending a Life & Style Magazine party and starring in their first runway show for all the celebrities and guests at the party. During the show, many of the girls had trouble walking in high heels, while others went the wrong direction on the catwalk. Ashley began to reveal her competitive side when she refused to help her roommate Kim apply her make-up. "I honestly have to say that was the absolute worst fashion show I've ever done," Manuel said of the girls' awkward performance.

The next morning, the girls joined Jay Manuel again, this time for their first photo shoot where they were challenged to pose as supermodel superheroes while suspended on an overhead wire. Jay Manuel was impressed with the overall effort of the girls, however, he felt that Ashley seemed awkward and had trouble lengthening her neck. "Ashley definitely struggled a little bit on this photo shoot. If we're lucky we got one photo out of Ashley," he commented after her shoot.

Although many of the girls showed a need for improvement, Tyra and the judges felt that Ashley's runway walk at the fashion show was boring, her supermodel superhero photo didn't show enough intensity and her effort within the competition was based solely on her beauty. "She just doesn't have that magic ingredient for me," Twiggy noted during deliberation, causing Ashley to become the first girl eliminated from the running to become AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL.

This cycle, Tyra Banks once again leads the panel of judges that will narrow the field of girls each week, as they take them into a high-pressure, high-stakes series of competitions that will determine the series winner. Legendary supermodel Twiggy, renowned photographer Nigel Barker and J. Alexander, an acclaimed runway expert, also serve as judges.

The winner of UPN's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will have the opportunity to be managed by Ford Models. She will also receive a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl. The winner will additionally appear in a fashion spread in Elle magazine and on the cover of Elle Girl Magazine.

The fifth installment of UPN's hit dramality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL follows 13 young women as they attempt to prove they have what it takes to make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of modeling. Banks, who created the show, also serves as executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Anthony Dominici ("The Amazing Race").

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL airs Wednesdays, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. For more information about AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL log on to www.upn.com.

Source: UPN Press Release