Fall TV Blog

She posed her way to the finale and beat out Samantha to become the winner of America’s Next Top Model. Now, McKey Sullivan, the 19-year-old from Lake Forest, Ill., is ready for “a busy modeling career.” But first, the self-described “health nut” opens up to PEOPLE about why she’s a daddy’s girl, her cage-fighter boyfriend (who’s really a “big dork”) and her intense workout regimen. – Alyssa Shelasky

You’ve known you were the winner for a couple months now.
Yeah, I couldn’t tell anyone! I’d try to put it in the back of my brain, but then I’d get a goofy smile on my face and everyone would be like, “What’s that for?” But I didn’t tell anyone — not my family, not my boyfriend, no one.

You’re incredibly fit. What’s the secret?
I’m a health nut. I don’t like the texture of meat, so I don’t eat it. I do lots of high protein diets — body builder diets — but I don’t do it for bulk, I do [to stay toned]. I play tennis for college; I play water polo and I box. I train with my boyfriend as often as I can. I try to exercise five times a week. I’m always doing cardio, but I really like weight resistance. I could probably be a personal trainer but I can’t take that role over — that’s for my boyfriend because he’s certified. (more…)

Despite a somewhat awkward walk — and being called Lurch-like by Paulina — McKey’s strong, statuesque body won her the title of America’s Next Top Model, sending Sam home in second place and a disappointed Analeigh in third.

All three cycle 11 finalists gave a good fight, starting with a difficult Cover Girl shoot, during which the contestants had to recite tongue-twisting lines in Dutch and English by memory — as well as kiss a hot male model.

Each of the semi-finalists basically bombed, but no one was as disappointing as Analeigh, who usually sparkles in commercial challenges. This time, however, there was nothing easy or breezy about her unbearable brain-freeze. After an entire season of struggling with unremarkable facial features, Analeigh’s effortless, actress-like performances could have been her saving grace. But when she choked in front of the cameras, Tyra Banks and co. lost faith and sent the sugary-sweet Sacramento girl home. (more…)

Cheers to the four remaining Top Model contestants — McKey, Marjorie, Analeigh and Samantha — for working through the challenges on Wednesday’s episode without the bickering, backstabbing and cat fighting that usually comes at this point in the competition. In the end, Analeigh had the best picture because she experimented with different poses during the avant garde photo shoot. McKey was similarly dynamic. Unfocused, Samantha wasted the first 53 frames of the shoot before nailing her final seven shots and described her turn in front of the Dutch windmill as her worst. But it was Marjorie was sent home. After winning the commercial challenge with an awkward yet honest approach to acting, she reigned in her nerves so much that she stood lifeless before the judges. Here’s what led up to her elimination:

Tyra Mail: A model who knows how to sell makes the most sense.

The contestants headed to a studio where Paulina Porizkova gave them a lesson on how to incorporate their senses into selling things like dried herring (by smelling it), toilet paper (by cuddling it) and a cell phone (by listening to it).

Paulina’s take: McKey was “very model-like,” Marjorie’s emotions were “very accessible,” Analeigh was a “natural actress” and Samantha was “good at showing the happy side of the senses.” (more…)

The models of ANTM were swept off their feet on Wednesday’s episode as the girls faced the inevitable “go-see” challenge — part interview, part walk off, part scavenger hunt.

Since Amsterdam is a “water town,” the girls were to be transported by water taxi (complete with super-dreamy Dutch drivers). As always, they’re told they have until 5 p.m., ON THE DOT, to make it back from seeing their clients in order to prove to Tyra Banks that they are “Bankable.”

Shaky, fidgety, woe-is-me Marjorie was, naturally, frazzled from the start. Making matters worse, she had no sense of direction. While the girls were booking runways, she was running around in circles. She skipped her first designer because she was so hopelessly lost. This size zero clearly had zero street smarts.

Though she’s not considered a conventionally gorgeous girl, Analeigh’s soft, sweet personality was so enchanting it actually enhanced her beauty. The designers liked her, even though she tried a little too hard.

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The 6 remaining girls on Cycle 11 of America’s Top Model exuberantly arrive in Amsterdam, where they flaunt the most modelesque beauty and professionalism yet. In front of the cameras, that is. Behind the scenes is a different story. The social divide is more pronounced than ever as they experience the racy Red Light District, where anything goes. The girls have strong reactions the new and naughty scene, and split into two catty cliques.

Here’s a rundown:

Elina, Marjorie and Analeigh are progressively more … progressive. Their boho-European idiosyncrasies, demonstrated in group baths and super liberal opinions on just about everything, is getting to be a bit holier than thou. But it’s nice to see such sophisticated thinkers on a — ahem — reality show.

McKey, Samantha and Sheena are less articulate than Elina’a posse, considerably more conservative and potentially a little prudish. Some might call them simple-minded, but it seems they’re just earnest, honest, happy-go-lucky girls. Sheena can clearly keep up with Elina’a soliloquies, but it seems that with her nice, non-confrontational nature, it’s not even worth it. (more…)

On Wednesday night’s ANTM, the remaining seven contestants shot their first Cover Girl commercials and got wind of a very special surprise: Amsterdam is in their future.

During their drive back home from their last photo shoot, Elina and Marjorie were once again feeling misunderstood because of their European upbringing, but this time Sam and Sheena weren’t having it. They ripped into Elina and Marjorie, questioning whether they even like being in America and uh, oh yeah, “Didn’t you guys move here when you were eight,” asked Sam about their so-called European upbringing.

The next day during the challenge the girls were taught how to model accessories. Marjorie managed to pull a Tara Reid when the sexy skintight dress she was modeling fell off from the top without her even noticing. Joslyn’s attempt at modeling a belt resembled a “kind of strip show” as she tried putting it over her head. Elina, who was panicking because she couldn’t breathe in the spandex and almost had a breakdown actually ended up winning the challenge. Her prize: a holiday fashion story in Seventeen magazine, which she got to share with two other contestants of her liking.
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You thought the debates were scandalous? Wednesday night’s ANTM rewind made presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama look like kitty cats. (Imagine if Tyra moderated!) With an hour of favorite moments and never-before-seen clips, we looked back at the beauties, bodies, brains, back-stabbers, bathtubs — and blossoming love? — of cycle 11.

10 of the Top moments:

• The season took off at the Top Model Institute of Technology, where the fresh faces tried to mimic Tyra’s expressions. Uh oh. There’s go-go girl Sheena, as she “ODs” on her posing, Hannah’s moose-chase reenactment, and Marjorie’s awkward eccentricities. Oh, and everyone learned about Isis, the sweet, self-sufficient transgendered contestant who is unapologetic about her uniqueness.

• The models get their mansion on! As they enter their new dream digs, a bedless Sam has to “build her nest” on the floor. This was the first sign of her happy-go-lucky lifestyle. Who couldn’t love her? (more…)

Beauty took a backseat to charisma on Wednesday night’s ANTM as the eight remaining contestants had “signature pose” lessons with Tyra Banks — and later practiced their new moves at an awards show-themed shoot.

While the judges found Marjorie’s awkward disposition endearing (at last!), Lauren Brie’s blah-factor deemed her to be as vanilla as her skin tone and she was eventually sent home. Sheena’s “hoochie-ness” was slightly less off-putting — especially at judges’ table, where she scaled down her appearance, looking less like “Jenny from the Block” and more Banana Republic babe. Alina blamed her strict Russian upbringing for her inability to express herself, while Josyln cried about not liking her nose.

Applause goes to Analeigh, who, despite overhearing gossip that she “doesn’t look like a model,” rose to the occasion and pulled off both photo shoots, proving that she’s capable and confident. That said, it was an episode for the outcasts to shine.

After being coached and critiqued by Tyra on the importance of finding your “one thing” — like Gisele’s backside or Tyra’s glare — the girls took turns finding the best versions of themselves in front of the camera. (more…)

On Wednesday’s ANTM, the contestants did there best in disastrous photo shoots, Marjorie’s negativity almost got the best of her, Joslyn hit rock bottom and Clark, who was last week’s top model, faded to black.

Apparently, France is to blame for Marjorie’s constant negativity. “It’s just second nature because my parents grew up in France and they focused on the negative,” she said before this weeks challenge, which tested how “clothes” minded the girls could be. With a tool belt filled empty water bottles and binder clips, they each had to make an unflattering outfit look catalog-ready for judge Paulina Porizkova.

Although Samantha “botched” her outfit, Marjorie looked like she was going to throw up. She explained to Paulina how she’s in a rejection zone and not really feeling comfortable. Paulina could relate, but Samantha wasn’t buying it. “I think Marjorie is kind of a baby,” she said. “Welcome to America. This isn’t France anymore.”

The next day, as the girls walked onto the set of their photo shoot, they got spooked when they saw Jay Manuel in what Samantha described as an “Alien vs. Predator costume.” The subject of this week’s photo shoot: natural disasters in ’60s mod outfits, of course! (more…)

On last night’s America’s Next Top Model, it was buh-bye for two models rather than one. And Miss J’s runway lesson in a bowling alley didn’t exactly work wonders for all the girls. A sample of Jay‘s walking witticisms: Isis “walks a little bit like she’s on ice. How convenient. Is-is.” And “we could actually bowl between your legs,“ he said of “bow-legged” Sam. But ultimately Hannah got offed for her clunky, bizarre strut during a runway show for Jeremy Scott (watch the clip). Tyra didn’t even bother to show up to deliver the news. Instead, Hannah had to hear it from the Jays alongside Seventeen editor-in-chief Ann Shoket.

That meant she also did without Paulina’s nasty comments at the judging table (a sample from this week’s bashing: “This is the headless horseman drowning in a pool of his own blood!” she said of Marjorie’s photo.). Nor did she receive an annoying lecture from know-it-all Tyra, summarizing all her flaws. Wait, actually, perhaps this was a lucky break for Hannah, who reminded us all, yet again, that she’s just a small-town girl from Alaska. As if there was any doubt. Earlier in the episode she actually uttered this folksy bit to a down-on-her-luck Analeigh: “I don’t understand pity parties. You pick up your beans and you keep on rolling.” And yep, she even incorporated a finger snap. We imagine Hannah must be finger-snapping her way back to Alaska.
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