The Winner’s Circle: Adrianne Curry – The First America’s Next Top Model

Nobody expected it to be a hit. UPN, actually trying to jump on board the reality bandwagon and have of hit of their own? No possible way, right? Wrong! America's Next Top Model was the first reality hit for the network! The show featured women from all walks of life who desired to be the next Tyra Banks – the host and one of the judges of the show. It produced some great talent, and gave us the winner of the first season – Adrianne Curry.

I remember when the show first began that Adrianne was one of my top picks to win the whole thing. She said that her mom had made many sacrifices so that she could attend modeling schools and take classes and that she was going to win no matter what. Adrianne had a great story and showed that she had what it took become a supermodel. But what made her more deserving than the rest of the girls? Well, it was a series of events that not only concerned Adrianne herself, but the rest of the girls as well.

Adrianne showed that from week to week, she was able to adapt to whatever kind of photo shoot the girls would be having. Even though she told it like it was, she did her best to stay out of the drama in the house, which was tough since Robin was there for most of the season. Along with her best friend in the house, Elyse, they were expected to be the final two, until Elyse was unexpectedly eliminated, leaving Adrianne to face the very beautiful and naive Shannon in the finals.

During the final episode, many had said that Shannon did a better job on the runway. Others said that Shannon had a more classic beauty over Adrianne and that she was younger, so she had more time to blossom. I disagree with all of that. Adrianne rocked the runway during the final episode, and as far as Shannon having a more "classic beauty" – that may be true, but Adrianne had an edge about her that the judges loved. Yes, Shannon was younger, but only by a couple years, not decades, which is the way most exaggerated it.

Adrianne showed that she had the versatility to be a top model. When the girls had to pose nude, Adrianne had no problem with it. Snakes – she did it. Whatever was put in front of her, she was up for the challenge. She didn't let Robin and Shannon get to her the way Elyse did, when there was a split in the house based on religion (or lack thereof). Adrianne knew how to handle the pressure, and although she showed some signs along the way that the competition was wearing on her, she kept her priorities straight and had her eye on the goal.

For the reasons stated above, Adrianne was the winner of the first season of America's Next Top Model. Tyra still says that they chose the right girl, and Adrianne can be seen in many ads and still does runways as well. She was the perfect winner, and is largely part of the reason this show has become the success that it has.

Phil Kural is a recent graduate from Temple University, with a degree in journalism. You can reach him at pkural@gmail.com with any feedback that you may have.

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