America’s Next Top Model: Phil’s Top 20 Top Models

#9 – Tiffany, Cycle 4: Tiffany takes a pretty drastic slide from the last time she appeared on the list. Going from #2 all the way to #9 is steep, but there is no doubt that Tiffany still had all the potential in the world to do well in the competition. Who will ever forget when she didn’t make it into the house during Cycle 3, vowing that she was giving up and just going to settle in her rut? She then returned for Cycle 4, making it into the house and becoming a viewer favorite because of her off-the-wall comments and great photos.

Sure, Tiffany stumbled along the way, even to the point where she gave up in front of the judges and received a verbal beat down from Tyra when she was sent home. However, though it all, Tiffany was Tiffany. What you saw was what you got, and Tiffany never tried to be fake or be someone that she wasn’t. Her photos weren’t the best of the season, but the girl knew how to model. I’m actually bit surprised we haven’t seen much of her since her stint on the show!

#8 – Adrianne, Cycle 1 (Winner): The original America’s Next Top Model, Adrianne was the guinea pig when it came to winning on ANTM. Her prizes sounded great, but didn’t end up working out all that well for her. She’s been pretty much ostracized from the show in every aspect, down to the opening credits, where every winner of the show is shown except for her. That being said, Adrianne worked hard for her win, and was a model through and through.

Adrienne wasn’t the most graceful of the girls during her season, and she had some problems when it came to articulating her speech, but these were things that she knew she had to improve on, and did! The girl fought through it all. When coming down with a stomach flu, and actually having to go to the emergency room, she still left the hospital and headed to panel. Not only was the desire there, but the talent was there as well. Adrianne had an almost flawless portfolio that easily brought her into the finals, and later, to the win. Adrianne truly was an inspiration to girls who would apply in later Cycles, and because of her stint on the show, she was able to go on The Surreal Life, where she met her now fiancé, Christopher Knight! Talk about model networking.

#7 – Joanie, Cycle 6: Joanie sure was put through the ringer during Cycle 6. She didn’t start out as one of the strongest models, but she never appeared as one of the weaker ones either. In fact, Joanie was the only girl from her season to never appear in the bottom two. She made it all the way to the final two before she was eliminated, and that she was never in the bottom two was well deserved.

Like I said, although she started out slow, Joanie was never near the bottom, and over time, really came into her own. The judges loved her innovative posing and her understanding when it came to being in front of the camera. On top of that, Joanie showed that she was willing to do whatever it took to win, when she let Tyra and company send her to an oral surgeon to fix her one tooth that was sticking out a bit too far. When it was time for her photo after her tooth was pulled, you would have never even known Joanie was in so much pain from the look on her face, which was calm and relaxed. This was another time where Joanie or Danielle could have won, and I would have been equally happy.

#6 – CariDee, Cycle 7 (Winner): It’s that popping personality that CariDee possesses that lifted her above Melrose to win Cycle 7, and land at number six on my countdown. Although, I don’t question for a second that CariDee knew how to model. It’s just that with her personality, it helped her that much more. What people loved most about CariDee was that she was a “rags to riches” story. Not that she was poor, and couldn’t afford to model, but that she overcame a disease (psoriasis) that virtually would have shut her out from modeling for the rest of her life.

CariDee was determined, funny, thoughtful, and kind. People were able to relate to her, and that’s what made her head and shoulders above Melrose, in my opinion. There was never a time when CariDee said, “I can’t do it.” She braved getting hypothermia just to get a good picture when the girls were in the pool together for the doubles shoot. When it was down to the final six during Cycle 7, I never doubted that CariDee would walk away with the win. She had everything the judges were looking for – and more! I think CariDee might end up being the most popular winner yet!

#5 – Eva, Cycle 3 (Winner): Eva remains at number 5, exactly where she landed the first time I did this list. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Eva, especially since I rooted so vocally for Yaya to win! However, you can’t take anything away from Eva. The girl is a star, and she knows it. She’s cocky and confident and it works for her. Eva’s not the type to let sleeping dogs lie. She was in your face, and you knew when she was coming.

Eva went into her season as the shortest girl, but when it came to talent and attitude, she was the largest. She never let her size hinder her, and took all the advice that the judges gave her when it came to appearing taller. Never did we see Eva not in high heels or wearing something that showed her legs, giving the illusion that she was a few inches taller. She learned the tricks of the trade quickly, took great photos, and won the judges over with her “Give ‘em hell!” attitude. I might not be happy that she won, but in the end, the girl deserved it!