‘America’s Next Top Model’ Crowns Its First Full Figured Winner

First Published: May 15, 2008 5:01 PM EDT Credit: The CW

Caption ‘Top Model’ winner Whitney Thompson with Tyra and the Judges

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- An Atlantic Beach, Fla. resident has been crowned as the winner of “America’s Next Top Model”

The judges, which included Supermodel Tyra Banks, picked Whitney Thompson as the first plus-sized model at the reality show’s tenth cycle finale.

The decision came to a surprise for many, but more to Thompson.

In an early interview, the 20-year-old said she questioned her chances of winning when she saw how different she looked from the other contestants.

But that didn’t stand in her way. Thompson reached to the final three spot before making it as “America’s Top Model.”

Thompson says “I want other women in America to feel good about themselves.

Along with the title, she will be on the cover of Seventeen magazine and receive a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics represented by Elite Model Management.

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