5 America's Top Models: Where Are The Most Successful Stars Now (2024 Updates)

The legacy of *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM) continues to fascinate the public, even years after its final cycle. While the show, which ran from 2003 to 2018, faced intense scrutiny for its unconventional challenges and model treatment, its impact on launching global careers for a select few remains undeniable. This deep dive, updated for the current date, December 11, 2025, reveals where the most successful and boundary-breaking contestants from the series are now, the latest news on a potential revival, and how the show’s controversial past continues to shape its narrative. The series, created and hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, spanned 24 cycles and produced a handful of true industry heavyweights who transcended the reality TV label. From high fashion runways and major film roles to Deaf activism and entrepreneurial ventures, the careers of these top models prove that the ANTM platform, despite its flaws, could be a powerful springboard to global fame.

The Most Successful America's Top Models: A Complete Biography and 2024 Status

The true success of *America's Next Top Model* lies not just in its winners, but in the contestants who leveraged the exposure to build lasting careers in film, television, and high fashion. Here is a look at the biographical profile and current projects of the five most successful alumni.

Eva Marcille (Cycle 3 Winner)

• Born: October 30, 1984 (Los Angeles, California)
• ANTM Cycle: Winner, Cycle 3 (2004)
• Post-ANTM Career Highlights: Signed with Ford Models, appeared on magazine covers including *Brides Noir* and *King*, starred on the soap opera *The Young and the Restless*, and was a cast member on *The Real Housewives of Atlanta*.
• Current Status (2024): Eva Marcille Sterling is a multi-hyphenate, working as a model, actress, TV personality, and entrepreneur. She has recently discussed her post-show modeling success, acknowledging that the ANTM win was a significant launchpad. She is also a blogger, chef, and owner of her own ice cream shop, Pink Pelican Ice Cream.

YaYa DaCosta (Cycle 3 Runner-Up)

• Born: November 15, 1982 (New York City, New York)
• ANTM Cycle: Runner-Up, Cycle 3 (2004)
• Post-ANTM Career Highlights: Became a highly successful actress with major roles in films like *The Kids Are All Right* and a starring role as Whitney Houston in the Lifetime biopic *Whitney*. She is widely known for her role as nurse April Sexton on the NBC medical drama *Chicago Med* for six seasons.
• Current Status (2024): DaCosta continues to showcase her dynamic talent across film, television, and stage. She has won the Vivian Robinson-AUDELCO Recognition Award for excellence in black theater.

Winnie Harlow (Cycle 21 Contestant)

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• Born: July 27, 1994 (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)
• ANTM Cycle: Contestant, Cycle 21 (2014)
• Post-ANTM Career Highlights: Despite placing 6th, Harlow became an international sensation, booking campaigns for major brands like Desigual and Swarovski, walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and appearing on the covers of *Elle* and *Vogue*. She is a prominent public spokesperson for the skin condition vitiligo.
• Current Status (2024): Harlow remains one of the most visible models globally. In 2024, she partnered with L'Oréal on a major campaign promoting self-love and confidence, continuing her mission to redefine beauty standards in the fashion industry.

Nyle DiMarco (Cycle 22 Winner)

• Born: May 8, 1989 (Queens, New York City, New York)
• ANTM Cycle: Winner, Cycle 22 (2015)
• Post-ANTM Career Highlights: The first Deaf contestant and winner of the series. He went on to win *Dancing with the Stars* Season 22. He has used his platform to become a powerful Deaf activist, model, and actor, establishing The Nyle DiMarco Foundation.
• Current Status (2024): DiMarco is actively involved in advocacy and production. His latest project is an all-new Apple TV+ documentary, *Deaf President Now!*, which explores the unsung civil rights movement for Deaf rights.

Lio Tipton (Cycle 11 Contestant)

• Born: November 9, 1988 (Duluth, Minnesota)
• ANTM Cycle: Third Place, Cycle 11 (2008)
• Post-ANTM Career Highlights: Transitioned successfully into a major acting career, starring in films such as *Crazy, Stupid, Love* and *Warm Bodies* (credited as Analeigh Tipton).
• Current Status (2024): Lio Tipton, who came out as queer and non-binary in 2021, is actively working to bring non-binary representation to the screen. Their latest project involves dipping into the true crime genre, and they were seen attending the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards Gala in Toronto.

The Lingering Controversy: Tyra Banks and ANTM's Problematic Moments

Despite its groundbreaking success in bringing reality TV and high fashion together, *America's Next Top Model* has faced significant and long-standing criticism. Clips of the show’s most controversial moments have repeatedly resurfaced online in recent years, prompting host and creator Tyra Banks to address the backlash. The main points of contention often revolve around the show's treatment of contestants, particularly concerning body image, race, and sexuality.

Unethical Practices and Public Criticism

Many former contestants have spoken out about the harsh and sometimes emotionally damaging critiques they received, alleging that the show fostered a toxic environment.

• The Weight Debate: The show was frequently criticized for its obsession with contestant weight and body size, often delivering harsh feedback to models who did not conform to the ultra-thin standards of the early 2000s.
• Problematic Makeovers: The infamous makeover segment often resulted in dramatic and sometimes culturally insensitive transformations, including forcing models to dramatically change their natural hair, which led to emotional breakdowns.
• Insensitive Advice: One of the most cited problematic moments is from Cycle 5, where Tyra Banks gave contestant Kim Stolz, who is a lesbian, what was perceived as uninspiring and dismissive advice about living her life "out and proud" in the industry.
• Banks' Response: Tyra Banks has acknowledged that the show "did not always get it right" and has addressed some of the criticism. However, she maintains that the show's overall legacy is a positive one, specifically in its attempt to promote diversity and representation in the fashion world, forcing the industry to recognize that all forms of beauty matter.

The Future of ANTM: Is a Revival on the Horizon?

The question of whether *America's Next Top Model* will return for a 25th cycle is a perennial topic of discussion among fans and industry insiders. The show concluded its final cycle (Cycle 24) in 2018. While no official announcement has been made, the possibility of an *ANTM* revival remains a strong possibility. The latest news suggests that a new iteration of *America's Next Top Model* could be headed to VH1, the network that hosted the final two cycles of the original run. Tyra Banks, the show's creator, has openly expressed her hope for the show's return, hinting that "Tyra Mail" might be resurrected. Given the current cultural climate, any potential revival would likely have to address the show's past criticisms head-on, focusing more on ethical modeling practices, mental health, and genuine diversity to align with modern industry standards. The enduring success of alumni like Winnie Harlow and Nyle DiMarco, who have defined their careers on their own terms, proves that the concept of finding a "top model" is still relevant, but the method of the search would need a significant overhaul to succeed in the 2020s. The show's legacy is now less about the competition itself and more about the powerhouse careers it unintentionally fostered.