The $100 Million Careers: Where Are The Most Surprising Contestants Of Top Model Cycle 5 Now?

Few seasons of America's Next Top Model (ANTM) have left a legacy as complex and surprising as Cycle 5. Airing in 2005, this cycle was a pivotal moment for the show, introducing new judges like supermodel Twiggy and fashion icon J. Alexander, and featuring a cast of unforgettable personalities who would go on to forge careers far beyond the modeling world. The season, which culminated in a dramatic finale in London, remains one of the most talked-about in the ANTM universe.

As of late 2024, the lives of the Cycle 5 contestants have seen incredible transformations, from winning an ice cream shop to becoming a high-powered finance executive. The true measure of their success isn't just on the runway, but in their shocking and diverse post-show career pivots that have earned them topical authority in entirely new industries.

America's Next Top Model Cycle 5: Full Cast and Biography Profiles

America's Next Top Model Cycle 5 featured 13 contestants, with the grand prize including a modeling contract with Ford Models, a spread in *Elle* magazine, and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics. The season was filmed in London, England, for the international destination.

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• Winner: Nicole Linkletter (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
• Runner-Up: Nik Pace (Atlanta, Georgia)
• 3rd Place: Bre Scullark (Harlem, New York)
• 4th Place: Kim Stolz (New York, New York)
• 5th Place: Lisa D'Amato (Los Angeles, California)
• 6th Place: Diane Hernandez (Orlando, Florida)
• 7th Place: Coryn Woitel (Waite Park, Minnesota)
• 8th Place: Kyle Kavanagh (San Diego, California)
• 9th Place: Jayla Rubinelli (Tucson, Arizona)
• 10th Place: Sarah Rhoades (Fresno, California)
• 11th Place: Cassandra Jean (Houston, Texas) - Quit the competition
• 12th Place: Ebony Taylor (Bronx, New York)
• 13th Place: Ashley Black (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

The Shocking Career Pivots of the Final Four

While many contestants faded from the public eye, the top finalists of ANTM Cycle 5 have built multi-faceted careers, often leaving the modeling industry entirely for lucrative and high-profile fields. Their post-show success stories are a testament to the power of reality TV exposure.

Nicole Linkletter: From CoverGirl to 2024 Indie Horror Star

Nicole Linkletter, the winner of Cycle 5, was often criticized for her reserved personality but impressed the judges with her consistent photo performance. After her win, she fulfilled her contract with Ford Models and CoverGirl, appearing in *Elle* magazine and walking in runway shows.

Today, her career has taken a surprising turn into entrepreneurship and acting, with a 2024 update that has fans buzzing. She is married with two children, and has successfully transitioned into a lifestyle blogger, chef, and model. Most notably, Linkletter is the owner of Pink Pelican Ice Cream, a venture that showcases her entrepreneurial spirit outside of the fashion world. Furthermore, in a shocking pivot back to the entertainment industry, she is credited with acting in the 2024 indie horror film *Killington*. This move highlights a contestant who has successfully leveraged her reality TV fame into a diverse and stable career.

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Kim Stolz: The Top Model Who Became a Wall Street Executive

Kim Stolz, the Cycle 5 contestant known for her androgynous look and being one of the first openly LGBTQ+ participants, has arguably had the most financially successful post-show career. Her journey from the ANTM set to Wall Street is a remarkable story of ambition and transformation.

Stolz initially capitalized on her television exposure by becoming an MTV News correspondent from 2008 to 2012, covering major events like the VMAs and TRL Spring Break. However, her true pivot came in the financial sector. As of late 2024, Kimberly Lynn Stolz is a Managing Director and Private Client Advisor with Bank of America Private Bank in New York City. This high-powered financial role is a massive shift from her reality TV origins, showcasing her intellectual prowess and business acumen. Stolz has also remained active in advocacy, joining the board of The Center in 2024, a major LGBTQ+ community organization.

Bre Scullark: From 'Granola-Gate' to Yoga Instructor and Wellness Advocate

Brittney Lavelle "Bre" Scullark was the fan-favorite from Harlem who finished in third place. She was known for her sassy personality and the infamous "Granola-Gate" controversy, where she confronted Lisa D'Amato about stolen energy bars. Despite the drama, her striking look and strong photos kept her in the running.

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In the years following the competition, Bre continued to model, signing with Ford Models in major markets like New York, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles. She also worked on the red carpet for Essence. However, her most recent and fulfilling career path is in wellness. Bre has become a dedicated yoga instructor, focusing on "bringing yoga to urban communities." Her work is centered around liberation and empowering underserved communities through health and mindfulness, a powerful shift from the high-stress world of fashion modeling.

Lisa D'Amato: The All-Star Winner's Controversial Journey

Lisa D'Amato was the outspoken and unconventional contestant of Cycle 5. While she was eliminated in fifth place, her memorable personality and high-energy antics led her to be invited back for *America's Next Top Model: All-Stars* (Cycle 17), which she ultimately won.

Her post-show life has been marked by a music career, acting, and a highly public personal life. However, D'Amato has also been vocal about her negative experience on the show, claiming it was an "abusive experience." In a more recent life update, D'Amato has moved out of the United States to Portugal for her father's health, and has separated from her husband. Her appearance on Cycle 5 remains a key part of the show's controversial legacy.

The Lasting Legacy and Controversies of ANTM Cycle 5

Cycle 5 is remembered not just for its strong cast, but for its role in the broader conversation about the problematic aspects of reality TV and the modeling industry. The season introduced several key entities that shaped the show's future.

The Judges' Panel and International Destination

The panel saw a major shake-up with the introduction of legendary supermodel Twiggy and the return of J. Alexander as a full-time judge, alongside Tyra Banks and photographer Nigel Barker. This new dynamic brought a different perspective to the judging process. The international destination of London also provided a classic ANTM backdrop, featuring glamorous photoshoots that tested the models' adaptability.

Addressing Problematic Moments and Topical Issues

Looking back, the cycle had several controversial moments that are now discussed in the context of modern social justice and reality TV ethics. The treatment of Kim Stolz, particularly regarding her sexuality, has been cited as an example of the show's problematic approach to LGBTQ+ contestants.

Furthermore, contestant Keenyah Hill (who finished in the Top 6, just after Lisa) was involved in a highly-publicized incident where judges and crew members were accused of "victim-blaming" after she stood up for herself against a male model. These moments contribute to the ongoing discussion and topical authority surrounding the ethics of reality television production, especially on shows like *America's Next Top Model*.

The contestants of Cycle 5, including Jayla Rubinelli, Coryn Woitel, and Diane Hernandez, have all moved on to various personal and professional endeavors, but it is the top four—Nicole Linkletter, Kim Stolz, Bre Scullark, and Lisa D'Amato—whose shocking career shifts into finance, wellness, and film continue to define the cycle's unique and enduring legacy in 2024.