The Petite Powerhouse: 5 Shocking Facts About Nicole Fox, The Winner Of ANTM Cycle 13, And Where She Is Now

The winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 13, Nicole Fox, broke the mold of the competition’s history, proving that high fashion modeling wasn't exclusively for the super-tall. Her victory in the show's first and only "petite season" remains one of the most memorable and controversial finales in the series' run, sparking a massive conversation about industry standards that still resonates today. With the show long over, fans are constantly searching for updates on the enigmatic redhead who captured the judges' attention with her unique look and artistic flair.

As of late 2025, Nicole Fox, now known as Nicole Arianna Abuhamada, has quietly transitioned from the world of modeling to a focused career in acting and, most importantly, a private family life. She is a prime example of a reality TV winner who successfully leveraged her platform into a sustainable, if less public, career, moving from the Tyra Banks spotlight to her own path as a wife and mother in Maryland. This is a deep dive into the biography, career, and current life of the shortest winner in ANTM history.

Nicole Fox: A Complete Biography and Profile

Nicole Fox, who triumphed over runner-up Laura Kirkpatrick in the Cycle 13 finale, was an unlikely but dominant winner. Her quiet intensity and ability to produce consistently stunning photographs set her apart from the beginning of the competition.

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• Full Name: Nicole Arianna Abuhamada (née Fox)
• Date of Birth: March 6, 1991
• Age (as of 2025): 34
• Hometown: Louisville, Colorado
• Education: University of Colorado at Boulder (prior to ANTM)
• ANTM Cycle: Cycle 13 (The Petite Season)
• Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
• ANTM Prize: Contract with Wilhelmina Models, a spread in Seventeen magazine, and a $100,000 CoverGirl contract.
• Current Status: Actress, Artist, Wife, and Mother
• Spouse: Jacob Abuhamada
• Notable Acting Roles: The Bold and the Beautiful, Circus Kane, Girlhouse.

The Groundbreaking "Petite Season" and Her Dominant Win

Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model was a significant deviation from the show's traditional format, focusing exclusively on models who were 5'7" and under, hence its nickname, the "petite season." This decision by Tyra Banks was a direct challenge to the industry's strict height requirements, which typically demand models be 5'9" or taller.

Nicole Fox, at 5'7", was on the taller end of the "petite" spectrum, but her look was anything but standard. Her striking red hair, pale skin, and artistic demeanor made her a favorite of judges Nigel Barker and J. Alexander. Throughout the competition, Nicole secured an unprecedented four first-call-outs, a testament to her consistent performance in challenging photoshoots, including the memorable Hawaiian hula shoot and the high-fashion mermaids concept.

Her final face-off against the charming, Kentucky-native Laura Kirkpatrick was a clash of styles: Nicole's high-fashion, editorial edge versus Laura's commercial, all-American appeal. Nicole’s win at just 18 years old made her the youngest winner in the show's history at the time, solidifying her status as a true powerhouse of the cycle.

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From High-Fashion Model to Hollywood Actor

Unlike many ANTM winners who struggled to capitalize on their prize, Nicole Fox immediately immersed herself in the fashion world, but her career quickly broadened into acting. Her post-show trajectory is a fascinating look at how a reality star can pivot successfully into different creative fields.

Early Modeling Success and Major Campaigns

Following her victory, Nicole fulfilled the obligations of her prize package. She signed with Wilhelmina Models, the agency that represented her after the show, and appeared in the CoverGirl print ad campaign. She also landed her spread in Seventeen magazine. Beyond the prize, she quickly secured major bookings, proving her editorial worth in the industry.

Key modeling work included:

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• A major brand campaign with Heritage 1981 in early 2010.
• Modeling for the Wildfox Couture Fall 2010 look book.
• Appearances in Beau Monde magazine.

While she was initially represented by agencies like Wilhelmina and Elite Model Management, her focus began to shift towards film and television within a few years of her ANTM win.

A Surprising Transition to the Screen

Nicole’s transition to acting was a calculated career move that has defined her professional life in the years since ANTM. She began by taking on guest and recurring roles in television, providing her with valuable on-set experience.

• Television Debut: She had a recurring role as a Forrester Model on the long-running soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful from 2011 to 2013.
• Film Roles: Nicole has appeared in several independent films and B-movies, often in the horror or sci-fi genres. These include the TV film Almighty Thor (2011), the horror film Girlhouse (2014), The Last Survivors (2014), Redlands (2017), and Circus Kane (2017).

Her dedication to acting suggests a long-term commitment to the craft, moving away from the ephemeral nature of reality television fame and high-fashion modeling.

Where Is Nicole Fox Now? Life as Nicole Arianna Abuhamada

For fans wondering "where is Nicole Fox now," the answer is a life that is significantly more private and grounded than her reality TV days. The artistic, quiet model from Colorado has settled into a family-focused life away from the Los Angeles spotlight, a choice that many of her Cycle 13 counterparts, such as Jennifer An, Rae Weisz, and Erin Wagner, have also made in pursuing their own careers.

Family Life in Maryland

Nicole is currently married to Jacob Abuhamada, and the couple resides in Maryland. She has adopted her married name, Nicole Arianna Abuhamada, which is the name she now uses professionally and personally. Together, they have one child.

This commitment to a private family life is a stark contrast to the constant visibility required of a reality TV star. While she occasionally shares updates, her focus appears to be on raising her family and pursuing her creative passions on her own terms, rather than chasing celebrity status. This choice reflects a maturity and focus that was evident even during her time on the show.

The Legacy of the "Petite Season" Contestants

Nicole’s legacy is tied to the success of the entire "petite season." The cycle was filled with memorable personalities and strong models, many of whom continued to work in the industry or related fields.

• Laura Kirkpatrick: The fan-favorite runner-up continues to work as a model and influencer, often celebrated for her down-to-earth personality.
• Sundai Love: Known for being the shortest contestant ever on ANTM (4'11"), Sundai remains an inspiration for petite models.
• Lulu Braithwaite and Brittany Markert: Other strong contestants from the cycle who continued to model or pursue creative ventures.

The success of the Cycle 13 cast, which also included models like Kara Vincent, Ashley Howard, Lisa Ramos, Bianca Richardson, Courtney Davies, and Rachel Echelberger, proved that there was a viable market for shorter, high-fashion models, a point Tyra Banks sought to make with the experimental season. Nicole Fox’s career, though shifting from runway to reel, remains the ultimate proof of this concept.

In conclusion, Nicole Fox's journey from a shy, artistic college student to the winner of ANTM Cycle 13 and a working actress showcases a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive. She remains one of the most successful winners in the show's history, not just for the photos she took, but for the quiet, meaningful life she built after the cameras stopped rolling.