From Fierce Fashion To Five Kids: Where Is McKey Sullivan, The ANTM Cycle 11 Winner, Now?

As of December 2025, the life of Brittany "McKey" Sullivan, the winner of *America's Next Top Model* Cycle 11, has taken one of the most unexpected and dramatic turns of any contestant in the show's history. The fierce, boxing-inspired model who impressed Tyra Banks and the judges with her consistent portfolio and high-fashion look has completely left the modeling world behind, trading in couture for the chaos of a large family and the adrenaline of the combat sports world. Her current life as a wife and mother is a world away from the glamorous, competitive environment of the Amsterdam-based finale. The winner of the show's eleventh cycle, which aired in 2008, has successfully navigated the post-reality TV landscape by choosing privacy and domesticity. Her journey from the catwalk to full-time motherhood, married to a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, provides a unique and inspiring perspective on life after achieving the coveted *ANTM* title. This deep dive reveals the surprising current activities of one of *Top Model's* most consistent and successful contestants.

McKey Sullivan Biography & Profile

McKey Sullivan, who was born Brittany Sullivan, captivated the *ANTM* judges with her unique look, strong jawline, and background in boxing, which gave her a powerful, athletic presence. She was crowned the winner of Cycle 11 in November 2008.

• Full Name: Brittany "McKey" Ashley Alvey (née Sullivan)
• Date of Birth: September 9, 1988
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 37
• Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois, U.S.
• Alma Mater: Ripon College
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
• ANTM Cycle: 11 (Winner)
• Runner-Up: Samantha Potter
• Post-ANTM Agency: Elite Model Management (New York)
• Key Modeling Work: CoverGirl, *Seventeen* Magazine, *In Touch Weekly*, Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Week.
• Spouse: Sam Alvey (m. 2013)
• Children: Six (Reagan, Ival, Crosby, Ali, Alister, and one more)
• Current Status: Retired from modeling, full-time mother.

From High Fashion to Heavyweight: McKey's Life After the Runway

McKey Sullivan’s professional modeling career, which began with the incredible prize package of a $100,000 CoverGirl contract and representation by Elite Model Management, was relatively short-lived compared to some other *ANTM* winners. She worked steadily for a few years, fulfilling her contractual obligations and walking in various international fashion shows, but the high-pressure world of fashion was not her ultimate destination. The pivot in her life came with her personal relationships. In 2013, she married professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Sam Alvey, known in the combat sports world as "Smilin' Sam." This union created one of the most unexpected celebrity couples: the high-fashion model and the heavy-hitting fighter.

The Life of an MMA Wife

McKey’s transition from model to an MMA wife and matriarch is the most compelling aspect of her current life. Her husband, Sam Alvey, has had a long and storied career, notably competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and most recently becoming the Karate Combat Heavyweight Champion. The demands of an MMA career—constant training, weight cuts, travel, and the intense pressure of fighting—are a stark contrast to the world of *America's Next Top Model*. As of late 2025, Sam Alvey's career remains active, with news of him being set for championship clashes, keeping the family firmly entrenched in the combat sports scene. McKey, who once trained in boxing herself, has found her new role supporting her husband and managing their large family, a far cry from the judging panel of Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, and Paulina Porizkova.

The 'Smilin' Family: Raising Six Children Away from the Spotlight

The most significant update to McKey Sullivan's life is her commitment to her family. McKey and Sam Alvey have grown their family to six children, a number that makes her one of the *ANTM* winners with the largest family. The Alvey children—Reagan Quincy, Ival, Crosby, Ali, Alister, and a younger sibling—represent McKey’s complete dedication to domestic life. She has embraced the role of a full-time mother, a decision that has kept her largely out of the public eye and away from the social media spotlight that has consumed many other reality TV stars. This choice emphasizes her priority shift from personal ambition in modeling to raising a bustling household. The family’s life is centered around supporting Sam’s fighting career and managing the logistics of six children, which is a full-time job in itself. McKey's ability to maintain a private life while her husband remains a public figure in a brutal sport speaks volumes about her desire for normalcy and stability after her intense, but brief, stint in the high-fashion world.

The Legacy of ANTM Cycle 11: A Groundbreaking Season

McKey's win is often remembered as the culmination of one of *ANTM's* most progressive and memorable seasons. Cycle 11, which premiered in 2008, was notable for several reasons that contributed to its lasting legacy and McKey’s authority as a winner.

Key Contestants and Controversies

The season was set in Los Angeles and included a trip to Amsterdam, where the iconic wind-turbine photoshoot took place. McKey consistently delivered strong photographs, including her memorable "hot air balloon" shot and her final runway walk in the Netherlands, which secured her the win over runner-up Samantha Potter. The cycle also featured several other highly memorable contestants and moments:

• Isis King: The first openly transgender contestant on *America’s Next Top Model*, whose presence sparked significant media discussion and was a groundbreaking moment for the show.
• Lio Tipton (formerly Tipton): A finalist (then known as Analeigh Tipton) who went on to have a successful acting career in major films and television shows, arguably achieving the most mainstream fame of any contestant from the cycle.
• Elina Ivanova: Known for her beautiful look but also the drama surrounding her resistance to a dramatic makeover.

McKey’s victory was a validation of her consistent high-fashion appeal and her ability to adapt to challenges, from the dramatic makeover where her long hair was cut short and dyed black, to mastering the nuanced poses required for a CoverGirl commercial.

The End of the Modeling Dream

While McKey's prize included a contract with Elite Model Management, she eventually chose to step away from the industry. Many *ANTM* winners have faced difficulties in translating their reality TV success into a long-term, high-profile modeling career, often citing issues with the prize contracts or the stigma of being a reality TV model. McKey, however, simply chose a different, more stable path. Her retirement was a conscious decision to prioritize her personal life, a choice that has allowed her to build a large, supportive family unit with her husband. Rather than chasing the ephemeral spotlight of fashion, McKey Sullivan found long-term happiness and fulfillment in a world far removed from the runways of New York and Amsterdam, proving that "America's Next Top Model" can lead to a fulfilling life, even if it's not the one viewers expected.