The Shocking Truth About America's Next Top Model Cycle 5: Where Are The Controversial Stars Now?

The fifth cycle of America's Next Top Model (ANTM), which aired in 2005, remains one of the most memorable and, in retrospect, most problematic seasons in the show's history. This cycle, which culminated in a dramatic finale in London, introduced a cast of aspiring supermodels who would go on to have careers far beyond the runway, including a financial executive, an All-Stars winner, and a soap opera actress.

As of late 2025, the legacies of winner Nicole Linkletter and her fellow contestants are still being discussed, especially in light of the show's cultural re-evaluation. From groundbreaking photoshoots to intense behind-the-scenes drama, Cycle 5 was a cultural flashpoint. We dive deep into the cast's biographies, their shocking post-show lives, and the controversial moments that defined their time under the scrutiny of judges Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, and Janice Dickinson.

Nicole Linkletter: Full Biography and Current Status

Nicole Linkletter, the winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 5, was a 19-year-old student from Grand Forks, North Dakota, known for her quiet demeanor and high-fashion look. Her victory over runner-up Nik Pace was a defining moment for the cycle, cementing her place as a classic ANTM winner.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

• Full Name: Nicole Linkletter Nathanson
• Date of Birth: February 27, 1985
• Hometown: Grand Forks, North Dakota
• Education: Attended the University of North Dakota
• ANTM Cycle: Winner, Cycle 5 (2005)
• Prize: A $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, a modeling contract with Ford Models, and a spread in Elle magazine.
• Post-Show Career Highlights: Modeled for Christian Audigier, appeared in fashion spreads for Elle, Women's Wear Daily (WWD), and Vogue Italia.
• Current Status (2025): While she stepped away from the intense spotlight of the fashion world, Linkletter has focused on her personal life and is married. She has maintained a low-key profile, occasionally appearing in retrospective discussions about the show.

The Shocking Post-Show Lives of the Cycle 5 Cast

While Nicole Linkletter secured the CoverGirl contract, several other contestants from Cycle 5 leveraged their reality TV exposure into diverse and often surprising careers. The true measure of a model's success often happens after the final panel, and this cast is proof.

Lisa D'Amato: From Wild Child to All-Star Winner and Controversy

Lisa D'Amato's journey is arguably the most dramatic of the cycle. Known for her wild, unpredictable personality and her infamous "pee in a diaper" moment, D'Amato was the eighth eliminated contestant on Cycle 5. However, her story didn't end there.

She returned to the franchise to win America's Next Top Model: All-Stars (Cycle 17) in 2011, securing a second, far more significant victory. Post-ANTM, Lisa pursued a career in music and appeared on other reality TV shows. In recent years, D'Amato has been in the news for her tumultuous personal life, including a highly publicized and violent brawl with her estranged husband, which made headlines, proving her life remains as dramatic as her reality TV persona.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Kim Stolz: From Runway to Wall Street

Kim Stolz was the Cycle 5 contestant who openly identified as a lesbian, leading to one of the cycle's most problematic moments when Tyra Banks gave her controversial advice about her identity. Despite finishing fourth, Stolz’s career trajectory is perhaps the most impressive and non-traditional.

After the show, Stolz was signed with Elite Model Management and pivoted to a career as an MTV News correspondent, covering major political and cultural events. Most recently, Stolz has established herself as a financial executive, taking on a major role in the finance sector as of 2018. She is married and welcomed a baby in 2021, showcasing a successful transition from reality star to business professional and author.

Nik Pace and Cassandra Jean Amell: Modeling and Acting Success

Runner-up Nik Pace was celebrated for her consistent portfolio, which many fans still argue should have won the competition. After the show, she signed with Fusion Model Management in New York and appeared in high-profile magazines like ElleGirl Magazine and US Weekly, solidifying a successful, if less publicized, modeling career.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

Cassandra Jean Amell, who famously quit the competition after refusing a dramatic haircut, successfully pivoted away from modeling. She is now a well-known television actress, having secured a recurring role on the hit show Arrow and other projects, demonstrating that leaving the show early can still lead to a successful career in entertainment.

The Problematic Legacy: Controversial Photoshoots and Moments

Cycle 5 is frequently cited in retrospectives as a turning point in the show's history, highlighting the problematic and often insensitive nature of early 2000s reality television. The cycle featured two particularly infamous photoshoots that continue to spark debate today.

The Black and White Nude Beauty Shoot

In a move that generated significant buzz and controversy, Cycle 5 featured the first-ever nude photoshoot in ANTM history. The challenge required the models to pose for a black and white beauty shot, using only their hands and arms to strategically cover themselves. This photoshoot, while framed as a high-fashion, artistic endeavor, placed enormous pressure on the young models and is often revisited in discussions about the exploitation inherent in the reality competition format.

The Plastic Surgery Shoot and Victim-Blaming

Perhaps the most disturbing shoot was the Plastic Surgery Shoot, where models were given extreme makeup to look as though they had undergone various cosmetic procedures, such as a nose job or a facelift. This shoot was heavily criticized for promoting unrealistic and unhealthy beauty standards to a young, impressionable audience.

Beyond the photoshoots, the treatment of contestant Keenyah Hill, who was victim-blamed by judges and crew members after standing up for herself against a male model, remains a shocking moment. Furthermore, the panel's insensitive questioning of Kim Stolz about her lesbian identity and Tyra's advice to "tone it down" were moments that highlight the show's failure to handle sensitive personal topics with care and professionalism, contributing to the cycle's problematic legacy.

The Enduring Topical Authority of ANTM Cycle 5

The enduring popularity of America's Next Top Model Cycle 5 is a testament to its dramatic cast and the high-stakes environment created by the judging panel, which included fashion icon Janice Dickinson and runway coach Miss J. Alexander. The cycle’s international destination of London, the high-fashion spreads in Elle, and the lucrative CoverGirl contract all contributed to its topical authority.

The contestants, from the quiet winner Nicole Linkletter to the outspoken Lisa D'Amato, continue to be discussed on social media and in entertainment news, proving that the show's impact extends far beyond the final runway. The stories of Kim Stolz pivoting to MTV and Wall Street, and Cassandra Jean Amell becoming a working actress, demonstrate that the true prize was not just the contract, but the platform to redefine their own success in the years that followed. The cycle remains a potent reminder of both the glamour and the pitfalls of early 2000s reality television.