Did You Know That These Celebrities Got Their Start on 'ANTM'?

Allison Cacich - Author
By

PUBLISHED Nov. 20 2020, 7:20 p.m. ET

UPDATED Nov. 20 2020, 7:20 p.m. ET

most successful antm
Source: The CW

Hulu recently added the first 22 seasons of America's Next Top Model to its streaming platform, and the reality competition is proving to be just as addictive as it was when we first watched it in the mid-aughts.

Though a majority of the contestants that walked the runway between 2003 and 2018 didn't achieve the level of fame they were after, a few lucky souls successfully broke into the fashion and entertainment industries following their stints on the Tyra Banks-created series.

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The most successful 'ANTM' contestants include a Real Housewife and a Victoria's Secret model.

In an ironic twist, most of the ANTM alums on this list gained widespread recognition from acting roles rather than modeling work. But no matter what road they took to get here, we offer our heartfelt congratulations — because making your mark in Hollywood (or on a Fashion Week catwalk) is no easy feat.

Eva Marcille — Winner (Cycle 3)

eva marcille antm
Source: Getty Images

After securing contracts with Ford Models and CoverGirl as the winner of Season 3 in 2004, Eva shot a few print ads and walked a handful of runways before transitioning to an acting career in 2005. She guest-starred on episodes of Smallville, Everybody Hates Chris, and Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and played Tyra Hamilton on The Young and the Restless for two years.

In 2017, she joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta as a "friend" and was promoted to full-time cast member the following year. Eva announced in June that she wouldn't be returning to the show for Season 13, which premieres in December. The 36-year-old has three kids, two of whom are with her husband, Michael Sterling.

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Yaya DaCosta — Runner-up (Cycle 3)

yaya dacosta antm
Source: Getty Images

Since losing to Eva in 2004, Yaya has been all over your TV, appearing in episodes of Ugly Betty, Law & Order: SVU, House, and All My Children, just to name a few. She also starred as Whitney Houston in Lifetime's 2015 biopic about the late singer, and has been a main cast member on NBC's Chicago Med since 2015.

The 37-year-old has one son with ex-boyfriend Joshua Bee Alafia.

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Cassandra Jean — Quit in Episode 4 (Cycle 5)

cassandra jean antm
Source: Getty Images

Cassandra's makeover on ANTM in 2005 is still considered one of the series' most memorable. After getting her hair cut short and dyed blonde, the former beauty queen left the show when Tyra threatened to chop off even more. Thankfully, the experience didn't scar her (at least permanently), and she's since had acting roles on One Tree Hill, Mad Men, Hart of Dixie, and Supergirl.

In 2012, the 35-year-old married Arrow star Stephen Amell and the duo welcomed a daughter the following year.

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Analeigh Tipton — 3rd Place (Cycle 11)

analeigh tipton antm
Source: Getty Images

After her season aired in 2008, Analeigh caught the acting bug following a guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory. Her breakout role came in 2011 when she played a babysitter opposite Steve Carell in Crazy, Stupid, Love. She went on to star in such films as Warm Bodies and Two Night Stand.

The 32-year-old most recently appeared in two episodes of the CBS All Access dark comedy Why Women Kill

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Winnie Harlow — 6th Place (Cycle 21)

Winnie Harlow
Source: Getty Images

Winnie made headlines before her season even aired in 2014 due to her rare skin condition, vitiligo, which she had been harassed and bullied over her entire life. Despite her elimination before the finals, the Canadian beauty is one of the few ANTM alums to become a well-known name in modeling, having done campaigns for Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and other big designers. She also walked the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2018.

The 26-year-old is currently dating Lakers power forward Kyle Kuzma, and was previously linked to Wiz Khalifa and Lewis Hamilton.

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Nyle DiMarco — Winner (Cycle 22)

nyle dimarco antm
Source: Getty Images

Nyle made history as the show's first deaf contestant and went on to win his season in 2015. The following year, he gained even more fans by competing on Dancing With the Stars, which he also won, beating out mixed martial artist Paige VanZant and meteorologist Ginger Zee.

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Following his two victories, the 31-year-old — who identifies as "sexually fluid" — had small parts on the TV shows Difficult People and Station 19.

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