'America's Next Top Model' Cycle 15 Finale

This cycle of "America's Next Top Model" focused entirely on high fashion and editorial shoots. It was fitting to see the finale in one of the major fashion capitals of the world, besides Paris and New York. Milan, Italy was the sight for the top six models on down to the final two. One of the finalists stood out in virtually every editorial photo shoot and was the only one booked on a "go-see" for a Versace fashion show. Yet, it seemed hard to determine who would become the winner of cycle 15 for "America's Next Top Model."

Italian Vogue Photo Shoot

Ann Ward and Chelsey Hersley were on location in the beautiful Italian countryside for an actual photo shoot spread to appear in Vogue Italia. Whoever wins the competition will have their photos appear in an edition of Vogue magazine known for the ultimate in high fashion and edgy photography. Both of the finalists were professional with each doing a superb job on the set with very little direction from the photographer.

CoverGirl Commercial Shoot

Instead of the models memorizing their lines, while flubbing up take after take as in so many past cycles of ANTM, they actually followed the way it's done professionally with real CoverGirl commercial shoots. Ann and Chelsey acted out various scenes on location in a quaint seaside town.

If I didn't know better I would have thought they were real actresses. This was by far the best commercial shoot of CoverGirl I have ever seen in a finale ever on "America's Next Top Model." Afterwards, one went to a make-shift type studio to do her voiceover while the other went for her CoverGirl beauty shoot. It was extremely touching to see the two become surprised beyond belief when their parents were brought over to Italy to give them added support. Chelsey looked amazingly like her mother. Ann's brother is as tall as she is and he's adorable.

One on One with IMG Models

Ivan Bart oversees all of the IMG Models and met one on one with Ann Ward and Chelsey Hersley. He liked Chelsea as she has more personality while he enjoyed Ann's photos Ivan said she needs to work on her personality. That has been the one drawback for Ann throughout the season.

Just Cavalli Collection Runway Show

One thing I absolutely love about the finales of "America's Next Top Model" is the spectacular runway shows set in exotic locales. The incredible sets, dazzling lighting and pulsating music bring it all together. It's like its own production. Some of the models from cycle 15 returned for this fashion show such as Liz, Chris, Kayla and Jane. The past winner of cycle 14 started off the runway show for fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli.

Once again, Ann and Chelsey did a brilliant job on the runway as if they had been doing this for a long time now. Their parents were in the audience cheering them on. During the cutaways when Ann or Chelsey were making their commentary throughout the finale episode not once did Ann say anything arrogant, conceited or insensitive about her fellow competitors or of herself. This was pretty much Ann's attitude throughout the entire season.

However, Chelsey was non-stop on how she was going to win "America's Next Top Model", how Ann needs to work on her personality, that she has the most knowledge and experience regarding modeling, and on and on it went. I was actually turned off by Chelsey bragging so much. She is a good model, but not a great one like Ann.

Judges Panel and The Winner is.......

Here we got a break down on their runway presentations, individual photo shoots, seeing the CoverGirl commercial in its entirety and the CoverGirl beauty photo. Chelsey made a noticeable error the first time at the end of the catwalk while being hesitant when turning around to go back. Other than that, Ann and Chelsey did a great job. After looking at all of their work in this finale episode you still wondered who would win.

Now it was time for the winner to be announced and they showed the winner's photo on the TV monitor in the judge's room of Ann Ward. I have been a fan of Ann's since the very first episode. She has all of the right stuff to make it in high fashion. Commercial modeling is not her cup of tea, but she gave it her all there. What is amazing about Ann is if you saw her on the street you'd never believe she is a model, but get her behind the camera on an editorial shoot and you have magic. This has been one of the more interesting cycles of "America's Next Top Model." Congratulations Ann.

SOURCES:

America's Next Top Model (ANTM), The CW

America's Next Top Model, Cycle 15, Wikipedia

Cavalli, Roberto Cavalli