UPN UNVEILS THE 14 FINALISTS WHO WILL VIE TO BECOME "AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL"

The competition gets super-sized for the third cycle of UPN�s hit dramality AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL as the 14 finalists struggle to make their dreams of becoming a top model a reality. The wannabes, who will face tougher challenges in all new episodes, were announced today in anticipation of the third cycle premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN.

AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL participants are:

Name: Amanda
Occupation: Mother
Age: 25
Hometown: Hendersonville, N.C.

Name: Ann
Occupation: Student
Age: 21
Hometown: Erie, Pa.

Name: Cassie
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Norman, Okla.

Name: Eva
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Los Angeles

Name: Jennipher
Occupation: Bartender
Age: 22
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho

Name: Julie
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Kent, Wash.

Name: Kelle
Occupation: Online Art Gallery Owner
Age: 20
Hometown: New York

Name: Kristi
Occupation: Student
Age: 20
Hometown: St. Louis

Name: Leah
Occupation: Sales Associate
Age: 24
Hometown: Oklahoma City

Name: Magdalena
Occupation: Student
Age: 24
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.

Name: Nicole
Occupation: Former punk rocker
Age: 21
Hometown: Minot, ND

Name: Norelle
Occupation: Sales Associate
Age: 19
Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif.

Name: Toccara
Occupation: Student
Age: 22
Hometown: Dayton, OH

Name: Yaya
Occupation: Student
Age: 21
Hometown: Harlem, N.Y.

AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL, featuring Tyra Banks, gives real people an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high stakes world of supermodeling. The series follows a group of young women with various backgrounds, shapes and sizes, who live together in a New York apartment and vie for a modeling contract.

The dramality series exposes the transformation of everyday young women into potentially fierce supermodels, as they face weekly tests that determine who can make the cut. Participants are asked to demonstrate both inner and outer beauty as they learn to master complicated cat walks, intense physical fitness, fashion photo shoots and perfect publicity skills, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL cameras that chronicle every move.

Banks leads the panel of AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL judges, including the world�s first supermodel Janice Dickinson, photographer Nigel Barker and stylist Nol� Marin, who will conduct regular evaluations to narrow the field from week-to-week. In addition, special guest judges appear to critique within his or her area of expertise.

The executive producers are Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Tyra Banks. The dramality was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Mok and Kenya Barris. AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.