KRISTI ELIMINATED FROM UPN'S "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"

Kristi, a student from St. Louis, has been eliminated from the third cycle of UPN's dramality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool of girls competing for the grand prize from 11 to 10.

Last night�s episode welcomed special guest Yoanna House, winner of cycle two of �America�s Next Top Model.� She talked with the girls and gave them advice about the world of modeling and the tough competitions they would face in the coming weeks. The girls then participated in �Runway 101� under the instruction of runway coach J. Alexander. J. worked to perfect the girls� runway skills, including style, posture and turns by utilizing training techniques such as having the girls walk with books on their heads, turn in extra long skirts and balance heavy headdresses.

Upon completion of the day�s runway training, the girls were invited to attend a dance club and have fun for the evening. Once they got there, they discovered they would actually be participating in a runway fashion show featuring the fashions of Richie Rich and Traver Rains of Heatherette. While waiting to make her runway debut, Amanda�s nerves got the best of her as she began to worry about maneuvering the dark runway with her debilitating eye condition. However, it turned out that Amanda did well and Norelle was the one who needed to worry as her lack of experience in high heels caused her to fall during the first turn. At the conclusion of the evening�s event, J. Alexander felt that Eva�s performance demonstrated the most skill and improvement from the day�s training, naming her the winner of the challenge. She and two guests of her choice, Ann and Kelle, earned a day of pampering and rest on a yacht with Yoanna.

Not all is paradise. Before the three left for their relaxing day, chaos broke loose in the New York loft. Amanda noticed that some of her belongings were missing and was certain that Eva was the culprit. Eva, in turn, felt that Amanda was using her disability to gain sympathy from the judges. The tension continued to build and created quite a conflict in the house between all 11 women.

The next day, the girls bared it all and faced the camera topless for a Lee Jeans advertisement to run in People Magazine. All of the girls seemed comfortable with their bodies, except for Kristi, who seemed too uncomfortable with the partial nudity. Kristi commented, �I was really nervous. I was trying to act all comfortable and confident when I totally was not!�

During the next evening's elimination ceremony, the girls had to demonstrate their runway confidence by wearing a tiny pink dress and walking in shoes two sizes too small. The judges then reviewed their skills and critiqued their photos from the Lee Jeans ad. Finally, due to Kristi's insecurities and lack of strong presence for the camera, she was eliminated from the competition. "I think she just looks bored," Janice Dickinson commented to the other judges.

This season, Tyra Banks once again leads the panel that will narrow the field of girls each week as they take them into a high-pressure, high-stakes series of competitions that will determine the series winner. The world's first supermodel Janice Dickinson, renowned photographer Nigel Barker and Nol� Marin, an acclaimed fashion editor and stylist, also serve as judges. This week the judging panel welcomed famed fashion designers Richie Rich and Traver Rains of Heatherette.

The third installment of UPN's hit dramality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL follows 14 young women as they attempt to prove they have what it takes to make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of modeling. Banks, who created the show, also serves as executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band"). Anthony Dominici ("The Amazing Race") serves as co-executive producer.

The winner of UPN's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will have the opportunity to be managed by Ford Models. She will also receive a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant Cover Girl. Finally, the winner will appear in a fashion spread in Elle magazine.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL airs Wednesday, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. For more information about AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, log on to www.upn.com.