UPN UNVEILS THE 13 FINALISTS WHO ARE IN THE RUNNING TO BECOME "AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL"

New Grand Prize Includes Winner Appearing on the Cover of ELLEgirl with Tyra Banks

The competition intensifies for the fifth cycle of UPN�s hit dramality AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL as the 13 finalists struggle to make their dreams of becoming a top model a reality. While facing tougher challenges, the wannabes will glam it up staying in a luxury Bel-Air mansion and riding around town in an extravagant stretch limo living like real-life supermodels, in the two-hour fifth cycle premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will air in its regular time period Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) beginning on Sept. 28.

In addition to the current prize package that includes an opportunity to be managed by Ford Models, a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl and a fashion spread in Elle magazine, the winner will also be featured on the cover of ELLEgirl magazine with Tyra Banks.

AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL participants are:

Name: Ashley
Occupation: Boutique Buyer
Age: 22
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Name: Bre
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Harlem, N.Y.

Name: Cassandra
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Houston

Name: Coryn
Occupation: Retail Clerk
Age: 19
Hometown: Minneapolis

Name: Diane
Occupation: Criminal Defense Investigator
Age: 23
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.

Name: Ebony
Occupation: Student
Age: 18
Hometown: Sylmar, Calif.

Name: Jayla
Occupation: Delivery Driver
Age: 20
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.

Name: Kim
Occupation: Student
Age: 21
Hometown: New York City

Name: Kyle
Occupation: Dairy Queen Manager
Age: 19
Hometown: Dexter, Mich.

Name: Lisa
Occupation: Assistant Wardrobe Stylist
Age: 24
Hometown: Los Angeles

Name: Nicole
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D.

Name: Nik
Occupation: Office Coordinator
Age: 21
Hometown: Atlanta

Name: Sarah
Occupation: Fragrance Counter Representative
Age: 18
Hometown: Boonville, Mo.

During this cycle, the competition is even tougher as the 13 participants live together and vie for the grand prize competing in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp. The participants abilities are tested to master the runway, fashion photo shoots, perfect publicity skills and learn the business aspects of becoming a super-model, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL cameras. Throughout the series, participants are mentored by supermodel Tyra Banks and art director of photography Jay Manuel.

Banks leads the panel of AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL judges, comprised of leading fashion industry experts that include living fashion icon Twiggy, runway expert and modeling coach J. Alexander and photographer Nigel Barker, who will conduct the regular evaluations to narrow the field each week. In addition, special guest judges will appear to critique within his or her area of expertise.

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 CoverGirl. Finally, the winner will appear in a fashion spread in Elle magazine and on the cover of ELLEgirl magazine.

AMERICA�S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions. Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok (�Making the Band�) and Anthony Dominici (�The Amazing Race�).