FIRST GIRL ELIMINATED FROM THE DEBUT OF ''AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL'' ON THE CW CHRISTIAN ELIMINATED FROM THE DEBUT OF ''AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL'' ON THE CW

September 21, 2006 (Burbank, CA) - Christian, a bank teller from Columbia, S.C., was the first girl eliminated during the seventh cycle premiere of The CW's dramality series ''America's Next Top Model,'' reducing the pool from 13 girls to 12.

After the field was narrowed down to 13 finalists, the girls were sent to their first challenge, a runway competition using the clothes from the designers of Elmer Ave. Testing both their runway walks and ability to style themselves, the girls had to choose their clothes off the backs of 13 male models, then feminized the outfit and wear it down the runway. Heading into the challenge, Christian was all confidence. ''Runway has always been my forte. I rule the runway,'' Christian said. At the end of the runway challenge though, the Elmer Ave designers selected Melrose as the winner, allowing her the chance to be Diva for the Day on the set of their next photo shoot.

At the next day's fashion shoot, the girls were greeted by ''Tyra the Diva'' who exemplified all of the stereotypes society often associates with the modeling world. In possibly the most controversial shoot in the history of "America's Next Top Model," each girl was given a different modeling stereotype to portray. While many struggled to represent their stereotype, Christian had an especially difficult time as she attempted to portray a ''Model turned Actress.'' ''I wasn't sure if I was grasping the concept'' Christian later told the judges. Jay was frustrated that she continued to give the same pose over and over again. ''She needs to find her own image,'' Jay said.

Although several of the girls did not exhibit model behavior, the judges felt that Christian had the least amount of potential to become ''America's Next Top Model.'' ''The judges looked at your photo and there's something that's just not popping through,'' Tyra said to Christian just before eliminating her from the competition.

This cycle, Tyra Banks once again leads the panel of judges 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. Legendary supermodel Twiggy, renowned photographer Nigel Barker and acclaimed runway expert J. Alexander also serve as judges.

In addition to a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl, this year's prize package for the winner of The CW's "America's Next Top Model" will include a contract with Elite Model Management and a cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine.

Making its debut on The CW, the seventh installment of the dramality series ''America's Next Top Model'' follows 13 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'') and Anthony Dominici (''The Amazing Race'').

''America's Next Top Model'' airs Wednesdays, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on The CW. For more information about "America's Next Top Model" log on to http://www.cwtv.com/.