MONIQUE ELIMINATED FROM "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL" ON THE CW

October 5, 2006 (Burbank, CA) - Monique, a marketing representative from Chicago, was the third girl eliminated during the seventh cycle of The CW's hit dramality series "America's Next Top Model," reducing the pool from 11 girls to 10.

Miss J surprised the girls with a unique runway exercise from atop a �" wide tight rope. They were taught posture and balance, and Monique used her competition with Melrose to attempt to rise to the challenge. "I am Top Model material," Monique said.

The next day their runway skills were put to the test by Miss J and Cycle 5 participant Bre, as they were asked to strut across broken slabs of concrete in high heels while wearing masks that impaired their vision. While it was difficult, several of the girls were able to stay poised and confident, making Monique aware that she was falling behind. "I know that I need to step up" Monique said. In the end, A.J. was chosen as the winner, picking Meg and CariDee to perform with her in the Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend Fashion Show in Austin, Texas.

The following day, Jay revealed that this week's photo shoot would take place over water on a tilting runway. As Monique was treated for dehydration at the hospital the previous day, she decided to head back to the house and not perform in the runway show for the photo shoot. "My heart and mind says to stay here, but my body says no you can't," Monique said.

During the judging, each girl had the chance to demonstrate what they learned about balance and posture as they were challenged to balance a bowl of fruit on their head as they walked the runway for the judges. When the judges learned that Monique did not perform for the photo shoot, they felt that she may not be able to handle the stress and pressure of the competition. "This industry does not care if you are sick. They don't care if you are tired. We're being hard because this is the real world" Tyra told Monique, before eliminating her from the race to become "America's Next Top Model."

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 cycle 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 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/.