CARIDEE ENGLISH IS AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL

December 7, 2006 (Burbank, CA) -- CariDee English, a photographer from Fargo, ND, was crowned America's Next Top Model in the finale of the seventh cycle of The CW's hit dramality series.

The three remaining girls participated in a national television commercial and photo shoot for CoverGirl's Outlast Double Lip Shine. The next day, the finalists faced the judges for the 11th elimination of the competition. While the judges were pleased with all of the girls' performances in the commercial, they thought CariDee showed the most personality. The judges decided that while Eugena had a natural beauty, Melrose showed more passion and drive, thus eliminating Eugena from the competition.

As finalists, CariDee and Melrose conducted a photo shoot for Seventeen magazine. Editor-in-Chief Atoosa Rubenstein was impressed with both girls, however she noted that CariDee had improved the most since the beginning of the season. "CariDee is more than just a pretty face. I feel like she's a strong girl," Atoosa said.

The following day, CariDee and Melrose faced off against each other in a theatrical fashion runway show by designers Victorio and Lucchino. The girls portrayed ghostly brides and, at one point, had to stare each other down on the runway. "It's the battle of the blondes," CariDee said.

During the final elimination, the judges considered the runway performances from the final runway challenge, as well as each girl's photos and their overall performance throughout the competition. The judges agreed that Melrose was stronger in her runway walk, but CariDee's exquisite CoverGirl photo and her exuberant personality would be embraced by the fashion world. "My dream has always been to model. You guys believed in me. That's amazing," CariDee said after Tyra announced that she had 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/.