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

March 8, 2007 (Burbank, California) -- Samantha, a sales associate from Pinson, Ala., was the second girl eliminated during the eighth cycle of The CW's hit reality series "America's Next Top Model," reducing the pool from 12 girls to 11.

Greeted by Miss J and a high school marching band, the girls were divided into teams and taught a runway walking routine based on timing and precision. While they were practicing their moves, they were saved by the school bell and introduced to fashion show producer Roy Campbell, who informed them that they would be competing in a prom runway fashion show. They showed off their new walking routine while modeling gowns from three categories, including modern contemporary, the '80s and ghetto fabulous for the high school student body. During the runway show, Roy noted that Samantha had great attributes, but needed to have more attitude on the runway and lacked the hip-hop swagger that was needed during one of the runway passes.

The next day, the girls returned to high school, where Jay Manuel assigned each of them a different high school clich�. While several of the girls excelled during their photo shoots, Samantha struggled to portray the "girl with a bad reputation." "I wasn't very excited because that wasn't me in high school and it's still not me," Samantha said.

During the judging, Tyra expressed her concern about Samantha's lack of confidence and comfort level. "I saw your film and you did some more sexy stuff; you just seem so unsure." The judges all noticed Samantha's lack of personality, noting that while she had potential, she needed more time to develop. "You take beautiful pictures, but a lot of the judges look at you and say, she seems 15, maybe in three years she'll be ready," Tyra said to Samantha, 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.

The eighth cycle of the hit reality series "America's Next Top Model" on The CW 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/.