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

November 29, 2007 (Burbank, California) � Heather, a college student from Valparaiso, IN, was eliminated from the competition of the ninth cycle of The CW's hit reality series "America's Next Top Model," reducing the pool from five girls to four.

The girls arrived at PT Models Shanghai, where managing director and guest judge Susan Yang provided them with their go-see challenge material. The girls had to locate up to five top Shanghai designers who would look through their portfolios, critique their runway walk and determine if they would book them for a modeling job. Heather got lost as she searched for the location of the designers, then was separated from her cab driver, which caused her to arrive late at PT Models, disqualifying her from the challenge.

The next day, the girls were pleasantly surprised when Nigel Barker appeared with Jay Manuel at their photo shoot as their photographer, where each girl had to stand out from their elaborate Chinese setting with bold colors and large dragons. Heather was nervous going into the photo shoot following her disqualification in the go-see challenge and was unable to regain her self-confidence in front of the camera. "Today Heather did not trust herself," Jay said.

During the judging panel, Tyra announced that the four remaining girls would travel to Beijing. During deliberations, the judges agreed that Heather's unique look would peak peoples' interest, but her lack of communication skills would initially make it difficult for her in the modeling industry. Ultimately, the judges decided that Heather would not be traveling to Beijing, but were very proud of her growth throughout the competition. "I first came in here thinking my Asperger's would be way more of a problem than it really was. I think the experience is much more than a prize," Heather said after being eliminated 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 ninth 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 Daniel Soiseth ("Hell's Kitchen").

"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 www.cwtv.com.