Vogue Italia has found its latest high-fashion face.
The strengths of "America's Next Top Model" finalists Chelsey Hersley and Ann Ward were glaringly evident: Ann took ridiculously fabulous photos week after week, but Chelsey knew how to walk and show off her personality at the same time.
So who got to be on top?
Lucky for Ann, her pictures did all the talking for her.
The 6-foot-2, wee-waisted brunette overcame her shyness, insecurities and lurching walk to be named "America's Next Top Model" on Wednesday's finale.
In addition to kicking off the series' 15th cycle with a record five straight top photos, winning Andre Leon Talley's adoration from the get-go probably helped, as well.
The finalists were ultimately tasked with an edgier-than-usual Cover Girl photo shoot (this is high fashion season, after all) and a Roberto Cavalli runway show, with the Italian designer serving as a guest judge afterward.
Ann lumbered down the catwalk, eyes bulging, but...at least "Top Model" admits what's going on in the fashion biz. Designers want a human coat hanger, and Ann can wear anything without the fear of even a trace amount of extra flesh poking through.
Chelsey was a tip-top competitor, largely focused and too caught up with her own performance to be that much of a jerk to anyone else. But in the end, she just couldn't compete with tall 'n' tiny Ann.
In a departure from the usual sunny Seventeen stuff, this cycle's winner gets a spread in Italian Vogue, a cover and feature in the mag's beauty insert, Beauty in Vogue, and prominent placement on vogue.it. Also in the prize package a year of representation from IMG and the usual $100,000 Cover Girl Cosmetics contract.