LISA D'AMATO IN TORONTO FOR "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL LIVE"

Lisa D'Amato in Toronto - May 2012

She sings, she models, she does it all.  And we both share the same Birthday even!  America's Next Top Model All-Stars Winner Lisa D'Amato arrived in Toronto Tuesday night from Los Angeles to do a few days of Press for this weekend's much-talked-about America's Next Top Model Live.  The Convention which takes place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Friday, May 4, 2012 through Sunday, May 6, 2012, brings to our City some Favourites from previous Cycles including: Isis, Shannon, Alexandria, Bianca, Laura and Camille.

The Event will give Fans an opportunity to meet their favourite Top Models and also offers Fashion Shows, plus an unveiling of the Sutherland Supermodel Search Winner.  Canadian Pop Stars Danny Fernandes and Karl Wolf also are slated to perform.  Tickets range from $18 to $29 and you can get yours here still.

D'Amato made a quick visit to Global Television's The Morning Show earlier today.  On her second chance at success she says, "It was my fault from the very beginning in Cycle Five where I didn't take the opportunity as serious.". "I think I owed it to my Fans, the Franchise and myself.".

Dave Gerry asked her as a Model if she is sacrificing her chance at Motherhood to which D'Amato told him, "Oh Honey, it's 2012! One of my nicknames is D-Battery. I have a ton of energy and I dare everyone to see what I'm capable of.".  She adds, "I'm gonna have my Cake and eat it too. BAM!", which drew cheers from the Show's Female Hosts, Liza Fromer, Daru Dhillon and Kris Reyes.

LISA D'AMATO TO APPEAR AT AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL LIVE TORONTO

Lisa D'Amato

In just over three weeks some of the Stars of America's Next Top Model will be gracing the City for the first America's Next Top Model Live Convention in Toronto! ANTM All Stars Finalists Camille, Alexandria, Laura, Bianca, Shannon, the first-ever transgendered Contestant Isis and Winner Lisa will be taking part in all the fun between Friday, May 4-6, 2012 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. 

Model Talent Searches, Fashion Shows, Exhibitors and more will be a part of the Convention and if you want to get Tickets, there are two tiers: General Admission and VIP - the latter which gives you a chance to meet some of the All Stars. Click here for more info.

(Photo credit: The CW Network)

TYRA BANKS "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP CO-HOST" SPOOF ON "LIVE! WITH KELLY"

Tyra Banks on Live! With Kelly

The search continues for a Co-host for Live! With Kelly following Regis Philbin's recent departure and while they're at it, they're having a bit of fun with it! Tyra Banks joins-in on the laughs agree doing to do a sketch called America's Next Top Co-Host with rumoured Philbin Replacements Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban, Jerry O'Connell, Taye Diggs and more posing and walking their way to our hearts.

Watch the Sketch below:

LISA D'AMATO CROWNED "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL ALL-STAR": FINALE MARRED BY DISQUALIFICATION

Lisa D'Amato

Never ever give up. Lisa D'Amato originally from Cycle Five of America's Next Top Model has been named Winner of America's Next Top Model All-stars, which brought together popular Contestants from past seasons of the Series. The Actress/Model/Singer who openly has admitted battling Addiction issues, appearing on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2009, rose above the Competition with her spirited Finesse.

D'Amato who actually shares the same birthday as me (!) - October 22nd - is now 31 years-old and with her Victory won a Spread in Vogue Italia, a $100,000 (US) contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics and a Campaign for Fashion Retailer Express. With aspirations in Music, she hopes to tie her forthcoming CD together with the wave of interest in winning the Reality Series.

My personal Favourite Allison Harvard, was First Runner-up in the Competition after consistently impressing Photographers and Judges throughout the Cycle with her emotive and large distinctive eyes.

There was a bit of controversy involved in deliberations this Cycle with Angelea Preston having been disqualified late, following the Final Runway Challenge in Crete, Greece, for unknown reasons.  Nonetheless, she was pleased at the Publicity she received with her name Trending on Twitter Worldwide during the airing of Wednesday night's Finale.  Preston typed, "OMG!!!! IM TRENDING WORLDWIDE on twitter right now!!!!!!!!!! Wowwwww!! That's the whole world!! Lol! #humbled!! Thanks y'all!!! #LOVE".  Some are alleging that she had leaked results of the Show online, with Producers catching wind of this, then resulting in her Disqualification.

(Photo credit: CW)

ANN CROWNED CYCLE 15 WINNER OF "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"

Ann, America's Next Top Model Cycle 15 Winner

19 year-old Ann from Dallas, Texas was crowned winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 15.  The lithe and statuesque Model was known most for her awkward personality and self-consciousness in her own height, which actually played to her advantage on requisite Challenges.  The Season culminated in both her and Top Two opponent Chelsey competing in Italy.  As a surprise, their families were flown-in to offer their support.

Ann and Chelsey as part of tonight's Finale, had to compete on the Runway at a Just Cavalli Collection Fashion Show, before a panel of judges headed by Host and Producer Tyra Banks and Fashion Icon Roberto Cavalli.  They also had to film a CoverGirl Commercial which saw them recording Video and Audio components separately under the direction of Toronto's Mr. Jay Manuel.

Although I adore ANTM, my biggest criticism is that in past seasons, Winners failed ever to make a splash in the Fashion World despite the show's claim of finding the next "Top Model". This could be interpreted furthermore as a search for a "Supermodel".  Ann I feel, has a legitimate chance at modeling  Haute Couture in her uniqueness.  Above this, she is young.

Ann wins a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, in addition to a representation deal with IMG Models and a coveted spread in the prestigious Vogue Italia.

Learn more about Cycle 15 of America's Next Top Model here.

(Photo credit: The CW Network)

HOW TO LOOK LIKE A COVERGIRL (OR COVERBOY)

So 25 year-old Arkansas native Krista was crowned season/cycle 14 America’s Next Top Model on the CW Network staple program last night.  Upon announcing her victory, host and producer Tyra Banks said with confidence that she and the show’s panel of judges feel she has the potential for international success. Dark-skinned Krista, often complimented for her innate understanding of geometry and her high fashion poses, was often critiqued also for lack of strength in her face. Nonetheless, it was good enough as she brimmed with perky confidence down the runway on the show’s final challenge, an Anna Sui show in New Zealand featuring other finalists from this season and last season’s winner, Nicole.

I love America’s Next Top Model. I really do. But after following the show for so many seasons now, it would be nice to see one – just one – of the winners achieve actual success as a Supermodel. Now I don’t mean just getting work in print ads or commercials. I mean a full-out Supermodel like the ‘90s. Giselle, Cindy, Linda, Christy, Coco, Naomi, Tyra. Now I know there are no guarantees in this world and I do like to think of myself as being somewhat in-the-know, but I honestly don’t recall any of one of the past winners having produced results the show might promise.

I think the top criticism the show receives is that it scouts women who might be past the peak age to embark on a career in Modelling. Let’s face it, Modelling like many other image-centric industries, are age-sensitive. Modelling, like Figure Skating or Gymnastics, is a craft honed from a young age. A majority of these girls on the show are already in their 20s and at best have amateur experience at this stage in their lives.   Perhaps Banks might need to start recruiting younger for future seasons? Why not, she’s already recruited Plus and Petite Sized Models? I think it’d be great for ratings.