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Kuzmich was one of the final five contestants on ''[[America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9]]''.<ref name="ABC 2007">{{cite news |title=Medical Condition Won't Stop Model From Competing |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/BeautySecrets/story?id=3930462&page=1 |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=[[ABC News]] |publisher=[[Good Morning America]] |date=November 29, 2007 |language=en}}</ref> At the beginning of the competition, some of the other contestants bullied Kuzmich, making fun of her "awkward" behavior and talking about her behind her back. However, Kuzmich later reported that "they didn't make fun of me that much" and that the show's producers chose not to broadcast more "civilized" exchanges.<ref name="ParkerPublic">{{cite news | first=Tara | last=Parker-Pope | title=Asperger's Syndrome Gets a Very Public Face | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/health/04well.html | work=The New York Times | date=2007-12-04 | access-date=2007-12-04}}</ref>
Kuzmich became one of the final five contestants on ''[[America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9]]''.<ref name="ABC 2007">{{cite news |title=Medical Condition Won't Stop Model From Competing |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/BeautySecrets/story?id=3930462&page=1 |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=[[ABC News]] |publisher=[[Good Morning America]] |date=November 29, 2007 |language=en}}</ref> According to the ''[[New York Times]]'', during the show, [[Tyra Banks]], [[Twiggy]] and [[Nigel Barker (photographer)|Nigel Barker]] "marvel" at Kuzmich's "ability to connect with the camera", and she was selected by [[Enrique Iglesias]] for a featured role in a music video.<ref name="ParkerPublic"/> She was also the viewer favorite for eight weeks.<ref name="ParkerPublic"/>


Early scenes from the show included other competitors loudly whispering about Kuzmich and laughing at her.<ref name="ParkerPublic"/> However, Kuzmich later said that "they didn't make fun of me that much" and that the show's producers chose not to broadcast more "civilized" exchanges.<ref name="ParkerPublic">{{cite news | first=Tara | last=Parker-Pope | title=Asperger's Syndrome Gets a Very Public Face | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/health/04well.html | work=The New York Times | date=2007-12-04 | access-date=2007-12-04}}</ref>
According to the ''[[New York Times]]'', during the show, [[Tyra Banks]], [[Twiggy]] and [[Nigel Barker (photographer)|Nigel Barker]] "marvel" at Kuzmich's "ability to connect with the camera", and she was selected by [[Enrique Iglesias]] for a featured role in a music video.<ref name="ParkerPublic"/> She was also the viewer favorite for eight weeks.<ref name="ParkerPublic"/>


Kuzmich's journey began when she was the 12th woman called to participate in the final 13. Early on, she was deemed to be the underdog of the competition, but this changed when she excelled in the photo shoots.{{Editorializing|date=February 2023}} At week five in which they had to pose as fashion gargoyles, Kuzmich was called late because the judges critiqued that she only took "profile" shots. With that critique the next week, while the girls had to portray recyclable material (Kuzmich wore aluminum cans), she gave all her shots face forward, causing the panel to be blown away by her stunning features.{{Editorializing|date=February 2023}}
Kuzmich's journey began when she was the 12th woman called to participate in the final 13. Early on, she was deemed to be the underdog of the competition, but this changed when she excelled in the photo shoots.{{Editorializing|date=February 2023}} At week five in which they had to pose as fashion gargoyles, Kuzmich was called late because the judges critiqued that she only took "profile" shots. With that critique the next week, while the girls had to portray recyclable material (Kuzmich wore aluminum cans), she gave all her shots face forward, causing the panel to be blown away by her stunning features.{{Editorializing|date=February 2023}}

Revision as of 02:52, 17 April 2023

Heather Kuzmich
Born
Valparaiso, Indiana, U.S.
Modeling information
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Hair colorBrown
Eye colorGreen
AgencyElite Model Management

Heather Kuzmich is an American fashion model. She was a contestant on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9, in which she was one of the final five competitors. During the show, it was revealed that Kuzmich has Asperger syndrome.[2]

Early life and education

Kuzmich was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was fifteen years old, around the time her father died.[3] Kuzmich graduated from Valparaiso High School in 2005.[4] While she was a student at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago, she participated in Season 9 of America's Next Top Model.[5] According to Kuzmich, she has always wanted to model. Initially, she was hesitant about trying out for the show but finally agreed to do it after a friend convinced her to watch Cycle 7.[3]

Participation in America's Next Top Model

Kuzmich became one of the final five contestants on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9.[6] According to the New York Times, during the show, Tyra Banks, Twiggy and Nigel Barker "marvel" at Kuzmich's "ability to connect with the camera", and she was selected by Enrique Iglesias for a featured role in a music video.[2] She was also the viewer favorite for eight weeks.[2]

Early scenes from the show included other competitors loudly whispering about Kuzmich and laughing at her.[2] However, Kuzmich later said that "they didn't make fun of me that much" and that the show's producers chose not to broadcast more "civilized" exchanges.[2]

Kuzmich's journey began when she was the 12th woman called to participate in the final 13. Early on, she was deemed to be the underdog of the competition, but this changed when she excelled in the photo shoots.[editorializing] At week five in which they had to pose as fashion gargoyles, Kuzmich was called late because the judges critiqued that she only took "profile" shots. With that critique the next week, while the girls had to portray recyclable material (Kuzmich wore aluminum cans), she gave all her shots face forward, causing the panel to be blown away by her stunning features.[editorializing]

During week nine, a runway challenge requiring her to speak caused her to freeze up in front of the audience and negatively affect her shoot with a burning car in the desert. Tyra Banks noted that while it was a good shot, it was her weakest.

The following week in China, Kuzmich had problems delivering her lines for the CoverGirl Queen Collection commercial. Mr. Jay noted that while she looked gorgeous, Kuzmich could not say her lines well - even when he fed them line by line. Despite taking a great CoverGirl shot[editorializing], she found herself in the bottom two because of her inability to deliver, even while being given help from Mr. Jay.

She was spared for another week, but the following week saw her yet again landing in the bottom two. That week, the women went on go-sees in Shanghai, and while the other four women made it to at least three or four designers, Kuzmich got lost and ended up only making it to one. The designer praised her look and strong photographs, but criticized her runway walk as well as her lack of eye contact. She was also disqualified because of her late return. Fans were angry when fellow competitor Jenah Doucette did not offer Kuzmich a ride back because she had lost her taxi, but she explained that it was against the rules. That week, the two models who Banks deemed to take the strongest photos of the remaining women - Kuzmich and Doucette - were placed in the bottom two, both for their lack of good communication. Kuzmich was eliminated and became the ninth woman eliminated.

Kuzmich won nine CoverGirl of the Week awards, including one after she was eliminated. She also appeared on 'Top Models in Action' of ANTM cycle 12. The short clip featured her photo shoots including the cover of Spectrum magazine.

After America's Next Top Model

Modeling career

Kuzmich signed to the women's division of Elite Model Management in Chicago and Hong Kong.[7][unreliable source?] A challenge win during Top Model allowed Kuzmich to participate in a special photoshoot art-directed by Mary J. Blige for Carol's Daughter.[8] Kuzmich also did a photoshoot for the July 2008 issue of Wedding Essentials.[9] Kuzmich has modeled for the clothing company "Blue Eyed Girl".[10] She has also appeared on the cover and inside of Spectrum Magazine, a magazine for families and individuals who have autism.[11] Recently she was featured in Cycle 12.[citation needed]

Press

Kuzmich received press attention due to her autism spectrum disorder, including talk show appearances (such as being interviewed on Good Morning America and an article in The New York Times).[2] Kuzmich has appeared in People magazine twice, once in October 2007[12] and the second time in December 2007.[13] In 2008, she was one of the nine girls featured in America's Next Top Model: Exposed on the CW, during the filming of which she became close friends with Jael Strauss.[14][better source needed] She has also appeared twice on The Tyra Banks Show, once in a "Where are they now?" episode and for the Fiercee awards.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "America's Next Top Model 9: Interview with Heather". FansofRealityTV.com. December 3, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Parker-Pope, Tara (2007-12-04). "Asperger's Syndrome Gets a Very Public Face". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  3. ^ a b Plank, Alex (2007-11-29). "Interview: Heather Kuzmich of America's Next Top Model" (Interview). Wrong Planet. Retrieved 2007-12-08.
  4. ^ Potempa, Philip (December 6, 2007). "Readers eager to contact Valparaiso 'Top Model' Heather Kuzmich". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  5. ^ Potempa, Philip (October 28, 2007). "Valpo's Heather Kuzmich a TV 'Top Model'". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Medical Condition Won't Stop Model From Competing". ABC News. Good Morning America. November 29, 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Heather Kuzmich---SIGNED!". community.livejournal.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-07.
  8. ^ "Connexion". Facebook.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Wedding Essentials". all-antm.net.
  10. ^ "Blue Eyed Girl". all-antm.net.
  11. ^ "Spectrum Magazine". all-antm.net.
  12. ^ "Heather Kuzmich doesn't let Asperger's syndrome keep her from competing on America's Next Top Model" (Table of contents). People. 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2007-12-08. Note: Full text not available at time of citation placement
  13. ^ "People Magazine". all-antm.net. December 2007.
  14. ^ "0Pandoras0tear0's deviantART Journal". deviantart.com.
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