By Belinda Trotter-James

 Brittani is Cycle 16 America’s Next Top Model winner!!! 

  This 5’10 ½” beauty from Beech Creek, Pennsylvania was just a full-time college student trying to model part time to get experience. Little did she know, she would be going through major mental and modeling challenges to get to the winner’s circle.  “I’ve been trying to do this my whole life,” starts Brittani.  Before top model I was a full time college student majoring in English/Spanish and  modeling part time; nothing for pay.  Winning meant the world to me because I’ve been trying to do this my whole life.  I want to thank the CW and ANTM for giving me this opportunity.  I cannot believe I am living my dream.”   Yes, even people who come from trailer parks can live their dream.  This statement seemed to be shoved down our throats throughout the cycle.  If you don’t watch the show, you may have mistaken it for a show about girls with the saddest story about their childhood instead of girls becoming top models.  “It was not me who kept talking about it,” explains Brittani.  “It was the editing.  I mean I did come from a trailer park but I did not want the show to put that label on me.  I guess they pushed it to get a rag to riches story.  They wanted to show that you don’t have to come from a perfect life to live your dreams.  Things can work out in your favor.  It was not all that bad living in a trailer park because before that me and my mom were living in a one bedroom apartment,” remembers Brittani.

This was a tough competition because the last 5 girls had really great shots at the title however; Brittani had a combination of things going for her…  “I won because of my overall appearance, personality, runway walk, body of work and Cover Girl loved my look,” says Brittani as she runs down her laundry list of reasons why she is so fabulous.  “I know I have the best runway walk of all the girls.”  She was so confident about her runway walk that she almost planted her face in the wall when she slipped on some rose peddles during her fashion show runway challenge.  She fell off stage into a wall.  “I was completely embarrassed,” remembers Brittani.  “I still have a bruise from that day and I twisted my ankle.  I never fall in a show.  That’s the first time that ever happened.  I guess it will be shown on You Tube over and over again.”   Yup, Brittani….It will.

  Maybe her fall was payback by fate for constantly protesting that another contestant should not be in the competition.  In a house of 14 girls Brittani did not get along with one of them… Alexandria.   The dislike in Brittani’s eyes was so obvious that it almost got her kicked off the show.  The viewers did not have a clue why the hate was so strong.  “I don’t hate Alexandria.  That’s such a strong word,” stated Brittani.  “I don’t hate anyone but, I guess it was the stressful living situation.  I’m a Taurus and I don’t remember what zodiac sign she is but we both have horns.  We have talked about it and now we are civil friends.  I did not like the way she acted towards the clients.  She was bossy, controlling and nobody noticed this?!  She is not a good role model,” states Brittani.  I’m not sure why Brittani thought she was the one who should say who’s a good role model when she bad mouthed Alexandria on set in front of the clients. “If I have an opinion, I will speak,” explains Brittani.  “The last thing on my mind was the client.  We [the girls] were talking and Alexandria heard me talking about her and I did not care.  We were just waiting around getting ready to leave.  I was not thinking and I guess I learned my lesson,” recaps Brittani.

 The funny thing about the relationship with Brittani and Alexandria is that the more Brittani tried to get everyone in the house to not speak to her or ignore her, the more challenges Alexandria kept winning.  The negative energy bounced off of Alexandria.  “Well, I won,” said Brittani in a very cocky tone.   Yes, she did win however the lessons she learn in the final days of her journey to becoming a top model was very demanding.  She almost got kicked off the show because she despised Alexandria so much, a photographer said that shooting her was not enjoyable, living in the house was stressful, she missed her family, made it to only 2 go-sees, the Vogue Italia editor did not have good things to say about her shoot and she cried when photographer/judge Nigel tried to give her some constructive criticism.  Then, when Tyra scolded her for being the judge and jury over Alexandria, she got a panic attack and left the judging area.  Wow!  Do you see how you must go through the fire to reap the rewards?  If Brittani would have quit, she would have missed her reward…. Listen, when it’s your turn to win, nothing can get in your way, except you. It was Brittani’s turn and Alexandria was her road block.

 Her advice to others pursuing a modeling career is to believe… “Always believe in yourself and don’t let anyone hold you back.”   In June she will be moving to New York with fellow contestant, Molly.  “My whole family is very supportive and my mother knows it’s time for me to leave the nest to follow my dream.”  Thanks to Tyra, her dream is now a reality.

 America's Next Top Model Pictured: Cycle 16 winner Brittani and Tyra Banks Photo Credit: Nigel Barker/The CW © 2011 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.