Plus Size Model America's Next Top Model

When America's Next Top Model first hit TV screens in the early 2000s, it became a cultural phenomenon—but for all the wrong reasons when it came to body diversity. The show celebrated waif-like figures, low-rise jeans, and razor-thin eyebrows, but rarely ever gave plus-size models a real shot. Fast forward to today, and the modeling industry has made baby steps toward inclusivity, yet questions still linger around the role of plus-size representation on reality TV's most iconic modeling competition. Back in 2008, Whitney Thompson took home the crown as the winner of Cycle 10, becoming the first—and to date, only—plus-size model to win America's Next Top Model. That win, while groundbreaking, didn’t exactly lead to a flood of plus-size contestants in the following seasons. In fact, the show has struggled to consistently include plus-size models in its regular cast, and when they do, it often feels more like a token move than a real celebration of body diversity. So, what’s going on behind the scenes? Why has a show that once prided itself on discovering the next big supermodel been so hesitant to embrace the plus-size movement? And perhaps more importantly, where are the plus-size models now, especially those who made it onto the show?

Whitney Thompson: The Pioneer
Why Didn't the Show Keep Hiring Plus-Size Models?
How Did the Industry Change After Whitney?
What Are the Chances of a Plus-Size Model Winning Again?
Whitney Thompson Bio
How Did the Show's Judges React to Plus-Size Models?
What Did the Public Think About Plus-Size Models on the Show?
Where Is the Plus-Size Movement Headed in Modeling Today?

Whitney Thompson: The Pioneer

Back when Whitney Thompson won America's Next Top Model, it was a big deal—and not just because she was a model from Florida with a warm smile and killer walk. It was a big deal because she was signed as a plus-size model, which, at the time, was still seen as a niche category in the fashion world. Winning the show opened doors for her, including a contract with Elite Model Management and a spot in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Her win was historic, but it also sparked conversations about the lack of representation for plus-size models in mainstream modeling competitions. She proved that a woman could be successful in the industry without fitting into a size 0 dress, and that alone made her stand out during a time when the fashion world was still pretty rigid in its standards of beauty.

Why Didn't the Show Keep Hiring Plus-Size Models?

After Whitney's win, fans were hoping for more plus-size contestants on America's Next Top Model. But the show didn’t exactly keep the momentum going. In the years that followed, the show brought in a few plus-size models here and there, but they were often treated as side stories rather than fully integrated into the main competition.

Some say the show played it safe, sticking to what it knew would generate ratings. Others argue that the fashion industry at large wasn’t ready to embrace body diversity on such a visible platform. Either way, it left a lot of viewers scratching their heads, wondering why a show that had once broken barriers wasn't doing more to include plus size models America's Next Top Model fans had clearly rooted for.

How Did the Industry Change After Whitney?

Whitney’s win came at a time when the fashion industry was slowly beginning to shift its perspective on body image. Around the same time, plus-size models like Ashley Graham were starting to gain more visibility, and brands were slowly realizing that there was a market for inclusive fashion.

Still, progress was slow. While some agencies started signing more plus-size models, it was far from the norm. Whitney’s victory showed that change was possible, but it also highlighted how much further the industry had to go before plus-size models were truly seen as equals in the world of high fashion and commercial modeling.

What Are the Chances of a Plus-Size Model Winning Again?

So, if Whitney was able to do it, why hasn’t another plus-size model won America's Next Top Model since then? That’s the million-dollar question. The show has had its ups and downs in recent years, and its viewership has declined. But one thing that hasn’t changed much is the lack of consistent representation for plus-size women on the show.

Some might argue that the show’s format isn’t built for long-term inclusivity. After all, it’s a competition that’s supposed to find the next top model, and the definition of “top model” in the industry still leans heavily toward thin figures. But others believe that if the right plus-size model came along, with the right support and opportunities, they could absolutely win again.

Whitney Thompson Bio

Full Name	Whitney Thompson
Born	March 4, 1987
Birthplace	Fort Myers, Florida, USA
Height	5'9"
Weight	Approx. 140 lbs (at the time of the show)
Notable Achievement	Winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 10
Agency	Elite Model Management
Major Campaigns	Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Curve Magazine, and various fashion editorials

How Did the Show's Judges React to Plus-Size Models?

Throughout the years, America's Next Top Model had a rotating cast of judges, including industry veterans like Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, and eventually Ashley Graham. When Whitney was on the show, the judges praised her confidence and poise, but there were also moments when her size was brought up in a way that felt more like a critique than a compliment.

In more recent seasons, Ashley Graham—who is herself a plus-size model—has pushed for more inclusion and has been vocal about her desire to see more diverse body types on the show. Her presence as a judge has been a breath of fresh air for many fans who’ve longed for a more inclusive approach to modeling and fashion.

What Did the Public Think About Plus-Size Models on the Show?

The public response to plus-size models on America's Next Top Model has been mixed. Many fans loved seeing Whitney and others break through traditional beauty standards, while others still clung to the idea that the show should focus on “traditional” models.

Social media played a big role in shaping the conversation around body positivity and modeling. Fans started using hashtags like #MoreThanASize and #BodyPositivity to support plus-size contestants, and some even called out the show for not doing enough to include a variety of body types. Still, it’s clear that the tides were slowly shifting, even if the show itself was slow to catch up.

Where Is the Plus-Size Movement Headed in Modeling Today?

Today, the plus-size movement is stronger than ever. Brands like Fenty, Savage X Fenty, and Chromat have made inclusivity a core part of their identity, and plus-size models are walking runways, appearing in major campaigns, and gaining more visibility than ever before.

But when it comes to reality TV, especially modeling competitions, the progress has been slower. America's Next Top Model, despite its long history, has yet to feature another plus-size winner. That said, fans are still hopeful that the future holds more opportunities for models of all sizes to shine—not just as tokens, but as leading figures in the world of fashion and media.

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