January 28, 2009 (Burbank, California) - The CW's hit series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL returns for cycle 12 with 13 finalists from across the country fighting to make their dreams of becoming a top model a reality on Wednesday, February 25 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) with encore performances on Fridays (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET).

"AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL" CYCLE 12 PARTICIPANTS:

Name: ALLISON

Age: 20

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Occupation: Artist


Name: AMINAT

Age: 21

Hometown: Union, New Jersey

Occupation: Student


Name: CELIA

Age: 25

Hometown: Cynthiana, Kentucky

Occupation: Designer Fashion Sales


Name: FO

Age: 19

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Occupation: Student


Name: ISABELLA

Age: 19

Hometown: Barboursville, Virginia

Occupation: Aspiring Model


Name: JESSICA

Age: 18

Hometown: Bradenton, Florida

Occupation: Student


Name: KORTNIE

Age: 24

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Occupation: Non-Profit Organizer


Name: LONDON

Age: 18

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Occupation: Student


Name: NATALIE

Age: 19

Hometown: Palos Verdes, California

Occupation: Student


Name: NIJAH

Age: 18

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California

Occupation: Aspiring Model


Name: SANDRA  

Age: 19

Hometown: Rockville, Maryland

Occupation: Student


Name: TAHLIA

Age: 18

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Occupation: Student


Name: TEYONA

Age: 20

Hometown: Woodstown, New Jersey

Occupation: Loss Prevention Representative

During this cycle, the 13 participants live together and ferociously vie for the grand prize, competing in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp.  The participants' abilities are tested each week as they strive to master the runway and fashion photo shoots, perfect publicity skills and learn the business aspects of becoming a supermodel, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL cameras.  Throughout the series, supermodel Tyra Banks, art director of photo shoots Jay Manuel, and runway guru J. Alexander mentor the participants.

Banks leads the panel of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL judges, comprised of leading fashion industry experts.  The panel consists of supermodel Paulina Porizkova, along with photographer Nigel Barker and runway expert J. Alexander, who closely evaluate the progress of the models to narrow the field each week.  In addition, special guest judges appear to critique the participants within his or her area of expertise.

The winner of The CW's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will be managed by Elite Model Management.  She also receives a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl.  Finally, the winner will appear on the cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment, in association with Bankable Productions.  Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Daniel Soiseth ("Hell's Kitchen").