Laura Kirkpatrick

box What makes women so interesting is that we all have different bodies, like a snowflake.

Kirkpatrick had been pursuing a modeling career for years prior to her appearance on the CW Network reality television show America's Next Top Model, and had looked into applying for the series before, but was a half-inch shorter than the 5'7" height cutoff. Her grandmother, who Kirkpatrick considers her best friend, told Kirkpatrick to try out for cycle 13, which was called the "petite edition" because it specifically sought contestants who are 5'7" or under. Kirkpatrick said it was a last-minute, "spur-of-the-moment" decision to visit Chicago, Illinois, where she successfully applied to be on the season. Kirkpatrick, who was 19 when she started on the show, was consistently considered one of the judges' favorite finalists throughout the season. She was particularly praised by the judges and reviewers for her strong personality, which stood out as different than those of the other contestants due to her working-class, "country girl" lifestyle. She was also noted for her tendency to break into sudden fits of excitement and laughter. Her Kentucky accent has been identified as part of her charm, although during the show, judge and fashion photographer Nigel Barker said it could prove to be a hindrance during her modeling career. Parker said, "I know that in the back of their head, they don't want a Cover Girl with an accent, unless it is already somebody super-famous." Read Less