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There was nothing shocking about the finale of Canada’s Next Top Model.
As predicted, Rebecca Hardy, the unconventional-looking, meat-packing plant worker from Mannheim, Ont., was crowned the winner.
After so much being made of the new look, feel and calibre of City-TV’s CNTM this season, the only surprise was seeing a girl so similar to last year’s winner, Andrea Muizelaar, take the title.
Both are from Ontario. Both have red hair. Both come from low-paying jobs. And both were deemed the least “pretty” of the Top 10.
Still, Hardy says there is one big difference between her and her predecessor — drive.
“I think what separates the two of us is the fact that my passion’s a lot stronger. This is something I have always wanted to do,” says the 5-foot-11 tomboy, still buzzing from the win.
“Regardless, what happened last year, because I’m not 100% on that, I am not a quitter and I am not going to give up. It’s not going to be a smooth road, because nothing ever is, but I am not going to just get off when things get rough.”
While time will tell if Hardy actually becomes a top model, she’s confident the skills she gained on Top Model will come in handy. In fact, that’s why she entered the competition in the first place.
“I didn’t want to be on the show, just to be on the show. I wanted to use it as a stepping stone to become a model. I think that’s part of the reason why they chose me, they saw I had a passion for modelling.”
As this season’s winner Hardy, 22, will receive a $100,000 contract with Procter & Gamble, a modelling contract and an editor spread in Fashion magazine.
“I am definitely going to be the girl who, a year from now, is still out there and still working.”