Look out, fashion world; here comes Meaghan Waller.
The shy 19-year-old Winnipegger who came on to Canada's Next Top Model with a mouthful of braces can smile big now that she's claimed the CTV catwalk competition's top prize.
The awkward blond stunner beat out Calgary's Nikita Kiceluk, 19, and Edmonton's Linsay Willier, 22, on last night's third-season CNTM finale. Her prize? A contract with Elmer Olsen Model Management, an editorial spread in FASHION magazine and another contract -- a cool $100,000 with CoverGirl makers P&G Beauty.
Waller, who stands at 5'91/2" (and can fit into a size 2 dress, for those who care), was the first ever Winnipeg contestant on CNTM. Unlike Kiceluk and Willier, she had no previous modelling experience, and she spent the first few weeks of the contest posing with her braces -- until host Jay Manuel decided to get them taken off.
Last night's hour-long wrap show flew as quickly as a model in a windstorm. Here's how it all unfolded minute by minute:
:03 Ooo! FASHION magazine's editor-in-chief and creative director are on the set of a cover try -- which is basically a faux-toshoot. The pressure is on -- and Nikita isn't fitting into the chic yellow Versace dress they have for her because she's a size 4 (and apparently that's just ginormous). Oh no! Linsay can't get into it either. As for Meaghan? It fits juuuust right. "Notice how our fat asses can't fit into that dress but hers can?" a bitter-sounding Nikita says to Linsay from behind the scenes, then admits she's going to do her best to intimidate "the crap" out of Meaghan until she cracks. Wow, feel those claws sinking in.
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:14 As Nikita and Linsay feared, Meaghan's photo in that fierce yellow dress is fabulous. But the air is cleared of resent -- if only for a brief moment -- as the judges fawn over their photos as well. It's all a little overwhelming for Nikita, who is emotional and (for the first time, like, ever) speechless: "I just really love it and I want it so bad," she eventually says. Yes, but you're not alone, girly.
:20 Help! There's a major thunderstorm going on in my neck of the woods, and the screen is flickering. Please Mother Nature, don't let me down now!
:22 Jay: "The first name I'm going to call ... Linsay!" And the second? Meaghan. Both will walk in the runway showdown. "Damn, bitches," Nikita says before giving the lucky Top 2 goodbye hugs. I'm going to miss that feisty gal.
:28 New York designers Phillipe and David Blond -- aka the Blonds -- have high expectations and painfully sharp-looking garments. Best of luck with that fashion show, ladies!
:34 Meaghan's bringing sexy back again with that walk of hers ...
:35 OK, Ma Nature; I mean it. Stop with the lightning!
:38 The runway show is over already? From what little of it they played, it was impossible to see who had the advantage. The outfits were glam, the judges were impressed, and it's anybody's guess what model shall wear the crown.
:43 The judges couldn't be happier with the runway results. Meaghan finally found some confidence and Linsay was in full-on superstar mode.
:48 The rain has finally tapered off, but now the judges are showering the girls with compliments. Jeanne Beker's crying, Linsay's crying, now Meaghan's crying. Yep, the floodgates have been opened.
:52 Commercial -- and the last chance to pee before Canada's Next Top Model is announced! Sorry, too much information.
:55 Deliberation time, and the judges are at each other's throats. I can't take the suspense.
:57 And. Canada's. Next. Top. Model. Is ... Meaghan! "It sucks because I did better than her at the runway," a teary Linsay explains. Meanwhile, Meaghan is already plotting her global fashion domination: "Honestly, every emotion is like pouring through my veins right now. I want to travel, I want to do as many photoshoots around the world as possible. I want to make it all happen. It's official: Meaghan Waller is a model." Got that, world?