Charlie’s Angels: That’s what Theresa, LeeAnne and I called ourselves. After going through the many obstacles we've each had in our lives — as well as being the final three left standing in a very tough competition — we shared a common bond. We each recognized the inner and outer beauty in one another, and knew that even though we all wanted to win, we'd be happy for the winner, whoever she was.
Riding in the limo from the Miami airport, we took in the amazing view. We were like three little girls pointing and squealing at every wonderful thing we saw. After arriving at the hotel, we planned a short walk on the beach and then back up to the room to catch up on some much needed sleep. When we got down to the beach, our plans were derailed. There Kim stood, welcoming us to Miami and announcing that we were immediately going into a swimsuit photo shoot. Oh, the life of a model! I thought, “OK, Cindy, suck it up — you’ll get to sleep later.” When it was my turn to take the walk on the beach toward the set, I started to get a little nervous. I never learned the typical swimsuit model poses! Fortunately for me, the photographer gave plenty of direction. All in all, I felt pretty good about the shoot.
In the Presidential Suite, the mood was always light and fun. We spent every waking moment together. What’s surprising is that I think we all felt less tension than we had throughout the entire competition. We weren’t trying to figure out how to beat each other, but rather, how to do our best and beat our own previous work. We knew that we needed to show that we were capable of taking the judges' criticisms and improving upon them.
The next challenge would prove to be difficult for each of us for different reasons. When Navid first held up the bottles of paint and announced it would be our wardrobe for the day, I was excited! I always thought it would be cool to be body painted. For some reason, it didn’t register that we would be NAKED. While being painted and having my hair done I was on edge. It finally occurred to me it would be obvious to everyone that I was naked.
On top of that, I had no clue what to expect from the penguins. Would they be accepting of this naked woman sharing their space?! As I got ready to leave for the penguin habitat, I glanced at a full- length mirror… and that’s when I saw it: black and white body paint on an obviously naked body, and a mohawk with a silver stripe. I looked like a creature from a sci-fi movie… and I loved it! As I stood on the rocks in the penguin habitat, the fear subsided, as the little guys didn’t seem to mind me there. Then a new worry surfaced. I have a secret that a lot of people aren’t aware of — I can’t swim! My thoughts were racing. What if I slip on the rock and fall into the water; who will save me? The worst possible otucome was falling in while naked: Would the paint wash off? I found myself clinging to the rock with my foot, which in the end was obvious to the judges.
We returned to the Presidential Suite and enjoyed our final evening together, toasting with Champagne and wishing each other luck. Knowing this was our last evening together, it was a bittersweet celebration.
The big day had arrived! The three of us were excited, eating our breakfast and talking. Within minutes, the whole mood had changed. Kim arrived, and from past experiences, that meant only one thing. More unexpected news: She announced the final challenge, a runway show we'd do with top Wilhelmina runway models. The reactions were mixed. Theresa was excited as that was her element; she'd done hundreds of shows. LeeAnne, too, seemed OK with it and had a little experience.
I was torn. I had always wanted to do runway, so it excited me. But I never learned it, and the only time I ever stepped foot on a runway was when the 20 finalists had the “sexy challenge.” I know there is an art to walking. I just didn’t know what IT was! Fortunately, we were to be coached by a top runway model. The lesson was less than an hour long, and I didn’t know if that was enough of a lesson to have it stick with me for any length of time.
Sitting in hair and makeup, I was extremely tense as I was surrounded by top Wilhelmina models. After hair and makeup, Theresa, LeeAnne and I took a peek out at the audience. Unbeknownst to them, it wasn’t only the audience that worried me. It was the narrow runway itself, which was situated over a pool. I started to get worried that my secret of not knowing how to swim would come out in front of the judges, audience and viewers at home! As I waited in the line-up to go on stage I started to feel nauseous.
But once I set foot on the runway, everything changed. I felt strong, powerful and beautiful. I’m sure some of that can be attributed to the beautiful clothing we were lucky to wear. But a lot of it was attributed to a recurring daydream I had as a young girl; I always imagined being on a runway with hundreds of people watching. I pictured myself tall, strong and elegant, feeling beautiful. And here I was looking and feeling exactly as I pictured it! I couldn’t wait to get into the next outfit and experience the runway all over again. The next time didn’t go quite the same, though. After taking my first few steps, I realized my dress was caught on my heel. No one ever told me what to do in this instance! Should I stop in the middle, bend over and unhook it, or just stay in the moment, hoping not to fall in the water? My instinct was just to keep going. In the end, Robert thought I did the right thing, but Beverly thought I needed to do the former, even at the risk of falling in the water. I’m still a little confused about that — would the gown look better wet, or caught on my heel? The third dress was definitely a showstopper! I was so happy that Eduardo and Paul chose me to wear it. Going on the runway in that red dress, I regained the feeling I had in my initial walk. I felt triumphant!
Winning this competition is more than a dream come true for me. It's a testimony to the fact that if you keep your dream alive in your heart and never let it waver, it most certainly can come true! Please stay tuned, as I'll be blogging about my experience as a Wilhelmina model. There will also be follow-up interviews posted from all the models, so keep checking back online here.
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You did not deserve to win this. Theresa did.
She was the only one who did not get into the drams and she is 1000 percent prettier than you.
Fixed1
Congrats on your win!
I am very interested in being on the show 4. I am 6 foot and have a great commercial look. I am 39 …the show is a great opportunity….signing in from louisville louisville ky….glad to see cindy win….
Cindy wanted to be a model for as long as I can remember. I think the first word out of her mouth was not mom or dad it was model. Cindy was always focused and confident even as a child. She was very quiet but when it came for her to do or learn something new she was always up for the challenge with a quiet determination, Cindy i'm very proud to be your father. I knew you could do it..love you, and i'll see you soon. Dad..
totaly agree
hey cindy u represent!!! 2nd season 2nd aa winner i hope u and tonya get 2 meet and take some pics 2gether that would be awsome best wishes
Cindy, I am so proud of you and glad that you won the contest. You are going to have a great career in the modeling industry. You were always true to yourself, you pushed beyond any limit, and you were always willing to learn from the judges. You were on to watch from the very beginning of the season. You were the total package!!!! God bless you and your family.
Cindy, it was so awesome to see you do your thing. From the first time I met you I knew you had the look, now I am glad that the world knows you have it too! You are a beautiful person inside and out and I am so happy for you that your Dreams are coming true, you deserve it.
P.S. You ROCKED that red dress!
Cindy, you are absolutely right. We are a diverse culture now. Years ago I sent my son's picture's into Wilhelmina Kid's Agency because I thought he had the All-American look about him, which he does. Sandy blond hair, green eyes. Looks like a little surfer kid, but they didn't accept him because he probably looked too much like the boy next door. Agencies and society want more than that today. They want THE LOOK. Which you possess. Your graceful and elegant and beautiful. Enjoy your success with all the passion that you displayed on the show.
Congratulations Cindy! You so very much deserve this win and opportunity. I thought you handled the 'dress on the heel' moment perfectly and like a pro. Thank you so much for your inspirational words:
"It's a testimony to the fact that if you keep your dream alive in your heart and never let it waver, it most certainly can come true!"
That is going to be my new daily mantra!
To the exotic comment, I knew Cindy in high school. Small town Ohio is not what you would call exotic, far from it. We were exposed to the culture of hopped up novas and a loosing football team.
Many of us left that town and broadened our horizons and I am proud if the small town Ohio girl who grew up so "exotic".
Way to go Cindy.
ART
Cindy I want to say congrats and to let you know I have followed the show all the way to the end… You are not only living YOUR dream but MY dream as well and you are an inspiration to any woman out there who thinks their dream can't come true! I look forward to seeing you flourish in your new life!
Cindy, I am so proud to have come in contact with your spirit. You are a woman of example, displaying class, beauty, poise, inner and outer beauty. Do you know how special a person has to be for people to pick up on her inner qualities through tv? Girl, there is a calling on your life and you must walk in this season to encourage other women who are dealing with any types of adversities. Stay positive! I so look forward to following your career and I am truly a "FAN" of yours!
Congrats on the win. Your positive personality and lack of drama or ill will towards the other women made you the winner in my eyes. I hope to audition for next season. Would love your opinion on my photos at http://www.MySpace.com/LookForeverYoung. I am 55. Have an exciting year !
Catwoman,
Although you are certainly entitled to your opinion, "exotic" is becoming more of what makes up America, whether people like it or not.. We are a diverse culture not just the whole "All-American" look that was ideal long ago, We need to represent the new generation, and what our country is becoming. We are a multicultural society, and need to show that as being beautiful, because it is. Tanya is a perfect example, and I applaud her inner beauty as well as her outer beauty.
Catwoman, you said about Cindy: "You have an exoctic look about you, which works well in some situations, but to me, doesn't look real." Then you talked about how Jamie's look is what "most" American women want to see. You don't know anything about "most" American women. What do you know about women of color and our idea of beauty? Perhaps you prefer Jamie because your race connects you to her and her look is one that you think you can achieve. But women of color don't see ourselves in Jamie, just like you don't see yourself in Cindy. You shouldn't assume and make generalizations about what "most" American women want because you just don't know. Your view is limited.
Congrats Cindy…you were my choice right from the beginning. Good luck in all you do….xoxoxo
Yay!! Kudos to Cindy!! I think I'm almost as excited as you are that you won! Can't wait to see your future work! Absolutely incredible, Cindy!
Congratulations Cindy!! I felt from the very first episode of this season that you would win. You have beauty inside and out, poise, class, and untapped talent. I wish you much success in the coming years.
After viewing all the shows, I must say that my #1 choice to be the one voted off the show, was not one of the contestants at all, but BEVERLY JOHNSON!
Cindy, when you made your entrance onto that runway, I felt like a throughbred had just come out of the gate. You were dynamite! I can truly see that you will go far in your new profression and I look forward to seeing you in SELF magazine in September. Many blessings.
Congratulations Cindy! My favorite beauties (your "Charlie's Angels") were in the top three but I was hoping fervently YOU would win!You were classy all the way and I wish you all the very BEST! I will be looking for you in the next SELF issue!
I am so thrilled to see Eduardo de las Casas garments on the runway, especially the red one on Cindy! Eduardo is a Fashion Design graduate of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and we are EXTREMELY proud of him. We look forward to following his successes! Director of Communications
Congrats Cindy, allthough
I realy wanted Theresa to win, based on the fact @ near 50 yrs she looks & photographs better than most women 1/2 her age. Also I feel that not only did Theresa want to win it more, she also needed to win the most.
Congratulations Cindy you were my choice from the very begining you are beautiful woman inside and out.I will say Theresa was my second choice you both were so close. Good luck
Cindy, I am sure you are a very sweet woman, but I must say I so disappointed with this show. Last year Tanya, and now you. It's not that you're not beautiful, but I don't think your look reflects the ideals of most American women over 35. You have an exoctic look about you, which works well in some situations, but to me, doesn't look real.
I wish these judges would wake up and realize that every woman over 35 in America doesn't want to look like Sophia Loren. We don't darken our hair and try to look sultry, if anything we're trying to look youner, more wholesome, not older and mysterious.
Jamie was my favorite from the beginning. She had a beauty that was wholesome and youthful, even at 35, and her body was AMAZING! That's the look I think most American woman want to see.
I will say I like you better than that disgusting Tanya they chose last year, and by the way, what happened to here? She's probably in some pageant somewhere!
Cindy, you're absolutely fabulous! You showed so much class, courage and grace.