'Top Model' Winner Sounds Off on Tyra Banks After Contestant Admits Meth Addiction
Jael Strauss, a contestant on "America's Next Top Model" in 2007, is reportedly addicted to Methamphetamines, which the world found out about when she appeared on "Dr. Phil" Thursday to receive an intervention.
However, some people are blaming the show's creator and supermodel Tyra Banks for the misfortune of Strauss and many other models who have to figure out life after the competition.
While Gawker reported on the story, a person who claimed to be CariDee English, the 2006 winner of the competition, placed some blame on Banks for leaving models like Strauss to fend for themselves after the competition.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Tyra won't do anything. She provided a wonderful platform for girls to have a chance at their dream, but, after there is no 'Tyra Mail,'" English allegedly wrote on the Gawker article speaking about Strauss' issues with addiction. "I had to guide myself, and even though I won a model competition I still had no idea what the modeling BUSINESS was like. I had no idea what the industry was really like."
The person claiming to be English revealed that after the televised modeling competition, she had trouble finding work.
"I was famous, but no one wanted to take my picture. And critics and industry love to give us all (expletive) for not being the next big supermodel," English wrote on the article. "We all have done well, and we all had to do it on our own. I am not complaining, I am simply defending."
The model said that women have a tough time dealing with life after the competition mentally.
"I love love what I have made for myself since my win, but mentally, it's horrific. And any girl who has been on 'ANTM' can back me up," English said. "No one wants to take us serious as models. I am sure the show lost its credibility in producing a top model somewhere between making 3 cycles a year and posing on roller coasters."
English claimed that Banks did not help the models after the competition, instead rushing them out of her presence.
"Tyra wasn't there when the cameras stopped rolling, nor did she reach out. I got reached out by her 'camp' asking if I would do [an] 'All Star' cycle... I said 'What's the prize,'" English revealed. "Because last time the only thing I didn't win was being taken seriously as a top model... ( I declined after no consideration). The only person that has reached out to me directly is Nigel Barker. He even hired me."
While English said she did not blame Banks entirely, she acknowledged that Strauss' issues with addiction may have been heightened by the issues she had after appearing on the show.
"Having problems and then getting a hint of fame only make an addiction rise. They should have evaluated her a lot more before letting her on the show," she reportedly wrote on the Gawker. "All they saw was a personality good for television. Well, this hopefully will save at least her life and someone watching. Everything happens for a reason."
