'Top Model' Finalist Now a Meth Addict on 'Dr. Phil' (VIDEO)
She was once a finalist on "America's Top Model," but now Jael Strauss is fighting for her life. The former aspiring model is now a "full blown meth addict" who is in jeopardy of losing her life if she doesn't receive help.
Fans may remember Strauss from the 2007 season of "Top Model" in which she made it to the finals and had to deal with intense personal loss. Her best friend tragically overdosed while Strauss was filming the series, and she made the tough decision to stay in the competition. On top of that, Strauss was photographed that same week as a corpse, which brought out intense memories.
"There was never, never a question in my mind to leave the competition," she told the cameras that week. "My friend is gone and I am still here living life to the fullest."
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Now, it seems, Strauss has forgotten how to live and has turned to methamphetamine instead. Due to her addiction, her physical health has drastically deteriorated, as has her mental health. She has been homeless and struggled with feelings of despair for the past six years.
Her family reached out to TV's Dr. Phil in an effort to provide an intervention for Strauss, who reluctantly agreed to be on the show. Once she saw the crowd, and Dr. Phil, Strauss turned and ran away, leading to something no one had ever seen on the "Dr. Phil" show.
"This is the first time in 10 years I've come out here, and it's to talk to you," he told Strauss in a clip from the show. While several people have attempted to leave before their time was over on the show, Dr. Phil has never pursued them. This marked a drastic change and showed what lengths he was willing to go to in order to help the struggling former model.
It remains to be seen whether Strauss will take the help offered to her by Dr. Phil. Her story airs tomorrow afternoon on CBS.
Watch a preview for the episode here:
