Laura Kirkpatrick
Encyclopedia
Laura Sioux Kirkpatrick is an American fashion model, best known as the runner-up of Cycle 13
of America's Next Top Model
. Kirkpatrick was considered a favorite finalist among judges and viewers, who praised her for her bubbly personality, strong "country girl" lifestyle and Kentucky accent
. She was voted fan favorite in a poll the show held after the conclusion of the series, which won her a six-month, rent-free apartment in New York City
.
, Kentucky
, to father Greg Kirkpatrick and mother Jodie Hill Jones. She has two younger sisters, Hannah and Jarah, and a younger brother named Jeremy. She previously has worked on her family's farm, where working with cattle was one of her primary jobs. She is dyslexic
. Prior to her appearance on America's Next Top Model, she had been working as a waitress. Kirkpatrick was majoring in art at Eastern Kentucky University
in Richmond, Kentucky
, before joining the show, and was the first in her family to attend college. However, she missed final exams due to America's Next Top Model, which prevented her from advancing from freshman to sophomore.
, and had looked into applying for the series before, but was a half-inch shorter than the 5'7" height cutoff. Her grandmother, who Kirkpatrick considers her best friend, told Kirkpatrick to try out for cycle 13
, which was called the "petite edition" because it specifically sought contestants who are 5'7" or under. Kirkpatrick said it was a last-minute, "spur-of-the-moment" decision to visit Chicago
, Illinois
, where she successfully applied to be on the season. Kirkpatrick, who was 19 when she started on the show, was consistently considered one of the judges' favorite finalists throughout the season. She was particularly praised by the judges and reviewers for her strong personality, which stood out as different than those of the other contestants due to her working-class, "country girl" lifestyle. She was also noted for her tendency to break into sudden fits of excitement and laughter. Her Kentucky accent has been identified as part of her charm, although during the show, judge and fashion photographer Nigel Barker said it could prove to be a hindrance during her modeling career. Barker said, "I know that in the back of their head, they don't want a Cover Girl with an accent, unless it is already somebody super-famous." Kirkpatrick initially tried to tone down her accent as a result of the comment, but stopped trying because she felt it made her "lose my spark". Kirkpatrick was never selected as one of the "bottom two" contestants for any of the challenges, though none of her photos were chosen as the best photo of the week. However, Kirkpatrick did exceptionally well on a group cirque du Soleil shoot. Kirkpatrick said the Cirque du Soleil photo shoot was her favorite of the show, and that walking on the runway
was her favorite part of the modeling experience.
Kirkpatrick's dyslexia proved to be a difficulty during some challenges, particularly when she had to read teleprompters for Cover Girl
television commercials, which was one of the final contests of the season. Throughout the show, Kirkpatrick spoke fondly of her grandmother, Wanda Sue Kirkpatrick, during taped segments and often wore dresses designed by her grandmother during the judges' comments. Wanda Sue also made a dress for Tyra Banks, which she wore on the show. Starting at 14 contestants, Kirkpatrick made it to the final two, but ultimately lost to Nicole Fox
, who was named "America's Next Top Model" on November 18, 2009. Kirkpatrick and Fox became friends during the season and, although Kirkpatrick believed her personality was strong, she also admitted Fox's photos were particularly strong. Kirkpatrick initially reacted emotionally to her loss and was comforted by the show's host, retired supermodel Tyra Banks
. She said of her initial reaction to the loss: "I was really devastated at the time and cried forever until my eyes swelled up and popped out of my head! But now that it's all over, I'm okay with it because I know I'm going to work just as much as Nicole." It was announced on May 12, 2011 that Kirkpatrick would join the cast again for America's Next Top Model All Star Edition (Cycle 17) with several returning models and was placed 4th.
to pursue modeling opportunities. After her six-month stint in New York, Kirkpatrick plans to move to Germany
to further pursue her modeling career. Kirkpatrick has received several representation offers from modeling agencies, including Tyra Banks' Bankable Productions. Kirkpatrick's official blog, Laurasmodellife.com, is featured on the website for "The Advocate-Messenger
," a Danville, Kentucky
-based newspaper. She was also slated to be the grand marshal of a downtown Christmas parade in her hometown of Stanford on December 5, 2009. Kirkpatrick has also appeared on Banks' talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show
." Kirkpatrick has also taken part for some charity print work for 2010 Haiti earthquake
relief.
Kirkpatrick also had a cover and spread in Lex Scene Magazine. and was featured in Steve Madden
's Summer 2010 Collection.
Shortly after her appearance on ANTM, Kirkpatrick started a dyslexia foundation, The Beautiful Minds. The foundation hosts runway shows and other events to raise awareness for dyslexia education.
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13 is the thirteenth cycle of America's Next Top Model and the seventh season to be aired on The CW network. It premiered on September 9, 2009. This cycle's catch phrase is "'The Lineup Is 5' 7" And Under. Not The Usual Suspects. BOOK 'EM!", and the promotional song...
of America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
. Kirkpatrick was considered a favorite finalist among judges and viewers, who praised her for her bubbly personality, strong "country girl" lifestyle and Kentucky accent
Southern American English
Southern American English is a group of dialects of the English language spoken throughout the Southern region of the United States, from Southern and Eastern Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky to the Gulf Coast, and from the Atlantic coast to most of Texas and Oklahoma.The Southern dialects make...
. She was voted fan favorite in a poll the show held after the conclusion of the series, which won her a six-month, rent-free apartment in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Biography
Laura Kirkpatrick was born in StanfordStanford, Kentucky
Stanford is a city in Lincoln County, Kentucky, United States. It is one of the oldest settlements in Kentucky, having been founded in 1775. Its population was 3,430 at the 2000 census...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, to father Greg Kirkpatrick and mother Jodie Hill Jones. She has two younger sisters, Hannah and Jarah, and a younger brother named Jeremy. She previously has worked on her family's farm, where working with cattle was one of her primary jobs. She is dyslexic
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
. Prior to her appearance on America's Next Top Model, she had been working as a waitress. Kirkpatrick was majoring in art at Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
in Richmond, Kentucky
Richmond, Kentucky
There were 10,795 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households, 34.7% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had...
, before joining the show, and was the first in her family to attend college. However, she missed final exams due to America's Next Top Model, which prevented her from advancing from freshman to sophomore.
America's Next Top Model
Kirkpatrick had been pursuing a modeling career for years prior to her appearance on the CW Network reality television show America's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
, and had looked into applying for the series before, but was a half-inch shorter than the 5'7" height cutoff. Her grandmother, who Kirkpatrick considers her best friend, told Kirkpatrick to try out for cycle 13
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13 is the thirteenth cycle of America's Next Top Model and the seventh season to be aired on The CW network. It premiered on September 9, 2009. This cycle's catch phrase is "'The Lineup Is 5' 7" And Under. Not The Usual Suspects. BOOK 'EM!", and the promotional song...
, which was called the "petite edition" because it specifically sought contestants who are 5'7" or under. Kirkpatrick said it was a last-minute, "spur-of-the-moment" decision to visit Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, where she successfully applied to be on the season. Kirkpatrick, who was 19 when she started on the show, was consistently considered one of the judges' favorite finalists throughout the season. She was particularly praised by the judges and reviewers for her strong personality, which stood out as different than those of the other contestants due to her working-class, "country girl" lifestyle. She was also noted for her tendency to break into sudden fits of excitement and laughter. Her Kentucky accent has been identified as part of her charm, although during the show, judge and fashion photographer Nigel Barker said it could prove to be a hindrance during her modeling career. Barker said, "I know that in the back of their head, they don't want a Cover Girl with an accent, unless it is already somebody super-famous." Kirkpatrick initially tried to tone down her accent as a result of the comment, but stopped trying because she felt it made her "lose my spark". Kirkpatrick was never selected as one of the "bottom two" contestants for any of the challenges, though none of her photos were chosen as the best photo of the week. However, Kirkpatrick did exceptionally well on a group cirque du Soleil shoot. Kirkpatrick said the Cirque du Soleil photo shoot was her favorite of the show, and that walking on the runway
Runway (fashion)
Runway or catwalk describes a narrow, usually flat platform that runs into an auditorium, used by models to demonstrate clothing and accessories during a fashion show In fashion jargon, "what's on the catwalk" or similar phrasing can refer to whatever is new and popular in fashion.- Exclusive...
was her favorite part of the modeling experience.
Kirkpatrick's dyslexia proved to be a difficulty during some challenges, particularly when she had to read teleprompters for Cover Girl
Cover girl
A cover girl is a woman whose photograph features on the front cover of a magazine. She may be a model, celebrity or entertainer. The term would generally not be used to describe a casual, once-off appearance by a person on the cover of a magazine....
television commercials, which was one of the final contests of the season. Throughout the show, Kirkpatrick spoke fondly of her grandmother, Wanda Sue Kirkpatrick, during taped segments and often wore dresses designed by her grandmother during the judges' comments. Wanda Sue also made a dress for Tyra Banks, which she wore on the show. Starting at 14 contestants, Kirkpatrick made it to the final two, but ultimately lost to Nicole Fox
Nicole Fox
Nicole Fox is an American artist and fashion model, best known as the winner of Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model.-Biography:...
, who was named "America's Next Top Model" on November 18, 2009. Kirkpatrick and Fox became friends during the season and, although Kirkpatrick believed her personality was strong, she also admitted Fox's photos were particularly strong. Kirkpatrick initially reacted emotionally to her loss and was comforted by the show's host, retired supermodel Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
. She said of her initial reaction to the loss: "I was really devastated at the time and cried forever until my eyes swelled up and popped out of my head! But now that it's all over, I'm okay with it because I know I'm going to work just as much as Nicole." It was announced on May 12, 2011 that Kirkpatrick would join the cast again for America's Next Top Model All Star Edition (Cycle 17) with several returning models and was placed 4th.
Modeling career
Although Kirkpatrick did not win "America's Next Top Model," she was voted fan favorite in a poll the show held after the conclusion of the series. Although the margin was not reported, Kirkpatrick said the producers told her she won by "a whole lot." As a result of the win, Kirkpatrick was awarded a six-month, rent-free apartment stay in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to pursue modeling opportunities. After her six-month stint in New York, Kirkpatrick plans to move to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to further pursue her modeling career. Kirkpatrick has received several representation offers from modeling agencies, including Tyra Banks' Bankable Productions. Kirkpatrick's official blog, Laurasmodellife.com, is featured on the website for "The Advocate-Messenger
The Advocate-Messenger
The Advocate-Messenger is a newspaper published daily in Danville, Kentucky. On Sundays, The Advocate-Messenger is called The Kentucky Advocate.The newspaper serves central Kentucky, with distribution primarily inBoyle,Lincoln,...
," a Danville, Kentucky
Danville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
-based newspaper. She was also slated to be the grand marshal of a downtown Christmas parade in her hometown of Stanford on December 5, 2009. Kirkpatrick has also appeared on Banks' talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show, also known as and shortened to Tyra or The Tyra Show, is an American talk show hosted by Tyra Banks. The last new episode aired on Friday, May 28, 2010.-2005-2009: Syndication:...
." Kirkpatrick has also taken part for some charity print work for 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
relief.
Kirkpatrick also had a cover and spread in Lex Scene Magazine. and was featured in Steve Madden
Steve Madden
Steve Madden is the founder and former CEO of Steve Madden Ltd., a footwear company.Born in Far Rockaway, Queens, Madden grew up in adjoining Lawrence in Nassau County, New York....
's Summer 2010 Collection.
Shortly after her appearance on ANTM, Kirkpatrick started a dyslexia foundation, The Beautiful Minds. The foundation hosts runway shows and other events to raise awareness for dyslexia education.