With stunning editorial portraits week after week and a strong presence on the catwalk, Teyona Anderson proved she was the fiercest one of all, winning the 12th cycle of “America’s Next Top Model” (CW, 2003- ). Anderson’s statuesque beauty coupled with a reserved personality made her the season’s underdog, ultimately winning the competition not because of her diva-like behavior but for carrying herself with equal parts poise and edginess that impressed “ANTM” creator, producer and head judge, Tyra Banks. Even though she was neither the first Top Model nor was she the last, Anderson posed and sashayed with the confidence and grace of a seasoned pro, making her one of the most memorable winners in the show’s history.

Teyona Anderson was born in Woodstown, NJ. The self-described “country girl” moved with her family to Elkton, MD when she was 14 years old. Growing up, the future model was an all-star athlete, playing basketball and participating in track and field at Elkton High School. At the suggestion of her mother and friends, Anderson, who worked as a loss prevention analyst for HSBC bank, auditioned for the 12th cycle of “America’s Next Top Model,” a reality series created and produced by supermodel Banks. The show aimed at finding the next great fashion and commercial model, with past winners that included actress Eva Marcille (formerly Pigford, cycle 3) and plus-sized model Whitney Thompson (cycle 10).

The 12th cycle of “ANTM” began in Las Vegas, where dozens of model hopefuls auditioned in front of Banks and fellow judges J. Alexander and Jay Manuel. Anderson, whom Banks described as having a “wind tunnel face,” due to her high cheekbones, was chosen to be one of 13 girls to compete in various modeling challenges – editorial photo shoots, filming commercials, and runway modeling – throughout the season. Anderson consistently did well during each challenge and photo shoot, even though fellow competitors Allison Harvard, a Louisiana girl whose eyes resembled a Japanese anime character, and Aminat Ayinde, a New Jersey native with legs that rivaled supermodel Naomi Campbell’s, were early favorites in the season. Anderson also became a viewer favorite for not partaking in as much drama as the other girls, focusing on modeling and avoiding bickering with fellow contestants.

When the final three hopefuls filmed the Cover Girl commercial during the May 2009 season finale, it was Anderson, Ayinde and Harvard who were left to win the title. Anderson wowed the judges not only for her TV spot, but also for a fierce catwalk in top swimwear designer Rosa Cha’s fashion show. The model went head to head with fellow finalist Harvard in a Brazilian-themed show complete with elaborate costumes and a greased up catwalk. Anderson kept her model composure even after losing part of her hairpiece while cavorting down the runway. At the end of the final judging, Anderson won the title of “America’s Next Top Model” and received a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics, representation by Elite Model Management, a magazine cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen. Later that year, Anderson was nominated for Choice TV: Female Reality/Variety Star at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards.