Celia Ammerman

Ammerman grew up in Cynthiana, Kentucky. She realized she wanted to work in the modeling or fashion industry at age 14 after trying on her mother's wedding gown.[1] Her mother, a seamstress, made Ammerman outfits and dresses from her birth throughout her childhood, which she also said helped develop her love of fashion.[2] Ammerman took part in every runway show or photo shoot available in Lexington, Kentucky, including at the Bella Rose clothing boutique and the non-profit Beaux Arts Ball.[1] When she moved to Brooklyn in July 2006, she lived in an apartment across from a chicken slaughterhouse.[1] She has previously worked as a Thom Browne specialist for the Bergdorf Goodman department store.[3]

In 2007, at age 23, Ammerman tried out for the CW Network reality television show America's Next Top Model, but was not chosen as a contestant. In 2009, an acquaintance who tried out for Stylista, another CW reality show, introduced her to an America's Next Top Model casting agent, who encouraged her to submit photos and attend a closed casting call.[2] This time she was chosen to perform in the show's twelfth cycle. It was during her time on the show that she learned she was cross-eyed, a fact she was not aware of until judge and photographer Nigel Barker pointed it out.[1]

At age 25, Ammerman was the oldest contestant in Cycle 12,[4] and the judges repeatedly expressed concern that she might be too old to be a model.[4][5][6] However, she was also complimented by the judges on multiple occasions for her elegance, her love of fashion and its reflection in her personal styling,[6] and what Paulina Porizkova, a judge and former model, called her "non-traditional model looks".[4]

During the fifth episode (March 25), after the judges voted to keep contestant Tahlia Brookins on the show, Ammerman told the judges she felt Brookins should be dismissed because she had been expressing a great deal of self-doubt and questioning whether she should stay on the show. Show host Tyra Banks criticized Ammerman for making the public statement, claiming that decision should come from Brookins rather than her. During the seventh episode (April 8) of the show, Ammerman received her first (and only) first callout for her outstanding CoverGirl commercial, Tahlia was eliminated in the same episode.[7][8]

Ammerman was among the final four contestants when she was eliminated from the show in the twelfth episode (May 6). During the same episode she was eliminated, Ammerman ranked first place in a dance challenge and was complimented by Banks for her bone structure and strength. In all, Ammerman won a total of 4 challenges on the show, with prizes including a Walmart.com photo shoot and jewelry from Ara Vartanian worth over $7,000. The day before the episode ran, several reporters predicted Ammerman to win the competition.[9]

Prior to Top Model, Ammerman had been featured in Exposure &, Kentucky, CiN Weekly Magazine, Ohio, CCQ Magazine, deliriusdesign.com, NY & Borderline Magazine. Her runway credits included: Belvedere Vodka, NY, Aveda Hair Show, Ohio, Beaux Arts Runway, Kentucky.[10]

Following her appearance on America's Next Top Model, Ammerman shot her first fashion spread for the New York Post style section. She showcased her top five looks for the spring season, including a Juicy Couture swimsuit, a Brooks Brothers prep jacket and trousers, a Matthew Williamson nightdress from H&M, an Alice + Olivia belted halter dress and a Kate Moss Topshop jacket.[3] In addition, thanks to challenge wins on the show, she has appeared in an ad for CoverGirl on Walmart.com and in the June 2009 issue of Seventeen. She has also been featured on Racked.com,[11] as well as in the September 2009 issue of Allure Magazine,[12] and Short Hair Magazine.[13] Ammerman appeared in the Vogue accessories supplement in the September 2009 issue of Vogue Italia, modeling Prada sunglasses.[14]

Ammerman collects coins, stamps and Star Wars action figures.[1] In April 2009, Ammerman was working at the Intermix fashion store in Manhattan.[15]