When you think about the mid-2000s era of reality TV, it’s hard not to picture the high-stakes, slightly chaotic energy of Tyra Banks. But if you’re looking back at the winners, specifically America’s Next Top Model Nicole, you’re probably thinking of one of two very different women.
Usually, the name sparks a debate between Cycle 5’s Nicole Linkletter and Cycle 13’s Nicole Fox.
Honestly, both these women represent the biggest "what-ifs" of the franchise. One was a traditional "English Rose" who fought through a season of massive personalities. The other was the awkward, red-headed artist who basically redefined what a "petite" model could look like. You've probably heard people say one stole a win or the other was just lucky. They’re wrong.
The Linkletter Era: Why Cycle 5 Still Sparks Heat
Nicole Linkletter walked into Cycle 5 in 2005 looking exactly like the industry wanted at that specific moment. Think back to the mid-aughts. The "doll-faced" look—Gemma Ward, Lily Cole, Vlada Roslyakova—was the only thing anyone cared about.
Nicole had that.
People love to bring up Nik Pace, the runner-up, and say she was "robbed." Nik was consistent, sure. But honestly? Nicole had the look that worked in the real world of 2006. If you look at her portfolio, it wasn't just about being pretty. Her "Secret Deodorant" shot and her "Country Couture" in the London fog were legit.
But it was that final runway that sealed it.
I remember watching it—this bizarre, Bollywood-meets-Shakespeare mashup. Nicole stomped. She had this sharp, high-fashion gaze that made the other girls look like they were just playing dress-up. Twiggy, a guest judge that year, called her a "gentle soul," but on that runway, she was a predator.
What happened after the win?
A lot of ANTM winners disappear. Nicole didn't. She stayed booked. You’d see her in Forever 21 ads (back when that was a huge gig), and she worked overseas in Hong Kong and Singapore for years. She eventually transitioned into a lifestyle blog called No Way Mama and shifted focus to her family, but for a while, she was actually doing the job.
The "Petite" Revolution: Nicole Fox and Cycle 13
Fast forward to 2009. Tyra decides to do a cycle exclusively for models 5'7" and under. Enter Nicole Fox.
She was 18, from Colorado, and self-described as "the dork."
She was basically the anti-model. While everyone else was trying to be "fierce" (Tyra’s favorite word), Nicole was just... there. She was awkward, she didn't know how to talk to people, and she spent a lot of time alone.
But then she’d get in front of a camera.
The Stats That Don't Lie
Nicole Fox is one of the most dominant contestants the show ever had. Period.
- She never placed below 5th place.
- She was never in the bottom two.
- She never even appeared in the bottom three.
That’s insane for a show that thrives on putting its winners in the "bottom two" just for the drama. The judges literally couldn't find a reason to put her there. Her photos were that good. Her "Lava" shoot and the "Hapa" portrait are still cited by fans as some of the best in the history of the show.
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Why Do People Still Argue About Them?
It’s because of the "Personality Edit."
In Cycle 5, Linkletter was edited to look a little whiny. "Granolagate"—the incident where Bre Scullark threw out Nicole’s energy bars—made Nicole look like a bit of a victim. On the flip side, Fox was edited as the "weird girl."
The industry, however, doesn't care if you're whiny or weird as long as you can sell a dress.
A lot of people think America's Next Top Model Nicole (either of them) just got lucky. But if you look at their post-show work, they both worked. Nicole Fox did a massive campaign for Wild Fox Couture and transitioned into acting, appearing in films like Ashley and Redlands.
The Reality of Post-ANTM Success
Let’s be real: being on a reality show is usually a career killer for serious high-fashion models. Agencies like Ford and Elite often didn't want the "stigma" of a TV show. Linkletter eventually left Ford because of the pressure to stay "size 0" and have a specific look. She even mentioned once that they dropped her after she shaved her head without asking.
It’s a brutal business.
Actionable Takeaways from the "Nicole" Success Stories
If you’re looking at these women as blueprints for success in a creative field, there are actual lessons here:
- Leaning into your "weird" works: Nicole Fox didn't try to be the bubbly girl next door. She leaned into her introversion, and it made her photos more haunting and memorable.
- Master the technicals: Nicole Linkletter won because her runway walk was objectively better than her competition. You can have the best face in the room, but if you can't do the "job" part of the job, you're toast.
- Know when to pivot: Both women realized that modeling has an expiration date. Linkletter moved into lifestyle content and family; Fox moved into indie acting and art.
Whether you're a fan of the Cycle 5 "English Rose" or the Cycle 13 "Petite Powerhouse," it’s clear that the name Nicole is basically synonymous with actually being able to model, regardless of what the reality TV edits tried to tell us. They weren't just characters; they were professionals in a very weird era of television.
If you're revisiting the show, look past the drama of the "no personality" edits. Look at the film. The proof is in the contact sheets.