If you were sitting in front of a chunky CRT television in late 2004, you probably remember the chaos. America’s Next Top Model was hitting its stride, and Cycle 3 was the moment the show officially went nuclear. It had everything: a breakout star in Yaya DaCosta, the high-fashion blind contestant Amanda Swafford, and the eventually iconic winner Eva Pigford. But then there was Ann.
Ann Markley (now known as Annalaina Marks) is arguably the most misunderstood contestant in the history of the franchise. To the judges, she was "the girl with the secret"—a stunning athlete who couldn't seem to take a decent photo. To the fans, she was the girl who survived five bottom-two appearances, seemingly by the skin of her teeth.
But looking back two decades later, it’s clear that the narrative surrounding Ann ANTM Season 3 was almost entirely a product of reality TV editing rather than actual industry potential.
Why Ann Was Kept Around (It Wasn't Just "Potential")
It’s the question that still haunts Reddit threads: How did Ann make it to the final four while fan favorites like Toccara Jones were sent packing? Honestly, if you look at the raw data, it’s baffling. Ann was in the bottom two five times. Five.
In most seasons, two bottom-two appearances are a death sentence. But Tyra Banks and the agencies were obsessed with her. Why? Because she actually looked like a model.
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At 5'11" with an athletic build and a face that could sell anything from Chanel to Target, Ann was the industry's dream. She was a champion water polo player at Mercyhurst University before joining the show. That discipline showed, even if her "smize" didn't.
The Industry vs. The Reality Show
There is a massive difference between being a "model" (the noun) and "modeling" (the verb). ANTM rewarded the verb. It wanted high-concept poses, theatricality, and the ability to look good while draped in a tarantula.
In the real world, 90% of a model's job is showing up to a catalog shoot, standing still, and looking expensive. Ann could do that in her sleep. While the show's photographers like Nigel Barker or the erratic Janice Dickinson slammed her for being "stiff," the agencies saw a girl who would actually book jobs.
The Eva and Ann "Marriage" Problems
You can't talk about Ann ANTM Season 3 without mentioning Eva "The Diva" Pigford. Their friendship was the emotional backbone of the season, and it was... a lot.
They called themselves a "married couple." They were inseparable until they weren't. One of the most famous moments involved a brownie. Ann, in a moment of sheer pettiness, wrote "Clean your s---" in a tray of brownies belonging to fellow contestant Cassie. It was messy. It was mean. It was perfect 2004 television.
The relationship finally imploded in Tokyo. When Eva told Ann she hoped Norelle would "eat it" during a commercial shoot, Ann—who had befriended Norelle—felt betrayed. When Ann was finally eliminated in 4th place, she hugged Yaya and Amanda but famously walked right past Eva.
It was a cold, silent exit. No tears for her former best friend. Just a walk into the sunset of a surprisingly successful career.
What Really Happened After the Cameras Stopped
Most ANTM winners fade into obscurity after their CoverGirl contract expires. For Ann, the elimination was just the beginning.
She did what many smart contestants do: she changed her name to Annalaina Marks and got to work. She didn't need the "Top Model" title because she had the "Top Model" look.
A Resumé That Beats the Winners
If you look at her post-show work, it’s actually kind of embarrassing for the people who judged her. While the show's "experts" said she couldn't take a photo, her real-world portfolio includes:
- The first ANTM alum to appear on Project Runway (Season 1 finale for Kara Saun).
- Major campaigns for brands like L’Oreal, Target, and Ray-Ban.
- International magazine covers including Philadelphia Style and Washington D.C. Style.
- Runway work in New York, Milan, and Los Angeles.
She wasn't just a "reality star." She was a working model signed to Wilhelmina and Elite. She even transitioned into acting, popping up in Gossip Girl, Blue Bloods, and the movie Made of Honor with Patrick Dempsey.
The 2026 Perspective: Was She Gaslit?
Looking back, there’s a strong argument that the show "broken" Ann's confidence on purpose. The constant criticism of her "stiffness" and the repetitive bottom-two appearances seemed designed to create a "struggling beauty" narrative.
In the Tokyo commercial episode, Ann actually won the challenge. Her Japanese was praised by the translator as "perfect." But even that victory felt like a footnote in a season dedicated to the Eva vs. Yaya rivalry.
Ann ANTM Season 3 proves that the judges aren't always right. Or rather, they are judging a different game. They were looking for a TV star; the industry was looking for a mannequin. Ann was the latter, and she's had the twenty-year career to prove it.
Lessons from the "Girl With the Secret"
If you're a fan of the show or a budding creative, there are a few things to take away from Ann’s journey. First, "potential" is a currency that only gets you so far; eventually, you have to deliver. But second, and more importantly, your "market" isn't necessarily the person in front of you right now.
Tyra Banks didn't see it. The fans didn't see it. But the casting directors for GQ and Glamour Italia certainly did.
Your Post-ANTM Action Plan
If you want to track down more of her work or understand the Cycle 3 era better, here is what you should do:
- Search for Annalaina Marks: This is the name she used for the bulk of her professional career. Her professional portfolio looks nothing like the "blurred" photos the show used to critique her.
- Watch the Tokyo Commercial Episode: It's a rare moment where you see Ann’s actual competence shine through without the "stiff" edit.
- Compare the Go-Sees: Look at how designers reacted to her in person versus how the judges reacted to her photos. It’s a masterclass in industry disconnect.
Ann might not have won the crown, but in the long game of the fashion industry, she’s one of the few who actually stayed on the throne.