Heather Kuzmich

Infobox Model
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name = Heather Kuzmich
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birthname = Heather Kuzmich
birthdate = birth date and age|1986|4|19
location = Valparaiso, Indiana
height = height|ft=6|in=0 cite web|url=http://www.fansofrealitytv.com/forums/america-s-next-top-model-9/70129-america-s-next-top-model-9-interview-heather-12-03-07-a.html|title=America’s Next Top Model 9: Interview with Heather|publisher=FansofRealityTV.com|date=12-03-07]
haircolor = Brown
eyecolor = Green
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agency = Supreme Model Management
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Heather Kuzmich, born April 19, 1986 in Valparaiso, Indiana, is an art student. She currently lives in Chicago, Illinois where she is studying video game design. She is best known for being a contestant of "America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9", where she was the fourth runner-up of the show. During the show, it was revealed that Kuzmich has Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD.cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/americas-next-top-model/exclusive-interview-heather-ku-14299.aspx|author=Scarpa, Gina|title=Exclusive Interview: Heather Kuzmich of 'America's Next Top Model'|publisher=buddytv.com|date=2007-11-30|accessdate=2007-12-04]

Participation in "America's Next Top Model"

Kuzmich was one of the final five contestants on "America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9". At the beginning of the competition, some of the other contestants bullied Kuzmich, making fun of her "awkward" behavior and talking about her behind her back. However, Kuzmich later reported that "they didn't make fun of me that much" and that the show's producers chose not to broadcast more "civilized" exchanges.cite news | first=Tara | last=Parker-Pope | title=Asperger's Syndrome Gets a Very Public Face | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/health/04well.html | work=The New York Times | publisher=The New York Times Company | date=2007-12-04 | accessdate=2007-12-04 ]

According to Kuzmich, she has always wanted to model. Initially, she was hesitant about trying out for the show but finally agreed to do it after a friend convinced her to watch Cycle 7.

Kuzmich's journey began when she was the 12th girl called to participate in the final 13. Early on, she was deemed to be the underdog of the competition, but this changed when she excelled in the photo shoots. At week five in which they had to pose as fashion gargoyles, Kuzmich was called late because the judges critiqued that she only took "profile" shots. With that critique the next week, while the girls had to portray recyclable material (Heather wore aluminum cans), she gave all her shots face forward, causing the panel to be blown away by her stunning features. The next week, while filming a music video for Enrique Iglesias, the artist was so taken by Kuzmich's haunting looks that he picked her and fellow contestant Lisa Jackson for featured roles, where both models were praised and were the first two called.

Eventually, Kuzmich's strong portfolio could not compensate for her Asperger's Syndrome that began to affect her when having to communicate with others. During week nine, a runway challenge requiring her to speak caused her to freeze up in front of the audience and negatively affect her shoot with a burning car in the desert. Tyra Banks noted that while it was a good shot, it was her weakest.

The following week in China, Kuzmich had problems delivering her lines for the CoverGirl Queen Collection commercial. Mr. Jay noted that while she looked gorgeous, Kuzmich could not say her lines well - even when he fed them line by line. Despite taking a great CoverGirl shot, she found herself in the bottom two because of her inability to deliver, even while being given help from Mr. Jay.

She was spared for another week, but the following week saw her yet again landing in the bottom two. That week, the girls went on go-sees in Shanghai, and while the other four girls made it to at least three or four designers, Kuzmich got lost and ended up only making it to one. The designer praised her look and strong photographs, but criticized her runway walk as well as her lack of eye contact. She was also disqualified because of her late return. Many were angry when fellow competitor Jenah Doucette did not offer Kuzmich a ride back because she had lost her taxi, but she explained that it was against the rules. That week, the two models that Banks deemed to take the strongest photos of the remaining girls - Kuzmich and Doucette - were placed in the bottom two, both for their lack of good communication. Kuzmich was eliminated and became the ninth girl eliminated.

Kuzmich won nine CoverGirl of the Week awards. This is the highest amount any contestant has won on the show, equalling Naima Mora of Cycle 4 who won all of the CoverGirl of the Weeks of her cycle. Kuzmich also set Top Model history by winning the award the week after she was eliminated.

After "America's Next Top Model"

Kuzmich received great press attention due to her Asperger's Syndrome, including talk show appearances (such as being interviewed on "Good Morning America" and an article in the New York Times). She plans to continue modeling, while continuing her education at the Illinois Institute of Art located in Chicago. In a recent interview at a viewing party, Paulina Porizkova stated that her favorite model was Heather. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_7EO0KdfHI YouTube - Exclusive look at the America's Next Top Model Party ] ] Kuzmich has appeared in "People" magazine twice, once in October 2007 and the second time in December 2007. She has also appeared on the cover of Spectrum magazine. [cite news
title = Heather Kuzmich doesn't let Asperger's syndrome keep her from competing on America's Next Top Model
url = http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20151881,00.html
format = Table of contents
publisher = People
date = 2007-10-22 | accessdate = 2007-12-08 Note: Full text not available to editor at time of citation placement ]

A challenge win during Top Model allowed Kuzmich to participate in a special photoshoot art-directed by Mary J. Blige for Carol's Daughter. The ad is already up at the entrance to a few stores [ [http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=212550&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=8324482740&aid=-1&id=554383285&oid=8324482740 Connexion | Facebook ] ] .

Kuzmich was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when she was fifteen years old (not thirteen, as was said on ANTM) around the time her father passed away. She has stated in interviews that it wasn't the easiest time in her life. cite web
title = Interview: Heather Kuzmich of America's Next Top Model
url = http://www.wrongplanet.net/article355.html
format = Interview
publisher = Wrong Planet
date = 2007-11-29 | accessdate = 2007-12-08
author= Plank, Alex ] Living with Asperger's, the most difficult thing for Kuzmich is approaching people and her speech skills.

She was recently one of the nine girls featured in "America's Next Top Model: Exposed" on the CW, during the filming of which she became close friend with Jael Strauss [ [http://0pandoras0tear0.deviantart.com/journal/17182576 0Pandoras0tear0's deviantART Journal ] ] . She has also appeared twice on the Tyra Banks Show, once in a "Where are they now?" episode and for the Fiercee awards. She plans on moving to New York soon to pursue modeling. [ [http://www.fansofrealitytv.com/forums/america-s-next-top-model/68551-heather-cycle-9-a-229.html Heather - Cycle 9 - Page 229 - Fans Of Reality TV ] ] Heather also did a photoshoot for the July issue of Wedding Magazine. [ [http://www.fansofrealitytv.com/forums/america-s-next-top-model/68551-heather-cycle-9-a-228.html Heather - Cycle 9 - Page 228 - Fans Of Reality TV ] ] , which was featured on MTV's "Made", where a young boy with Asperger followed her on set [ [http://community.livejournal.com/topmodel/2143046.html topmodel: Heather Kuzmich: On MADE ] ] .

References