Heather Kuzmich was a contestant during Cycle 9 of ANTM.
Heather Kuzmich is an art student and American fashion model from Valparaiso, Indiana. 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.
Kuzmich was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when she was fifteen years old (mistakenly reported as thirteen by Tyra on ANTM), around the time her father died. She has stated in interviews that it wasn’t the easiest time in her life as living with Asperger’s syndrome, the most difficult things for Kuzmich are approaching people and her communication skills.
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 Heather, making fun of her “awkward” behavior and talking about her behind her back. However, she 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.
Heather always wanted to model. Initially, she was hesitant about trying out for the show, but finally she agreed to do it after a friend convinced her to watch Cycle 7.
Heather’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 Heather’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 at elimination.
Eventually, Heather’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, Heather 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. Fans were angry when fellow competitor Jenah Doucette did not offer Heather 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 – Heather and Jenah – were placed in the bottom two, both for their lack of good communication. Heather was eliminated and became the ninth girl eliminated.
Heather won nine CoverGirl of the Week awards (including one after she got eliminated), equaling the record with Cycle 4‘s Naima Mora who also won nine throughout the entire competition (once every week). Heather also set Top Model history by winning the award the week after she was eliminated. She also appeared on ‘Top Models in Action’ of ANTM, Cycle 12. The short clip featured her photo shoots including the cover of Spectrum magazine.
A challenge win during Top Model allowed Heather to participate in a special photo shoot art-directed by Mary J. Blige for Carol’s Daughter. Heather also did a photo shoot for the July 2008 issue of Wedding Essentials, which was featured on MTV’s Made, where a young boy with Asperger’s followed her on set. Heather has modeled for the clothing company “Blue Eyed Girl,” cover and inside of Spectrum Magazine, a magazine for families and individuals who have autism.
Heather received great press attention due to her Asperger’s Syndrome condition, 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. Kuzmich has appeared in People magazine twice, once in October 2007 and the second time in December 2007 and she was recently one of the nine girls featured in America’s Next Top Model: Exposed on the CW. During the filming of that feature, she became close friends with Jael Strauss from Cycle 8. Heather has also appeared twice on The Tyra Banks Show, once in a “Where are they now?” episode and for the Fiercee awards.
She currently lives in Chicago, Illinois where she is studying video game design. Heather has signed to the women’s division of Elite Model Management in Chicago.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Heather’s Myspace
Source: Heather’s Facebook
Source: All ANTM
Source: ANTM
Source: ANTM
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Source: ANTM / Jim De Yonker
Source: ANTM / Matthew Jordan Smith
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Source: ANTM / Lionel Deluy
Source: ANTM / Mike Rosenthal
Source: ANTM / Fredric Reshew
Source: ANTM / Trevor O Shana
Source: ANTM / Nigel Barker
Source: ANTM / Jim Wade
Source: Carol's Daughter
Source: Mireya Acierto
Source: Mireya Acierto
Source: Mireya Acierto
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Russ Hadziabdie
Source: Blue Eyed Girl
Source: Time Out Chicago / Colleen Durkin
Source: People Magazine / Dec 07
Source: People Magazine / Dec 07
Source: Spectrum / Abel Berumen / Feb March 08
Source: Spectrum / Abel Berumen / Feb March 08
Source: Spectrum / Abel Berumen / Feb March 08
July 2, 2010 at 11:39 pm
You didn’t post her 6-page spread in the wedding dress magazine?
July 10, 2010 at 10:10 pm
She should have been in the top two with Bianca.
October 6, 2010 at 5:22 am
Bianca was a b-yatch.
Heather rocked!
February 16, 2011 at 6:49 pm
B-yatch or not, she clearly is a brilliant model.
December 17, 2011 at 1:16 am
LOL. Yes. After all, that really is what the industry should care about, right. The superficial beauty of a person. =)
February 1, 2012 at 1:11 am
Belize: whether they should or not, sadly that is just the way it is
September 16, 2010 at 12:19 am
Apesar de su enfermedad es una chica linda y muy pero muy fotogenica, la felicito.
Rough Translation: “Despite her illness, she was a pretty girl and very photogenic. I congratulate her.”
September 25, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I wanted her to win, but maybe it was the best for her to start slow but sure. That gives time for her to adapt to modeling world (I think).
Heather, love you so much! You go girl!
October 16, 2010 at 8:12 am
Heather, I thought you were the most beautiful model on Top Model. I have Asperger’s myself and you have inspirered me to be a model. In my opinion, you should have one.
Ps. You’re really photogenic!
October 19, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Heather is my absolute fave of all ANTMs. I thinks she embodies what young women can become and accomplish.
Rock on, Heather!
October 27, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Heather была лучшая. Она настоящая модель. Все остальные были во 1000 раз хуже чем она. Я так хотела чтоб она побелила….:-(
Rough Translation: “Heather was the best. It the present model. All the others were 1,000 times worse than Heather. The competition has really become whitewashed.”
October 31, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Heather,
You were robbed. You totally deserved to win. I loved that cycle right until you were voted off. Then I stopped watching because it was clear that the fix was in for Saleisha. I don’t believe you were treated fairly, but I’m glad to see you haven’t let it stop you or even slow you down. Your pictures are stunning. I’m so proud of you.
I have an autistic son and I tell him every day not to get discouraged because he can do anything his heart desires. You’re proof that I was right. He wants to be a doctor, and you’ve shown him that he can be whatever he wants to be.
Thank you so much for having the courage to follow your modeling dream, and especially for all the beautiful pictures of you we get to enjoy. Good luck with game design at the Art Institute. I hope you become the next Bill Gates. You’re so much more than just a pretty face.
November 17, 2010 at 7:45 am
Heather was robbed of her deserved victory. Also, she had only taken one bad shot.
November 27, 2010 at 12:46 am
I think this season was fixed. There is NO way Saleisha had the talent to win! it should have been Heather and Jenah in the top two.
December 7, 2010 at 11:04 am
It’s cool and amazing woman.
December 20, 2010 at 2:56 am
Beautiful girl!!!! She was my favorite for that cycle! The winner was not half as beautiful!
January 4, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Robbed easily! She should have been 2nd (first being Jenah). Saliesha looks like a man and her photos are just awful.
January 20, 2011 at 7:03 am
Saleisha looked much better before that ridiculous hair do they gave her.
January 21, 2011 at 11:21 am
She should have won, no doubt.
January 30, 2011 at 10:32 am
На мой взгляд, Heather была самой красивой девушкой на проекте!!! Я тоже расстроилась, когда её выгнали.
February 4, 2011 at 1:45 am
She was my favorite of the season. She is so so beautiful and unusual! Love her.
February 18, 2011 at 12:15 am
У нее фамилия Кузьмич? Да уж, со всех сторон не повезло девушке.
February 23, 2011 at 1:26 am
My all time favorite person on this series! I even wrote a book about her and looking for a publisher! Beautiful soul!
February 1, 2012 at 1:14 am
Does she know about this?
March 4, 2011 at 9:40 pm
I just loooove her look, especially the one with green dress by Jim Wade. You girl are wow!!
March 15, 2011 at 8:12 pm
The best of ALL cycles!
March 22, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Heather is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! I agree that she should have been in the top 3. Really, how many models do you see doing commercials? That was supposed to be her undoing. Hope your career is exploding!
March 25, 2011 at 4:52 pm
When I look at this girl, I dont see autism, awkwardness, or insecurity. I just see beauty! She one of my 2 favorite!
April 5, 2011 at 1:05 am
Heather was my fave. Not just because of her talent and looks, but also for her illness. My sister also has Asberger’s and after watching this cycle I went to her, showed it to her and told her she could do anything she wanted.
April 10, 2011 at 5:10 am
I’ll be the first one to say it. I hated her. Every week I thought, “The judges are NOT going to tell her THAT’S beautiful this week, too, are they?” But they kept doing it. In the shot of her crawling, you tell me she wasn’t Tyra’s little golden child. Look at the photo of her with purple hair and a pink dress or something with another girl. Being practically ASLEEP is attractive? Everyone’s gonna be mad. I’m sorry. That was a little harsh.
October 23, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Bianca is that you?!?!
April 21, 2011 at 3:38 am
Beautiful woman who should have won her season! Rock on Heather and don’t let anyone ever tell you you’re not good enough. As you know now, you can do anything you set your mind to. Love you, girl. Keep up the excellent work.
May 13, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I love u so much~~
U are so amazing~~
June 9, 2011 at 4:31 am
I think Heather should have won. She’s unique, a great high-fashion model and an inspiration to others and she’s really beautiful too.. Well its life… I love her drawings!
July 25, 2011 at 4:31 am
I loved Heather, her and Jenah were the best models of cycle 11!
July 31, 2011 at 12:57 am
Heather,you rocked and really inspired so many people.Besides for you being an amazing model,you were also so genuine and not vicious or spiteful throughout the competition. You shone!!!!
August 9, 2011 at 7:07 pm
She’s awesome. The go-sees were always going to be the tough part for her because of her disability. I feel that it was a tad unfair. It would be like kicking a girl in a wheelchair because her runway walk sucks. But such is life. I’m happy to see that she is doing well with something she loves. Keep at it Heather! i wish you all the happiness!
August 18, 2011 at 4:55 am
I love Heather and she photographs very, very well. She has a natural talent for be a model. For me, she had be the winner of america’s next top model. But, good luck for her in you career! You rock!
October 27, 2011 at 8:09 am
I also loved Heather. They knew of her disability and should have gave her a little help finding the places for go-sees. In the real world there would be someone to help her. I also think she should have been in the All-Stars show. Bianca is still the diva. Do one ever learn.
December 2, 2011 at 1:38 pm
No matter what she has really adapted to this way of life. Look at her she is a completely different person. She was my favourite an she deserved to win!
December 19, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Ты Классная!! самая самая лучшая!!
January 9, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Hi heather: I am Vishal Doiphode (from INDIA)
I have asperger’s syndrome myself; you are very beautiful.
January 11, 2012 at 6:43 am
My all time antm favorite