WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The winners of ‘America’s Next Top Model’

Danielle Evans was a front-runner from the beginning of Cycle Six in spring 2006.

Danielle Evans attends the CW Television Network Upfront in 2006.

Evan Agostini/Getty Images

The judges complimented her on her unique look but were wary of how her Southern accent would translate to commercial modeling including the CoverGirl commercial.

One part of Evans’ storyline on “ANTM” related to her gap tooth, which Tyra and other higher-ups on the show encouraged Evans to close. However, when Evans was sent to the dentist, she refused to close the gap in her teeth. Tyra Banks later asked why she chose not to, telling her that a gap tooth wasn’t “marketable.” In the end, Evans did end up partially closing her gap.

Tyra Banks has since received backlash for the incident, with social-media users criticizing how she and runway coach Miss J. Alexander handled the situation. Danielle Evans also made a recent statement about the incident, saying in an Instagram video, “I want to address all of those young girls. I’m gonna take this time to build up and to speak to all of my young queens who saw that episode and were truly affected by Tyra’s words … It doesn’t matter if you have a gap, stacked teeth, straight teeth, it matters not. It doesn’t matter if you’re black, brown, white, indifferent, other. What makes you beautiful is in here.”

Jay Manuel applauded Evans in the comments, saying, “Yes … speak your #truth!” 

On an Instagram Live, Miss J. Alexander called Evans’ statement “brilliant” and promised to speak about the incident in an upcoming live show.

Following the online backlash, Banks took to Twitter to apologize, writing, “Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.”

Evans won her season and, with it, a modeling contract with Ford Models, a fashion spread and cover in Elle magazine, and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics.