Local woman top model

Jamie Wall never paid much attention to her looks.

During the last few years, the college student has focused on attaining her pharmacy degree at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and spending time with her close-knit group of family and friends, while modeling on the side to earn some extra cash.

But, her modeling career got a boost in May when The CW Philly 57 television station, part of CBS Television Stations, named her “America’s Next Top Model,” after the 21-year-old Nanticoke native and 2005 Bishop Hoban graduate won the station’s highly publicized contest.

“It’s a great accomplishment, but you just have to put everything in perspective,” said Wall, who applied after much prodding from a friend.

She’ll receive a complimentary three-night trip to Beverly Hills, Calif., and has earned guest appearances on The CW Philly 57’s Summer Special, a program featuring young hosts who chat about places to go in the city and discuss popular summer trends, said station spokeswoman Joanne Calabria.

“She is the whole package; she is smart, beautiful and nice,” said Calabria, who noted Wall had stiff competition.

Of those submitting more than 400 portfolios and 3,000 photos, Wall was chosen as a finalist along with 11 other hopefuls.

“I was so busy with finals at school that I’d actually forgotten about it when my friend told me I was chosen for the top 12,” said Wall, who carries a 3.9 GPA and works as a pharmacy intern.

After interviewing with a panel of judges and garnering online votes from classmates and friends, Wall learned she won May 14, when the announcement was made live on the air, following the national “America’s Next Top Model” television program. Wall is also featured on the station’s Web site – making her face a bit more recognizable in the Philadelphia area.

However, CW Philly wasn’t the first to recognize her talent. She caught the eyes of agents at Reinhard Modeling Agency in Philadelphia the day she strutted into their office in the spring of 2006.

“She certainly has the usual: the height, the sizing and proportions, but she has a really amazing personality and you can see it when she smiles,” said Jenna Adams, Wall’s print and runway agent.

“I’ve had some different agencies and promotional companies contact me in Philly because they saw the contest,” Wall said.

And while humble, she’s no stranger to the spotlight. In fact, this month Wall can be seen on the pages of Glamour and Cosmopolitan magazines in an advertisement for Scunci Hair Products. She’s also done work for Gwen Stefani’s clothing Web site, L.A.M.B., in addition to a slew of other photo shoots for various companies.

Besides print, Adams said Wall is skilled on the runway, where she’s modeled in designer shows for Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom clothing lines.

She perfected her runway walk last school year, when nearly every weekend she was traveling to major cities in California, Florida and North Carolina to model various lines.

“She’s certainly very good at having a new client and then creating them as a regular client,” Adams said. “She has people come back and request her specifically.”

Adams said that despite Wall’s success in the Philadelphia modeling industry, she never pegged Wall to win the highly competitive contest.

“I think it came as a surprise to all of us,” she said, referring to Wall’s unassuming nature. “She’s never the first person to raise her hand or nominate herself.

“She’s very positive, she’s very organized and just a pleasure to deal with,” Adams said.

But, Wall’s biggest challenge this summer won’t be which company’s advertisement to lend her talent to – it’ll be whom she’ll ask to accompany her to Beverly Hills.

“My mom just keeps saying how she’s never been there before,” Wall said with a chuckle, admitting she’s still not sure who her lucky companion may be.

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Jamie Wall, a Nanticoke native, is named ‘America’s Next Top Model’ by Philadelphia television station.

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