CariDee English, born May 22, 1985[2] in Fargo, North Dakota, is an American fashion model. CariDee was named the winning contestant of Cycle 7 of America's Next Top Model after making it to the finals with Melrose Bickerstaff. Her prize was a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a modeling contract with Elite Models, and a six-page fashion editorial and cover for Seventeen magazine. She is the second ANTM winner from North Dakota, the other being Nicole Linkletter of Cycle 5.[3]


Before Top Model

CariDee stated during the cycle that she worked as a photographer before appearing on America's Next Top Model. She has suffered from psoriasis for 15 years[4] and believed her dream of becoming a model was unattainable. However, a doctor recommended Raptiva, a drug that CariDee injects weekly[5] in order to help control the skin disease. Although it is effective, it can not cure the disease.[6] Caridee hates when people shorten her name. "No, definitely not! No Cari, no Car, no C.D. I'll always be CariDee."[citation needed]

On Top Model

As winner of the acting challenge in Cycle 7, CariDee had an opportunity to guest-star in an episode of the hit CW series One Tree Hill (which airs immediately following Top Model).[7] Compared to past acting challenge winners, CariDee had a bigger role in that episode.[citation needed] Also, during that same episode, she mentioned, in an emotional outburst during the acting challenge, that she knew about stress and had attempted to kill herself earlier in life because of it.

She was criticised for making an impulsive yet crude joke to fashion photographer and ANTM judge Nigel Barker during the bullfighting photo shoot in Barcelona, although CariDee has stated that "he actually joked back" and was never really mad. In panel, she took out a note and apologized to Barker.[4] While participating in the "Water Nymphs" photo shoot, she suffered hypothermia symptoms from floating in icy cold water for a long period of time; CariDee has mistakenly attributed it to her drug's side effects, which include lowering of the immune system, although hypothermia can not be prevented by the body's immune system.[8]

There was a small bit of controversy regarding her on the show as well: though she was shown speaking to her boyfriend on the phone in one episode, a few episodes later, when the girls were overseas in Barcelona, she was shown getting passionate with one of the male models the girls worked with. CariDee has interviewed saying that during that point, she and her boyfriend were seeing other people, and had since gotten back together.

Throughout the competition, the judges found much controversy in CariDee's personality, which was considered notably more outgoing than that of the other contestants. She was noted for her striking comparability to Rebecca Romijn and Karolína Kurková. In the early stages of the cycle, her personality was considered fun and outgoing, most notably during her "hiding dizzily" at a panel challenge. Later on, however, the judges began to express concern that it may be a little too bombastic. Because of this, the judges were unsure as to whether she was the person they wanted to represent Top Model, noting in the cycle's finale that she was sometimes too unpredictable and unstable.

Spokesperson for Psoriasis Foundation

CariDee recently signed on as spokesperson for the National Psoriasis Foundation to spread awareness about psoriasis and encourage others to seek treatment.

As a youngster, CariDee says she felt "cursed" with psoriasis. She experienced taunts and embarrassment. Today, her "curse" is her cause.

"Psoriasis awareness is very important to me. I want others with the disease to know they are not alone. I want to inspire them to live their dreams," she said.

Modeling career

CariDee was featured on the front page of Social Life and Cover magazines with Top Model alumni Naima Mora and Dani Evans. She modeled looks of the Spring in InTouch magazine, and appeared on the weekly "My Life as a CoverGirl" segments on The CW. She has recently modeled for JC Penney. In 2007, she was featured in an ad for CoverGirl Eye-wear alongside cycle 6 winner Dani Evans. She was also recently in the December issue of Knit.1 Magazine.[citation needed]

Television filmography

* America's Next Top Model (2006)
* One Tree Hill Episode: All These Things That I've Done (2006)
* The Tyra Banks Show (2007)
* Scarred Live (2007)
* Gossip Girl (2007) Episode: The Handmaiden's Tale (2007)