Aamito wins Africa's Next Top Model

By Kalungi Kabuye

STACY ‘Queen’ Aamito was on Sunday declared the winner of the first ever Africa’s Next Top Model contest.

She beat Michaela from Angola and Opeyemi from Nigeria, who had all reached the final held in New York City.

She wins $50,000 (sh150m) in cash and a modelling contract with New York-based DNA Model Management.

ANTP, modelled on America’s Next Top Model, which is in its 7th season, was organised by Oluchi, winner of the Face of Africa model search in 1998 and an international super model in her own right.

“I would like to thank everybody for their support and for believing in me,” Aamito wrote in a Facebook message before the winner was announced.

“It is a dream come true for me, and it is truly awesome,” she added.

The reality show started 10 weeks ago, and included a scouting crew that travelled across a dozen African countries looking for girls to participate.

Aamito auditioned in Nairobi and was one of the 12 girls chosen for the show. There were six girls from South Africa and Nigeria respectively, and one from Ghana, Tunisia, Kenya, Mozambique and Angola.

Over the 10 episodes, nine girls were evicted leaving the final three that travelled to New York for the finale.