Where Nicole Linkletter From America's Next Top Model Is Today

"Congratulations! You are still in the running towards becoming America's Next Top Model." These are the words that Tyra Banks would say to the contestants who moved forward each week on America's Next Top Model, and the crowd of eager, wannabe professional models would narrow down until it was a head-to-head competition with just one coming out on top. And in 2005, for Cycle 5 of the show, that top spot went to Nicole Linkletter. She got her start as a model with a contract with Ford Models, one with CoverGirl worth $100,000, and a national ad for Ford Fusion (via Insider), and she kept modeling after that.

Linkletter showed up on the runways for designers in 2006 and 2007, including Bebe and Alice and Olivia. The ANTM winner also graced the pages of magazines including American and Singaporean Elle, Women's Health and Fitness, Nylon Mexico, and more (via Insider). Linkletter's credits also include posing for Burberry (via E!). It was probably thanks to how Tyra Banks described her, according to ELLEgirl, "She's got that 'It' thing."

But what is the North Dakota native up to now?

Most models have a relatively short shelf life in terms of their modeling careers, it's just the nature of the business. Many have to pivot to focus on other things. Nicole Linkletter's no exception. She's signed with HRI Talent in LA, an acting agency, and she does work as a court-appointed special advocate (via E!). She also created a lifestyle blog "No Way Mama," which Linkletter named for her son's first words. In the blog, you can get the inside scoop on some of her life with her husband Adam Nathanson, travels, and lots of family pictures.

And you can also follow the antics of Nicole Linkletter's family life on Instagram; the former America's Next Top Model contestant is mother to Theo and Olive. The photos there may not be the stylized shots of a professional photoshoot, but they do show a lot of love. The brunette beauty's kids are as photogenic as she is, and who knows? Maybe one of them will grow up to be a model like mom.