Controversial ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Winner Ann Ward Gains Confidence With Crown

Ann Ward is “America’s Next Top Model” newest winner, and in addition to winning a slew of amazing prizes and deals, she says she’s gained much-needed confidence during Cycle 15 of the CW reality series.

“Going into the competition I was super insecure about myself. I had just gotten out of high school about a year ago, so I’d been through all the teenage drama, bullying and stuff,” Ann told Access Hollywood Live’s Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Thursday morning, referring to her 6 ft., 2in. tall frame, about which she was taunted growing up.

“It was really nerve racking going into the competition thinking I wasn’t going to fit it or they wouldn’t like my height, just like they did in the Dallas modeling industry, but once I was there I gained so much confidence,” she continued. “I really embraced who I was while I was there. “

Ann, who first made headlines when the season started in September for her super-skinny waist, told Billy and Kit she plans on investing her winnings into her career – except for maybe a few new pairs of heels.

“I don’t really want to splurge too much,” Anne said of her winnings (which include an Italian Vogue cover and editorial, a year of representation from IMG and a $100,000 Cover Girl Cosmetics contract). “[I will] probably [buy] shoes, I don’t have very many shoes.”

Ann bested fellow finalist Chelsey Hersley following a runway walk-off in a Robert Cavalli show.