Laura Kirkpatrick

Laura Sioux Kirkpatrick (born June 12, 1989) is an American model and fashion designer, best known as the runner-up of cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model. She was voted fan favorite in a poll the show held after the conclusion of the series, which won her a six-month, rent-free apartment in New York City.

Early life Kirkpatrick was born in Stanford, Kentucky, to father Greg Kirkpatrick and mother Jodie Hill Jones. She has two younger sisters, Hannah and Jarah, and a younger brother named Jeremy. She previously has worked on her family's farm, where working with cattle was one of her primary jobs. She has dyslexia. Prior to her appearance on America's Next Top Model, she had been working as a waitress. Kirkpatrick was majoring in art at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, before joining the show, and was the first in her family to attend college. However, she missed final exams due to America's Next Top Model, which prevented her from advancing from freshman to sophomore.

America's Next Top Model

America's Next Top Model Cycle 13: the "Petite Edition"

Kirkpatrick had been pursuing a modeling career for years prior to her appearance on the CW Network reality television show America's Next Top Model, and had looked into applying for the series before, but was a half-inch shorter than the 5'7" height cutoff. Her grandmother, who Kirkpatrick considers her best friend, told Kirkpatrick to try out for Cycle 13: the "petite edition", because it specifically sought contestants who are 5'7" or under. Kirkpatrick said it was a last-minute, "spur-of-the-moment" decision to visit Chicago, Illinois, where she successfully applied to be on the season. Kirkpatrick was the last (fourteenth) contestant (edited as the second last (thirteenth) contestant called and followed by Sundai Love when aired) selected as one of the 14 contestants to compete in Cycle 13: the "Petite Edition" of America's Next Top Model. Kirkpatrick, who was 19 when she started on the show, was consistently considered one of the judges' favorite contestants throughout the season. Her Kentucky accent has been identified as part of her charm, although during the show, judge and fashion photographer Nigel Barker said it could prove to be a hindrance during her modeling career. Barker said, "I know that in the back of their head, they don't want a CoverGirl with an accent, unless it is already somebody super-famous."

America's Next Top Model Cycle 17: All Stars

It was announced on May 12, 2011, that Kirkpatrick would join the cast again for "America's Next Top Model: All-Stars" with several returning models and was placed fourth. Over her stay, Kirkpatrick received two first call-outs, won one challenge and appeared twice in the two bottom two where she survived over Shannon Stewart and was eliminated when Allison Harvard survived her first-ever bottom two appearance during "America's Next Top Model: All-Stars".

Like all the other contestants on Cycle 17, Kirkpatrick was given a branding word: "loveable". During her time on the show she developed her own perfume called "Love" and performed in a music video for her song "Southern Sweet Girl."

Modeling career

Although Kirkpatrick did not win America's Next Top Model, she was voted fan favorite in a poll the show held after the conclusion of the series. Although the margin was not reported, Kirkpatrick said the producers told her she won by "a whole lot." As a result of the win, Kirkpatrick was awarded a six-month, rent-free apartment stay in New York City to pursue modeling opportunities. Kirkpatrick received several representation offers from modeling agencies, including Tyra Banks' Bankable Productions.

Kirkpatrick was featured in Steve Madden's Summer 2010 Collection and in 2011, had a cover and spread in LexScene magazine. In 2013, she was featured in British Vogue.

Shortly after her appearance on ANTM, Kirkpatrick started a dyslexia foundation, The Beautiful Minds. The foundation hosts runway shows and other events to raise awareness for dyslexia education.

In 2011, she appeared in William Fitzsimmons, "Beautiful Girl" music video.

Designing Kirkpatrick has a clothing line, Grumbage.

Personal life Kirkpatrick now uses the name Laura Sioux Cianciolo, and in January 2021 was profiled by Cincinnati magazine:You might recognize Laura Cianciolo (née Kirkpatrick) from her successful stint on America's Next Top Model, where the Kentucky native’s charming accent and bubbly personality earned her the title of both runner-up and fan favorite. Today, Cianciolo balances an active modeling career, several small businesses, and life as a single mother.