Last night, May 14, 2008, Whitney Thompson made history as the first “plus sized” or “full figured” model to win America’s Next Top Model Cycle 10 - ANTM Cycle 10. Her publicity blitz has begun. She appeared on Live with Regis & Kelly on May 15, 2008.

“People always say you have to be stick-skinny, emaciated and unhealthy and I’ve kind of stood up for [being full-figured] my whole life,” Thompson told The Post in her first post-victory interview.

“I’m not going to lose 50 pounds - if someone asks me to do that, I’ll go to another [modeling] agency,” she says. “I’ve already heard online from boys and girls all over the world who are dealing with eating disorders.

“They’re thanking me for standing up and saying, ‘I am a plus-size model and I am beautiful.’

“This is what people should look like,” she says, referring to herself, “rather than skin-and-bones, which is disgusting and sends a bad message to people everywhere.”

It’s that outspokenness, along with her obvious self-confidence, that helped Thompson win over Anya Kop in last night’s “Top Model” finale.

Thompson, 20 - from Atlantic Beach, Fla. - says she and “Top Model” host Tyra Banks have more in common than meets the eye.

Source: NY Post: A-Plus Model ‘ANTM’ Shocker! Crowns Its First Full-Figure Winner

See also:

• Whitney Thompson wins ANTM Cycle 10 (Video & Photos) 5-14-08

Video: Whitney Thompson on “Live with Regis & Kelly” 5-15-08 (ANTM Cycle 10 Winner)