KELLE ELIMINATED FROM UPN'S "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"

New York native Kelle, who runs her own online art gallery, has been eliminated from the third cycle of UPN's dramality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool of girls competing for the grand prize from nine to eight.

Last night�s episode focused on body image, physical fitness and the social pressures that the girls have been dealing with in order to �fit in� as a model. The ladies received a visit from Tyra, along with plus-size model Kate Dillon and nutritionist Joy Bauer to discuss healthy eating habits.

Next, the girls received a tough lesson in physical fitness when Captain Leif Wade led them through a military obstacle course. After completing the course, Captain Wade gave them their next challenge, which was a race up fourteen flights of stairs to the roof of the building. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, they were surprised with an impromptu photo shoot. The model with the best time up the stairs was Yaya, who picked Toccara to enjoy an evening of spa treatments with her. The other ladies were forced to walk home while Kelle acted as tour guide by pointing out the sights as they trekked back to the loft.

The next day, the girls participated in an edgy photo shoot for YJ Stinger Energy Drink. Photographer Sasha Plaeging shot images of the models in mid-air as they posed by jumping on a trampoline. Kelle annoyed Jay Manuel by asking for more constructive criticism during the shoot, and Jay explained that he could not baby her through every single shot. �I�m tired of talking about Kelle, tired of talking to Kelle, tired of seeing Kelle cry,� Jay commented. In the end, Kelle had another roll of disappointing photos to be presented to the panel.

During the next evening's elimination ceremony, the girls were not only judged by their YJ Stinger photographs, but also by the spur-of-the-moment photographs taken after their stair race. Focusing on Kelle�s face in the photographs, the judges were frustrated with the fact that she has had the same facial expression in every photo shoot. As the judges debated over who should stay and who should go, Janice Dickinson commented that Kelle should return to her old art gallery job and sell art for the rest of her life. Finally, Kelle was eliminated from the competition.

This season, Tyra Banks once again leads the panel that will narrow the field of girls each week as they take them into a high-pressure, high-stakes series of competitions that will determine the series winner. The world's first supermodel Janice Dickinson, renowned photographer Nigel Barker and Nol� Marin, an acclaimed fashion editor and stylist, also serve as judges. This week the judging panel welcomed plus-size model Kate Dillon.

The third installment of UPN's hit dramality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL follows 14 young women as they attempt to prove they have what it takes to make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of modeling. Banks, who created the show, also serves as executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band"). Anthony Dominici ("The Amazing Race") serves as co-executive producer.

The winner of UPN's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will have the opportunity to be managed by Ford Models. She will also receive a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant Cover Girl. Finally, the winner will appear in a fashion spread in Elle magazine.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL airs Wednesday, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. For more information about AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, log on to www.upn.com.