India Gants: America’s Next Top Model Winner Redefines Beauty, Embraces Body Positivity, and Disrupts the Fashion Industry

In a dynamic and fiercely competitive season, a new star ascended to claim the coveted title of ‘America’s Next Top Model’. India Gants, at just 20 years old, emerged as the victor of season 23, captivating judges and audiences alike with her undeniable talent, striking looks, and an refreshingly authentic perspective on the modeling world. Following her triumphant win in the March finale, HollywoodLife.com had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with India, where she candidly discussed her journey, her ambitions, and perhaps most compellingly, her personal struggles with body image, openly admitting to feeling “never as skinny as other models” and even being told to lose weight by agencies. Her story is not just one of victory, but of profound self-acceptance and a powerful message for the next generation of aspiring models and young women everywhere.

March marked a pivotal moment for India Gants, as she transitioned from a promising contestant to a crowned supermodel. Her victory propelled her from Seattle directly into the bustling fashion capital of New York City, where the sidewalks of the Big Apple are now her personal runways. The grand finale, held on March 8th, saw India receive her well-deserved crown from an esteemed panel of judges that included the legendary supermodel and creator of ANTM, Tyra Banks (43); the charismatic host, Rita Ora (26); groundbreaking supermodel and body positivity advocate, Ashley Graham (29); the influential stylist, Law Roach; and the Chief Creative Officer of PAPER magazine, Drew Elliott. This formidable panel recognized India’s unique potential, setting her on a path where her life has been irrevocably transformed.

“I feel loved,” India expressed to HollywoodLife.com, her voice brimming with gratitude and excitement. “I’m excited to hit the ground running and to be the face of the first revamp of America’s Next Top Model.” This concept of a “revamp” is central to India’s vision for her post-show career and the legacy of ANTM itself. She elaborated on her desire to reframe the narrative surrounding winners of reality modeling competitions. “That’s something I kind of want to set straight,” she clarified. “America’s Next Top Model can produce successful fashion models after the show. I know ANTM has had some contestants who do well, and things like that, but I want it to be where the winner can have a huge career as a fashion model in NY and be taken seriously at castings and all of that.” India is determined to shatter the stereotypes often associated with reality television, particularly the notion that it doesn’t lead to high-fashion legitimacy. “I want to break the reality TV mold that it [the show] put me in. I’m the stereotype for ANTM, a show that releases supermodels.” This declaration, delivered with confidence and conviction, signals her intent to transcend the show’s format and carve out a significant space for herself in the upper echelons of the fashion world. It was a mic drop moment, signaling a new era for ANTM and its victors.

Navigating the Industry: India Gants and the Battle for Body Positivity

While India Gants now stands as the celebrated winner of ANTM season 23, her path to this momentous achievement was far from smooth. The modeling world, with its often stringent and unrealistic beauty standards, presented significant challenges. Despite frequently being compared to the renowned supermodel Gigi Hadid (21)—a compliment she genuinely appreciates—India has bravely confronted her own struggles with body image throughout her nascent career. Her candid admission sheds light on a prevalent issue within the industry that impacts countless young women.

“I’ve never been stick skinny, ever, in my life,” she revealed with a raw honesty. This simple statement encapsulates years of internal conflict for India. Before joining the competitive environment of ANTM, she described herself as having an “athletic build” and “some meat on my bones.” She was, like many young women, “becoming a woman and not being stick skinny”—a natural process that, in the high-pressure world of modeling, often clashes with industry expectations. This disparity deeply affected her for the first three years of her professional journey. “It really bothered me for the first three years of my modeling career. I was never as skinny as other models.” Her words resonate with the silent struggles of aspiring models who don’t fit into the often-narrow mold of traditional high-fashion sizing, highlighting the pervasive issue of body diversity and acceptance in an industry still grappling with its evolution.

The pressure to conform was not just internal; it was actively imposed by the industry itself. India openly recounted instances where agencies would demand that she lose weight to fit into predetermined ideals. “I [once] had a tape measure wrapped around every little centimeter of my body,” she vividly recalled, painting a stark picture of the relentless scrutiny models face. “I’ve been torn apart.” This invasive practice, where every curve and dimension is meticulously assessed and judged, underscores the immense psychological toll it can take on an individual’s self-esteem and body image. The constant pressure to meet specific measurements, often at the expense of one’s natural physique, is a dark side of the modeling world that India bravely sheds light upon.

However, this period of struggle eventually led to a profound moment of clarity and empowerment. “Then I kind of had this epiphany about a year ago,” India shared, describing a pivotal turning point in her perspective. “I realized, ‘You know what, I have people in my life that love me and they do not care about that stuff in the slightest.’” This realization allowed her to shift her focus from external validation to internal self-worth. She understood that true acceptance comes from within and from those who value her for who she is, not for her measurements. “I figured there are better things to focus on in life than getting my measurements down for my agency,” she asserted, marking a powerful embrace of self-love and a rejection of the industry’s often superficial demands.

Empowerment and Inspiration: India’s Vision Post-ANTM

Now, as a celebrated ANTM alum, fortified by the invaluable mentorship of industry titans like Tyra Banks and Ashley Graham, India Gants stands more confident and resolute than ever before. Her journey through the show, coupled with her past struggles, has instilled in her a powerful sense of purpose: to champion body positivity and inspire young women globally. “For the first time in my life, I’m so happy with my body and proud and confident and I just want to preach that and inspire other girls,” she declared. This newfound self-acceptance is not just personal; it’s a mission. “I definitely struggled with that, so I definitely want people to see if you love your body that’s all that matters.” Her message is clear and resonant: self-love is paramount, transcending the superficial standards that once plagued her. This perspective is particularly impactful given the show’s history and the broader conversation around diverse body types in fashion, a movement championed by mentors like Ashley Graham.

So, what does India’s strategic plan entail for her post-ANTM life? Her approach is clear-headed and proactive. “I truly believe you can do what you want after this experience. You can make it your own,” she stated, emphasizing personal agency and the power to shape one’s destiny. She is not resting on her laurels but is committed to “hitting the ground running.” This involves actively engaging with top modeling agencies, meticulously curating her portfolio, and strategically working with her newly formed team. “I’ve got some good people on my side,” she affirmed, acknowledging the crucial role of a supportive network in navigating the complex fashion landscape. Her focus on “having those good industry connections and going in with a level head will be good for me” highlights her business-savvy approach and mature understanding of what it takes to build a lasting career beyond the immediate spotlight of reality television.

The future looks incredibly bright for India Gants, and she offered a tantalizing glimpse into what fans can expect. “Get excited for my new makeover… it’s going to be good,” she teased with infectious enthusiasm. When we conducted the interview, India sported luxurious purple locks, making the anticipation for her next transformation even higher. This “makeover” is more than just a change in appearance; it symbolizes her evolution as a model and her readiness to embrace new facets of her identity in the industry. She further revealed that she had already completed shoots for new editorials, which are slated for release in the coming months, promising fresh and captivating visual content. And in a truly exciting disclosure, India hinted that we might soon see her face adorning billboards, a definitive sign of a burgeoning supermodel career. This progression from aspiring model to ANTM winner, and now to a potential billboard star, is a testament to her dedication, talent, and strategic vision. Congratulations once again to the remarkable ANTM winner!

Related: Tyra Banks — See Photos Of The ‘ANTM’ Creator

HollywoodLifers, join us in celebrating India Gants and her inspiring journey! Leave your congratulatory messages and thoughts on her powerful message of body positivity in the comments below.