Jaslene Marie González, a captivating Puerto Rican model, television host, and the illustrious victor of Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model, came into the world on May 29, 1986. Her formative years were spent in Humboldt Park, a vibrant and diverse neighborhood in Chicago, where she was enrolled at Notre Dame High School for Girls, a prestigious institution located on the Northwest Side of the city.
Before embarking on her journey as a contestant on the esteemed reality television program, America's Next Top Model, González had already accumulated a notable amount of modeling experience, having been affiliated with the reputable modeling agency, Avant Garde Models.
In an exclusive interview with Seventeen magazine, the talented model and beauty pageant titleholder, González, candidly shared her harrowing experience of being in a toxic and abusive relationship with her former boyfriend, which ultimately came to an end just prior to the filming of Cycle 7 of the esteemed pageant.
As fate would have it, González initially auditioned for Cycle 7, but unfortunately, her journey was cut short as she only managed to reach the top 21 during the semifinals. Despite this setback, González's determination and resilience shone through as she reassured the judges of her commitment to return for the next cycle's audition, a testament to her unwavering dedication to pursuing her dreams.
González's unwavering determination and perseverance ultimately caught the attention of producers, who were thoroughly impressed by her potential and decided to give her a second chance to showcase her talents.
She re-auditioned for Cycle 8, her hard work and dedication paying off as she successfully made it to the top thirteen, earning the distinction of being the twelfth finalist selected.
Throughout the competition, González's exceptional abilities and skills were consistently recognized, with her being called first at panel a remarkable four times, a testament to her outstanding performance.
In addition to her impressive panel appearances, González also received four prestigious Covergirl of the Week awards, a significant achievement that further solidified her position as a top contender.
Furthermore, González's exceptional teamwork and leadership skills were showcased when she won the Go-Sees reward challenge in Sydney, a notable accomplishment that demonstrated her ability to excel in a fast-paced and competitive environment.
She holds a unique distinction within the realm of the competition, standing out as the second contestant to participate, immediately following Joanie Dodds, and boasting the impressive feat of being the first winner to never find herself in the precarious position of being part of the bottom two contestants.
