Known for:
Sales Gosses: Mes Demoiselles
Short
- Actress
- 2015
America's Next Top Model
5.6
TV Series
- Self - Contestant
- Self[as Leila]
Calvin Klein: Spring/Summer 2018 at NYFW
Video
- Self - Model
- 2017
Chanel: Pre-Fall 2018/2019
Video
- Self - Model
- 2018
Credits
Edit
IMDbPro
Actress
- Previous
- 1
- Sales Gosses: Mes Demoiselles
Short
- 2015
Personal details
Edit
- Alternative name
- Leila
- Height
- 5′ 11″ [1.80 m]
- Spouse
- Robbie MastersonOctober 14, 2017 - present [2 children]
Did you know
Edit
- Nickname
- Leila
Related news
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
- Learn more about contributing
Edit page
Before becoming a finalist for "America’s Next Top Model,’’ Leila Marie Goldkuhl was a "super skinny tomboy’’ who collected Marvel comic action figures, played three sports in high school and flunked her driving test.
Pretty glamorous, huh?
But starting Friday, the 20-year-old Framingham native will be one of 13 aspiring models competing for a career-boosting title on the collegiate edition of Tyra Banks’ hit reality show.
The 5-foot, 11-inch Boston Bruins fan with sparkling green eyes has taken an unlikely path from shopping for shoes at the Natick Mall – 20 pairs of heels and 50 pairs altogether – to a shot at a big bucks contract and national celebrity.
Relaxing on a couch, she comes across as friendly, down-to-earth and reluctant to talk too much about herself.
Goldkuhl is such a diva she’ll be waitressing in a coffee shop as she works her way through the University of Rhode Island where she recently transferred to study Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design.
Just 18 months ago, Goldkuhl was studying marine biology at Salem State University and jumpstarting her modeling career.
"I’ve always been interested, maybe obsessed with the fashion industry. I knew people who did it but never thought I would,’’ she said relaxing at her father’s Framingham home. "When this chance for ‘America’s Next Top Model’ came along, I thought I’d go for it.’’
Bound by a confidentiality agreement, Goldkuhl can’t divulge any details of the show that premieres Friday at 8 p.m. on the CW.
The show typically has 13 episodes, during which contestants are eliminated, and a recap. It was filmed primarily in Los Angeles with some scenes in Jamaica.
Growing up in town, Goldkuhl described herself as "definitely a tomboy and not girly at all,’’ hanging out with her older brother Jeremy and his pals.
At Framingham High, she spent most her free time playing varsity basketball, volleyball and lacrosse "going from one practice to another.’’ But she still found time for clothes shopping sprees at the Natick Mall.
"I was always interested in modeling but never thought I could do it,’’ Goldkuhl recalled. "Friends said I should try it. But I didn’t want people to think I thought I was special.’’
After gaining confidence from sports, she applied at 18 to an online version of "America’s Next Top Model’’ called "Tyra’s Last Call.’’
She submitted photos and was surprised to find herself selected for the "top 20.’’ Accompanied by her mother, she auditioned in New York. "It was exciting but I didn’t make it,’’ she said. "I think I wasn’t ready. I was pretty reserved and shy.’’
After graduating from FHS in 2010, Goldkuhl attended Salem State to study marine biology and also played volleyball.
As her confidence grew from sports, she decided to try modeling on her own and, accompanied by her boyfriend, Nick Sorenson, a Natick resident who studies finance at Boston University, hired a local photographer to shoot a portfolio for prospective advertisers.
"Nick has always been really encouraging. He wanted me to follow my dreams,’’ said Goldkuhl. "He keeps me safe and makes sure everything is good.’’
Working without an agent, she secured a modeling contract with Calico, a women’s clothing store, and several area boutiques.
As her interest in fashion design grew, Goldkuhl transferred to URI last year and switched her major.
After being accepted as one of 30 contestants for the collegiate edition of ANTM, she survived the online viewer vote that reduced the number of contestants to 13 finalists.
Reluctant to discuss the show’s dynamics, she said, "I can say who I am as myself: I have opinions but I don’t shove them in peoples’ face. I don’t go into things with an attitude. I try not to be argumentative,’’ she said.
Goldkuhl credits her parents, brother Jeremy and sister Shondra and boyfriend for encouraging and supporting her career.
"When we were shooting the show, it was exciting but also stressful not being able to rely on my support system from home. I had to work out issues on my own It made me grow up and be more independent,’’ she said.
Asked about criticisms that modeling reality shows promote unhealthy images of women, Goldkuhl replied with emotion, "If they say that about this show, it proves they don’t known much about modeling.’’
"Tyra is such an advocate that anyone can be a model. There isn’t a single mold. Your differences are what make you a good model: yours flaws and little quirks or an awkward body. There are plus-sized models. What makes them good is they embrace who they are.’’
No matter how much pleading or cajoling you do, Goldkuhl won’t reveal how the show turns out and how far she goes.
"It’s been a great experience. It’s not something many people can say they’ve done,’’ she said. "Even if I just made it to one episode, I’d be proud of what I’ve done.’’
Has she told her family and her boyfriend?
"I’ve kept my secret even from my family,’’ she said smiling. "Nick doesn’t even know. I want him to watch the show so he can find out and be surprised.’’
What happened to Leila from America's Next Top Model?
Post-Show. After the show, Leila has been signed with NEXT Model Management in Los Angeles, Miami, Milan and New York. She was also signed with Chic Model Management in Sydney and M4 Models. She has modeled for Rachael Lynsey Rubin Makeup & Photography and appeared in a Pepsi commercial.
Did anyone from ANTM ever been successful?
Most of the contestants on America's Next Top Model saw their careers flop, but some escaped the Tyra Banks curse and found success after the show. Although America's Next Top Model claimed to be a modeling competition show, very few top models emerged from the series.
Who is Layla on America's Next Top Model?
Leila Marie Goldkuhl Masterson [/liːlə/ Lee-la; born December 30, 1991] is an American fashion model. She is known for competing on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 19, becoming the last eliminated overall.
What happened to Ann from America's Next Top Model?
In 2010, 19-year-old Ann Ward was named the winner of America's Next Top Model's 15th cycle. The Texan beat out Chelsey Hersley and Jane Randall at the finale in Italy. Ward now works as an artist, filling her Instagram and Twitter accounts with her sketches and illustrations.