Is Amanda From Antm Blind Now? – Celebrity
Emma Newman
Updated on January 17, 2026
Though the judges of ANTM Cycle 3 unanimously agreed that ice-eyed Amanda Swafford photographed flawlessly, financial struggles have taken a toll on her CoverGirl face. In 2014, Swafford launched a GoFundMe campaign asking for $5,000 to replace a missing front tooth.
When Amanda tried out for the cycle, the judges all noted that her most stunning feature was her ice-blue eyes. Though her stunning eyes were her assets, it was also a hindrance as she is legally blind, which she announced to all of the top twenty girls after the first casting week cut.
In 2000, she graduated from Austin Community College, Rio Grande. Before appearing on Top Model, Swafford modeled under the name “Amanda Mellard” in Austin, Texas, where she was a somewhat established figure in Austin’s fashion community. Swafford is legally blind; she is afflicted with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition.
Amanda thought that her biggest competition was Ann and Eva, the eventual winner. In episode four, when Amanda’s healing crystals were missing, she accuses Eva of taking them, which leads to a big argument between them along with Ann and Jennipher . She wound up in the finale along with Eva and Yaya.
What episode does Amanda accuse Eva of taking her crystals?
Amanda thought that her biggest competition was Ann and Eva, the eventual winner. In episode four , when Amanda’s healing crystals were missing, she accuses Eva of taking them, which leads to a big argument between them along with Ann and Jennipher . She wound up in the finale along with Eva and Yaya.
Post-Show. After the show, Amanda has modeled in Moscow and Prague. She worked for Levi’s in an ad campaign with other visually impaired models. In 2005, Swafford announced plans to write a multi-sensory book for children.
In 2000, she graduated from Austin Community College, Rio Grande. Before appearing on Top Model, Swafford modeled under the name “Amanda Mellard” in Austin, Texas, where she was a somewhat established figure in Austin’s fashion community.
She had modeling experience in Austin, Texas before auditioning. Ann and Eva hid the teddy bear from the girl who carried the teddy bear around during casting. Kelle, Toccara, and Ann probably did not have their best photos selected to further push the storyline. Michelle (the stylist) had time to get Toccara’s size.
Mich elle (the stylist) had time to get Toccara’s size. She said that Michelle pinched Toccara with industrial clamps, which would hurt. Kelle was the most model-esque. Toccara did not lose her personality, she thinks they eliminated her because Tokyo didn’t have her size.
ANTM. When Amanda tried out for cycle 3, the judges all noted that her most stunning feature was her ice-blue eyes. Though her stunning eyes were her assets, it was also a hindrance as she is legally blind, which she announced to all of the top 20 girls after the first casting week cut.
Who is Amanda Swafford?
Amanda Swafford. Though the judges of ANTM Cycle 3 unanimously agreed that ice-eyed Amanda Swafford photograph ed flawlessly, financial struggles have taken a toll on her CoverGirl face. In 2014, Swafford launched a GoFundMe campaign asking for $5,000 to replace a missing front tooth.
Yaya DaCosta. Yaya DaCosta came this close to winning the title on America’s Next Top Model ‘s third cycle. Although she eventually lost out to Eva Pigford, she has still managed to build a successful career for herself as both an actress and a model.
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ANTM aired in more than 150 countries and spawned at least 40 international spinoffs, including the Australian version that discovered Cassi Van Den Dungen. At only 16, she became the runner-up Down Under in 2009.
DaCosta has since booked roles in films such as The Kids Are All Right, Tron: Legacy, In Time, The Butler, and The Nice Guys, as well as TV shows, including Ugly Betty, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Body of Proof, House, and Army Wives.
According to the New York Daily News, D’Amato was horsing around on the set of the indie film, Cowboys and Indians, when she fell on her face while attempting a handstand. D’Amato posted nauseating Instagram photos of her face before and after reconstructive surgery.
Renee Alway. Renee Alway was another young contestant on Cycle 8 of ANTM and then a finalist on Banks’ spinoff, Modelville, but when the cameras stopped rolling, so too did her success. Alway became addicted to painkillers, then heroin. She lost her home and custody of her three children.
McKey Sullivan came out on top in Cycle 11, despite having to change her name early on to help Tyra avoid the confusion of having too many girls named Brittany. Although McKey didn’t have much modeling experience when she came on the show, she proved to be a natural, using her short hair and androgynous look to blow away designers.
