Saleisha Lashawn "Sal" Stowers (born January 20, 1986) is an American actress and model. She won the ninth cycle of America's Next Top Model. Stowers currently portrays the role of Lani Price on NBC's Days of Our Lives.
Video Sal Stowers
Early life and modeling career
In an interview with Seventeen Stowers stated she had a rough life growing up. She lived with her grandmother in Madera, California. When she was 14, she attended Camp T-Zone, Tyra Banks' self-esteem camp just for girls. Stowers worked as a receptionist in Los Angeles. Before appearing on Cycle 9, Stowers was signed with Photogenics Model Management and had also appeared in a commercial for fast-food restaurant Wendy's, with actor Tom Lenk. She had modeled for DOMIJ clothing, and d.e.m.o. She was also an extra in an episode of the TV series Ugly Betty and on two episodes of the Tyra Banks Show, modeling for Rami, Project Runway season four contestant. Stowers appeared in the "Welcome Back" music video, and had an ad for 24 Hour Fitness. She also modeled for Especially Yours wigs, and was featured in a fashion spread for InTouch Weekly. She was recruited for America's Next Top Model, which she subsequently won.
Maps Sal Stowers
America's Next Top Model
Stowers won the ninth cycle of the competition, beating Chantal Jones in the final. As part of her prize, she won a contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics which features her campaigning for WetSlicks Fruit Spritzers, and appeared on the cover of the February 2008 issue of Seventeen magazine. She has also won a contract for representation with Elite Model Management. Like previous winners of ANTM, Stowers appeared in weekly segments of My Life as a CoverGirl during the running of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10.
Questions regarding eligibility for ANTM
There have been questions raised regarding Stowers's eligibility to appear on the show. The show's rules state that a contestant must not have appeared as a model in a national advertising campaign during the five years prior to production. Stowers appeared in a 2006 commercial for Wendy's, an ad that was part of a national-level campaign. The CW issued a statement that Stowers did disclose her participation in the Wendy's spot, and "after reviewing the commercial, it was determined that her appearance did not amount to "modeling" experience, and therefore did not exclude her from participating in the show."
Several blogs and news outlets have speculated that her past relationship with Banks (her participation in Banks' T-Zone camp and her past appearances on Tyra's television shows and her appearance as a model on The Tyra Banks Show and Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model), may have influenced the selection of the winner. Stowers had also been a national spokesmodel for Especially Yours wigs for more than a year before the show ran, as well as appearing in an episode of the hit US sitcom Ugly Betty.
Post show career
Stowers is currently signed to Elite Model Management and L.A. Model Management
Print work
Stowers currently has a Metro Style campaign along with fellow Top Model alum, Jaslene Gonzalez, Dani Evans and Whitney Thompson. Stowers was on the cover of Seventeen as part of her prize. She has appeared on the cover of Paper Doll Magazine, had a cover and spread in Florida International Magazine and had spreads in the January 2008 issue of InTouch Weekly, OK! Magazine, the July 2008 issue of Essence Magazine, Jam Style. and had a four-page spread in an issue of Macy's. She has modeled for Gilt Groupe and Macy's catalogue online. She has also modeled for Dereon, Apple Bottoms, Baby Phat, and Love Tease for Macy's. Stowers had a campaign with Garage Clothing for their Spring 2009 line. She has also appeared in Modern Bride for the February/March 2009 issue.
Runway
Stowers has walked for Tibi in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008, Peter Som's Bill Blass Fall 2008 Collection at Saks Fifth Avenue on April 2, 2008, Carson Kressley's Safilo USA Spring/Summer '08 Designer Eyewear Fashion Show at Vision Expo East on April 12, 2008, Jose Duran for NYC fashion week, which also showed on her My Life as CoverGirl commercials, a GenArt Fashion Show for Jennifer Mary, Billabong's 2nd Annual Design for Humanity fashion show in Los Angeles, and Pamella Roland at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009. Stowers appeared on the finale episode of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10 to give encouragement to the final two, and she opened for a mock Versace runway show. Stowers walked for Beach Bunny Swimwear and Lana Fuchs in Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009. She also appeared on the Tyra Banks Show for the episode titled Tina Knowles modeling in a House of Dereon fashion show.
Other
She has appeared on the Tyra Banks Show multiple times. This includes the time when Stowers along with Tyra Banks, Jaslene Gonzalez, Claire Unabia and Michael Bloomberg planted a tree on April 10 in New York City in honor of Earth Day which aired on April 30, 2008 and the Fiercee Awards along with past ANTM contestants that aired on May 14. Stowers attended the premiere of Polanski Unauthorized, the Vavoom Upfront party with Caridee English and Jaslene Gonzalez, and the CW upfront Party celebrating the Cycle 10 finale with past ANTM alums. Stowers also made an appearance in Robin Thicke's music video clip "Sex Therapy" in 2009. On February 25, 2013, Stowers was cast as the daughter of Angie Hubbard (Debbi Morgan), Cassandra Foster on the Prospect Park's continuation of All My Children, she made her debut on April 30, 2013.
In March 2015, Stowers guest starred on an episode of the ABC Family show, Switched at Birth. In June 2015, Stowers joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in the role of Lani Price, and made her first appearance on September 25, 2015.
Filmography
References
External links
- Saleisha Stowers at the Fashion Model Directory
- Saleisha Stowers wins 'America's Next Top Model's ninth season
- Exclusive Interview: Saleisha Stowers, Winner of 'America's Next Top Model'
Source of the article : Wikipedia