Jaslene Marie González (born May 29, 1986) is a Puerto Rican model, television host, and winner of Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model.
Gonzalez was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and grew up in Humboldt Park, Chicago. She attended Notre Dame High School for Girls on the Northwest Side of Chicago. She was an online college admissions advisor prior to America's Next Top Model.
Gonzalez had done some modeling prior to America's Next Top Model, having been represented by Avant Garde Models. In her CW "Close-up" interview, it was revealed that she appeared in fashion shows for local Chicago designers, including Michelle Gomez of Chicago and Alexis Arquette, as seen in local Chicago newspapers Extra and La Nota.
Gonzalez said in her Seventeen interview that she had been in an abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend; the relationship ended shortly before the filming of cycle 7.
Gonzalez initially auditioned for Cycle 7, but only made it to the top 21 during the semifinals. Assuring the judges that she would be back for the next cycle's audition, Gonzalez's determination caught the eyes of producers, who thought she had potential.
Gonzalez re-auditioned for Cycle 8 and this time made it to the top thirteen, being the twelfth finalist selected. During the competition, Gonzalez was called first at panel four times, received four Covergirl of the Week awards, and won the Go-Sees reward challenge in Sydney. She was also the second contestant after Joanie Dodds and the first winner to never appear in the bottom two. On the season finale, Gonzalez was revealed as the winner. She is the first girl in the show's history to compete on more than one cycle and win. Gonzalez is the second of three winners from Illinois, preceded by Adrianne Curry of cycle 1, and followed by McKey Sullivan of cycle 11.
2012 · Drama
