Scroll down to watch Ann crowned the winner
Stunned: Ann Ward finds out she has been crowned America's Next Top Model on the finale show last night
Her first appearance on America's Next Top Model caused controversy when a judge showed he could fit both hands round her tiny waist.
But model wannabe Ann Ward's ultra slim physique did not deter the judges in tonight's finale of the hit TV show.
The 6"2 gangly model from Dallas was declared the winner of the programme, landing a modelling contract, a spread in Italian Vogue and a $100,000 contract to advertise Cover Girl cosmetics.
Reactions: Ann was overcome when she was crowned winner, but loser Chelsey Hersley didn't look impressed
The 19-year-old was overcome with emotion after judges including designer Roberto Cavalli, Vogue magazine's Andre Leon Tally and host Tyra Banks told her she had beaten 22-year-old finalist Chelsey Hersley from Idaho.
'I'm so honoured right now,' said Ann who told Tyra she was bullied at school because of her unusual appearance.
'All those comments about being tall and just not normal. They're going to look back and feel "I should have been so nice to that girl."'
Emotional: Ann burst into tears when host Tyra Banks told her she was the winner of Cycle 15
She's the winner! Tyra waits to congratulate Ann as Chelsey gives her an awkward hug
However, Chelsey, who says she has wanted to be a supermodel since she was three-years-old, did not take her loss well.
'I feel cheated. I feel I have the whole package,' she said. 'And I don't think Ann does.'
But, after watching the show back last night, Chelsey admitted Ann definitely took better photographs than she did.
Catwalk queens: Ann and Chelsey walked in a Roberto Cavalli show in the season finale of the programme
She said: 'I had time to realize I made it to the final two. I'm the runner-up to America's Next Top Model. I think that's a huge accomplishment. I'm really proud of myself.
'I think the Cycle is more elevated, more high fashion. And I find myself to be very high fashionable and editorial, but Ann took amazing pictures.
'When it came down to it, Ann took better pictures than I did.'
Challenges: The girls took part in an fashion shoot in the Italian countryside for the final show
Fashionista: Eventual victor Ann poses for her Cover Girl shots in Italy
The final episode, shown on U.S. network The CW, saw the girls take part in a photo shoot in Italy, film a commercial for Cover Girl cosmetics and hit the catwalk for a Roberto Cavalli runway show in Milan.
However, neither girl escaped the judges' criticism.
Andre Leon Talley said Chelsey's catwalk presence contained, 'No snap, no crackle, and no pop' while Tyra called Ann's focused eyes 'a little zombie.'
Back in August, Ann's slim appearance caused controversy when her audition was shown in a trailer for the 15th season of the show.
Her waspish waist shocked the judges with judge Miss J Alexander putting his hands around her waist, to find they touched on either side.
And Tyra told Ann: 'You have the smallest waist in the world. Look at that waist!'
However, she was forced to issue a statement after public outcry over the clip.
‘In an effort to create a fun and entertaining sneak peek of the upcoming cycle, America’s Next Top Model released a trailer that was edited in a way that misconstrued our overarching message,’ the 36-year-old host said in a statement to People magazine.
Waspish: Judge J Alexander showed how his hands fit all the way round the 6"2 model's waspish waist
Source:Dailymail