The sixth season of Australia's Next Top Model premiered on 20 July 2010 on Fox8. Sarah Murdoch returned as the host and leading judge for this season. Alex Perry and Charlotte Dawson also returned as judges.
The prizes for this season included a one-year modelling contract with Priscilla's Model Management, a 25,000 contract to be the face Levi’s, a trip to New York to meet with Elite Model Management, a brand new Ford Fiesta Zetec, an eight-page editorial spread and the cover of Harper's Bazaar Australia, and 20,000 courtesy of U by Kotex.
The winner of the competition was 17-year-old Amanda Ware from Mermaid Beach, Queensland.
Series summary
A few major changes were made this season. Jez Smith returned as part of the judging panel for the first time since the third season, and Jonathan Pease was replaced by fashion icon Josh Flinn, due to the former's work conflicts. Filming took place from May through June 2010. The number of contestants this season was increased from 13 to 16. The model house was located on 21 Hunter St, in Sydney's eastern suburb of Dover Heights. In contrast to the previous three seasons, the viewer vote entirely determined the winner and placements of each contestant during the live finale. Beginning this season, there was also a shift in the series' tone, with less focus being placed on quarrels among the contestants.
Requirements
All contestants had to be aged 16 or over in order to apply for the show. Those auditioning had to be at least tall. To qualify, all applicants had to be an Australian citizen currently living in Australia. Additional requirements stated that a contestant could not have had previous experience as a model in a national campaign within the last five years, and if a contestant was represented by an agent or a manager, she had to terminate that representation before the competition.
Auditions
Auditions were held on 16–17 January in Sydney, on 19–20 January in Brisbane, on 21 January in Bendigo, on 23 January in Adelaide and on 24 January in Perth.
Cast
Contestants
(Ages stated are at start of contest)
Judges
Sarah Murdoch (host) Alex Perry Charlotte Dawson Jez Smith
Other cast members
Josh Flinn – style director, model mentor
Episodes
Results
The contestant was eliminated
The contestant was part of a non-elimination bottom two
The contestant won the competition
Average call-out order
Final two is not included.
Bottom two
The contestant was eliminated after her first time in the bottom two/three
The contestant was eliminated after her second time in the bottom two/three
The contestant was eliminated after her third time in the bottom two/three
The contestant was eliminated after her fourth time in the bottom two/three
The contestant was eliminated in the final judging and placed third
The contestant was eliminated in the final judging and placed as the runner-up
Makeovers
Ashton - Tight waves
Chantal - Melanie Chisholm brown and bangs swept
Kimberly - Liza Minnelli inspired pixie cut with bangs and dyed red
Brittney - Loose curls
Joanna - Dyed dark brown and loose waves
Kathryn - Ombre and long layers
Jessica - Long straight black weave with bangs
Sophie - Dyed dark blonde, short layered bob with bangs swept
Kelsey - Long dark brown weave with bangs
Amanda - Hair straighten
Controversy
Due to an error during the live finale broadcast, Kelsey Martinovich was initially announced as the winner. Consequently, she won several prizes usually reserved for the winner; including a 25,000 cash prize, an all expenses paid trip to New York to meet with potential modeling agents and a dulled cover and spread in Harper's Bazaar Australia. The magazine decided to split the cover of the November issue, printing half featuring Amanda on the cover and the other featuring Kelsey.
In the days following the airing of the live final, the show was accused of feigning the botched announcement as a publicity stunt. Concerning accusations targeted toward Sarah Murdoch, judge Alex Perry commented: "There's no way that she would do that. I think you saw that the instant that she knew something was wrong, you could see it in her eyes, that wasn't lying, that wasn't acting. Everybody wants to tag something sinister on it and say it was done for ratings (but) I know Sarah and I know the executive producer, it's just not their style, they have too much integrity"