Tyra model search winner is 17, size 14

This week, Tyra Banks introduced us to Sheridan Watson, a gorgeous 17-year-old who was chosen the winner of Tyra’s Fiercely Real Teen Model Search for plus size teens.

The New Jersey teenager wears a size 14 and proved her modeling skills through a competition showcased on Tyra’s talkshow. She and five other finalists competed in five areas: Work Out, Denim Diva Look, Iconic RockStar, a Runway-off and a B.I.O. (beauty inside and out) speech. In her speech, Sheridan asked for a boycott of media that objectifies women

Tyra wrote on the Fiercely Real Web site: “Sheridan proved her confidence, speaking and modeling skills topped the other Fiercely Real girls.”

In addition to Tyra, judges were Whitney Thompson, the first plus size America’s Next Top Model winner, Jon Ilani (from Wilhelmina Models) and Seventeen magazine’s Ann Shoket. ANTM judge and photographer shot some of the photos of the finalists.

“I’m still waiting for it all to hit me,” Sheridan told People magazine. “Growing up it was like modeling was not an appropriate profession for someone my size because I’ve always been curvy.”

Tyra, who has often challenged stereotype ideas of beauty, said she wants to exchange the term “fiercely real” for plus-size.

“What’s considered plus-sized in the fashion industry is actually average in the real world. I want women to realize that the women they see in the magazines are not the norm,” she said to People.

Sheridan won a three-year contract with agency Wilhelmina, and will also appear in Seventeen.

Click here for more photos of Sheridan and a behind-the-scenes video.

In conjunction with the Fiercely Real model search, Thompson modeled looks for plus size clothing store Torrid. Click here to see the outfits and buy the clothes.