America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) has captivated audiences for two decades, delivering iconic moments, fierce runway walks, and unforgettable personalities. While Tyra Banks and the judging panel aimed to find the next face of fashion, the show also became known for its dramatic twists, emotional outbursts, and, at times, controversial scenarios. One such moment that remains etched in the minds of ANTM fans involves Cycle 12 contestant Tahlia Brookins, specifically the episode where fellow contestant Celia Ammerman brought her name into the elimination panel. But what happened to Tahlia after her time on ANTM, and where is she now?
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The drama unfolded in Cycle 12, Episode 5, forever known to some fans as the “Celia throws Tahlia under the bus” episode. Celia Ammerman, in a bid to save her friend Kortnie Coles from elimination, made a surprising move. As the original Entertainment Weekly article commemorating 20 years of ANTM highlights, Celia “shockingly broke rank — literally — to squeal on one of her fellow competitors.” That competitor was Tahlia Brookins.
According to Fo Porter, another contestant from Cycle 12, none of the contestants anticipated Celia’s action. Celia stepped back onto the runway and informed Tyra Banks that she had overheard Tahlia expressing doubts about her future in the competition and whether it was the right career path for her. Celia framed this as “unfair” if Kortnie was eliminated while Tahlia seemingly wasn’t fully committed.
Tyra’s reaction was immediate and intense. Addressing Celia directly, Tyra retorted, “You know what I think is unfair? That you’re saying this, and not Tahlia. Tahlia did not say that to me, she did not say that to the judges.” This sharp response from Tyra effectively shut down Celia’s attempt and underscored the perceived breach of contestant solidarity. While Celia may have believed she was acting bravely or standing up for her friend, her actions were largely viewed as throwing Tahlia under the bus to gain favor with the judges.
Fo Porter considered Celia’s move “brave, but also, like, you’re throwing other people under the bus.” While Porter also noted that such drama was mild compared to other reality shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, the moment was undeniably significant within the context of ANTM. Celia’s intervention, though perhaps intended to be strategic, ultimately placed Tahlia in an uncomfortable and unfair position.
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So, what happened to Tahlia after this dramatic episode, and where is she now? Tahlia Brookins, a then 18-year-old hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, was eliminated in the very next episode, Cycle 12, Episode 6. Her journey on ANTM, while relatively short-lived, was marked by this unforgettable moment of reality TV drama.
While Tahlia’s ANTM experience may be best remembered for the Celia incident, information about her post-show endeavors is relatively scarce in the public domain. Unlike some contestants who leveraged their ANTM exposure into significant modeling or entertainment careers, Tahlia seems to have pursued a path outside of the limelight.
Public social media presence associated with “Tahlia Brookins ANTM” is limited, suggesting a private life away from the pressures of public attention. It’s important to note that not every contestant seeks fame or continued public visibility after their reality TV stint, and Tahlia’s choice to maintain a lower profile is a valid and understandable one.
While concrete details about Tahlia’s current profession or activities are not readily available, the lack of a strong online footprint suggests she may be living a life outside of the entertainment industry, possibly in a different field altogether. Many ANTM contestants, after experiencing the intensity of the show, opt for more conventional career paths or ventures that align with their personal passions outside of modeling.
In conclusion, while Tahlia Brookins’ time on America’s Next Top Model was brief but punctuated by the dramatic “bus” incident with Celia, her life after the show appears to have taken a different trajectory. While the curiosity about “Tahlia Antm Where Is She Now” persists among fans, it seems Tahlia has chosen a path away from the public eye, and is likely living a private life away from the spotlight of the modeling world and reality television. Her experience serves as a reminder that for many contestants, ANTM is a chapter, not the entire story, and their journeys continue long after the cameras stop rolling.
