Although she couldn’t hide her disappointment of not becoming “America’s Next Top Model” when the winner was announced, Chelsey Hersley says she is now perfectly fine with being the runner-up.

“That’s a huge accomplishment so I’m really, really proud of myself and really happy with how everything turned out,” Chelsey tells CTV.ca over the phone.

The 22-year-old from Boise, Idaho, lost the competition to 19-year-old Ann Ward from Dallas, Texas, during the Cycle 15 finale Wednesday night.  

For the first time in “ANTM” history, the winner will receive a spread in Vogue Italia, as well as a contract with IMG Models. Even though Chelsey repeatedly said during the show she should win because she had “the whole package,” she believes Ann took the crown because she better fit what the judges were looking for in this “high fashion” cycle. 

“(The judges) were looking for something different I think and Ann took amazing pictures – better than any other girl in the whole house – so when it came down to that she really had what they were looking for,” says Chelsey.

“Ann’s a very deserving winner. I was upset when I lost but I couldn’t have lost to a greater girl.”

Even though Chelsey had previous modeling experience, she says being on “ANTM” opened her eyes to many different aspects of the business, in particular what it was like to travel abroad.  

“’Top Model’ was a new experience for me, just like it was for all the other girls … I was just as nervous and excited as they were.”

Going to Italy was definitely a highlight for Chelsey, as was having her parents unexpectedly show up to see her walk in the final runway show for Just Cavalli.

“You go through this whole experience not having a support system, other than (the other girls). I’ve maybe talked to my parents a few times when I was gone so to see them and to have them there with me was indescribable. I was so happy.”

Chelsey has since returned to Boise and is hopeful that some opportunities will be soon coming her way, now that the outcome of Cycle 15 has been revealed.

“I haven’t heard anything yet but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

She plans to send her portfolio out to as many agencies as she can and is going to head to New York City after the holidays to visit some of them in person.

And even though fashion icon Roberto Cavalli, who served as an “ANTM” judge on the final episode, said Chelsey was more suited to American fashion than Italian, she’s determined to make it as an international model.

“I’m not going to set my limits to America. I’m definitely going to try and get to Europe and Asia, anywhere. Wherever I can go, I want to experience it all.”