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by: Sheri Block
Date: 11/20/2009 2:10:00 PM ET

Laura Kirkpatrick was convinced Tyra Banks had ruined her life when she did not choose her to be America’s Next Top Model.

“I was so crushed. I just wanted to be like, ‘Tyra look what you’ve done to me? You’ve ruined my life!’” recalls Laura in her thick southern accent. “But now that it’s all over, and even the next day, I was like, ‘It’s going to be all ok.’”

The 19-year-old from Stanford, Ky., lost to 18-year-old Nicole Fox from Louisville, Colo., on Wednesday night’s Cycle 13 finale that featured petite models for the first time in the show’s history.

The two girls had been neck and neck throughout the final episode and despite Laura doing a better job walking the runway at a Julia Clancey show in Maui, the judges felt Nicole had a better shot of making it as a high fashion model.

“I know I can work in high fashion. I’ve just got to prove it to them,” says Laura.

At 5’6” Laura didn’t think her dream of modeling would ever be a reality before making it onto ANTM.

“I went to New York to casting calls and stuff and everybody was like, ‘You’re too short, you’re too short’ so I was really surprised to hear that Top Model was having a competition just for short girls.”

But she thinks her opportunities are now looking a little “taller.” 

“I believe that we’ve shown people that we can look long and we can be good models so I feel like I’ll work just as much as an average model.”

Laura threw a big party to watch the finale with her friends and family, who were anxiously waiting to see if she would take home the win.

“They were shocked that I didn’t win. They were really sure (I had) after they had seen my runway walk and stuff and the judges were talking good about me. They cried (after they saw the results), but they’re really proud of me.”

Laura was also the favourite to win amongst the other finalists – many of whom returned to walk in the final runway challenge.

A down-to-earth, small-town girl, she won the judges over early on with her likeable, charismatic personality that stood out in stark contrast to Nicole's quiet demeanour and less than charismatic personality.

But the same couldn’t be said for Laura’s clothes, which were made by her grandmother.

“I’ve always loved fashion, even if I was good at it or not, ‘cause the judges kind of picked on my clothes a lot,” says Laura with a laugh. “But I definitely believe that (since) I’ve come home now, I dress a whole lot more model-esque and I’ve learned a lot going to L.A. and being on the show.”

She also learned a lot about overcoming her dyslexia, after struggling with a challenge where she had to read off a teleprompter, and says she proved to herself and others that nothing can stand in your way as long as you put your mind to it.

“It really helped me show people you can … be successful even if you’re dyslexic.”

Laura is currently taking online college classes but plans to put all her focus on pursuing her modeling career.

“I came home with this great portfolio and I’m going to go up to New York and hopefully work a whole bunch and become a really successful model … It’s just my dream and I’m not giving up.”