Danielle Evans
It wasn't an easy road, but Danielle Evans was named America's Next Top Model on Wednesday's finale.
On her way to earning the title – and beating out finalists Jade and Joanie – the Little Rock native endured hospitalization (for dehydration and exhaustion brought on by a 22-hour flight to Thailand, site of the show’s final four episodes) and elective oral surgery (to close the gap between her front teeth).
So how did she celebrate her win? "I slept," Evans tells PEOPLE. "Like, the whole entire day." No doubt she dreamt about fashion. "I've wanted to be a model since I was 12, but not just a model – a supermodel," says the nearly 6-ft.-tall Evans.
Her prizes – signing with Ford Models, a $100,000 CoverGirl contract and a spread in Elle – should prove a good start, but what will really set the UPN series' sixth winner apart? "Danielle has an amazing attitude.
She took what we said in judging and made it work in her photos," says creator Tyra Banks. Indeed, all four judges consistently praised Evans's pictures, focusing their criticism on her heavy southern twang – unbecoming for a spokesperson, they said.
"I didn't realize I had an accent until I watched myself on television!" says the former babysitter, who ultimately toned down the accent by speaking more slowly.
Her likely move to New York City or L.A. may help as well. As for her goals, "I really want to do a runway show for Dsquared and Valentino," she says. And make one special purchase.
(Spoiler alert: Mom, stop reading now.) "She doesn’t know, but I’m going to get Mama a car," says Evans. "She's going to be so excited."
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Patrick Dempsey Soaps Up with Costars
Patrick Dempsey
William Shatner sang, Desperate Housewives danced and the men of Grey's Anatomy showered together when ABC introduced its fall lineup at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City on Tuesday.
Here are some highlights:
• Before the presentation started, a jumbo screen showed attendees chatting on cell phones and typing on PDAs while an unseen announcer provided running commentary. "Those are great shoes," the voice would say while the large screen focused on a lady's pumps. "Payless?"
• ABC entertainment president Stephen McPherson and Dancing With the Stars' Edyta Sliwinska tangoed to AC/DC's "Back in Black," earning a standing ovation. • William Shatner emerged onstage, singing, "Hats off – here they come," as video rolled of the men of ABC in various stages of undress. Then the net's male stars arrived onstage in tuxedos as Shatner crooned, "Beautiful boys! This is what drives girls insane, especially the girls on Wisteria Lane."
• Jimmy Kimmel cracked jokes about Rosie O'Donnell joining The View. "I personally hope Star Jones stays," he said, "because Star versus Rosie is going to be like Alien vs. Predator: Whoever wins, we lose!"
• The new Bachelor was announced, with a royal twist: He's Italy's Prince Lorenzo Borghese, a 33-year-old cosmetics entrepreneur, and this season will be set in Rome.
• The cast of the net's primetime darling, Grey's Anatomy, – which is moving to Thursday night – took the stage and video rolled of Patrick Dempsey, James Pickens Jr. and Isaiah Washington in a shower, soaping each other up and trading suggestive glances. The shower door opens to reveal costar Chandra Wilson in a towel. Dempsey says, "I've always loved you" and Wilson tosses her towel and steps into the shower. Next, she wakes up in bed and, realizing it was all a dream, cries, "Oh, hell no!"
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Drew Lachey Gets in Step with Fatherhood
Drew Lachey holding daughter Isabella Claire
He won Dancing with the Stars 2 with Cheryl Burke, but Drew Lachey may soon have another partner to dip and twirl. "Isabella has these feet with arches already kind of developing," he says of his 2-month-old daughter. "She's already got dancer feet! I wouldn't be surprised if she follows in her mom and dad's footsteps."
As PEOPLE reports in its new issue, the former 98 Degrees singer and his choreographer wife, Lea, have found their footing as parents since the March 23 birth of Isabella Claire. "I am in charge of changing diapers," says Drew, 29. "And I'm an expert swaddler. I have mastered that very quickly." Says Lea, 29: "He's amazing and gentle and soft. He has this very particular voice that he uses just with her. That's my favorite thing, to watch him with her."
The new dad plans to write a lullaby for his little girl, but in the meantime "she likes these low hums, and I'll sing anything to her: Sly and the Family Stone, opera," Drew says. She's also into pop music.
Before the baby was born, while Drew and Lea were listening to a preview of his brother Nick's new album, "she just went nuts," says Drew. "She was dancing in the belly like no one's business!"
Uncle Nick is a fan of hers too. "She is an angel – there's never been a more beautiful baby," says the older Lachey, 32. "Thank goodness she looks like her mom."
Nick has even set up a crib at his house in case his goddaughter ever needs a babysitter. "He's set!
I don't think he'll enjoy the pumping that much," Drew jokes, "but once he gets over the soreness of the nipples, he'll be all right!"
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Jessica Simpson's Other Breakup
Jessica Simpson and CaCee Cobb
It's only been six months since she split from Nick Lachey, but Jessica Simpson is facing yet another breakup: After two years, best friend CaCee Cobb recently resigned as the star’s assistant to pursue behind-the-scenes work in the entertainment industry.
"Her job was always intended as a stepping-stone," a source tells PEOPLE in its upcoming issue, adding that the two are still in constant contact. "They support each other." That hasn’t stopped some publications from noting that Cobb’s departure coincides with sightings of her partying with Lachey.
The two chatted all night at Las Vegas's Pure on April 8 and ran into each other again May 1 at L.A.'s Shag. Is Cobb falling for her best friend's ex? (Calling Denise Richards?) No! "They are friends and that's it," says a source close to Lachey. "
CaCee has always been friends with both Jessica and Nick," adds another source. Lachey's brother Drew also strongly denies the romance rumors. "It's ridiculous."
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Elliott Out on American Idol
Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin was voted off American Idol Wednesday night, leaving Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee to battle it out next week.
When it was revealed that Yamin was going home, the audience gasped, Paula Adbul cried and Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks hugged him. But it was over for Yamin, although Ryan Seacrest said he'd lost by an extremely narrow margin: Yamin received 33.06 percent of the final tally, a record 50 million votes.
Without naming names, Seacrest said the other singers racked up 33.26 and 33.68 percent of the votes. "I'm very proud, and I'm honored," Yamin said, adding that he felt "truly blessed to take advantage of this opportunity."
The 27-year-old from Richmond, Va., also indicated his mother and brother in the audience and said he was "so blessed to be able to experience this" with them.
On Tuesday's show, Simon Cowell had predicted Elliott wouldn't make it to the next round. "Your songs are not going to carry you through to next week – that's the problem," Cowell said after Yamin delivered his rendition of Ray Charles's "I Believe to My Soul." "However, you are a great guy," Cowell continued. "You are a great singer. And whatever happens, you will make your mom very proud for what you've achieved for this competition." Abdul recently told Teen People that Yamin was her choice to win.
On Tuesday's show, she told him, "You pierce through the heart." The winner will be revealed next Wednesday during a live, two-hour finale.
Cowell, who in the past accurately predicted Carrie Underwood's victory, this week told Jay Leno on the "Tonight Show" that he expects Hicks to take the crown.
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