Jaslene Marie González, a Puerto Rican model, television host, and the triumphant winner of Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model, was born on May 29, 1986. Growing up in Humboldt Park, Chicago, she attended Notre Dame High School for Girls on the Northwest Side of the city.
Prior to her appearance on America's Next Top Model, González had already gained some modeling experience, being represented by Avant Garde Models. She had participated in fashion shows for local Chicago designers, including Michelle Gomez and Alexis Arquette, which were featured in local newspapers such as Extra and La Nota.
In her Seventeen interview, González revealed that she had been in an abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, which ended shortly before the filming of Cycle 7. Although she initially auditioned for Cycle 7, only making it to the top 21 during the semifinals, she reassured the judges that she would return for the next cycle's audition.
González's determination caught the attention of producers, who thought she had potential. She re-auditioned for Cycle 8 and made it to the top thirteen, being the twelfth finalist selected. During the competition, González was called first at panel four times, received four Covergirl of the Week awards, and won the Go-Sees reward challenge in Sydney.
She was also the second contestant after Joanie Dodds and the first winner to never appear in the bottom two. On the season finale, González was revealed as the winner, becoming the first girl in the show's history to compete on more than one cycle and win.
