Teen wins TV supermodel contest

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Fans of Branden Rickman, a contestant on “Make Me a Supermodel,” show their support before the airing of the Bravo reality TV show at the Cyber Center Warehouse Sports Grill in Medford Wednesday. Rickman ended up winning the show.Jamie Lusch

June 04, 2009

By Chris Conrad

Mail Tribune

The Central Point boy with the blue-collar background is moving to New York City to live his supermodel dream.

It was a tumultuous 13 weeks, but Branden Rickman emerged victorious on the finale of Bravo's "Make Me a Supermodel" reality TV show Wednesday night. This week's show, unlike some of the others, was relatively tame, featuring poses by the contestants in various outfits and a Cosmopolitan photo shoot.

Rickman celebrated his victory surrounded by family and friends at the Cyber Center Warehouse Sports Grill on Automation Way.

The Crater High School graduate seemed relieved to finally share the news after a tight gag order put in place by Bravo.

"It's like a big weight lifted off my shoulders," Rickman said, between hugs from supporters who cheered him on throughout the finale.

Rickman weathered tough criticism by the judges throughout the weeks, but he persevered due to his Southern Oregon upbringing, according to his mother, Diane Rickman, a cashier at the Central Point Albertsons.

"He showed his heart on that show every week," Diane Rickman said. "He made it through by letting people see what a down-home boy he was."

Fans packed the bar and filled it with raucous cheers whenever Rickman appeared on the screen.

"We've been supporting him since the first week," said Michelle Pearson, who works with Rickman's mother at Albertsons. "He did awesome. I'm so proud of him."

Stacy Pearson can attest to her mother's enthusiasm.

"She screams when she watches," she said.

Rickman graciously accepted hugs and handshakes throughout the night. He remained mostly quiet during the finale, keeping close to his mother who famously inspired tears at various times during the broadcast.

"It was so hard to keep my mouth shut," Rickman said. "But I was so stoked the whole time."

Rickman's victory scored him $100,000 and a contract with New York Model Management.

He plans to move to New York City and will appear in August's issue of Cosmopolitan.

It was by no means an easy path. Rickman found himself staring down the barrel of elimination four times this season. He endured accusations that he was too cocky to succeed on the show.

"That was the hardest part," said Jessica Rickman, Branden's sister. "As a protective sister I knew he was not cocky. I just kept saying, 'Don't make him cry' on some weeks because I know he was not cocky; he was strong and was just hard on himself on the weeks he didn't do so well. He wants to please everybody. That's his nature."

Rickman rounded out a three-man finale with Jonathan Waud, 26, of Southampton, England; and Sandhurst Tacama Miggins, 22, of Tobago. Miggins came in second in the contest and Waud third.

Rickman plans to share a Manhattan apartment with Sandhurst in the coming months.

The ultimate goal to come out of his "Supermodel" win is to spark an acting career, Rickman said.

"I will model for the foreseeable future, but acting is the next thing I want to do," he said. "I feel that's the direction I'm heading."

Diane Rickman appeared on Wednesday's finale, making a surprise visit that sent the bar into a frenzy.

The victory was bittersweet, Diane Rickman said, because he will be going away for a long period of time.

"I think this time when he leaves it's going to be harder," she said. "I know this time he might not be coming back."

Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471; or e-mail cconrad@mailtribune.com.

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