Lisa Marie D'Amato (born October 22, 1980) is an American recording artist, fashion model and television personality from Los Angeles.[1] She first came into the public eye as a participant on Cycle 5 of the television series America's Next Top Model, being the eighth eliminated, and eventually went on to win Cycle 17: All Stars.
Early life
D'Amato was born in Los Angeles, California. Her parents divorced when she was seven, with her mother raising her as a single parent. D'Amato started modeling at the age of 12.
Reality TV
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model Cycle 5
D'Amato claims to have been dared to send in an audition tape to America's Next Top Model because her friends were obsessed with the show. After a year of persuasion, she decided to participate in the program realizing she had nothing to lose.
D'Amato was the last (thirteenth) girl (edited as the second last (twelfth) girl called and followed by Ebony Taylor when aired) selected for the top thirteen to compete on the UPN reality television show America's Next Top Model Cycle 5. On the show, D'Amato soon became known as the "most notorious" of the models, not scared to speak her mind to the other contestants. She explained that this support truly comes from her heart because she wants other models to look their best, especially on national television. D'Amato cites having been abused as a child as the reason for her hard-hitting, survivalist attitude. She shocked the other models by urinating in a diaper while on a shoot which Nicole Linkletter was disgusted about. D'Amato would run around with wigs, masks, and weird outfits; and once had a long conversation with a Pampas Grass bush she named "Cousin It". Over her stay, D'Amato won two challenges, received one Covergirl of the Week award, received one first call-out and two second call-outs.
The judges eliminated D'Amato seventh (since fellow contestant Cassandra Jean quit the competition in episode four) in London during her only ever bottom two appearance which Jayla Rubinelli had survived for the second consecutive time. D'Amato has been identified since cycle 5 as one of the most memorable contestants due to her entertaining personality, unconventional beauty, penchant for melodrama, and strong fan base.
America's Next Top Model Cycle 6
D'Amato appeared as an assistant in a Cycle 6 episode where the top ten girls received lessons on commercial and high-fashion posing from Janice Dickinson.
Winning America's Next Top Model Cycle 17: All-Stars
After her first appearance on the show, D'Amato was selected to return to America's Next Top Model along with former fellow contestant Bre Scullark to both represent their Cycle together on the first All-Star edition of the show along with twelve other returning models from past America's Next Top Model cycles. D'Amato's seemingly off the wall antics secured her spot on this season of the show and aided in her journey to the top. Like all the other contestants on Cycle 17, D'Amato was given a branding word: "daring". Using this key term, she presented herself on the show accordingly; wearing bold outfits for panel, expressing her extroverted personality and molding the challenges to fit her image. During her time on the show, she developed her own perfume called "Neon", performed in a music video for her song "I Be Like Whoa", won three challenges, received three first call-outs, survived her first bottom two appearance over Camille McDonald from Cycle 2 and was part of a non-elimination bottom two with former Cycle 12 semifinalist and Cycle 14 contestant Angelea Preston. On December 7, 2011, D'Amato won over fellow finalist Allison Harvard from Cycle 12 who was the runner-up in both of her cycles. D'Amato is the second girl (after America's Next Top Model Cycle 8 Winner Jaslene Gonzalez) in the show's history to compete on more than one cycle and win. This win also makes D'Amato the oldest winner at the age of 30.[2]
America's Next Top Model Cycle 18: British Invasion
D'Amato appeared in episode six of Cycle 18: British Invasion to inform the top nine models that they will have to perform in a group music video representing their country. The former Britain's Next Top Model girls performing were Catherine Thomas of Cycle 4, Annaliese Dayes, and eventual cycle winner Sophie Sumner both of Cycle 5, and Alisha White of Cycle 6. The American girls performing were Kyle Gober, Seymone Cohen-Fobish, Laura LaFrate, Eboni Davis and eventual eliminee from this episode AzMarie Livingston.
In 2011, D'Amato starred in an Oxygen (TV channel) Network ordered television pilot titled "My Name Is Lisa" produced by Den of Thieves. The ensemble cast includes Lisa D'Amato, Brendan Vaughn, Adam Friedman, Benji Lanpher, Chris Bordeaux, and Lilly Rose.[5]
D'Amato pitched her product, Dare-U-Go! on season 10 of Shark Tank. She made a deal with Barbara Corcoran for a $150,000 cash plus $200,000 loan in exchange for 35% stake.[6]
D'Amato lost the award for "The Reality Remix Awards" for "Favorite Altered State."[11] She was recently[when?] voted as one of the most memorable contestants by AOL Entertainment.[12] and as the tenth biggest villain in reality TV by TV Guide.[13]
Her debut album called La Puchinetta was released in December 2009.[15] The collaborators include DJ Lethal (House of Pain, Everlast), and DJ Gavin O'Connor. Between recording sessions, D'Amato has performed throughout the Southwestern United States, doing shows with her backup dancers, dubbed "The Super Smokin' Hot Bikini Dancers".
D'Amato married entrepreneur Adam Friedman on September 30, 2012 in the Hollywood Hills.[17] On May 29, 2013, she announced that she was expecting a boy.[18] Their first child was born on September 28, 2013.[19] On September 22, 2016, their second son's birth was live streamed on Facebook.[20]
