London, a 2008 graduate of Martin High School in Arlington, TX, was always recognized for her flair for fashion. Viewed as a trendsetter, her stylish ensembles were sometimes copied by her classmates. And she was always known in the hallways as being “that really pretty girl.”

“She’s breathtaking,” said Pam Matthews, sociology teacher at Martin High School. “But she has head smarts as well. So whether she wins America’s Next Top Model or not, she’ll always stand out.”

The pieces of London’s ANTM opportunity began coming together while she was working at Faces in The Parks at Arlington mall. It was there that London met makeup artist Tawnie Tatum who started using the aspiring model for various makeup shoots. After being scouted by an ANTM representative who saw her photo in Tatum’s online portfolio, London was invited to an audition for ANTM’s Cycle 12 in Houston. Her bio and video submission were then personally viewed by talk show host and ANTM executive producer Tyra Banks which led to another move in the direction of a promising modeling career. Once final selections for Cycle 12 were made, London was on the list, with her dream of professionally posing for the camera right at her fingertips.

Her mom Judy, a substitute teacher at Sam Houston High School, said London has model looks without “model” behavior.

“She’s not one of those ‘I’m all that’ type of girls,” Judy said. “She’s real humble and ethical. She’s very sweet and into her faith. She’ll just stop and talk to homeless people.”

Judy, a single mother of four, raised London alone after London’s father left when she was only 3 and her brother Jackson was just five months. London is the oldest of the siblings including Jackson, now 16, Jarod, 10, and Jakob, 5. A part from those past family struggles, London also suffered from bulimia, an eating disorder she overcame before joining the ANTM cast for Cycle 12. 

“God told her He had a plan for her being [on ANTM],” Judy said. “She’s had some struggles and she has a message for young girls.”

Martin High School English teacher Rynthia Clements believes London will add a new dynamic to ANTM.

“She’s a godly woman who is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside,” Clements said.

America’s Next Top Model Cycle 12 premieres March 4.