If you spent any time on the weird side of the internet in the mid-2000s, you knew her before Tyra Banks ever did. Long before she was Allison from Next Top Model, she was "Creepy Chan"—a wide-eyed, blood-obsessed art student from New Orleans who became a viral sensation on 4chan. Most reality TV contestants try to hide their internet past. Allison Harvard leaned into hers. It’s exactly why, nearly two decades after her television debut, she remains the most enduring icon the franchise ever produced.
Honestly, the show didn't really know what to do with her at first.
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During Cycle 12, the judges were visibly baffled by this girl who told them she liked nosebleeds and hemophilia. It felt like a gimmick. But then the cameras started clicking. Allison didn't just take "good" photos; she took images that looked like high-concept surrealist art. She had this specific, haunting stillness that couldn't be taught. You've probably seen that bird photo from the beach—the one where she’s tucked into a nest with those massive, unblinking blue eyes. It’s still one of the best shots in the history of the show.
Why the "Robbed" Narrative Still Follows Her
People still get heated about the Cycle 12 finale. Teyona Anderson won, and technically, Teyona was a powerhouse. She was consistent. She had the "model" look. But Allison had the story. When she lost a second time in Cycle 17 (the All-Stars cycle), the internet basically rioted.
There's a lot of behind-the-scenes noise about what actually happened during that All-Stars finale. We know Angelea Preston was originally the winner before being disqualified for her past as an escort—a decision the show handled about as gracefully as a lead balloon. When they had to reshoot the finale, they gave the win to Lisa D'Amato. Fans have never really forgiven the production for that. To most viewers, Allison was the clear choice for the "brand" the show was trying to build: someone who was already a digital celebrity before the term "influencer" even existed.
She was the original E-girl.
Life Beyond the Tyra-Verse
So, what happened when the cameras stopped rolling? Usually, ANTM girls vanish into local catalog work or wedding photography. Allison did the opposite. She found massive, borderline-obsessive success in the Philippines. It sounds random, but she became a legitimate A-lister there. She hosted Mega Fashion Crew, judged Miss Earth, and walked in Philippine Fashion Week year after year.
She also never stopped being an artist. Her watercolor illustrations, often under the name "CatxBench," show that the "Creepy Chan" vibe wasn't a character—it was just who she was. She even made her acting debut in an indie film called Insensate and starred in a massive immersive musical called Cages in Los Angeles.
Where is Allison Harvard in 2026?
A lot has changed recently. In late 2021, she married her long-time partner Jeremy Burke in a stunning, slightly gothic ceremony in San Luis Obispo. By early 2024, they welcomed their first son. Seeing the woman who once joked about "fascinating" nosebleeds posting wholesome, aesthetic mom content is a trip, but it feels earned.
She’s also been one of the few contestants to stay on decent terms with the show's legacy. While other alumni have spent the last few years (rightfully) calling out the toxic environment of the 2000s reality TV era, Allison has mostly stayed above the fray. She even did an AMA recently where she spoke fondly of her dad watching the show and being proud of her. It’s a rare bit of warmth in a franchise known for being pretty cold to its participants.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Follow her art, not just her modeling: Her Instagram (@alliharvard) is still the best place to see her watercolor work and photography projects.
- Watch Cages: If you’re in or near LA, her performance in this immersive musical is widely considered her best post-show creative work.
- The NFT Era: She was one of the first "memes" to successfully navigate the NFT space, selling her original Creepy Chan images for significant amounts—a masterclass in reclaiming your own image rights.
The reality is that Allison from Next Top Model didn't need the crown. She was already a cult hero before she walked into that casting room, and she’s managed to remain one long after the "smize" era ended. She proved that being the "weird girl" isn't a phase; it's a career.