Where Is Hadassah Richardson From America’s Next Top Model Now?

For many viewers, Hadassah Richardson remains one of the most memorable contestants from America’s Next Top Model: Guys & Girls. The former Texas pageant queen arrived on Cycle 22 with undeniable confidence, a polished runway presence and a personality that gave viewers plenty to talk about.

Hadassah ultimately finished sixth, but her time on the series was only one part of her career in fashion and certainly not the end of it.

Before appearing on television, Hadassah had already spent years developing her presence in front of an audience. She held the title of Miss Sugar Land USA 2013, placed in the top five at Miss Houston USA and later advanced to the semi-finals at Miss Texas USA.

Her connection to America’s Next Top Model actually began much earlier. While shopping with her mother at a Texas mall during high school, Hadassah encountered a casting for the show. While watching from the sidelines with her mother, a casting director approached them and encouraged her to submit photographs.

Those photographs earned Hadassah a second-round audition in Dallas. She was ultimately too young to continue, but the experience gave her an unexpected first glimpse into the modeling industry.

Years later, while working as a Montessori preschool teacher in Houston, Hadassah was contacted through social media about auditioning again. This time, at 23, she skipped the castings and earned an immediate place on Cycle 22.

After the show, she made the move from reality television contestant to working model. Hadassah signed with professional representation, including NEXT Model Management, and began building experience across runway, swimwear, beauty and commercial fashion.

During her first New York Fashion Week season, she reportedly booked 11 runway shows. Her first show and appearances included events associated with Nicole Miller, Jeremy Scott’s Moschino, FTL Moda alongside supermodel Adriana Lima and the Nolcha Shows. AMP3 PR also highlighted Hadassah and fellow Cycle 22 contestant Mamé Adjei among the America’s Next Top Model alumni walking in the 2016 Nolcha Shows.

Hadassah appeared to step away from modeling and return to the field in which she had been working before television: early childhood education.

Since stepping away from modeling, Hadassah has largely avoided the spotlight. She made her social media profiles private and declined interviews, podcasts, and opportunities to revisit her time on America’s Next Top Model. She was reportedly invited to participate in Netflix’s new documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, but chose not to share her story much to the disappointment of fans who have long hoped to hear her perspective.

Still, Hadassah’s cult following has remained surprisingly strong. Whether or not she returns to fashion or television, the interest in what she does next has never entirely disappeared. Now that she has begun posting publicly on Instagram again, fans are watching closely and wondering whether this marks the beginning of a return to media.

It may not be the career trajectory viewers expected when they first watched her compete on television, but it makes sense when looking at the full picture. Hadassah’s life after Top Model has brought together mentorship, education, entrepreneurship, and the creation of spaces centered around children and families. Whatever comes next, it appears she may finally be ready to let the public back in this time on her own terms.

She has also remained connected to New York’s fashion world. In 2024, Hadassah Richardson was spotted attending Vogue World New York wearing a monochromatic red look by Alice + Olivia, seated front row at an event whose opening featured Serena Williams.

Nearly a decade after Cycle 22, Hadassah has created a career that no longer fits neatly into one category. She may have first become widely known as a model, but whatever comes next is sure to keep the audience equally interested.