More winners in the nationwide “L.A. Looks” model contest have joined the lawsuit filed recently in federal court, Manhattan, against New York Model Management, L.A. Models, fashion legend Heinz Holba, and Schwarzkopf & DEP, the company that co-sponsored the 2001 contest and manufactures “L.A. Looks” hair care products worldwide.

Joining the lawsuit are 6’ tall model Ashley Suliman, originally from Hawaii, who at 13 years old finished Second Runner-up in the 2001 contest, and Caitlin Williams, Asian-American beauty from Pennsylvania, who finished First Runner-up in the 2002 contest when she was only 14. Also joining the suit is Michele Miller, Manager of Canadian beauty and supermodel Jessica Stam, who won First Place in the 2002 contest held in New York City, and who has graced the cover of Vogue six times.

The lawsuit includes allegations of fraud and breach of contract, and seeks relief under both New York’s and California’ s laws against false/misleading advertising and deceptive trade practices. Plaintiffs amended their original complaint, adding parties and additional claims alleging improprieties surrounding the 2002 contest and its outcome. Anthony A. LoPresti, of Meltzer LoPresti, LLP, is lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

L.A. Models, self-described as “one of the most powerful and successful agencies in the industry”, is the primary promotional partner in the nationwide contests, along with sister agency New York Model Management, which attract tens of thousands of entrants annually. According to the defendants, “L.A. Look has traveled across the USA year to year to discover the next face in modeling and awarding $250,000 in guaranteed modeling contracts. ”