'Australia's Next Top Model' winner announced

Montana Cox has been crowned Australia's Next Top Model.

The 18-year-old from Melbourne, who went up against Liz Braithwaite and Simone Holtznagel in Tuesday night's grand final of the reality modelling contest, said that she looks forward to resting and then starting an exciting international career.

Cox told the Herald Sun: "I feel incredible. I feel really out of this world. I definitely want to head straight to New York to pursue my modelling career and to thank my Melbourne fans."

After coming off stage, she told Nova 969 radio: "It's so weird. It doesn't feel real yet, it feels like we're still doing rehearsals, it hasn't sunk in." She also admitted that she was looking forward to "getting to bed early".



Host Sarah Murdoch, who caused controversy at last year's Australia's Next Top Model final when she read out the wrong name as the winner, said that Cox was the clear champion. She told her: "Everyone you worked with said you were ready to take on the fashion world."

Judge Charlotte Dawson described Cox as "without a doubt one of the best discoveries we've ever made". Alex Perry also said that Cox, Braithwaite and Holtznagel were the "best top three ever".

Cox won a modelling contract, a trip to New York, a car and $20,000 (£13,000) cash.

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Watch Nova interview Cox as she comes off stage at the Australia's Next Top Model final: