Mercedes Scelba-Shorte, often simply remembered as Mercedes Shorte, is a name that perhaps doesn’t echo as loudly as some of her fellow top-four contestants from her cycle of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). While Yoanna House became the celebrated winner, April Wilkner the consistent professional, and Shandi Sullivan the high-fashion darling, Mercedes Shorte possesses a legacy deserving of equal recognition, particularly in the realm of commercial modeling. It’s not to diminish her other talents, but her inherent aptitude for connecting with a commercial audience is where Mercedes Shorte truly shines and what should solidify her place in ANTM history.
Mercedes Shorte embodied the quintessential commercial model. She possessed a strikingly beautiful face, adhering to conventional beauty standards, a figure that exuded curves and confidence, a vibrant and engaging personality, and a smile that could genuinely illuminate any setting. This captivating combination gave her the undeniable “it” factor needed to excel in the fiercely competitive world of commercial modeling. Beyond her captivating presence, Mercedes Shorte also demonstrated an impressive runway walk, particularly during the final runway show. She convincingly showcased a chameleon-like adaptability, exceeding initial expectations and proving her versatility. While editorial modeling presented more challenges, it wasn’t due to any facial shortcomings, as evidenced by her stunning beauty shot in the competition’s later stages. Instead, the disconnect seemed to lie in striking conceptual poses. The seamless connection between body and face, crucial for conveying editorial narratives, didn’t appear to be as natural or effortless for Mercedes Shorte as it was in her commercial work.
The challenges Mercedes Shorte faced became most apparent when she was pushed beyond her comfort zone, specifically in the Solstice sunglasses shoot. This particular photoshoot stands out as her weakest performance. Had Camille McDonald not still been in the running at that stage, Mercedes Shorte might have been the one facing elimination. The pose felt generic and uninspired, and Mercedes Shorte struggled to embody the brand’s essence as naturally as her competitors. However, true to her resilient nature, she rebounded in the subsequent two shoots, quickly redeeming herself. Conversely, Mercedes Shorte delivered knockout performances in several other shoots, most notably the celebrity-themed and Garden of Eden shoots, both of which earned her first call-outs. She excelled in both, but her portrayal of Billie Holiday arguably stands as her most powerful photograph. Successfully embodying a character is commendable, but to transform a notoriously challenging and potentially “tacky” concept into a genuinely gorgeous image is truly remarkable. Mercedes Shorte masterfully captured the melancholic yet stoic essence of Billie Holiday, resulting in a photograph that could easily grace the pages of a high-end makeup or skincare advertisement.
Commercial models often face an uphill battle for recognition, particularly within the context of modern ANTM, where the term has become almost synonymous with early elimination. However, models like Mercedes Shorte deserve to be remembered for demonstrating that a truly exceptional commercial model can rival, and even surpass, their high-fashion counterparts. Armed with her stunning beauty and genuinely sweet personality, Mercedes Shorte was undeniably a deserving finalist. Even placing third in the overall competition, her undeniable runway prowess in the final weeks solidified her position as a strong contender, proving she could indeed compete with the best models of her cycle.
