Kayla Ferrel Onder

Kayla Ferrel Onder is an American attorney and former reality television contestant. She appeared on Cycle 15 of America’s Next Top Model and later returned for America’s Next Top Model: All-Stars.

Early life and modeling

Onder is a native of Rockford Illinois.[1] She later moved to Peoria before auditioning for America's Next Top Model.[2]

In 2010, she was announced as a contestant on the 15th cycle of America's Next Top Model following an audition in Chicago.[1]

An incident during the season where she was expected to kiss a male model for a shoot was later described as one of the most controversial moments during the show's run, coming after she had previously identified herself as a survivor of sexual abuse.[3][4] She reached the final four before being eliminated.[5]

She was announced as part of the cast for show's seventeenth cycle for the America’s Next Top Model: All-Stars season, which was composed of returning contestants from earlier cycles.[6][7]

Despite being viewed as one of the frontrunners, she was eliminated in episode seven which she blamed, in part, on not understanding how to portray "free" which was chosen as her branding word.[8][9]

Following her appearances on Top Model, Onder became an attorney after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law and joining Onder Law in 2014.[10][11] She runs the firm's sexual abuse department.[12][13][14]

In 2024, she and civil rights attorney Ben Crump filed a St. Louis County lawsuit on behalf of more than 30 women alleging sexual abuse by former Bridgeton pediatrician Craig Spiegel and failures by affiliated institutions to protect patients, describing the case as a “systemic failure” involving ignored warnings, red flags, and patient-safety concerns.[15][16][17] She led a lawsuit against Buffalo Public Schools alleging failed reporting of abuse and sexual assault.[13][18]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Staff, AfterEllen com (2010-11-22). "Interview with Kayla Ferrel from "America's Next Top Model"". AfterEllen. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  2. ↑ Nunn, Jerry (2010-09-15). "Kayla Ferrel exhibits 'Model' behavior". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  3. ↑ Bujnosek, Bailey (17 February 2026). "The 10 Most Controversial 'America's Next Top Model' Moments of All Time". InStyle. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (22 June 2026). "ANTM star reflects on 'pressure' to kiss male model after revealing childhood sex abuse: 'Thought I had no other choice'". EW. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Interview with Kayla Ferrel from "America's Next Top Model"". AfterEllen. 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  6. ↑ Zulian, Paula (2011-08-04). "'America's Next Top Model' Casts All-Stars for Cycle 17". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  7. ↑ "'ANTM's Kayla talks 'All-Stars' - video". Digital Spy. 2011-09-10. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  8. ↑ Carlson, Meghan (2011-11-02). "Interview with 'Top Model' All-Star Kayla Ferrel: My Branding Word 'Free' Led to My Demise". BuddyTV. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  9. ↑ "Exclusive: Kayla Ferrel talks 'America's Next Top Model' (Part 1)". Reality TV World. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  10. ↑ "Kayla R. Ferrel Onder: Sexual Abuse Lawyer at OnderLaw". onderlaw.com. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  11. ↑ Mariposa, Sasha (25 February 2026). "9 most accomplished alumni of 'America's Next Top Model' who are not models". Tatler.
  12. ↑ Quinn, Steph (2026-03-11). "Bill extending statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse heads to Missouri Senate • Missouri Independent". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  13. 1 2 Heid, Derek (2025-05-28). "Attorney to file legal complaint against Buffalo Public Schools; alleges failed abuse reporting". WKBW 7 News Buffalo. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  14. ↑ "ANTM star turned attorney explains why Tyra Banks' 'ironic' lawsuit against Netflix is 'really difficult' to win (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Lawsuit filed against SSM Health Hospital, pediatrician charged with prescribing drugs in exchange for sex, money". First Alert 4. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  16. ↑ Post-Kull, Katie (2024-11-21). "More than 30 women sue Bridgeton pediatrician accused of sex abuse". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  17. ↑ Fentem, Sarah (2024-11-22). "Lawsuit claims SSM Health failed to protect people from pediatrician's abuse". STLPR. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  18. ↑ Jr, Jamal Harris (2025-05-28). "Accomplished sexual abuse attorney investigating Buffalo Public Schools allegations". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
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