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Amanda Butterfield ReportingA local high school student just returned from walking the runways of Paris and Milan, wearing gowns by Givenchy, Prada, and Chanel to name a few.
Ali Stephens is 16 years old, goes to East High, runs track, wants to be a marine biologist and is also an international model.
"I went to New York, then Milan for a week, then Paris for a couple of weeks, then London for a day," she said.
People have always told Ali she should be a model. This past March she was discovered.
"I was shopping in Gateway with my sister, and a man came up to us," she explained.
Her mother, Julie Stephens, said, "We were kind of like, 'Yeah, OK. Whatever.'"
But Ali wanted to give it a try, and has since signed with New York's Elite Models, the same agency that has represented Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.
Ali's sister, Madison Stephens, said, "It's been really fun to watch her transform into a model."
Ali and her family sometimes still can't believe what's happened to her.
Her mother said, "It's been insane. It's crazy."
It's also a lot of work. Ali said, "It's busy, running from a show to a fitting then casting for another show."
But Ali's made friends easily and says she loves it.
"Just rockin' on the runway is so fun, and being in front of the camera is so fun too," she said.
She has missed some school so is looking into independent studies through the U and BYU, with plans to further her education.
"I definitely want to go to college," Ali told us.
Her mom said, "She's a normal 16, interested in things. It's just she's been in Paris and Milan and walked the runways with the fancy people."
But even with all the fancy people and fancy outfits, Ali says she'll always be herself. "I'm still me. I'm still me; that's never going to change."
Ali is off to New York this weekend for another shoot. But you can catch her on Studio Five Tuesday at 11 a.m. on Channel 5.
