Leading UK Modelling agency, Models Direct, isn’t surprised that stunning teen model Montana Cox has been announced as the season seven winner of Australia’s Next Top Model, even though this year’s top three was one of the strongest we’ve seen on the competition. She beat second and third place contestants Liz Braithwaite and Simone Holtznagel to the title on Tuesday night and says that she’s, “On top of the world” with the outcome.

The announcement was thankfully made without any of last year’s drama – when co-executive producer and presenter Sarah Murdoch accidentally said the wrong model contestant’s name at the finale. Murdoch was poised and confident all night, dressed in a beautiful burgundy dress by Roland Mouret and looking unbelievable for a mother of three children under 8 years old. She must be delighted with the success of the series which will return to our screens next year.

At just 18 years old Cox is now being referred to as “one of the best discoveries” that the Australia’s Next Top Model search has ever made and Murdoch confirmed that opinion on Tuesday night by stating: “Everyone you worked with said you were ready to take on the fashion world”. The teenage model will be starting her career by flying out to New York for a meeting with a leading modelling agency which is likely to be followed by an abundance of work. Her first ever cover – for the December edition of Harper’s Bazaar – is already on the shelves, and the girls and guys in the Models Direct offices agree that she looks amazing. The shot shows her laying against flowers in a delicate pink, satin dress with subtle eye make-up and glossy berry lips, a perfect look for Autumn/Winter 2011.

Cox was a clear favourite from the start of the competition and posed for some incredible images during the course of the series, including her impressive pink paint image, which was one of our favourites.

In an interview with Pop Sugar Australia she was asked: “What’s your Top Model highlight, aside from winning?” She responded: “Just meeting the girls I got to meet. I’ve made some really great friendships. They were such beautiful girls and we all got along so well. We could be so natural with each other and just be stupid. I didn’t expect to make such good friends”.

Do you think teen model Montana deserved to win Australia’s Next Top Model?