Metro bus mechanic Marilin Archie walks the runway on the final episode of TV Land's "She's Got the Look" modeling competition reality show. Photo courtesy of TV Land.

Metro bus mechanic Marilin Archie has won TV Land’s “She’s Got the Look” modeling reality show.

“I never thought I would make it this far,” she says in the show’s blog. The mother of two, whose career as a bus mechanic spans 20 years, said she gave modeling a shot early on and even made it all the way to Ford Models in New York.  “I took a lot of chances and made big sacrifices at a very young age to achieve my goal of becoming a model,” she said.  “I never stopped trying.”

The TV Land press release is below and here’s a previous post on Marilin:

38-year-old Bus Mechanic and Mother of Two To Receive  Contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc., and Photo Spread in SELF Magazine

Los Angeles, CA September 30, 2010 – Marilin Archie was named the winner of season three of TV Land’s 35 and older modeling competition “She’s Got the Look.” Host Brooke Burke announced Marilin as the winner of the competition after she impressed the judges with her stand-out performance in the final runway challenge where she faced off against fellow finalists Julie Love-Templeton of Tuscaloosa, AL and Rachelle Love of Memphis, TN.

In last night’s season finale, the three finalists strutted their stuff on the catwalk at a fashion show in an airport hanger complete with a jetliner and moving runway.  

The third season of TV Land's hit original series She's Got The Look seeks to discover a beautiful, sophisticated and confident woman over the age of 35 who has the potential to transform herself into a successful model. Through a series of competitions such as photo shoots and fashion tests, the contestants were eliminated weekly until the final epidsode when Metro bus mechanic Marilin Archie, center, left, was declared the winner. Photo courtesy of TV Land.

Never having walked a runway and feeling timid, Julie failed to shine in front of the judges.  Runner-up Rachelle never seemed to have gained confidence on the rotating platform and although her photos were remarkable throughout the competition, they weren’t enough to impress the judges over Marilin who, despite her non-traditional model body-type walked the runway with poise, confidence and star power.  Ultimately, the judges went with the overall package and voted Marilin the winner of “She’s Got The Look,” which includes a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models and a photo spread in SELF Magazine.

Born and raised in south central Los Angeles, Marilin Archie is a 38-year old married mother of two and is employed as a certified bus mechanic for the Los Angeles Metro.

“She’s Got The Look” is a collaboration with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and sets out to discover a beautiful, sophisticated and confident woman over the age of 35 who has the potential to transform herself into a model, representing some of the most high-profile brands and highly-coveted campaigns in the fashion and beauty industries.  Brooke Burke (“Dancing with the Stars, “Wild On”) joined the third season as host along with new judge, supermodel Roshumba Williams and returning judges, celebrity stylist Robert Verdi and Wilhelmina president Sean Patterson. Emmy® Award-Winner Allison Grodner (“Big Brother,” “Blowout”) returns as executive producer and has joined forces with executive producer Rich Meehan (“Big Brother”) under their new banner, Fly On The Wall Entertainment.  Rachel Tung is also executive producer.

“She’s Got The Look” is now playing in over 70 countries, with the first three seasons sold around the world.  It can be seen in France, Italy, Israel, Australia, Israel, Thailand, Korea, Holland and South Africa.  “She’s Got The Look” is distributed worldwide by Fremantle Media.