ANTM Exclusive: Interview with Marvita Washington
Earlier today I was lucky enough to sit in on a conference call with the latest eliminee of America’s Next Top Model, Marvita Washington.
Full interview below the cut!
Tell me about yourself and how you got involved in Top Model.
I was born in Alaska, but I grew up in the Bay Area. I’m 23 and I was recently elimnated on America’s Next Top Model.
Being on Top Model was lots of fun. I learned a lot. I got to meet some cool people, some cool famous people–people I would never have a chance to meet otherwise. I had new experiences and got a chance to live out my dreams. I wasn’t expecting that.
What was your initial reaction to your makeover?
Did you see the look on my face?! It was a lot of weave, a whole lot. The girls made fun of me quite a bit, calling me My Little Pony and Bret Michaels and stuff like that. Yeah, I liked it, but it got old pretty fast.
Does that mean you changed your hairstyle since the show?
Oh yeah. I took it off.
After being cut from Cycle 9, why did you decide to return for Cycle 10?
I did not want to give up. I wanted to follow my dreams. Last cycle, after I was cut, Tyra said not to give up, to not quit. So I didn’t.
What would you say to girls watching the show who might be interested in trying out or becoming a model?
I’d tell them to not let panel get to you. Don’t let them get you down. Just keep pushing, keep trying, believe in yourself and don’t let nobody get to you. The other girls, sometimes, were like “I’m never modeling again, this is to hard” and you just can’t do that. You need to push and believe in yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.
Did you agree with the judges assessment of your preformance on the episode you were eliminated?
No. I had a bad day and it showed. I looked defeated but I didn’t feel defeated. I guess you can’t let stuff like that show on your face. But panel is so stressful. You never know who is going home or what the judges are going to say. So it’s hard.
What was the Seventeen photo shoot with Jaslene like?
It was a lot of fun. Both on and off camera, we had a blast. Obviously, they show didn’t show everything. But me, Jaslene, Amis and Katarzyna had a blast at the shoot.
What girls in the house did you get closest to?
Kat and Amis and Atalya. Kat is just so cool. I’m rooting for Kat to win it now. Those girls were great.
Do you think your background helped you in your modeling?
Definitely. My background has really motivated me and has pushed me to work harder and do better. It’s given me confidence and strength I wouldn’t otherwise have and you can bring all that to modeling.
Which photo shoot was your favorite?
Shooting the lingerie on the boat. We met Elle Macpherson, which was awesome. I showed a lot of skin in that shoot and it was when I realized that I am beautiful, I am sexy and I can do this.
Do you think Top Model improved your confidence?
Yes. It was here I learned how to model. I felt beautiful and confident. It gave me skills I didn’t have before and revealed a new side of me.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m going to keep on modeling and keep trying to make it. I’m going to knock on doors, go to agencies, do everything I can to get my name and my face out there.
Did you think the show portrayed you accurately?
On the last episode, no. They kept showing me as “defeated” and kept saying “she’s defeated” and I wasn’t. But that’s what the show is about. It needs to create a story and suspense. But on other episodes? Yeah, definitely. I am who I am, and that’s what came across on the show. Everyone who knows me will watch the show and be like “Hey, that’s Marvita” because I stayed true to myself and was myself throughout the entire experience.
In your opinion, what makes a top model?
A top model is someone who is smart and has confidence. She know show she is, loves herself and knows she is beautiful. She works hard but doesn’t let anyone get her down.
Thank you Marvita!
Thanks! I’m off to Jamacia now!
Well have a safe vacation!
Tags: America's Next Top Model Cycle 10, antm, antm cycle 10, ANTM News, Marvita WashingtonRelated Stories
POSTED IN: ANTM Episode Resources, America's Next Top Model Cycle 10, Top Model Interviews
3 opinions for ANTM Exclusive: Interview with Marvita Washington
Latasha
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:31 pm
i loved marvita, sad that they sent her home last week. I just wish she didnt feel so defeated that day. Good luck Marvita!
rachel
Mar 26, 2008 at 1:48 pm
AW, Marvita! I didn’t think she was defeated, either; I just thought she was trying to look “softer” and not do the “same old thing” like Jay had warned her about earlier in the show.
Lee
Aug 23, 2008 at 3:41 am
Marvita, you are my favorite contestant from Cycle 10A However, I do think she lost momentum after the paint-on-the-face photo shoot and started thinking that she didnt know what she is doing. I’m glad to see that she signed with an agency in NYC.
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