ANTM Interview: Isabella Falk

On last night’s episode of America’s Next Top Model, 19-year-old aspiring model Kelly “Isabella” Falk from Barboursville, Virginia, was the first to be eliminated.

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How did you get involved with Top Model?

I decided to try by sending in audition video. I tried out for cycle 11 as well. I got a call back for New York, but I did not make it to semifinals casting week in Los Angeles. For Cycle 12, I sent in another video and made it to casting week in Vegas. After waiting a month and half, I got the midnight phone call! I was very excited! I got to go to Vegas and I got on the show. I enjoyed the entire process.

What qualities did you have that made you think you could be a top model?

I felt my personality would be a strength coming into the show. It turns out, it didn’t help me! I thought being friendly and positive in the entire competition would help get me through the tough times and emotional part of show. Plus, I’m tall and attractive, or well, I’ve been told that and I’d like to think so! I’ve been pursuing modeling since I was fifteen. Having long legs and a strong, healthy body is a great thing to have. Also necessary for modeling is a great smile and a great attitude. Had I continued, my friendliness, easy going attitude and positive outlook would have helped me get further.

On the show, you were really concerned that the strobe lights would trigger a seizure. What precautions did you take to make sure that didn’t happen?

Everybody on the cast and crew was aware of my disorder. It’s part of signing up for the show. A very significant part. You fill out those long, detailed forms, you can’t hide something like this. At the show, I realized there were strobe lights and it caught me off guard. I said to a few people, “There’s strobe lights, I’m nervous. It could cause a seizure.” But I thought I could handle it. It’s about focusing on the task at hand and not on my epilepsy. It’s about getting your emotions under control and focusing on my runway walk. I tried to do the best I could, I tried not focusing on having a seizure and focus on performance. It was rough, but I did it and I think I did a good job!

What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

I really appreciate everyone who supported me! Thank you for believing in me! I like to think that girls like me can come into competition and pursue their dreams with all their heart and if they have a kind personality, they can make it in whatever they do. Thank you, and continue to look for me in the future. I’m not going anywhere yet.

Tell me about your photo shoot and the judges’ criticism.

I was surprised by the comments at panel. During the photo shoot, I got good feedback from Jay. He was surprised at how graceful I was. He said he didn’t expect it, but we didn’t see that on the show. At panel, I went in feeling fairly confident. I was blindsided by the criticisms, but I took it in stride. I thought maybe it would be okay. But after criticisms of the other girls, I knew I was the girl going home. I felt it was obvious before they judges deliberated. I was disappointed in how it turned out.

Do you think epilepsy will affect your modeling career?

It could. There are challenges in modeling, like shows with strobe lights. I don’t want epilepsy to hold me back. I want to take risks and put myself out there. Epilepsy shouldn’t be a hindrance. I’ve lived with it since I was fifteen, every day, through all kinds of experiences. As long as I believe nothing can get in my way, epilepsy won’t change that.

Can you explain the whole Sandra-sleeping incident?

Sandra was a controversial force in the house. I felt she could have handled herself better. There are ways to assert yourself without yelling. She was over the top. I hope she’ll learn to bring herself to a lower level and learn to communicate better. There were times she sought me out as a companion, as I was so easygoing. I don’t know if she was recruiting me to her side or what. I always tried to play the neutral ground. I thought I’d be honest and get her to approach people in a calm manner. Hopefully she’ll see the error or her ways and learn from it.

Where do you see your modeling career going?

Before I got on the show, I did very small stuff here in Virginia. I got my foot slightly in the door. Now, I hope to start talking to agencies and move to the city. Now is a good time to take my career to a different place. I’m going to move to New York, where something is happening and make my presence known.

What was moving to your loft in New York like?

It was a lot of fun to adjust. The energy in Virginia is different. The city is fast paced and fun. I don’t think I’ll ever call it home. I love Virginia and the country. It’s my hometown. New York has a way of life that I’m not familiar with, but I would love to introduce it as part of who I am.

Which girls in the house did you get along best with? Worst with?

I really clicked with Celia. She’s a sweetheart. At her age, she was one of the oldest girls and, thus, one of the most mature girls. I think I’m mature for my age, and that’s why we got along. She’s so sweet and had no problems with simple conversation. She easy to get along with.

Sandra, obviously, was not the easiest person to get along with. I tried my hardest, but it was difficult. “I’m not here to make friends” is hard to hear. Hopefully she learns from this and maybe, one day, we’ll get along better and be friends.