ANTM Interview: Fo Porter

Yesterday, I spoke with Fo Porter, the most recent eliminee from America’s Next Top Model. The 19-year-old talked about her elimination, her future plans, why she cried so much and more!

Image: Pottle Productions Inc

Full Q&A is below the jump!

Were you surprised by your elimination?

Of course you expect the unexpected going into panel. A lot of girls are surprised by their elimination. It was really hard. I had never been told I was short before this competition. Even early on during the show, it was looked over until the go sees. Then, to be told that’s why you’re going home was sudden and shocking. It hurt. I’m short, yes, but I can put on five inch heels and be 6’1 in seconds. What can Celia do, put on tons of makeup? It was bittersweet to know that was the reason.

Do you think there are more reasons than just your height for your elimination?

It was the top five. You need to buckle down and see where you stand. Everything is amped up by that point. But I felt I stood really well with panel. I had respectable pictures, I was a respectable model. To be told you’re too short sucks. It’s hard. They nitpicked at the end just to nitpick. Celia is older and I’m short. It’s not like they didn’t know that. And what can you do about either of those things? Nothing. I don’t want to sound catty, but it was just an excuse to send me home But I tried to take it as it came.

Did you enjoy the go sees?

I’m looking forward to the modeling profession a lot. What better to go out of the country than to model? Brazil was amazing, the go sees amazing. It was amazing to know I’m wearing these designers. There clothes were beautiful. I’ll admit, I didn’t know the designers before, but their clothes were amazing, beautiful, and fresh. I was wearing what America will be wearing next summer! I was wearing the future of clothing. Wow, wow. It was a wonderful experience and I loved every minute of it. Now, I’m looking forward to modeling, to being my own model, to work on myself and focus on myself. I’m prepared and ready for it.

Did you take Tyra’s advice and keep your short hair?

Yes, I certainly did keep it! I love my hair. I love the confidence I got out of it. I know I thought it was horrible when I first got it cut, but now I feel amazing. I really grew into it. It’s made me fresh and a new person. I’m not going to get rid of it.

Do you think your unique name is going to help your modeling career?

Oh yes. Honestly, I’ve always been called freckle face Felicia. Fo was a nickname that emerged out of that. Fo is a sound. You look at me and think “Fo.” Its memorable, its sticks with you. Its not Ashley or Sandra. Fo – you’ll remember me because of it. I won’t be forgotten. Ill be a Top Model girl that sticks around ‘cause I’m the only Fo. Girls will be like “Who was that girl on ANTM? Ashley? Jessica? I don’t know? Fo?” and everyone will be like “Fo! Yeah, Fo! I remember her.” It fits me well. My family calls me Felicia, but now no one knows me as Felicia, they know me as Fo. I made a Facebook page the other day and I couldn’t decide. Do I put Felicia Porter? Felicia “Fo” Porter? Fo Porter? And my friend, who was helping me, was like “No one is going to know who Felicia Porter is. You’re Fo.” It’s true and it’s going to help me and make me memorable.

Why were you so emotional on the show?

I, literally, in life, cry all the time. I’m an emotional person and I’m not afraid to experience my emotions or show them to other people. But being on the show was really hard. At home, I had support all around me. I had my family and friends to lean on. On the show, you have none of that. You get to talk to them like once every three weeks. Not being able to call my family or use my support system was really hard. I went overseas without my family. They didn’t get to experience that with me or even let me tell them about it. My backbone completely taken way from me and that caused me to be even more emotional than normal! But I do cry all the time. I cry for sad people, sad movies, you name it. Being in such a stressful environment without your support system to give you confidence and strength, you need some sort of outlet. So I became emotional. But the show was emotionally exhausting. I was emotionally frustrated, frustrated by my feedback, frustrated by the girls in the house, frustrated by being competitive all the time, argh! I’m not a crybaby but I am emotional. There is a difference.

Do you feel you were portrayed accurately?

I think so. I mean, that’s me. I’m fun and funky and bubbly and a crier. But they did play up the whole emotional part of my personality. I’m more than that. That’s one side of me. But, hey, it’s a show. They can edit you how they want. It was accurate, but it was one-dimensional.

Why did you get so emotional at the light yourself up shoot?

Oh, that was lame. First, I was so intimidated to be working with Nigel. Second, he wasn’t feeling it at all. He was all “what’s going on, Fo? Bring it, Fo. I’m not feeling it Fo” and not giving me the direction I needed to get out of my funk. Jay didn’t help either. He was all “Yeah, Fo. You did so much better last week? What’s going on? Give Nigel something.” Finally, Nigel was like “is it your hair? Is it bothering you?” And I didn’t want to lie because my hair was bothering me, but there were so many other elements to my frustration that day. I wanted to do so well and I just wasn’t getting it. But I did not cry! I promise you that! I teared up, but tears did not flow!

Why were you so angry about Teyona sharing her challenge win with Celia?

I had every right to be mad about that. They didn’t really show it, but Teyona, Aminat and I were really, really close in the house. We’re fun and have funky attitudes and the three of us just clicked. When the pairs were announced, Teyona was all “Screw Celia, screw that bitch.” She was so mad she got Celia. She wasn’t even going to put effort into the challenge, she hated Celia so much. So I listened to Teyona go on and on about Celia before this challenge, after this challenge, before in the house, all day, every day. Then, she wins the challenge and goes and picks a girl she hates over me? After all I did for her? Plus, our personalities would have kicked ass in that photo shoot. The three of us would have given off a great energy. Me and Aminat and Teyona were sisters in the house. It was frustrating and it was a slap in the face. You picked someone you hate over your sister? What is with that? That’s why I was mad. Any girl across the world would understand that. It’s like your best friend picking your boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend over you.

What was it like being in New York?

It was so surreal. I had never been to New York in my life. I always wanted to, but I never had funds or the time or whatever. And to go to New York for modeling is amazing. It was by far the greatest experience in my life. It was mind blowing. To be in New York as a model, to be in New York for modeling, amazing. I cried it was so amazing and overwhelming, it was such a moment. Every single girl in the entire world should feel the way I felt the first day I stepped in New York. It made my confidence so high and it made me feel special. It was a princess moment.

What are your plans for the future? Did you finish high school, like you said you would on the show?

I’m getting my GED. I wrote the test, I’m just waiting for results. I didn’t finish high school, but it wasn’t because I was lazy or school just wasn’t for me. My mom was sick. She had depression and severe menopause, and it was not pretty. My poor mom. It was hard for my family and my mom needed help. I came home one day and she had taken every object in the house and thrown it on the ground. I decided that day I needed to help her out and put her first. I knew I could always go back to school and get my GED. School needed to be put school aside for my mom. I couldn’t put my mom aside. She needed me. If I hadn’t dropped out, I honestly believe my mom would not be here today. She’s doing wonderfully now. We moved to a different city and she’s enjoying it. She’s stronger and happier. It’s beautiful.

What about modeling?

I wanted to go to New York but I talked to Tyra. We had a one-on-one and she was like “go to LA.” She said I have an LA look and would be more successful there. Tyra started in LA, look what it did for her. I’m not going to knock it because it’s commercial. I’m just going to go and rock it and see where it takes me!

Thanks Fo! Good luck with everything!

Thank you!