ANTM Interview: Marjorie Conrad
November 13, 2008 by Erin Balser
Yesterday, I interviewed the most recent eliminated girl from America’s Next Top Model, Marjorie Conrad. She chatted with us about her nerves, her friendship with Analeigh and more!
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Full Q&A is below the jump!
How did you get involved with Top Model?
I really didn’t expect to model before show. I was recruited at my college bookstore. Sarah asked me to get a Polaroid taken and to say hi to Tyra. I went through the three day audition process and that’s how the journey began.
What did you see in yourself that could make you a top model?
I definitely don’t think I am terribly mainstream. I have an edge and I like to be creative during my photo shoots. What I did at every shoot was come up with a film reference and carry out that concept in my photo shoots. Our direction in photo shoots was really vague and we didn’t get a lot of feedback. We had to create our own story and carry that out.
What was your favorite thing about Amsterdam?
I liked posing in the red light fashion challenge. I liked my designer and liked my dress. It was covered in Dutch sayings and I had a lot of fun figuring out what the dress meant. During that challenge, I got a lot of applause and it was exhilarating.
Can you talk about the controversy with Elina and why you said that she didn’t try hard enough?
I haven’t gotten a chance to clear the air with Elina. As for the controversy, there isn’t any. We are friends and we do connect more than just the fact we are European. We get each other as a person. Part of what I said about her not trying was my own projection, as we winded down to the final five. I was more likely to cater to the criticism we received than she was. Elina got tired of incorporating it in her performance and not seeing results, so she returned to her initial way of modeling. It’s not that she didn’t try, she just became frustrated with the process and the experience and wasn’t as eager to grow as some of the other girls. Ultimately she tried as hard as she could and did the best she could and we can’t fault her for that.
Often, the girls from ANTM are seen as role models. Does that worry you with how the drinking was portrayed on the show?
Um, honestly, it was completely blown out of proportion. I didn’t drink that much alcohol. Analeigh was concerned about how much I was drinking, but she didn’t need to be. I just took a bath fully clothed and just stayed kinda quiet. Yeah I kissed a guy, but it wasn’t anything outrageous. People think it was losing control, but it was pretty innocent, actually. As far as being a role model, I actually think I fit the mainstream idea of what a role model is. I tried as hard as I could and I gave it a fair a shot. I’m the luckiest person in the world and have an opportunity to pursue whatever I want from this rare platform.
How did you feel about being constantly criticized for your nerves, then were eliminated because you conquered them?
I was worried. The awkward nervous persona they showed is really reductive. My normal personality was the more composed person you saw more of in the last episode. I didn’t show this side as much. I found when I did, people called me boring. This happened on many occasions early during the show, which wasn’t aired, and it was criticism I was very much aware of. I feared being eliminated or lack of personality. I identified and worked on my weaknesses when I went through periods of self doubt, and that came across as that jittery, nervous person. It’s very much a part of me and my personality, but it was a uni-dimensional representation, and one I became focused on.
Was it hard to say goodbye to Analeigh?
I didn’t break down until I saw her face. It was nice to see she was affected by my elimination and that she was rooting for me. She was my best friend in the house. We were comfortable with each other, but it was not of a sexual nature. It was shown in a one-dimensional light. Tt often showed one sided dependency, with me leaning on Analeigh, but it was mutual. We protected each other during hard times and leaned on each other for support throughout the competition. We are valuable friends and once she gets off the show and the show is over, I hope to stay in touch with her.
How do you feel about the other girls reaction to your explanation of your different perspective and “Europeanness”?
The girls questions weren’t out of line. The moment you distinguish yourself, you are targeted. It puts yourself out there for criticism. Also, the show didn’t represent my argument well. All I wanted to say was not that being European gives an excuse. It’s not about that. As soon as you are in a foreign place, you have two different perspectives, regardless of how long you’ve lived in one place over the other. You have lived in, learned from and seen two different cultures, two types of people and two different ways to see the world. These perspectives make it less possible to be so sure of yourself and of your environment. It makes you consider other options and other possibilities. The other girls have only been exposed to one environment, one perspective and couldn’t understand why I could understand them and see another side as well. They only had one perspective because it was something they had never been exposed to, so they couldn’t understand it. But they weren’t out of line. If anything, they were trying to understand.
How did you feel about the constant criticism of your nerves?
There were times I was calm and controlled at panel and nerves were worked back into evaluation. Nigel would be like “you’re hiding it, but I see your nerves!” when really, they weren’t there. But then, when they weren’t, I was considered uninteresting and that was a lot of pressure. Looking through forums online, a lot of people found me being annoying when I was so nervous. I am not uni-dimensional. I am a complex person, just like everyone else. The show simply chose to highlight and exaggerate one aspect of my personality. I did play into that a bit, in an effort to prevent my own elimination. But I am not the only person who was represented in a uni-dimensional light. Take Analeigh. She is wholesome, but deeper, private issues, were not addressed in the context of the show. It would have taken her character and her role on the show in a different direction. We’re edited to be caricatures and viewers take this to the first degree. The show can be taken out of porportion, but what is certain is that its subjective. Viewers need to understand and recognize that they are seeing only a selected aspect of who were are as people, and doing so when we are in an extremely unnatural environment, and take that into account when forming opinions about our nature.
What sort of things do make you nervous?
The fact I was treading through uncharted waters in a high pressure situation was pretty nerve-wracking. I don’t play sports and am not competitive. I have no game face and am not trained for such scenarios. Plus I couldn’t vent at any time, when I did, it was on camera so I looked like a train wreck when I was trying to work things out for myself. I was talking through things so I could understand them and contextualize them better for myself, but to do that in confessional paints that experience in a very different light. It takes talking it out for me. Doing some other activity, like editing film. I just go back to that, it’s a comforting area for me. Bur we didn’t have that outlet on the show.
What are your plans for the future?
I would love to model now. Before the show, I wasn’t expecting to model. It was never a dream of mine. Now that I’ve been exposed to it, I love it. I worked with experts and won outlandish prizes and have a strong portfolio. I’m the luckiest person in the worlds to be able to have that and to go forward in my career with such a strong start.
Do you see yourself as a print or runway model?
I need to work on runway. But it’s not impossible for me to be runway model. I need better posture in order to be an effective runway model, but it’s not an insurmountable task. I love doing photo shoots. I love coming up with a concept and attempting to actualize it. Models should be relatable and connect with person looking at it. Translating emotion through image is important it me. It’s an equal interest on me. Some people think I’m a better print model, but I can work on both levels.
How did you come up with your signature look?
I came up with it on my own. I naturally have a slouch, so it was easy for me to push it and make it photogenic. It’s good to transform weaknesses into something positive. I think that’s why the photo shoot with Tyra was in fact my best, because she pushed me to come out of niche for myself, stand up straight work posture in a way I hadn’t focused on yet.
Why do you think the last photo shoot was a struggle for you?
I think a large factor was that I didn’t have a prop. The other girls were given lots of different things to work with, but I was instructed to just walk back and forth. However, this isn’t a fair representation of why my photo was weak. It didn’t help, but it’s not the only factor. However, I quite like my photo and thought it was a success. I was trying to have an alien-like quality about me and was trying to convey that. In my photo shoots, I like to think of film references and portray that in the concept. For that shoot, it was David Bowie and “The Man who Fell to Earth.” This idea made Jay really happy and I think I succeeded in what I, as a model, was trying to do for that shoot.
Thank you for speaking with us today!
Thank you!
Yeah, I’m not a huge fan of Marjorie – in fact, she annoys me on one of the deepest levels. However, I agree with the last photoshoot – she was totally ripped off, and probably, because they knew she was next to go.
This is a great interview.
Marjorie was my favorite this season.
OMG! I could feel Marjorie’s nerves just by reading this.
I love the fact that see reads online forums. Its gotta be tough thing to do since there are always going to people who dislike you.
seriously, this girl is smart. just look at the big words she used, lol. i like marjorie & she’s definitely one of my fav antm contestant. it’s good that she’s so objective in her interviews, instead of being defensive or bad-mouthing others. in fact, i love her & i agree, the editing created a certain ‘persona’ for each contestant & they’re forced to play certain parts on the show.
i’m glad she decided to continue modelling. i like how she approched each shoot with a film theme in mind. being a film student myself, that resonates with me. all the best marjorie!!!
I was sad to see her go, her nerves got to me at times, but like she said, the show really portrays them the way they want us to see them. It’s down to a really strong group of girls right now. I could see any one of them winning.
I really loved Marjorie. She became frustrating to watch on the go-see episode, but I always rooted for her. Now I want to know about Analeigh’s secret controversy!
I absolutely loved her. I think there was far too much dismissal of her simply because she doesn’t fit the boisterous American (aka obnoxious) mold ANTM seems to propagate. Being loud like Sam does not equal having a personality. I found it all really frustrating as she always did well in her photographs. And, let’s face it, truly high fashion models don’t have to be spokespeople in the same way somebody doing Cover Girl does so her nervousness is not nearly as important as Tyra and Co. makes it seem. I was totally hoping for a Marjorie, Elina and Analeigh top 3.
I’m in awe of Marjorie after reading this interview. She’s awesome and quite fits my profiling of her. (j/k)
I wonder what did she mean by referring to Analeigh’s deeper and private issues. Hmm.
This is possibly the best interview ever! I honestly didn’t expect Marjorie to be so eloquent and well-spoken, and I am really glad she proved me wrong. Good luck to you!
i am so sad when marjorie left…but reading this interview saved me from that. she made me proud! she is so eloquent and smart! i love her personality… i can totally relate to her.. this girl is going to make it big in high fashion!
is it just me or did she wear that jump suit thing like 20 times lol
Aww, she really is very eloquent and has a way with words.
Marjorie was my favorite!
One of the best interviews I’ve ever read in this blog. She’s eloquent and very intelligent.
how did you interview her? i sooo like marjorie. i will re-post this, ok? thank you.
Beyond being well-spoken, she conveys a clarity of perspective here that was not done justice by the editors. I have a newly acquired respect for her after reading this interview, thank you.
Et Marjorie, si tu es en train de lire ce message, je te souhaite de succès dans tous tes efforts.
i love how she instantly says her relastionship w/ analeigh isn’t sexual. it must be awkward for her to read all those forums about people wanting them to be together, it would be cute though.
Je t’aime Marjorie! Elle est magnifique!
this is one of the best interviews i’ve read here at top gossip!
she’s way too eloquent!
What can I say! She’s great!
pretty smart I think!
So sad she got kicked off! but anyway! for me she’s the best…and I really think her portfolio is the best one so far!
and I am interested too…What kind of issues was Marjorie talking about when she said that about Analeigh? Just curious… maybe we’ll never know!
All my support from Chile to you Marjorie, you rock girl!
Oh god, I ADORE Marjorie… I pretty much knew that the Marjorie on the show wasn’t all there was to her. I myself suffer from the same nervous problems and stuff, and also as a person who’s studying another culture I can understand what she means by “two perspectives”. The show DID seem to make her look weaker than she probably was at the time, something that editors tend to do a lot so I figured while watching the show that it wasn’t just her leaning on Analeigh or crying all of the time about being foreign or anything like that. I mean if that was the case I doubt she would have made it to the top 5, I could see that Analeigh depended on her just as much as she did on Analeigh… and I also figured that the drinking was taken way out of proportion, I doubt Marjorie is the type to make super idiotic and incredibly dumb decisions so even when I saw the previews I pretty much figured that the editors were just… well… editing.
Her photos in the competition were amazing and I loved her friendship with Analeigh (another favorite of mine).
I was sooooooo sad to see Marjorie go, but after finding out that she still keeps contact with Analeigh and after reading this interview… I’m actually really happy for her. I wish her the best of luck out there in the modeling field.
i want to see more of marjorie and analeigh in the future…
i am missin marjorie so bad already! huhuhu
Wow, Marjorie’s interview is so in depth and–true? I’ll try not to generalize next time I watch top model.
Wow, a lot of what Marjorie said really hit home to me. I have to admit, prior to this, I was buying into the image that the ANTM producers were spoon-feeding us, and I did feel a lot of frustration watching Marjorie “break down” on the show. However, after reading her responses (her extremely intelligent, well thought-out responses, I might add), I feel like my eyes have been opened. Thank you for giving us a honest, yet perceptive take on how the show went for you, Marjorie! I’ll definitely keep everything you said in mind come next cycle!
From the moment i saw marjorie in the show i was really rooting for her, she have all it takes to be a model: personality, bone structure, hair, length, etc. i was really really sad that she went home…i dont know if someone noticed this before but i think ANTM is a bit subjective in choosing their winners, i mean hello!
i can totally relate with marjorie, i also suffer from that kind of anxiety wherever i am on job interviews, i mean i actually have the skill but when i am being interviewed i get so nervous that the interviewers saw me as incompetent. that’s why i love marjorie because she inspires me a lot…and i can really understand her, nerves and all!!! i wish to see you on Vogue Marjorie…way to go girl!
NICE
, all her answers are just so honest, she speaks in a very sophisticated manner and with that, she now strikes me as the “Elyse” of cycle 11, anyway, i totally understand what she meant about the editing thing, i’m a film student and it’s very common to edit out scenes to be able to create a story of your desire. obviously, that’s what the show did.
http://honestlyantm.wordpress.com/
i also read her interview up at honestlyantm and it was very interesting how consistent she was in her answers… how she struck me as a very interesting topmodel…
i like her film reference for every episode… it was also stated in that interview..
Marjorie was my favorite this season–nerves and all!
Marjorie, I loved you on ANTM! I understand what you are saying about being portrayed in a one dimensional manner. However, I identified so much with you b/c I too have struggled with anxiety in the past. After the years it took to understand myself, I came to understand I had social phobia & performance anxiety, which I also saw in you. I got past a lot of it with the help of “The Feeling Good Book” by Dr. David Burns. It was the best suggestion my therapist ever made. It also happens to be a cornerstone of modern therapy, teaching cognitive-behavioral techniques that anyone can benefit from, and Dr. Burns is a renowned psychiatrist. Anyway, you have the talent. Best pictures ever. Now maybe all you need is a way to help you see yourself in a clearer light. Best wishes.
Marjorie… YOU were the best HANDS DOWN!!!!!
I was sooooo mad when you were offed…..
You will make it FAR as a model… YOU have IT!!!!
and you have it in so many ways…..
Good Luck in your future,
Just a Gurl from Seattle…. Living in Sweden
hi..I just loved u majorie can se me in u…
Cryied when u ….dont win and have to go home..
love from me ingrid:)
Marjorie~!! i luv u~!!!
u r amazing!!! so great!!
i’m a Chinese. i knew her in the ANTM.
it’s my first time that loving an American!!!
i want to see more of marjorie in the future~
爱Marjorie~
Being European I actually found that that Majorie and Elina were my least favourite contestants as what they said about being European completley offensive and an excuse for every single criticism that they get! I support the other girls for embracing being who they are rather than using it as an excuse. Being awful at a shoot because they were ‘European’ shows how unproffessional they were. To all Americans out there who thought Marjorie and Elina were typical European, they’re not. We can express ourselves as much as we like and are not control freaks!
i love you Marjorie. I totally support you. I’d like to see more of you and I totally respect your friendship with Analeigh. I wish you all the best in your career.
You are my top model. Love ya
Marjorie was my favourite in this cycle and I actually cried when she went,x
marjorie is amazing .i like her very much during the antm .hope you can go far in the model career.
Marjorie was also my fav. She has the IT factor in spades. I have similar nerve issues and have another side of myself, so I can relate to what she said in her interview. I’m not surprised how editors manipulate film to make things seem a certain way in order to keep ratings up.
she is probably the wisest contestant ever to be on this show….and people who find her annoying are shallow, childish and stupid for buying into a reality tv show…and she took consistently great photos too…too bad there aren’t enough people like her
I am Marjorie’s fan from Hong Kong.
I love her talent, I love her nerves!
Hope will see more upcoming good shoots by her!
All the best, Marjorie.