Top Model Gossip

ANTM Interview with Claire Unabia

by Erin on April 3rd, 2008

Earlier today, I sat in on a conference interview with the most recent eliminee of America’s Next Top Model, Claire Unabia.

Full interview is below the jump!

Tell us about how you got involved in Top Model.

Given all the drama and tension, how are things between you and Dominique now?

I have no ill feelings towards Dominique. I only had one issue with her, and that was the alarm clock issue, and her ignoring my request for her to set it at an appropriate time. But Dominique is who she is, and interesting and odd character, and that’s just who she is. I love everyone and their own unique and weird personalities.

How did you feel about people calling your response to Aimee’s elimination in last week’s episode disrespectful?

In the moment, I was so focused on Tyra and what she was saying and on continuing on in the competition that, regretfully, Aimee was the last thought on my mind. I was so unbelievably grateful and passionate for continuing on, that, honestly, I hadn’t stopped to consider Aimee’s situation. I felt badly, and after my initial reaction, and I did give her a big hug. I love Aimee and didn’t mean any harm by my reaction. I don’t think Aimee took it badly. She’s a great girl and I wish her the best.

What would you like to say to your fans and those who supported you during the show?

I just want to thank them for their support. It really means a lot to me. I can hope that even thought I’m no longer on the show that I can still be their favorite and that they will follow me in my future endeavours.

If you could go back and change anything about the experience, what would it be?

I would switch my mentality towards it all. I began to think too much about the judges, what they wanted out of each photo shoot, what they might want me to do, what they would think was a good photo. I thought too much about them and wasn’t in the moment enough and I wasn’t being a good model when I was doing this. This was especially true in the country shoot. I was so focused on the judges and evoking a positive reaction. I was definitely a little lost during that entire process.

What was your favorite experience about being on ANTM?

It’s definitely all the photos shoots. To do that many photo shoots in that short amount of time was just a blessing. it was a real learning and growing experience, both as a model and as a person.

Do you plan on continuing modeling?

Yes. I plan to model and to pursue other projects too. I’m doing short films and pitching tv shows. I just enjoy everything media related.

Has your daughter been watching you on the show? Does she understand what’s happening?

My daughter, her name is Halina, is 16 months old. She was 12 months old when I was on the show so she didn’t understand why I was away or where I was. But now that the show is on, she watches it with me and she recognizes me on the television. She does modeling herself, posing in front of the television, and whenever there is a flash. It’s the cutest thing ever. We’ve done some modeling together as mother and daughter. We were featured in Glamour a few months back. That’s the most rewarding type of modeling. Modeling with my daughter.

Which girls do you plan on staying in touch with?

I’m planning on staying in touch with all the girls that live close to me. Especially Lauren. She’s and artist and my husdband is an artist and we are planning on going to events together and things like that.

How did you feel about the judges’s comments in last night’s episode, when they said you only had one look?

I disagree with that a bit. I think I showed various faces and am sort of a chameleon. However, I think the judges kept getting the same emotional response from my pictures. I wasn’t changing in that sense and they kept seeing thew same Claire.

Were you concerned about being eliminated last night?

Definitely. I was in the bottom two last week and I didn’t win the challenge this week. I knew that my photo had to be one of the best, it had to be in the top three or so, or I was definitely going to be in trouble.

Tell us about your face plant that happened during the photo shoot.

Do you think being such a strong competitor from the beginning was a disadvantage in the competition?

It is more difficult to keep improving when you are starting with such high expectations. The judges value improvement in this competition, and there isn’t as much room to improve when you’ve raised the bar that high.

Do you think living in the house with all the girls affected your performance?

It definitely affected my performance. There was so much negativity in the house, and I had some drama with the alarm clock incident. The stress of being away from my baby and the stress of the competition, it all affects you. The competition is about you and doing your best and it’s really hard to be on the top of your game under conditions like that.

What has changed since the show has aired?

People recognize me all the time. It’s the most powerful thing when people come up to me and tell me I’ve changed their lives or I’ve inspired them. It’s very inspiring and empowering. I hope I can continue to do that in all my work, whether it’s modeling or tv or film, just to make people happy. Whatever it is I do, I’d love to have that connection.

Why do you think you won CoverGirl of the week five times in a row then lost it?

I think people were turned off by me when I was mean to Dominique. It’s a good thing that people don’t reward that kind of behavior. That’s important.

Any advice you’d give to future contestants of ANTM?

I’d tell them to be prepared for a tough and arduous journey. Try to stick to yourself. Don’t let the house and the girls get to you. You need to detach yourself from the craziness while maintaining your true self and that’s a very difficult thing to do.

What’s the best advice you received while on ANTM?

When Jay Manuel, at the beginning of the show, told us to pose with great emotion. You need to make it model-y and make it beautiful, but also to make it full of emotion.

How did you feel about your makeover?

I really liked my makeover a lot. The bleaching process was painful, and it’s not a healthy process with all those chemicals going into the ocean. But short, blond hair was a good look for me.

Tell us about your upcoming projects.

I’m writing, directing and starring in a short psychological zombie film. It’s about what’s going on inside my mind the moment before I turn into a zombie. I’m also pitching tv shows and modeling and just seeing where life takes me.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Claire!

Thank you for wanting to speak with me!

Share This

Related Stories

• CW The Source Interview With Claire Unabia
• Claire Selling Bling on Ebay
• CW The Source ANTM 10.07 “If You Can’t Make It Here…” Recap
• Buddy TV’s Exclusive Interview With Ebony Morgan of ANTM Cycle 9
• Interview with Whitney

POSTED IN: ANTM Episode Resources, America's Next Top Model Cycle 10, Top Model Interviews