ANTM Interview With Lauren Utter

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to interview the most recently eliminated contestant on America’s Next Top Model, Lauren Utter.

Gallery Photo: Jim DeYonker /The CW. © 2008
The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full interview below the jump!

Tell us how you got inolved in Top Model.

My friends turned me on to it. They had me try out. They thought it would be funny or something, I don’t know. So I tried out for cycle 9 and never heard anything back. But then I got a call about cycle 10 and they wanted me and there you go. It was my friend from high school and I was so annoyed by her. I was like “Shut up. Okay. I tried out. Happy?” I guess I secretly wanted to try out though. The rest is history.

What was your favorite part about being in Rome?

Oh man. There was lots of screaming. I didn’t like that. That was annoying. I liked trying to see the architecture, but that was constantly interrupted by mindless screamig.

On your seqwey tour of Rome, you had on heels. Why?

I spent most of the show trying to learn to walk in heels. I never did it before the show and I knew I had to try it, I had to learn. So while I was on the show, I lived and breathed in heels. I’m better now, but it’s not up to par.

What did you think of your makeover?

Throughout the show the extensions were shedding. They were molten! It didn’t last long and it’s all fallen out now.

Which girls are you planning on keeping in touch with?

Anya, Amis, Claire and Kat. Everyone else, I don’t know.

Now that you are eliminated, who are you rooting for?

Maybe….Kat and Anya. I wanted to win. But them, I guess. They are the most real people in the house. They are nice and kind-hearted. Some of the other girls are so fake. It’s sad to see people living their lives based on makeup. The show isn’t real and some girls need to realize that. Kat and Anya didn’t manipulate people, like a lot of the other girls.

What do you mean?

Dominique, Whitney and Fatima are not nice girls. They give you the guise of being nice and sweet but underneath, there’s something else there. They are not good role models. They talk a lot of crap about the other girls and about the judges. They are insecure people and use those insecurities to prey on others. It’s disgusting.

What are you up to now? What are your plans for the future?

I’m an artist and I plan to continue that. But yeah, modeling would be cool. Being on the show, they don’t show you how to do that. I need real model training. I want someone to train me how to walk and how to be in front of a camera. The show exists with this level of expectation that you know what you’re doing and will be able to handle the twists they throw at you. There wasn’t training. I’m going to start a website for my art, too.

Tell us about your art.

It’s a nostalgic gesture. My past was dark, but the show didn’t get into that. It reflects how I grew up, my friends. It’s very illustrated and has lots of details, but it is still kinda cartoonish. I also do fliers and cartoons and covers for punk bands. It’s paper and ink and sometimes there’s watercolor in the back. It’s pretty muted.

What did you think about the judges comments about you not putting effort into your Covergirl performance?

I don’t think I was defeated. Like, I’m not going to be amazing. I knew that. They knew that. But I’m not going to BS like the other girls. Jeez, their commercials were awful too. Like, how fake was Whitney? That was horrid. And Dominique? She looked like a drag queen. The guy shooting the commercial was more of a girl than her. She was a hooker. Also, they made me take off the bandage around my thumb. My thumb hadn’t healed yet. The show tried to make it look like it was a teeny nick, but I cut it off. Cut! Tt! Off!!! So that hurt. And it affected my performance. Many factors made me nervous. I had to memorize a script in a different language in the time it takes for them to do my hair and makeup. I don’t think real models would be expected to perform under these circumstances.

Were you surprised to be in the bottom two?

Yeah, that hurt. I didn’t think I was going to go home before Whitney. She sucks and she’s fake. But I don’t know. I guess they want the girl who they think will bring in the dough.

Do you think the judges have favorites?

Faves? I think so. I was Paulina’s favorite, I think. So that’s sad. Tyra? I don’t know. She doesn’t like Kat much though.

What’s the best advice you received on the show?

It was NOT be less Frankenstein-y. I don’t know. It was all an experience on its own. i tried not to take it too personally, but to take it all in. I learned a lot.

What advice would you give to future contestants?

Be yourself. Don’t try to be a tv character. You’re beautiful. Girls need to know that it’s okay to be weird and unique and that’s beautiful.

wWhy were you so quiet at panel?

I don’t know. I was trying to watch my mouth, I guess. I didn’t want to offend the judges. That would be wrong. Then Fatima called me on it and I was like “Oh, so then act like a bitch in front of panel!!” C’mon! I was trying to be courteous and professional but I guess it came across as meek.

Thank you for speaking with us today!

Thank you!