Full interview below the jump!

Why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and how you got on the show?

I’ve been watching the show off and on since Cycle 1. When Cycle 8 came around and they were advertising for open calls and auditions, I got an application. I turned 18 in July, and shortly after that, I applied. I auditioned in Seattle, and got a call-back, and then made it on the show.

Given your Mormon background, what did you think of Anya’s nude photo shoot prize and what would you have done in the same situation?

I definitely would have done it. I know I’m more modest than the other girls, but modeling is not about selling your body. It’s about selling a product. I would have asked for the shoot to be simulated nude and not fully nude because that way I wouldn’t really be nude, but the photo would have the same effect. Especially if the photo shoot was for an actual client, I would do it. I see modeling, even nude modeling, as a form of art and I don’t have a problem with it.

How did you deal with all the drama in the house?

I’m not a controversial person and I’m pretty easy going, so I did my best to stay out of it. I did have my fair share of drama and fights–you remember the shower situation. But for the most part, I just kept being low-key and did my best to avoid it.

What advice would you give to girls who are thinking about trying out for the show?

The one this I learned is that you can’t come into the show and try to become someone else. Some other girls came in and they tried to be the dork or the diva and that just doesn’t work. You can’t fit yourself into a stereotype. You also need the commitment and the drive to have what it takes to do well. You can’t have low confidence, you get pretty rough critiques from the judges. You have to be willing to keep on learning and growing because that’s what happens when you are on the show.

What did you learn from all the pose-offs challenges this season?

I learned that I really need to just go for it. You can’t hold back and leave anything out. I’m often too afraid of what other people think, which prevents me from going all out. Anya and Claire, they go for it and give really great poses. Especially Anya, I think she’s a natural. She’s always coming up with something so awkward and unique, it’s great. But you need to realize that it doesn’t matter, you just need to put it all out there and go for it. I grew a lot as a model on the show and I learned a lot. it was a great experience and I’m glad I went through it.

Did you like the makeover you received? And do you still have it?

Yeah! I kept the bangs. It’s grown out a bit, but it’s been a while since the makeover happened. It’s also not quite as red as it was on the show, it’s a bit more brown. But I love it and I’m going to keep it for a while.

In one episode, Jay said that you didn’t have a lot of experience to work from. Is this true and how do you respond to that?

That’s true and not true. In terms of modeling, yeah, I need to learn a lot and have tons of room to grow and improve. But in general, I think I am really mature for my age. I’m more sheltered than the other girls, but you don’t need a lot of experience to become a more mature person. I have all the experience when it comes to that.

At 18, you were one of the youngest contestants. Did your young age concern you in the competition?

I was worried because I knew from previous cycles that there would be girls on the show with modeling experience. But girls come on the show because they haven’t made it yet. They haven’t had success in the industry. So we’re all at the same level there. Anya and Whitney had some experience, and it certainly helped them in the show.

How did you feel about the musical genre photo shoot?

I didn’t want to pretend I was singing. I felt that that was the obvious thing to do and I wanted to try and do something different. But that didn’t help me much! I just need to let go more and embrace the concepts more. I definitely hold back too much and that really affects my photo shoots. I need to think less about what others think and concentrate more on what’s going on and what I am doing.

Were you surprised you were eliminated?

Yeah, I really was. I didn’t think I was going to be eliminated at all. I thought that my photo this week wasn’t too bad and the photo we did in the meat locker was my worst photo yet. But once I realized that I was in the bottom two, I thought that I would be going home.

How did your family feel about you coming on the show?

They were really supportive. When they found out that I got on the show, they were really excited for me. They’ve been supportive all along, with the show and with me choosing modeling as my career path. My mom was a bit concerned about the skimpy and revealing clothes I would have to wear, but all mothers don’t want their daughter parading around in clothes like that. Other than that, they’ve been really, really great.

Do you have any regrets about how you were portrayed on the show?

I was surprised that my modesty was portrayed so negatively. I wasn’t expecting that. I pride myself on my modesty. And I wouldn’t be modest in modeling as a career. When you’re backstage at a fashion show, stripping down to change wardrobes you aren’t doing it to strip. You are doing to it change into the next outfit, to sell a product, to do your job. You’re getting ready for the runway. It’s different when you are in a shower. That’s my private time.

Who are you rooting for now?

Anya and Katarzyna. They have what it takes to win. They are both beautiful girls.

Who were you closest with on the show?

Whitney, was great. I got along well with her. and Anya was the sweetest person ever. Especially after the shower argument, it was Antya who calmed me down an d made me realize that there are other things which are more important.

Who in the house did you not get along with?

Dominique was a challenge. I had issues with her. She frustrated me constantly. She refused to own up to anything or take responsibility for her own actions. It was difficult to be around her.

What are your plans now?

I’ve been applying to college. I’ve applied to go to a small college near the Canadian border, because I live in Washington. And I’m going to pursue modeling. I’m going to get together my portfolio and go to some agencies and see what happens.

Did Tyra spend much time with the girls on the show?

Not really. We had the pose challenge and it was great to see her and learn from her. She spent more time with us than the show showed. It was really cool.

Well, thank you very much for answering our questions! Best of luck in the future!

Thank you!!

Post from: Top Model Gossip

Why do you think the designer had so many former America’s Next Top Model contestants in their show? Was it a random coincidence? Are former ANTMers that popular?

Kim Leemans–Cycle 9

More interviews below the jump!

Biance Golden–Cycle 9

Lisa Jackson–Cycle 9

Camille McDonald–Cycle 2

Post from: Top Model Gossip

Post from: Top Model Gossip