Miss the episode? Read the recap here!

The CW. © 2008 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full Q&A below the jump!

Tell us how you got involved in Top Model.

I was looking for way to get back into the industry. I was looking online and saw that ANTM was taking applications, so I applied and got on the show.

Why did you think you could be America’s Next Top Model?

I saw the show as a great opportunity to get involved in the industry again. I was modeling at fourteen and was signed with Elite, but it wasn’t the right time for me. I wanted to focus on school and sports and push modeling aside for a while. But when I decided it was time to get back into it, I was really unsure how and the show seemed like a great way to do that.

The judges had concerns that you didn’t evolve as a model. Do you agree?

No. I felt that I did really well overall. Some of my photos and my portfolio are stronger than some of the girls who are left in the house. Yes, my final photo shoot wasn’t the greatest, but overall I felt like I was a strong competitor. I know they did have concerns about my personality, but you’re only in front of panel for a very short time. There’s all the other girls there, you’re getting critiqued, how am I supposed to show my personality? I saw ANTM as a business opportunity, as you would with an agency. I tried to act as courteous, professional and attentive as possible, but I guess I went about it the wrong way and it wasn’t what the judges were looking for.

Who do you want to see win?

There’s some great girls left there right now. Elina has a great face. Analeigh has a great runway walk. It’s really up in the air and anyone could take it. I honestly couldn’t tell you who might win.

Did you leave a goodbye note for the girls? What did it say?

I did leave a note for everyone! I don’t remember what it said, because I was so upset when I wrote it.

What are your future plans, now that the show is over?

Right now, I’m a senior at university. I want to finish school and graduate. After that, I plan on moving to New York, get signed with an agency and start modeling.

Did you keep your makeover?

I did! I was blonde going into the show and they just made me blonder. It looked great, so I kept it.

What was your favorite part about being in the house with the other girls?

Probably having a pool. We didn’t have a place to workout in the house, so I swam a lot of laps to keep in shape.

Is there any advice you’d give to future contestants?

Be yourself. Everyone has their own opinions and everyone is entitled to them. But you can’t constantly change yourself to adapt to all these opinions. Share your opinions, be strong, work hard, and it will come.

What was your favorite experience on the show?

After we had done the voting is sexy shoot, and I didn’t do a great job, we did the hot air balloon shoot. That was my favorite shoot and I did really, really well in it. To learn that much about modeling and from the Js in such a short amount of time and to be able to put into practice was a great feeling. I was so proud of what I accomplished there and proud of that photo and of that shoot in general.

Were you surprised to be sent home?

Clark was eliminated the week before me, so we knew that anything could happen. If the judging was only about photos, I knew I had it in the bag. One weak photo shouldn’t be enough to send me home, my portfolio was pretty strong. But I knew if they made personality an issue, I could be in trouble. So when I was in the bottom two, and it was between me and Sheena, I knew I was going home. Sheena has a big personality and the judges love that and commented on it a lot. So I didn’t stand a chance!

Thank you for speaking with us today!

It was my pleasure!

Post from: Top Model Gossip

The CW. © 2008 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full Q&A is below the jump!

Miss the episode? Read the recap here!

Tell us how you got involved in Top Model.

I’m a big procrastinator. I was online catching up on latest Gossip Girl news on the CW website. I saw that you could still try out for ANTM. I clicked the link, filled out an application and sent in the video in. This was all 24 hours before the deadline, but I guess it worked because it got me on the show!

What did you learn from your experiences on the show?

Going into it, I had modeled before. When you have experience like that, you think you know what you’re doing until you meet with real top models like Tyra Banks and Paulina Porizkova. Then, everything you thought you knew goes out the window. You don’t know anything. You have to teach yourself everything all over again because what you thought you knew was wrong. Like, Tyra taught me angles that I didn’t even know about and expressions I never did before. It’s great to learn from the best of the best, it made me a better model.

Why do you think the judges kept Joslyn over you?

I don’t know! I was confused about that. Tyra said that Joslyn started off strong and got weaker and I started off weak and got stronger. I had the number one photo last week. I thought the judges were looking for girls who were progressing and getting better and better, not the other way around. I guess she gave more personality and energy to the photo shoot than I did. Who knows?

I was really surprised to go, especially after having the best photo from the week before. It gives you a feeling of immunity, but obviously that’s completely wrong. While I didn’t do very well in the disaster shoot, I figured the judges would know I’m improving and give me another chance.

Do you have any regrets from your time on the show?

No, I don’t have any. The things I say, that’s just how I am. I’m a very blunt and honest person. That’s how my friends know me. I’m the girl that says what everyone else is thinking. With Isis, everyone was thinking exactly what I was thinking, but no one would say it because it isn’t “politically correct.” But I’m a straight-up person. I call them like I see them. And I don’t do it behind anyone’s back. I said what I said to Isis, she knows how I feel.

How did you feel about Isis?

We got along, but I was really uncomfortable with the fact that Isis is a boy. I had only hear of people like that in my psychology class. I never thought I would ever come in contact with a he/she. It threw me for a loop and freaked me out. When I would shower or whatever, sometimes there would be a ball of duck tape from Isis in the garbage can and that just freaked me out.

What did you write in your goodbye letter to the girls?

I wrote a personal message to everyone. I told Marjorie to go for it, because she’s really hesitant about everything. I told Lauren Brie that she’s my best friend here. I wrote something to everyone, except Sheena because I had nothing to say to her.

I don’t care for Sheena. Everything they showed about her on tv is exactly right. She’s trashy and classless. We were raised completely differently. I’m a good old southern girl who knows class and she’s the least classy person I’ve ever met in my life.

Do you feel you were portrayed accurately on the show?

Yeah, absolutely. I’m not going to lie. I’m a confident girl, not a cocky girl though. Some people mistake confidence for cockiness. It’s looked down upon when a girl knows that she’s good at something. But I know my weaknesses too. That’s how you grow as a person. But why should someone put their time and money and effort into you if you don’t believe in yourself? You need to make it worth their time.

My friends didn’t think it was real, they were all “you’re nothing like that, Clark!” But I told them that while that’s not what I am in like in real life, it’s a competition and that’s who I am in a competitive setting. Yes, I’m friends with the girls on the show, but they are my competitors too and you need to be aware of that. If I’m not competing against you, I’m the sweetest girl you would ever meet. Me as a friend and me on the show are two completely different people.

Did you keep your makeover? And how did it feel to go from blonde to brunette?

Oh my gosh. Blondes have more fun! Definitely. I feel so much smarter as a brunette. People definitely take me more seriously and people don’t joke around with me as much. It’s so weird, just walking in a room, people don’t notice you as much than they would with platinum highlights. But it’s a good thing, you have to rely on your personality. I’m still a brunette, but it was such a change to get used to. Your hair has so much to do with your life. I had to buy all new makeup because it didn’t match my hair. I can wear purple and red now, where I couldn’t do as a blonde. But wow, yeah. It’s so different and you wouldn’t think it should be and it shouldn’t be, but it is. I’m still me, though! Everyone else has seen me as the blonde that I am on the inside. It’s such an adjustment in life. You would never think that your hair color could change your attitude towards life, but it does.

How do you smile with your eyes?

That was my question in the beginning! I didn’t figure it out until I knew how to do it myself. You squint and cover up the white below your pupil, and this brings up your lower lid. It’s squinting and staring down what you are looking at hard. You have to focus on what you’re picturing and stare it down. You can’t just stand there and stare, you have to show it in your face. Your eyes are the window to your soul and you need to show that.

Did you like your picture this week?

I didn’t do the greatest, but I don’t think I did the worst. I’m a really hard critic of myself and I would straight up tell you if my picture sucked. The first week, with the bureaucracy, that picture sucked. I hated that picture. But this picture, with the blackout, I think it was good. I’m going to put it in my portfolio. Joslyn should have gone home with her picture. It was terrible.

Are you going to purse modeling?

For sure. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I modeled when I was a few months old, when I was in diapers for a local hospital. But, even starting at such a young age, it’s not pushed by my parents at all. This is something I wanted to do since I was in the womb. My parents are worried about me. They don’t want me to get hurt. My mom is afraid of my getting rejected, but I’m a tough girl! I can handle it. I definitely plan on pursuing modeling, especially now that I know the ins and outs of it.

I love the runway. It’s my favorite, but whoever signs me, it’s up to them as to what I do within modeling. If an agent sees me kicking butt in commercials, that’s what I’ll do. But I do want to do high fashion and editorial photo shoots. You don’t have to fit into this mould there, you can just go crazy with it and make an awesome picture.

Who would you like to see win the competition?

Naturally, I’m friends with most of the girls, so anyone who wins is fine with me. I am in awe of Elina’s bone structure. It’s very European and it’s gorgeous. She is going to go really far in high fashion. But Lauren Brie is my best friend in the house and I want to see her go all the way. She had one of the best photos in Top Model history, which is huge. She can do commercial as well as high fashion and I can see her going all away.

How did you feel about Elina’s crush on you?

I didn’t know it for the longest time. When we kissed in the hot tub, I had no idea. To me, it was a funny friend thing to do. But afterwards, I was in the kitchen with Hannah. Hannah was like “Did you know Elina likes you?” I was like, “I like her too.” She was like, “No she likes likes you.” And I was like, “I like like her too.” And finally Hannah was like “Uh, she had a crush on you.” I had no idea, but it became a joke between everyone. When we got on the bus to go to panel, it was like, “Clear a spot by Elina, Clark wants to sit there!” Elina told the other girls she would get up early and come watch me put on makeup and loved how I moved and how I dressed, which is kinda weird. But I took it as a compliment. A weird compliment, but a compliment, nonetheless.

Who was your biggest competition in the house?

It really varied week to week who was my biggest competition. You always looked at the week before and who had the top photo, but that always changes. And, as we know, having the top photo doesn’t mean anything the next week. Overall, my biggest competition was Lauren Brie, as weird as that sounds. It’s also weird that she’s one of my best friends in the house and one of my biggest competitors. But I only say that she’s one of my competitors because we come into photo shoots with the same mindset and bring the same energy. We were raised very much the same and have the same attitude about a lot of stuff and the same outlook on things. It’s what makes us friends, but also makes us similar models. When we got the makeovers and I got brown hair and she got blonde hair, that really calmed my nerves and set us apart. But until that point, it was stressful. During the semi-finals, when Lauren Brie was called, I didn’t think I would be called because we look so much alike. But I made it in the house.

Now watching the show, it’s so easy to see the there’s stuff I would change. It was the best experience in my life. I met some amazing people and worked with amazing photographers. We shot with Russell James and that’s huge! He shot the cover of Sports Illustrated for Pete’s sake.

You do you think has the least potential to be a model?

In the beginning, I thought Marjorie didn’t have a chance and Isis. But Marj got the number one photo the first week, and that theory went out the window quick! I just don’t see Isis going anywhere as a model. Her body just isn’t like the rest of us. She still has she has a man’s body. Her waist goes straight down and her face is too manly. I know that masculine features are good in modeling, but a feminine manly. Hers is manly manly. You can tell she has a condition, just when you look at her. She doesn’t have a strong runway walk and she has a lot of insecurities about what to hide and what to cover up. Even if you aren’t a swimsuit model, you are going to be in a swimsuit from time to time. As a model, you need to be ready for anything and Isis isn’t.

Thank you for speaking with us today!

Anytime!

Post from: Top Model Gossip

The CW. © 2008 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full Q&A is below the jump!

Miss the episode? Read the full recap here!

Tell us about how you got involved in Top Model.

As you know, I was a background extra for the homeless photo shoot in Cycle 10. I told myself that I would do my best and stand out because you never know what could come out of this opportunity. Lo and behold, I was asked to come audition for Cycle 11.

What did you learn from your experiences on the show?

I learned that I need to say I can go for it no matter what people think and to give every experience my all. You never know what can happen from opportunities like these. They could open a door to something bigger.

Have you been watching the show?

Yes! I watched it last night, when I was eliminated. Even though I’m gone now, I will continue to watch the show. I’m friends with all the girls and I’m excited to see who wins.

While watching the shows, how did you feel about some of the girls’ reactions to you?

I never knew that Clark felt that way. We talked in the house and I thought we were cool. I didn’t know that. Most of the girls, though, we were friends. I ones who didn’t make the comments you saw are the ones I’m still in contact with.

Has Tyra been helping you with your career at since, during or since your time on the show?

No. I didn’t get any one-on-one time with Tyra during the show, or after. I’m hoping it will happen in the future, but it hasn’t happened yet.

What does the future hold for you?

I plan on pursuing modeling. I’m also an artist and a fashion designer and I hope to pursue that too. I hope to be on runways and be in campaigns. I also want to get into acting. I hope this show will open many doors for me. I’m ready to get out there and use all these opportunities that are coming my way.

How has the GLBT community reacted to you being on ANTM?

It’s been positive and supportive. A group in Maryland wants to honor me at their lunch next month. Overall, I’ve been hearing lots of good feedback. They’re glad that the show put on a regular person who struggles and has issues, just like everyone else.

Do you think it was fair that they had two swimsuit shoots in a row? Would you have stayed longer if that was the case?

Well, I can’t say whether or not it was fair because I’m sure the shoots were pre-determined a long time go. I was giving it my all and doing it my best, but, like Tyra said, my spark did start to leave. Mentally, the show became a lot. 24-hour surveillance is tough. I stuck it out and gave it my best. Had the shoots been different, maybe I would have stayed longer. Who knows?

Are you still going ahead with your sex-reassignment surgery?

Of course! Right now, it’s pushed back because of financial issues. I’m hoping that by being on this show I can get work so I can make some money so I can get the surgery. I want to have the surgery within the next year.

Did you have any problems with any girls on the show?

I didn’t have any problems with anyone. I see comments on the show now, but while I was there, I got along with everyone. I feel that I’m a likable person and get along with most people. They didn’t show our relationship a lot, but my best friend in the house was Brittany. I was close to Brittany, Samantha, McKey, Marjorie, Lauren Brie, a lot of the girls.

Do you feel more accepted in the modeling and fashion industries since being on ANTM?

The show was an amazing experience. I wouldn’t take back anything. I look at it like this: I want to be in entertainment and in fashion. I want to put myself out these and let everybody see that I’m the same person and I plan on continuing with everything and take the opportunities that come my way.

Did you ever feel that you were at a disadvantage?

In a sense, yes. But I just tried to not think about being born sexually different. I try not to dwell on it. The more I dwell on it, the more it consumed me and affect my ability to perform. I tried not to think about it, but I guess it was inevitable.

What are some challenges that face transgendered models?

Honestly, I didn’t do any research. I know there’s always been transgendered mode, but I didn’t want to segregate myself. I didn’t want to be about the issues. I wanted to be on the same level as everyone else. I think that other models would have the same issues I had on the show. People do what they have to do to survive, but everyone is different.

what were some of the best modeling tips you picked up?

During Cycle 10, I picked up a lot about lighting and angles. When I went and talked to Nigel in episode two, I knew a tiny bit about lighting. I learned to smile with my eyes. The judges said I needed to soften things up a bit, but I interpreted that in the wrong way and it came across as sleepy. They kept saying how good my eyes were and that it’s important for me to be aware of what I’m doing to them.

Where did you learn to walk?

I’ve been walking since 2001, so that’s seven years. Since high school, I’ve walked or practiced walking almost every single day. It’s something I enjoy doing. I just kept practicing. I did shows in college and I’m constantly walking and building my confidence around my walk. I’ll do it while I’m on the phone or at the end of a hall. I just put on some music and put on some garments I’ve made and just practice. I practice alone so that when people are around it takes you to a higher level. It’s an adrenaline rush to walk in front of people.

What did you think about the judges’ comments about your clothes at panel?

My style is pretty diverse and eclectic. But when you go to panel, you have to take a lot away and be very basic. I’m not basic! I love colors and accessories, but I had to be simple and it was hard. When Tyra made that comment, it was a very bittersweet thing. She called me “that girl in high school.” But I never got to be that girl in high school and it made me feel emotional. I finally was that girl. So I took it both ways.

Were you surprised when you were eliminated?

Yes, I was. I really thought I was going to go all the way and be the next top model. There’s so much stuff I’m going to miss–the trip aboard and all those photo shoots. It’s all uphill from here, but at the end of the day, what happens, happens.

How do you feel about being called a role model?

I never set out to be a role model, but it makes me feel good that people are actually looking at my story and can relate to me. I just came on the show and was being myself. But if people think that me being myself makes me a role model…wow, that’s wonderful. But trying to be a role model would be too much pressure to put on myself. I decided to be myself and let people see me for me and if they like me, that’s great.

Who are your personal role models?

My mother and my godfather. My mother is my biggest role model. She was a single mother for years and years. She had me at 17 and was a caring young mother. She missed out on a lot of life experiences. She was a model back in the day and loves fashion. I think I get a lot of that from her. She even looks like me. Even though it took her a while to come around to my transition, she supports me now. She calls me Isis. She’s wonderful and I love her.

Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

I want to say thank you for supporting me and continue to support me and keep me in your prayers. I’m going to move my career forward from here and hopefully be on everyone’s minds and have everyone wearing my designs. Know that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can achieve your dreams. It’s a cliche, but it’s true. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m moving in a positive light and I know I’ll make it.

Thank you for speaking with us today, Isis.

Post from: Top Model Gossip

The CW. © 2008 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full Q&A is below the jump! Remember to stop by tomorrow and check out Isis’s interview!

Miss the episode? Read the full recap here!

How did you get involved in Top Model?

I got involved when a couple of my friends wanted to try out. It seemed like a lot of fun, but nothing I would ever do. It was so not me. But in the end, my friends bailed on me and I went anyway. I tried out and ended up on the show and now, here I am.

You seemed really excited by all the new experiences you had on the show. What were some of your favorites?

Oh my gosh, the whole show was super-exciting. So much of it was a new experience. It was so much fun to be on the show and to meet Tyra and the Jays. I enjoyed every single minute of it. It was such a blast. There were so many new things for me. The hot air balloon freaked me out. It was so high up and I was so scared, but it ended up being really, really fun.

Have you been working on your walk since you’ve been eliminated?

Oh my gosh, my walk. What a riot! At least all my friends and everyone who watched the show enjoyed it! I really want to call Isis and get her to help me out. Her walk kicks ass. She’s got skills.

How did you feel about being eliminated mid-episode?

You know, once we heard that, I just thought “gosh, I need to try my best” and do whatever I could to impress the judges and not be eliminated. I figured if I tried my best, I’d see how it went. I was disappointed, but what can you do? It happened.

Tell us about the controversy you were involved in.

I think the whole thing was a misunderstanding based on miscommunication. I didn’t mean to come across as racist and I think the girls in the house took my comments the wrong way. That was not the way I intended them. I guess I need to get smarter with my words. With maturity, I’ll get better at it. Things did get cleared up between everyone. The show only showed a small part of it. I wrote letters to my family calling them “the White family” and to my brother, calling him ”the little White person.” White’s my last name, so I didn’t think anything of it. But I guess the girls took that the wrong way. Gosh, this is such a hard question. I wish, however, that the girls had approached me in a different manner. If they had come to me in private and just asked questions, I’d be happy to talk about what I said and what I meant and what I could do to speak better. But they didn’t approach it in the best way. But it was all cleared up and it’s in the past and what happens, happens.

How did you feel about Isis being a competitor on the show?

Isis is such a sweet girl. She deserved to be there as much as I did! She even lasted longer than me! She went through the same audition process as me and had every right to be there. She’s awesome. She’s very sweet and treated me with so much respect and kindness, I was fortunate to have Isis with me on the show.

You talked about being from Alaska a lot on the show. What were you trying to say?

I think what you’re referring to is that I was edited speaking a lot about Alaska. I didn’t talk about Alaska that much, only as much as the other girls talked about their homes. But the producers asked me about Alaska a lot! We were interviewed for several hours each day and they kept asking “so, being from Alaska…” and all those questions made it on the show! I was so embarrassed and upset. Everyone from Alaska is different, just like everyone from everywhere else. I definitely lived an atypical lifestyle in Alaska and I certainly don’t represent Alaska as a whole. I love Alaska and being from there is great. I love the people there and where I live and everything. But I was so annoyed by how often the showed me mentioning it. But I can’t be upset about that, it was the editor’s choice in how they wanted to portray me.

Which photo shoot was your favorite?

It as definitely the swimsuit shoot. Russell James is so talented and has worked with so many great people, it was an honor to work with him.

Are you going to continue modeling?

Modeling is something I never thought I would do. But now that the door is open, it’s really exciting. So we’ll wait and see what happens.

Did you keep your makeover?

I did keep my makeover. But it made me look like I was twelve! When I saw myself, I was like “wow, I look really young!” But I’ve grown to like it and it’s kinda fun!

Thanks for speaking with us today, Hannah!

Oh, thank you!

Post from: Top Model Gossip

The CW. © 2008 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full Q&A session is below the cut!

You seemed pretty upset with the whole pretty stigma. How do you feel about that now?

I’m not just pretty. I saw myself as being more than just a pretty commercial face. But I’ve taken what the judges have told me under consideration and I learned from Jay and Miss J and Tyra that there isn’t anything wrong with being “pretty.” Maybe I just don’t have the face for high fashion, maybe I can take my modeling career down a different path. Maybe I’m meant for catalogue.

What did you learn from your time on the show?

I learned you better come with it or you’re going home. I learned about posing and how you’re supposed to look and take pictures and attitudes and how to take critiques and use them. Every critique I was given, I took them home with me and have been applying them to this day.

did you keep your makeover?

Yes, I definitely kept my makeover.

You were involved in both the Hannah being prejudiced issue and the situation involving Elina and her mother. Why did you bring these issues to the forefront?

The situation with Hannah was blown out of proportion. I never said Hannah was racist. That’s something I never said. However, there were certain situations in the house with Joslyn, Nikeysha, Isis and myself and it was like “Oh, that happened to you? That happened to me too.” It came across like we ganged up on her, but it wasn’t really like that. It was overblown and edited for television. I was probably the main vocalist in the event, but it wasn’t confrontational.

With Elina and that event, I apologize for the wording I used. It came out wrong and if I could take back what I said in regard to that situation, I would. She and I are on good terms now. I am apologetic and embarrassed for how it came across on television. I should have not said those things. They came out poorly and I’m sorry.

Why did you get to be the Brittany who kept her name?

They told us a Brittany could keep her name and I said to the other girls, I’m keeping mine. So the other girls had to change their names.

What was the most difficult aspect of the swimsuit challenge?

What was going through my mind at the time was me trying to make my pictures as fierce as possible. I wanted to put 100% into it and give it my all and put everything I had into my picture and best represent the month they wanted me to represent.

Are you keeping in touch with any of the girls on the show?

I keep in touch with Isis and sometimes I hear from ShaRaun. But my main person is Isis.

Who would you like to see win?

Umm…I think that everybody after I left was fair and honestly, whoever made it deserved it. Whoever wins it deserves to win. That’s all I can say.

Now that the show is over, what’s next for you?

I plan on continuing to pursue modeling. I’m still in school and I’m planning on getting my degree and pursuing that too. I want to keep modeling and get my career going.

Is there anything you can to say to your fans and supporters?

I would want to say thank you. Thank you for watching. I apologize for my foul language and you’ll be seeing me in the future!

What did you think of your picture?

I saw myself and I saw a little bit of frustration in my eyes. I was giving it 100%, I was giving it my all. I wanted it to be perfect. I actually liked my picture. Unfortunately, the judges didn’t agree with me. But I liked it!

What did you think of the judges comments about your picture? Could you see what they were saying?

I did see what they were talking about. I respect their decision 100%. With every critique they’ve given me, I’ve thought about it and I’m working on it and I know what to do next time.

What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses as a model?

My strength. I can be very diverse. I have a good catalogue look. I bring presence. My weaknesses might me my body movements, as Tyra says, the way I move I didn’t know what I was doing in front of a camera, so I’m working on that. I also need to work on connecting with the camera and bringing it to my pictures, brining it to high fashion and being more fierce.

In the first week, you had one of the strongest photos? What changed?

Honestly, I wish I could say. I don’t know. I felt like I had just as much drive and just as much energy. I wasn’t drained. I was working harder and giving it my all, 100% the whole way through. There wasn’t much of difference for me or what I was doing. I was still the same person from beginning to end.

How did the other models feel about their makeovers?

I think everyone was pretty much happy with their look. At the time, some people were upset by their looks. But after it was over everyone realized that these makeovers would make us better models and we were given them for a reason and we were happy with them.

Did you have a model in mind that you were trying to emulate when you were posing for the camera?

I was, in my mind, trying to think of models in past cycles, like Jaslene. She’s so beautiful. Or Tyra and smiling with her eyes. I just wanted to bring presence and drop dead photos to the table and just stick in the judges’ mind. This is why I’m here, this is why you brought me here, this is why I belong here.

Have people always called you pretty?

Yeah. That and once I felt like I got that stigma about me, it stuck. It was all “You’re so pretty.” But the judges were like “We don’t want pretty.” I wanted to break out of that mould. But I felt myself being continuously in that mould and photographing that way. They were all “This photo is so pretty!” and I was like “Man, I want my photo to be fierce!”

If you did go the commercial route, what products would you want to do a commercial for?

I’ve always wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret angel or do Cover Girl commercials or Neutrogena commercials, Maybelline, MAX. As far as other catalogues outside Victoria’s Secret…uh Victoria’s Secret is definitely number one!

What was your initial reaction to Isis being on the show?

My initial reaction, was that I was surprised. I would never have guessed that looking at Isis. But from early on, I had a good understanding of the
competition and regardless of her being transgendered, she’s my competition and that’s how I saw it. She was a fair competitor and she was there to win, just like me. And she’s a very, very good person.

Is there anything you wish they had shown, but didn’t?

I do wish they showed some of the really good times. Like the whole truth or dares. If they had played all our dares, America would be falling out of their seats. We had good times. I think America got a whole misunderstanding of the whole Hannah situation. I wish they had showed something that had better explained why we reacted that why and why it was resolved that way.

Did you go pick up all the European fashion magazines, like Tyra asked you to?

Yes! Harper’s Bazaar, all the Vogues, some I can’t name, theirs titles are so hard to pronounce! I went to Barnes & Noble and asked for all the European magazines and they gave them to me. It is helping. I’m practicing voguing and practicing my looks and posing. I’m in the mirror way more than I should be.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

Thank you!

Post from: Top Model Gossip

The CW. © 2008 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full interview is below the jump!

How did you become involved in ANTM?

While at school in Atlanta, a scout came to my school. There was a fashion show and she was invited to come and audition. I did and I made it to the top 33 girls and then made it into the house and on the show.

What did you learn from your time on Top Model?

I learned that there is a time and place for everything. For example, the bathroom incident came across as really unprofessional. I also learned to keep my mouth shut at panel. There are certain things you can or cannot do when you want to make a good impression. If you have the look and the walk, that’s great, but if you are remembered for going to the bathroom or talking too much, you aren’t going to get hired.

What was your favorite experience from being on the show?

Definitely meeting the Jays and Tyra. It was amazing experience. I love them, they’re my role models. I really wanted to walk with Miss J and shoot with Tyra, but I was happy to meet all of them, because I look up to them.

Now that you are off the show, what are your plans?

Now that I’m not on the show, I’m going to get out there and model. I’m going to do whatever it takes to become a model and get in the entertainment industry. The show got my face out there, and now I just need to use it.

Are your issues with Hannah resolved?

We never had any problems on the show. She said something about me and I confronted her, but they never showed that. After she started crying after we called her racist, we cleared the air. We just wanted to know where she stood because there were way too many incidents that made everyone uncomfortable. I didn’t think we were out of line, but it was handled better than they showed it on the show. But we are cool now.

On the show, you became known for being talkative. Is this natural?

The thing is, I am pretty outspoken and say a lot of things that come to my mind. I’m not really censored. But it came across as though I was arguing with Tyra and snapping at her and cutting her off. But I was just trying to explain myself. I guess sometimes people don’t want an explanation, they just want you to change it. I don’t think Tyra ever cut me off blatantly. She did at with Isis at panel and I was like “Okay, I’m sorry. What did I do?” She did cut me off, but she thought it was Isis’s time because she just got called. Tyra just felt that I was cutting in on Isis’s time and that I talk so much that I’d get too much air time.

Tyra is a very outspoken person herself. Do you model yourself after Tyra?

No , I’m just me. I think that’s why Tyra and I clash. She’s outspoken and I’m outspoken and she loves to talk and I love to talk, so we just clashed. But she’s the boss, and I’m not and that’s why I got cut.

There was concern on the show about your weight. Are you naturally that thin?

I have always been thin. But I had been to an agency recently and they told me to lose weight. So I tried to stop eating and started exercising. Now, I don’t eat junk food and try to eat healthy stuff. Like, when I buy bread, I buy healthy bread. I also play a lot of sports and what not and am really active. But after that experience with the agency, I dropped too much weight. I never meant to be this thin.

You were in the bottom two with Isis. Do you think it’s fair that Isis is allowed to be a competitor on the show? And how did you feel about the other girls’ reactions to Isis?

A lot of the people didn’t express how they felt. Like Kacey. Me and Kacey were cool during casting. But then, in her interviews casey, she went on and on and on and on and she was just mean. Isis is just a cool girl. She can walk, she can vogue, she can take great pictures, she knows her body better than I do. I think that makes her more of a woman than me. I’ve never met anyone like her before. A lot of girls on the show come from small towns and don’t understand it and that’s why they react the way they do. But if she says she’s a woman, she’s a woman. Who am I to say she’s not a woman? She’s a fantastic girl, has a wonderful personality and I love her.

Look at the modeling industry. There’s queers, drag queens, transgendered, all of it. In the industry, it’s totally cool. On tv, not so much. Like I said, she feels she’s a woman. And so she’s a woman. So there. She has a body part that she wants removed, but that doesn’t make her less of a woman. She deserves to be there. She rocked it. Tyra wanted her there and she brought it.

Do you really want to be anesthesiologist?

I always wanted to be a doctor. But a teacher once told me that I should be an anesthesiologist because they make good money. But when I said that at panel, I wasn’t really serious. I was in the moment and I was upset and me, being me, said the first thing that came into my mouth. But now, I’m going to reach for modeling and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll go to school. This is a good back-up plan.

Have people told you your hair looks remarkable like Saleisha’s from Cycle 9?

All the time!! I was going for Rihanna, not Saleisha! I saw when Rihanna cut her hair into that bob and I thought “man, that’s cute.” Then all I heard was Saleisha, Saleisha, Saleisha. No, it’s Rihanna! But no one ever saw Rihanna. But it is Rihanna. I cut my hair like his before Saleisha got this hairstyle on the show.

You just missed the makeover episode. What kind of makeover did you want?

I wanted a $3000 Indian hair weave! Who doesn’t? But I wanted a hair weave and wanted to keep my bangs. I love my bangs. I have a Tyra forehead and I want to keep that covered.

What do you wish people could have seen about you on the show that wasn’t shown?

That I don’t talk too much? No! (laughs) That I’m a crazy person they saw, but more in a positive light. I’m not that pushy. I just like to talk and have fun and be a cool person and do crazy things. I am a cool person and I just wish people could have seen that.

Who from the show are you planning on keeping in touch with?

Isis, Brittany, Sheena and ShaRaun. Those are my girls. We got along really well in the house and I love them. But everyone was cool, I wouldn’t mind if I kept in touch with everyone.

Who do you want to see win the show?

I don’t know. These girls were good this cycle. Each week someone had a hot photo. I didn’t even know how they chose to send home. So whoever wins, wins. I know them all, so I’m rooting for them all and will be happy for whoever wins it.

What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

Uhhh..Thanks! I appreciate it. I’m glad you saw me for who I am on the show and not how they portrayed me. Hopefully o you’ll see me in other places and keep my memorable voice in your head. I saw the credit rolling and I was still talking, so remember that.

Did you get a lot of support from your family and friends?

They’re all excited I was on it and so happy for me. They all wanted me to go further. They were all “we know you love to talk, but Tyra doesn’t want to hear that. She’s outspoken herself so she doesn’t want to hear that. Next time just listen. Tyra’s the boss, let her speak.”

Thanks for talking with us today!

Any time!

Post from: Top Model Gossip

The CW. © 2008 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Full interview is below the jump!

Where did your confidence come from? Why were you so confident on the show?

Everything you saw was 100 percent me. They portrayed me as very confident, which I a, but you didn’t get the full story about to my background and why I became I such a confident person. All my life I was teased and had such low self-esteem. People picked on me and made fun of me and I had no confidence whatsoever. Then I decided that I didn’t want to be that person anymore and I became a confident person. I decided that in order for people to love me, I had to love myself. I didn’t want to be the person with low self-esteem anymore.

Why did you change your name to ShaRaun?

There are tons and tons of Brittanys out there in the world. Not only are there tons of Brittanys on ANTM, there are tons in entertainment industry. ShaRaun is my middle name, so when Tyra asked to of us to change our names, I snatched it as my name and ran with it. Now I kinda of like it. It’s unique.

What about yourself could make you a top model?

You only saw a very, very small portion of me and who I am on the show. You couldn’t see every detail. You saw my confidence, but that’s it. You didn’t see how I spent my spring break in new Orleans and helped Katrina victims and building homes, or how I’m a virgin and practice abstinence. This is a very big part of my life, and as I practice this and go around and speak about this all over the country, trying to teach young girls about this choice. I’m a determined person and a driven person. I missed my prom and my graduation for all this show. I’m hungry and I’m young and I’m ready to break into the industry. I could have represented ANTM very, very, very well. Not only do I model, I dance. Tap, jazz, ballet, I do it all. I act, I’ve acted in numerous plays and small films. I’m a journalism major and was the host of our high school TV in Chicago. I would have represented Chicago and ANTM as well. I’m really a sweet person. I’m confident, but I’m humble as well. I’m so humbled and grateful for how far I made it on the show. I beat thousands and thousands of girls to make it this far and it was an invaluable experience I learned so much from.

Were you proud of your picture?

Yeah, I was proud of it. What did you don’t know is that ShaRaun has no prior modeling experience at all. My first photo shoot was with ANTM and my first walk was with Miss J. Other than in my living room or in front of my mirror or with friends, that’s it. I had no experience whatsoever, so coming from that and having made it this far is huge. If I had stayed in the competition a little longer, I could have become a better model and learn more about my face. I still have time, I’m still young. For my first picture, it wasn’t that bad.

Based on the photos, who do you think should have gone home?

This was the first photo shoot and everybody was very, very, very nervous. For this to have been pour first photo shoot, I think everyone did well and they really had a hard decision.

One of the judges commented on how you seemed a bit pageant-y. Do you have any pageant experience?

When I was young, I entered a Pretty Little Princess pageant. I was 11 and I got second place. After that, I didn’t get into the pageant experience. My mom told me I could only focusing on one thing, so I focused on my dancing and modeling and not pageantry. I didn’t pull from my pageantry to talk to the judges, it was so long ago and such a little part of my life!

What did you do to prepare for the interviews with the judges?

While waiting to talk to the judges, we had lots of time to wait, and I wanted to make sure I included everything I needed to do. I kept rehearsing in my head because I wanted to be thorough. I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted to represent myself and I wanted to make sure that I didn’t forget anything!

Tyra Banks is a very confident person. Did you take cues from Tyra to build your confidence?

If anyone has ever seen Tyra on the runway, wow. She owns the runway, it’s hers. This is what separates her from all the other Victoria’s Secret models. While I don’t necessarily want to be Tyra or model myself after her, I did grow up looking up to her. Growing up, I had no confidence at all. I told myself to love myself no matter what. Looking at Tyra and mimicking Tyra was my motivation. I wasn’t trying to be like her, but my confidence is similar to hers. Her confidence got her to where she is today. She believed in herself and worked for what she wanted, and knows she belongs there. I feel like I had to own what I wanted too.

Were you surprised that you went home because of your confidence?

I was very, very, very surprised. I was raised to believe that that you have to go after what you want. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. I beat myself so much when I was younger. Don’t let anyone walk over you. If you aren’t a confident and strong person, you aren’t going to make it far in life. When I saw I was eliminated for that reason, it sucked. I felt that if I came in shy, it would have been like yeah, eh oh well. It wouldn’t have impressed the judges and I wouldn’t have gone far. I just felt that my confidence was misinterpreted.

Do you regret your comments about Isis?

You know what? Everyone said things about her. They just didn’t show everyone’s comments. We were all asked questions about it, and I just said what I felt. Everyone has the right to their own opinion and I don regret it. But they didn’t show everything. They didn’t show me and Isis being cool or being friends. She was my girl, and we were very close in the house. They didn’t show the whole picture, just me making the drag queen comment.

Who do you want to see win ANTM?

That’s a very, very, very hard decision. I’m going to say Samantha. We became very close in the house as well. She has a very similar background to me. She’s a senior in high school like me and no modeling experience. We both really wanted to win this and we bonded over the fact we both missed our graduations and proms to be here. She’s so fresh and cool and would represent ANTM very well. But all the girls would, really. If any of them win, I would be happy.

What was your favorite part of the house?

Oh my god, you guys didn’t get to see it, but the closet was huge. It was a giant walk-in closet that was the size of a master bedroom. I was walked in it every day and pointed to what I wanted to wear, it was so cool.

What did you learn by being on the show?

I learned so, so much. I think that since the show, the best thing you can learn in life, is rejection. Rejection makes you stronger and it makes you a better person. I’ve taken so much from this show and learned so much. I don’t like the term rejection, eliminated is the right term. Now that I’ve been eliminated, I feel like I can conquer the world, that the sky is the limit. I learned so much about myself and about modeling and I’m ready to face it.

What’s next for you?

I’m not going to stop here. I’ve been so close and this is just a stepping stone. Everything happens for a reason. I’m going to keep pursing my dreams, it doesn’t matter. I’m so determined and so driven and because I was eliminated first, I can start my career right now, right this minute. I plan to do modeling and also explore my other talents like dancing and acting. I’m taking a year off school to focus on my career and pursue my dreams. It’s still my dream and I’m going to succeed in life and be a model. Yeah, modeling. By the fall of 2009, I want to be in New York. It depends on what agency I get signed with, but that’s where I want to be, getting my career going.

Thank you for speaking with us today, ShaRaun, it was a pleasure!

Thank you!

Post from: Top Model Gossip

Broadway World recently caught up with Yaya and interviewed her about the role. They chat about how Yaya found out about the role, how she became interested in acting, and First Breeze of Summer and Signature Theatre. She’s so poised, I know she has a great career ahead of her.

Watch the interview here.

Post from: Top Model Gossip

She looks like she had a lot of fun with this! She seems really happy and stable now in both her career and her personal life, which is great. I’ve always liked Eva.

I find the production quality to be very low, but I think that’s part of the charm. I’m glad she explained her name change–it makes a lot of sense, especially since she wants to distance herself from ANTM and her modeling career.

Post from: Top Model Gossip

Celebs Gone Good caught up with Cycle 10 winner Whitney Thompson at the premier of Nigel Barker’s photography exhibit, “A Sealed Fate.” Whitney mentions that she recently adopted a puppy from The Humane Society–and named it Fiona!

She talks to them about supporting animal rights, her new puppy, being ANTM’s first plus-sized model, and more.

“I mean it’s obviously incredibly messed up what’s going on in the world, and I obviously don’t support it; and I think it’s so great that Nigel got involved (he’s such a great guy). So I thought, you know, I would support him,” Whitney said, when asked why she attended the show. “And I absolutely care about animal rights. I love The Humane Society; I just got a puppy from them. Her name’s Fiona. And so you know, whatever I can do.”

Other than the puppy, there’s nothing new or exciting in the interview. She brings up her 13-year-old cousin again, and while I appreciate the sentiment behind the story, I’m sick of hearing about it.

Read the whole interview here.

Post from: Top Model Gossip