Real Blogger

Top Model 14 Exit Interview: Alexandra

Alexandra Underwood, a 21-year-old Kerrville, Texas girl, was the token plus-size model on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 14, but there was nothing token about her performance. Perhaps no plus-size girl since Whitney won it all a few years ago has performed as well as Alex. The judges raved about her body, which they said is a prototype of a real, natural woman. And she excelled in New Zealand, coming just shy of the final two. In her Real Blogger Exit Interview, Alex, who attends Texas Tech University and studies broadcast journalism, talks about some behind-the-scenes go-sees info, being plus-size and her disagreement about why she was kicked off.

Real Blogger: What’s your biggest regret: Getting gonged off the runway, telling Nigel your measurements, or wearing Ugg boots on the plane to New Zealand and straight to go-sees?

Alexandra Underwood: Oh, hmm. I don’t like to live with regrets. But the gong thing, I guess it had to happen to someone, unfortunately it was to me. The thing with the Ugg boots - they were moccasins, they weren’t Uggs. But whenever I travel, especially for 24 hours, I try to be as comfortable as possible. In the real world of modeling, I know I’m going to go see, so I’ll be prepared. But you know, it’s a surprise element on the show. It’s unfortunate whenever I travel I look like hobo (laughs).

The thing with Nigel, what you don’t see is I dragged (the conversation) out. It went on for a really long time. (Eventually), actually, he started laughing really hard. They didn’t show that, then we started having normal conversation. And Miss J said what I wanted you to do was get you to talk, and you did that. On the show, the edit made it look worse than it was.

RB: The show never made a big deal about you being a plus-size model until the last episode. Did you think they would?

AU: They tried to play it down because I don’t wear true plus sizes. Anything about a size 4 in the fashion industry is considered plus size. I’m obvis not a zero, but they tried to steer away that (label). It’s just a word, it just lets designers know don’t put me in double zero. I think I’m an easier girl to fit than some of the other girls. That just wasn’t a big deal.

It’s really cool - we’d be back stage with stylists, and they’d said, you have the best weight I’ve ever seen of anybody they’ve worked with … I’m really healthy. That was great to do, to get that feedback, to know you are appreciated even among the skinny tarts you’re running around with.

RB: I love when you call people ’skinny tarts.’ I remember you saying that on the show.

AU: I  didn’t know not many people say that. It must be a southern thing.

RB: You never seemed to be bothered with body issues the way some past plus-sized models have. Do you think that helped you get so far?

AU: Of course. I’ve just naturally been really positive as far as the body image thing. Confidence is one of the most beautiful things you can have. I’ve been living with some of the skinniest girls I’ve ever seen, (because) I live with a sorority. Everyone’s a  zero or two, and they complain about their bodies more than I do. I learned early on, it doesn’t make you happy. Society doesn’t dictate whether you should run around with a smile on your face.

RB: Guys definitely don’t like girls complaining about their weight.

AU: I know. It’s so unattractive to hear girls complain about their size all the time… Guys roll their eyes when  some tart does that.

RB: Your favorite thing to tease: Jessica catching the toaster on fire, or Angelea’s going to the club walk?

AU: (Laughs) The way they edited it, they made it seem like Angelea wasn’t a part of it … but she was on the bed. It wasn’t, ‘Angelea you’re a big idiot, look how dumb you are.’ It was ‘Angelea, you’re hilarious.’ And if there was a comment said in confesional, it was made outside too (Ed. note: Angelea later said she didn’t like the girls teasing her.) Everyone was aware.

With Jessica starting the fire, as soon as it happened, she was running back and forth. Honestly, we stood back and watched the fire, we didn’t care about the fire. Watching her react to the fire, that was the highlight of trip (laughs). Watching her throw water on it… sometimes we forget Jessica is 18.

RB: You seemed to get a lot of conflicting feedback, especially at the Cover Girl shoot on the subway. The judges would love it, but then you’d get, like, the sixth call-out. Did that hurt your confidence?

AU: That was a huge part of it. That was a reason I got really down the last weekend in New York, like I couldn’t do anything right. Mr. Jay said it’d be one of his favorites, and then in panel, they’d say it’s mediocre … that didn’t add up. Because of the politics of the show, I felt like I was working really hard and (not getting anywhere). So when New Zealand came about I was the furthest from home, but felt right at home.

RB: Tyra said when you were eliminated that you hadn’t been consistent. Did you agree with that? You had several good weeks in a row.

AU: I didn’t feel my reasons for being eliminated were justifiable, that’s why I didn’t stick around. Angelea stood there in the room, but I stood there for my result, said thanks and bye. I was not a happy camper. To be quite honest, no one standing there was consistent, beside Krista. Raina had proven she was not consistent. She did not get first call out except for one time, and Angelea hadn’t either.

RB: They said you didn’t have a good back story either.

AU: It just felt like an excuse. Not having a story was bull(expletive). I’m sorry I don’t have a sob story for America.

A plus-size model winning only three seasons prior went into it. There are a lot of politics, lot of things going into it.

RB: OK, so what was your favorite photo shoot, then?

AU: The vampire shoot. It was so different than all the rest. CJ, the male model, was great to work with it. I loved every single photo shoot in New Zealand, too.

RB: Did you make it on time for go-sees?
AU: Yes, I did, but I got zero out of 4. They didn’t show this, but Raina didn’t book any either, Alasia didn’t either, Jessica only got one. And then Angelea 6 out of 6. Angelea just has an incredible body.

RB: So what’s next for you, Alex?

AU: I’m definitely ready for that to happen. I’m definitely going to finish up as much as my degree as I can. If I have to come back (later), I’m lucky to have family that supports that … I’m definitely planning on running with it.

3.

Top Model 14 Exit Interview: Raina

Raina Hein rode her powerful eyebrows and long legs all the way to the final two of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 14. The Minnesota native, 22, was one of the steadiest competitors all season, and probably the perkiest, too. In her Real Blogger Exit Interview, Raina talks about what happened in that Tyra photo shoot, her signature catch phrase and the Cover Girl shoot.
Real Blogger: I heard you just graduated? Where’d you go? What was your major?

Raina Hein: Yes! I did.  I went to Concordia University, and majored in communication studies, focusing on broadcast journalism.

RB: Ah, you and Alex both majored in that. So looking at the season, I got the sense you were on a rollercoaster ride. You started off really strong, then landed in the bottom two with Jessica, struggle with the Tyra shoot, then make the final two before losing out to Krista. Sound right?

RH: I look at myself at being at a very safe place all along. The bottom two with Jessica was a low point but I didn’t look at it that way. I looked at it as a  critique, that that’s what I need to do. I didn’t look at it as a bad thing at the time. The judges did say I need to be more passionate about photo shoots, like when Tyra photographed us. But the whole thing in general is a rollercoaster ride.

RB: That Tyra photo shoot seemed to be a struggle for you to really get into it. What happened?

RH: It’s really funny, actually. I was in a wagon filled with metal scraps, wood scraps and really old moldy rope. It’s really gross but really cool set up for a photo shoot. So I jumped in … all of a sudden I heard Tyra scream, “Get that thing off her!” She was freaking out.

There was a huge, New Zealand spider chilling on my leg. Spiders are my biggest fear in the whole world! But I kept it together, I didn’t scream and I didn’t cry. You only get to shoot with Tyra Banks pretty much never in your entire life. So the judges saying that I didn’t make it most favorite, might have been because it was an uncomfortable situation.

RB: Other than that one, what was your favorite photo shoot, then?

RH: It would have to be three of them. The second photo shoot, with the rain and wind and disappearing perfume. It was really cold, really challenging. I was pushed to the limit that shoot to do my best, and I got best photo so that was very rewarding. The second one was the vampire one and bath of blood. And then the final one was the fake hair, it was so out there. It was so high fashion and caught people’s eyes.

RB: What about least favorite then, other than the spider/Tyra shoot?

RH: The first one. You know, it was really uncomfortable being naked in front of a camera, let alone a bunch of television cameras, crew on set and all the girls … it was really hard shooting. It put me in an uncomfortable situation I did not like, but at the same time put me in the situation I had to push.

RB: Did you think about the fact the photographer in that shoot was the same one who shot you in the final Cover Girl shoot? That popped in my head watching it.

RH: (Laughs) Not really! I didn’t think about that at all. I was excited to see him. He was really talented.

RB: Every season, the girls get so frustrated and worked up about memorizing the lines in the Cover Girl shoot, and say it’s harder than it looks. How was it for you?

RH: I actually was able to do it without cue cards. Krista had to use cue cards. But my problem was it was too memorized, it was too unnatural. I think i should have allowed myself to screw up just to let loose.

RB: Is it harder to film that than people think?

RH: Yeah, there are more than 200 people behind that camera including a bunch of other cameras. That made me more nervous than I thought i’d be. If it was a real commercial, with just the photographer and director and a few other, I would have been better, I think.

RB: Going into the final runway challenge, were you worried about your walk? There aren’t that many runway opportunities during the season.

RH: Krista has a very strong runway walk. I don’t think I was at all intimidated by that … The second I found out it was an Anna Sui runway show, where I can be flirty, giggly and excited … I got very excited. I could be totally myself, engage with audience. That was a dream come true.

RB: Let’s talk about a certain catchphrase of yours. You loved saying “Oh Mylanta!” Where in the world did you get that from? I think I said that when I was seven.

RH: (Laughs) I’ve always said it! It’s kind of like, oh my gosh, holy crap. I say it when I’m surprised or shocked. It’s an expression and it sounds so funny. I can’t believe they highlighted it. They make it sound like i say it 20 times a day! And there are so many random words I like to make up. That was normal for me.

RB: Can you tell me one?

RH: Oh, I just add -ski, -skers, that kind of thing, add on random syllables.

RB: Like when you said “Holy schnikes,” like from Tommy Boy.

RH: (Laughs) I hadn’t seen Tommy Boy when I started saying that. I just made it up, and watched it a year later, and was like, “He said it!”

RB: So in the finale, I have to think the only thing that could have made everything better was when you saw your dad.

RH: That was the biggest shock of the whole show. I wasn’t able to talk to him more than 2 or 3 times the entire time of filming. To see him was the biggest surprise.

He couldn’t be more supportive of me. I used to be a volleyball player (Here’s a photo of Raina’s college team). I started in seventh grade, and that was my number one priority. That’s what I went to college for. He was always a supporter, then when I quit to model, that was a thing that changed how my family saw me. It didn’t take him more than a day to (accept it) and support me.

RB: And what’s next for you, Raina, now that you finished in the top two?

RH: I am moving to New York City, L.A., or recently a new option opened up in Miami … I’m making a decision by Aug. 1. And I just booked my first international campaign in Dubai. I’ve gotten some great offers.

Top Model 14 Exit Interview: Angelea

Angelea Preston made it all the way to the top four of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 14, even after being cut before the finals of Cycle 12. In her Real Blogger Exit Interview, the east Buffalo native talks about Jay Manuel, her hometown and booking all those go-sees.

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Real Blogger: That must have been a thrill to get to walk in the finale runway show.
Angelea Preston: After I got eliminated, I was cool with it. I was fine. Tyra and the judges made a decision, so I had no choice but to be accepting.

Then they said we got to walk in the show, and I was like, OK, now I’m excited. I’m super excited, it’s an Anna Sui show, that’s so major. She’s a top designer. So I just got eliminated and it’s like, (expletive).
RB: You tried out before and didn’t make it - I remember seeing you in those auditions - and then come back and go so far. Did you think once you made it this season that you’d make it all the way to the top four?

AP: I thought coming from Cycle 12, and to not make into the house, I was determined to make it again. So when I made it Cycle 14, it’s like, I’m going to make it as far as I can. And then, if the judges eliminate me, at least I made it to the top four - technically, the top three because I was last to leave (laughs). I didn’t want to cry and be miserable because I know its not the end. You don’t have to win top model to make it. It’s not the end for me.

RB: You started off relatively quiet on the show until you became part of all the drama and everything later on. What do you think happened with the girls getting in arguments with you?

AP: I feel like my reputation from Cycle 12 overshadowed me. When I got in the house, everyone was like, that’s Angelea from Cycle 12. I wasn’t talking, I wasn’t saying anything. I think they assumed I was going to go in the house and be like Cycle 12. In the first and second episodes, I wasn’t saying anything.

So when you saw girls going at me (and her reacting), it was directed toward me first. They were going off for no reason. When you heard me say something or look mean, it was because something was directed toward me. The girls thought I was competition. They thought, ‘I saw her from cycle 12, she’s still angry, she still has temper.’ Then that didn’t happen, and it was like, ‘Oh my God, she isn’t that way.’

RB: You had trouble in your last photo shoot (the ugly-pretty photo), and you said Jay Manuel was getting in your head and you didn’t seem to have confidence. But at the Cover Girl shoot on the subway, you had all this confidence and he said that was the best he had seen you. What do you think happened?

AP:  Every other photo shoot before me, Jay was giving me critiques. And I’d go to panel, and Tyra would say, these shots I absolutely love. So it was like, why is Jay saying I need to do this or do that? At the last photo shoot before Cover Girl, I told Jay, ‘Don’t say anything, I need to prove I can do it on my own.’

So we got on set, and he started to give me direction, so I had to remind him. And then Jay didn’t say anything the whole time. (And it worked out great). I wish he didn’t say anything the entire season! I would have got first photo every time (laughs).

RB: The judges really seemed to like you. That must have been a confidence booster.

AP: It did, it gave me so much confidence, especially with Andre Leon Yalley. To get into fashion, you need his stamp of approval. For him to say on panel that he loved the picture, loved your personality, I mean, for him to say he could tell I’m a joy outside of this (photo). It felt great he said that. And I am a joy outside of what’s going on. I wasn’t there to make friends, I know that’s a cliche. In the end, I did, though.

RB: I have to ask about that whole “going to the club” walk. I thought it was hilarious, but the judges didn’t. What was going through your head? And did you regret it?>

AP: I knew my picture wasn’t that great. My picture sucks, let’s face it. They were already bashing it. (The dress she was wearing to panel), I won it at go-sees. I wanted to impress them, but they were like, ‘Girl what is that dress?’

Tyra starts talking about the club and that got me thinking - just be in the moment, that’s what I do. I was just in the moment, thinking of the club and Tyra. So I start doing it, and everybody else is looking. Nigel’s jaw dropped.

RB: Speaking of go-sees, you got 6 out of 6, which I don’t think anyone has done before.

AP: I loved when we had to go to the go-sees. My hair was messed up and looking crazy. I got off the plane and booked six out of six. My confidence was sky high. I’m in a whole new country, so for me to experience that was crazy. I was like, this is better than sex, yes, sir.

RB: But then you had that photo shoot with the sheep and you didn’t do well.

AP: It was an extreme high to devastating low. I was like, (expletive). I was on set with Nigel, I was so nervous. He’s a judge, and I wanted to really impress him.

So I’m trying to take (the theme) literally, all about the extremes. I’m trying to get the dress to be big. Nigel saw that. And, well, he’s hot and uh… that’s what got me in the end. Trying to impress him so much, being nervous at the same time. I thought about it too much.

RB: Your big thing was that you wanted to represent for east Buffalo. You didn’t win, but do you think you still accomplished your goal?

AP: I feel like even though I didn’t win, I still accomplished something major. I made it past thousands of girls, made it top four. I didn’t come from anything, I didn’t have much, but people can say, that didn’t stop her from achieving her dream.
I still represent for the 716, representing Buffalo. They talk bad about Buffalo. We’ve got a bad football team, bad winters. But I made my city proud.

RB: And now what’s your plan?

AP: I’m researching agencies, going to New York in a couple of weeks, want to get my foot in the door. I want people to see the Angelea that booked the six go-sees. I’m ready to work, and ready to prove everyone wrong, to show them this is not the end of me.