Top Model 13 Exit Interview: Lulu
Lulu Braithwaite, 19, had the look of a model, and was among the taller, at 5′7, of the models in this vertically challenged cycle of “America’s Next Top Model. But the Brooklyn irl couldn’t deliver during photo shoots, and was sent home. In her Real Blogger Exit Interview, a very candid Lulu gives a good reason why she struggled with photos, how she was perceived on the show and who thinks is the prettiest girl this season.
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Real Blogger: Let’s talk about your audition. I believe you were at the New York audition that was a big fiasco and turned into a riot, but you just made it inside before that.
Lulu Braithwaite: I was in the last group to enter the building. I could see everything happen from the inside … I knew something big was going to happen, with the amount of people out there. It was so unorganized. This is New York. These girls want this just as much as the next girl. Something was going to happen.
RB: What kind of modeling experience did you have before this show?
LB: Just doing stuff with friends. My first photo shoot was on Top Model.
RB: Wow, then were you nervous on your first photo shoot?
LB: I was nervous up to the point we started. I’m the kind of person that I’ll be nervous about something until I get started, and then after that, I was fine.
RB: How did you think you did with the baby photo shoot, then, since it was your first one?
LB: I think I did better than I thought. That photo shoot, I didn’t feel that confident. I was awkward. I didn’t know what to do with my face, with my body. I was coached a lot on that one. Mr. J helped me, and the photographer. I did better than I thought I was going to do
RB: Out of the three, which did you feel was your best?
LB: It’s surprising. I think the last one was my best one. I had a lot of fun. I liked the setting- iI liked that one the best.
RB: The judges said they didn’t think you did enough in that photo, that you didn’t smile with your eyes and all that stuff. What do you think?
LB: I feel like I did everyhing I could’ve. Some shots on that photo shoot, I did the fierce face, I did smize (Tyra’s jargon for smile with your eyes). But the picture they chose, I didn’t.
RB: So you, like some of the past models, feel you had a bad photo selection?
LB: I knew that was a possibility going into a photo shoot. You might think a photo shoto is pretty. (Tyra) might have reasons to choose that one, and you can’t do anything about it. She knows what she’s doing.
RB: It’s not like you’re going to tell Tyra she’s wrong.
LB: Exactly.
RB: For your makeover, I think you had one of the more dramatic ones, especially with your hair (see top photo). What did you think of it?
LB: I think I had the most dramatic makeover, so I felt special. I liked the look of it. I didn’t like the fact it was weave. It itched like crazy and it was uncomfortable. If I could grow my hair out like that, I would.
RB: Did you keep your makeover?
LB: No, I went back to my short hair. Short hair is funky. Long hair is dull and sweet. (Personality-wise), I can be a (expletive) with short hair and get away with it (laughs). You can’t do that with longer hair.
RB: In the last episode, you seemed to be siding with Ashley, and there were different groups forming in the house. Were there two sides going on?
LB: No, I don’t think so. I mean, all the girls talked smack about all the girls, and then we’re all sit and eat breakfast together … It’s girls being girls.
RB: So all the girls were talking to each other?
Everyone bounced around to everyone. One day, I’d be sitting down with Sundai and Kara, and the next, it’d be someone else.
RB: You did say you thought you were doing better than a lot of the other girls, particularly Brittany. And then, you were in the bottom two with her. Did you think you were going home?
LB: I didn’t think I was going home. Even though she won the (runway) challenge the previous day, I didn’t think I was going home. And I didnt think the reason I was going home was good. I didn’t agree with the reason, I didn’t agree with the person chosen beside me, I didn’t agree with any of it.
RB: Yeah, what was the reason? It seemed a little odd.
LB: It was about how … I was too relaxed, not fierce enough, and Tyra said it looked at times like I didn’t want it … That really bothered me when she said that thing about me not caring about modeling.
RB: What do you mean?
LB: I had been working so hard for it. And I waited in (the audition) line for 12 hours in five-inch heels. That’s like three parties worth.
RB: Didn’t you come straight from a party to the audition?
LB: Yeah, I came straight from a party. I really wanted to be there early. Little did I know, there were people who wanted to be there even earlier.
RB: During your audition, Tyra made a big deal about your tattoo (her girlfriend’s name is tattooed on her chest). But then it was never really mentioned again.
LB: They covered it up in the runway challenge … and the horse photo shoot. But they didn’t really say anything about it. I was shocked — amazed, actually. They covered it like it wasn’t even there.
RB: See, if you and your girlfriend don’t work out, although I hope you do, you can cover it in make-up!
LB: Yes, I’ll just get some make-up for it.
RB: Although didn’t you tell Tyra you’d just change the wording?
LB: Yeah, she asked, what if you guys break up? And I said I’d change it to Brooklyn (from Rosyln). My girlfriend saw that part … she was so pissed off. I never thought they would air it!
RB: Are you two still together?
LB: Yes.
RB: OK, so was there anything that happened on the show you wish they would’ve shown? A lot of girls say they wish more of their personality was shown.
LB: I wish they would’ve shown more of us in the house. It was halfway of what we were in house. Even Bianca and I, who weren’t the best of friends, did this Tina Turner thing in the pool. Even though you’re competing, you’re just happy to be there. I think everyone thought, enjoy yourself, you never know when you’re going home.
RB: In the last episode especially, it seemed like you weren’t getting along with people, though.
LB: And that’s not the way I am. I love, obviously, I love women … This was the prettiest cycle of Top Model. Everybody is pretty. (They would show a portion of an argument between Lulu and another girl), and that’s not the way it was. Like, something happened between Brittany and I that rubbed me the wrong way. That’s why I acted that way torward Brittany.
RB: Who’s the prettiest girl who was in the house, then?
LB: Courtney. She’s just gorgeous. Her eyes were amazing! I’ve never, ever seen eyes like that. And she’s so scarcastic, it’s not even funny.
Check back next week for the episode recap, model portfolio and the next exit interview. And follow me on Twitter @realbloggerofyc
