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.
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