Q) You were very confident on the show. Is there someone you've emulated from your life, TV or movies?

A) No, everything you saw was 100% me. You didn't get the full story on my background and why I am me today, what made me that confident person today. You didn't see how all my life I was teased and ridiculed. I had very low self-esteem. I promised myself that I would never ever be that person with low self-esteem ever again and always have confidence in myself with whatever I did. Yes, I was a confident person and no, I didn't get that from anyone else. It came from me.

Q) There were so many Brittany's in the competition that you had to change your name. Where did Sharaun come from?

A) Everyone knows there were tons of Brittany's. Not only were there tons of Brittany's on "America's Next Top Model," but there are tons of them in the modeling industry, as well. So, I wanted to change my name and was happy I got to change it, actually. I got Sharaun from my middle name. I just snatched it from my middle name and used it. I kind of liked it.

Q) What did you see in yourself that you felt could make you "America's Next Top Model?"

A) You got to see only a very small portion about me. You saw that I was confident, but you didn't learn anything about me. You didn't see how I spent my Spring Break in New Orleans helping out with Habitat for Humanity and building homes for the Hurricane Katrina victims. You guys didn't see how I'm a virgin that is practicing abstinence and safe sex. You didn't see how I walk around talking about it and promoting it. I speak with many different young women about it. You guys didn't see how I've volunteered with Catholic charities numerous times throughout the year. You didn't see everything about me. I'm a very determined person and a very driven person. This is something that I wanted so bad. I think the fact that I'm eighteen years old and I am missing my prom and graduation all for this show all shows how bad I really want this and I'm very hungry for it. I am young and ready to break into the industry. I think I have a bright future ahead of me, I think, as "America's Next Top Model." I could have represented "America's Next Top Model" very, very well.  I'm a wonderful person and an intelligent person. Not only do I model, but I dance tap, jazz and ballet. I do it all! I'm an actor. I've acted in numerous amount of plays. I'm a journalism major and I'm a host in Chicago. People all over Chicago recognize me. So, I think I would have represented not only Chicago, but "America's Next Top Model" well. You only got to see one side of me, but there is so much more to Brittany. Yes, I'm confident, but I'm very humble. I beat 100,000 girls and that's huge! I am so proud of myself. I want to thank Tyra, as well, for giving me this opportunity and I'm so ready to break into the industry.

Q) Were you proud of your picture? If so, then whose picture did you think deserved to send them home?

A) I was proud of my picture. What you didn't know was that I had no prior modeling experiences and a lot of the other girls had experiences. I had none and my first photo shoot was my Senior picture and my first runway walking was with Ms. Jay. The only closest thing to a fashion show I did was walking in my living room having mock fashion shows. I had no modeling experience. So, coming from that to have made it that far in the competition with no proper training at all, I think that's huge. I think that if I had stayed in the competition a little bit longer I could have been molded and shaped into a better model. I could have learned the tricks and trades of being a model and how to become a better model. I think I still have time because I'm young and only eighteen years old. I liked my picture for it to be my first. I didn't think it turned out that bad or that it was bad at all. As far as who should have gone home, I think what everyone fails to realize is this was the first photo shoot so everyone was very nervous, whether they had experience. Everyone was very nervous. For this to happen on our first photo shoot, I think everyone did well. It was really a hard decision.

Q) Do you have any previous pageant experience? This was something the judges asked you about a few times.

A) When I was young, I entered into the "Pretty Little Princess Pageant." I was around eleven years old. I got second place in that so I did pretty well. After that, I really didn't get into the pageantry business. Modeling was my main focus. My mom said, "Brittany, you're doing a lot! You should focus on just one thing or two things." I said I wanted to focusing on my dancing and my modeling. So, I never got into the pageantry thing at all.

Q) So, you didn't pull anything from your pageantry past when speaking with the judges?

A) No, not at all. One thing I did do was think about everything a lot. Every thing was so important to me so much. So, while I was waiting my turn I was thinking what I was going to say and getting it together. When I came before the judges, I think they were kind of pulled back, shocked and surprised that I said it like it was written out as a speech. I didn't necessarily mean to have it that way, but because they said show yourself I wanted to make sure I included everything that I needed to.

Q) Did you take any of your confidence cues from Tyra?

A) Yes, of course! If anyone has ever seen Tyra on the runway...Wow! She has confidence! She owns the runway. She owns it like it belongs to her. That's what sets her apart from all the other Victoria Secret models. I was not necessarily trying to be like her or wanting to do that, but I look up to her very much by watching how she carries herself. Up until my Junior year in high school I had no confidence at all and I was teased and put down a lot. I had no confidence about myself at all so it wasn't until Junior year that I said, "Ok Brittany, you're going to love yourself. You're a beautiful person." Really, my mom helped me with it a lot. So, mimicking Tyra and looking at her confidence was my motivation. I wasn't necessarily trying to be like her or anything. I think my confidence is kind of similar to her's. It's gotten her where she is today and her confidence makes her own the runway. It's made her the icon she is today. I felt like I had to own what I wanted.

Q) Were you surprised that Tyra told you that you were being sent home for being overly confident?

A) I was very, very surprised because I was raised that you have to go after what you want and you have to believe it within yourself or nobody will believe in you. If you don't believe in yourself then no one else will believe you. I beat myself up so much about it, thinking, "Ok, you can't let anyone walk on you," because I used to let that happen a lot when I was younger. So, I said to myself, "You can't let anybody run over you and if you are not a confident and strong person then you aren't going to make it far." That was my main focus, to be a confident and strong person. When I saw that I was eliminated for that reason, it was pretty shocking because I felt like if I had come in shy that it wouldn't have gone over well. I am a very confident person, but I think it was just misinterpreted a little bit. I was very shocked.

Q) Do you regret any of the comments you made about Isis?

A) Everyone said things about her. I was asked questions and answered them how I felt. Everything I said came from my own opinion. Everyone has the right to their own opinion or how they feel. I don't regret anything I said. Of course, they showed everything and me saying, "I don't think a drag queen could be 'America's Next Top Model.'" They didn't show that we were very close in the house and that Isis and I are very cool. That was one of my friends so it wasn't like I was hating on her. It was just me answering a question that I had been asked.

Q) Who do you want to win?

A) That's a very hard decision. I would have to say Samantha because we became very close in the house, as well. I know where she comes from and she comes from a background like mine. She is a Senior in high school and doesn't have much modeling experience, like myself. She missed her prom and graduation for this. We kind of shared a bond because we both wanted this a lot. Her personality is so fresh and cool. I think she'll represent "America's Next Top Model" very well. I think any of the girls would represent them well and any of the girls could do well. If any of them win, I'll be happy.

Q) What was your favorite part of the house you got to stay in?

A) You didn't get to see it, but the closet was HUGE! There was a big walk-in closet in the master bedroom with drawers and shelves. I loved it and would walk into it every day. I would stand around and point to what I wanted to wear. It was wonderful! I loved the closet! The big shower was cool, as well.

Q) What do you think you learned from your experience on the show?

A) I learned so much! Since the show, I think that the best experience and lesson you can learn in life is rejection. When one is rejected, it makes them stronger and it makes them a better person. That's what I've become. I'm not only stronger, but a better person. I've taken so much from the show and I've learned so much. Being eliminated, I feel like I can do anything and conquer the world now. I feel like I can go to any audition and do well. If I can make "America's Next Top Model" then the sky is the limit! I learned so much about myself, who I am and what I need to do to become a better model. I am going to do whatever I need to do to make it to the top in my life and the modeling world.

Q) What's next for you? Are you going to continue to pursue modeling?

A) Of course! I am not going to stop here. I feel so close right now. This is just a stepping stone. Everything happens for a reason. I've said it one time and I am going to keep saying it all the time. Everything happens for a reason. I am definitely going to keep pursuing my dream because that's something I want. It doesn't matter how far you make it, but it's the person and how bad they want it. It's how determined they are and I want this so bad. I am so determined and I am so driven. This is just the beginning. Because I was eliminated first, I can go out there now and begin my career right now. I'm very excited about that. Yes, I'll be doing modeling and I'll be venturing off to all of my other talents like acting and possibly dancing. Hopefully, there will be some hosting because I did that a lot in high school and that's my major. I've taken a year off of school now to focus on my career to get it started and get it off the ground to pursue my dream. It's still my dream hold close to my heart, very much. I'm going to succeed. I'm going to be a model! I plan in the Fall of '09 to be in New York, depending on what agency I get signed to. I'll definitely move to New York and I'm so excited!