Starry Constellation Magazine
  

ELINA

Americas Next Top Model
by: Jamie Steinberg

Featured INTERVIEWS
Q

Q) What do you think of the judges' comments at elimination?

A) I don't think it was very fair. I know that I do have a lot of potential as a model and the control issue was kind of blown up. It didn't get in the way of my modeling as much as the judges think that it did. The judges' repeated criticism of me had become really frustrating as I progressed deeper into the show. It was actually the first time I'd really heard that criticism. In the first couple of photo shoots, it seemed to be going well and I didn't really get that critique. Then, all of a sudden, it was probably the only thing I ever heard. I didn't really know what to do with that. I tried to get as much explanation as I possibly could so I could improve somehow, but it just seemed like anything I really did it didn't please the judges. I couldn't really figure out what they wanted from me exactly.

Q) Mr. Jay and Tyra felt you were controlling. Why do you think they felt that way?

A) I was actually pretty surprised by the commentary from Jay and Tyra saying I was still too stiff because I remember shooting on the ladder with that extreme look and actually getting positive feedback. I was very puzzled to why they still felt that everything was controlled. It still puzzles me right now. If some type of one-on-one conversation with the judges regarding my "controlling" nature had taken place that many of their issues with me could have been explained. Sometimes I think I hold myself back a little bit because I'm afraid of putting off a certain image or a fear of failure. But that's not unique. I think we all have a little bit of that sometimes.

Q) Marjorie mentioned that she felt you weren't trying hard enough in the competition. Have had the chance to speak with her about it?

A) I don't know what she meant by that. She definitely didn't say that to me when we were in the house so that kind of came to me as a surprise. I wish I could talk to her and kind of see what she meant by that. I was definitely trying. You can't possibly receive that strong a response from everyone on panel and everyone else on set and not try. So, I definitely disagree with her.

Q) How did you feel about the other models thinking it was hypocritical of you to do a holiday themed photo shoot?

A) I later explained to them that I wasn't actually against holidays. I'm not against them at all. I just don't celebrate them in my own life. I thought that it was okay for me to do that shoot and wasn't being hypocritical. Now, if it was something that I was against I wouldn't do the shoot. If it was something for a milk ad or a meat ad, those are things that I'm against so I wouldn't do that. For holidays, I'm not against them. I just don't celebrate them in my personal life.

Q) Who would you like to see win the competition?

A) I'm rooting for Marjorie. I definitely do think that she's got a lot of modeling potential and I really hope that she can work through her nerves. I see a great deal of potential and she was also the closest person to me in the house. I think she's a very, very smart woman and an incredible lady.

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

A) I could have tried to satisfy the judges requests more than I did. I guess I would try to let go more, whatever that means.


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