Joanie – America’s Next Top Model

By starrymag | January 21, 2014

Q) Why did you decide to apply for the show?

A) Modeling is something that I always wanted to do, but I think that the deciding factor was when I sat there watching the show with my mom and she would yell at me saying, “You can do this! Why aren’t you doing this? Oh my gosh, you could do that so much better! You’d be so good at this!” That’s when I said I wanted to try out and do this. I tried out three times before I actually got a call back. This is something I’ve always wanted to try.

Q) What did you like about life in Thailand?

A) It was definitely not the food! I actually lost like six pounds there because I could not eat curry. It was so hot! All I ate was fruit and rice and I drank water. I think the most amazing thing about Thailand was just the people. Our photo shoots were outstanding and can never be recreated, but the people and culture over there is nothing I’ve ever experienced. Everybody was really nice, humble and they don’t get angry. Thai people believe that anger is a horrible thing and they always smile. It’s the most peaceful country, ever. I also liked the shopping. Everything is so cheap! You can get the most amazing fashion and amazing clothes there. It’s an awesome place to shop.

Q) Did you spend time practicing your runway walk before the show?

A) Oh yeah! If I went to the mall, or somewhere I knew I’d be walking a lot in long hallways, I would always wear heals. I used that for practice. I wouldn’t practice in my house because we had carpet, but when I went to church or on the sidewalk (just any opportunity to practice) I definitely did it.

Q) What was it like walking the runway?

A) Walking the runway is a rush! Some people just think, “She’s up there walking the runway, but she’s bored.” But, when you’re up there, you are entertaining people. I felt like I was on stage performing. I can’t really explain it. Maybe if you’ve ever done theater, it would be the same sort of feeling for me.

Q) How did you get the confidence to perform in the big show?

A) I think I drew the confidence from my personality. I knew what I was good at. I knew where I could outshine the other girls. I knew deep down I could do that. I was proud of myself, like when we’d do a challenge and get recognized. It was little bits of confidence here and there, telling myself, “You did really good today Joanie.” It kept me going throughout.

Q) You said that you wanted to make your dad feel proud of you. Do you feel you have accomplished this?

A) Oh yes! My dad actually called me after the final show. He said those words, “You made me very proud.” Just to hear him say that was touching. He’s always wanted things for me in his eyes, like he’s wanted certain things for me. I am not necessarily doing those things, like finishing college, since I never finished it. So, for him to say he’s happy with what I decided to do with my life almost made me cry. It was like, “Wow, that’s so amazing that my dad is happy with what I’ve chosen to do.”

Q) Why do you think the judges chose Danielle over you?

A) I really think the deciding factor for the judges was that they really needed someone who was confident and whose personality just shined. I think Danielle had that over me. I wasn’t confident with my smile, at that point, because I was still getting use to my teeth. I think Danielle showed me up a little when it came to personality and confidence.

Q) How did you come up with your shot ideas for the elephant photo shoot?

A) That was the way the trainer or owner got up on to the elephant and would mount it. He’d tell the elephant to lift his leg, he’d stand on it and then the guy would pull himself onto the elephant like he would a horse. I saw that and thought, “He just jumps right up there, doesn’t he? I am going to see if maybe he can do that for me.” That was my first idea. How I positioned myself on it was just pure luck, I guess. I just kind of put my leg up there and was like, “Bam!” It was pretty awesome though!

Q) You said that you didn’t feel Sara was in the competition for the right reasons and lacked enthusiasm. Do you feel this stemmed from animosity you had from her trying to copy your idea from the elephant photo shoot?

A) First of all, I think that the copying idea was blown a little bit out of proportion. She did take some advice, almost, from watching me. It did flatter me, but I don’ think she was mad at me. She was in a competition and was not familiar with modeling and what to do, so she did try to take things from other girls, too. It’s hard to explain. We’ve smoothed it out. We’re not mad at each other and it’s cool now.

Q) What is your most memorable moment from the show?

A) I think it would be just being able to go to another country, since I am not a world traveler (I’ve never had the money or the opportunity to get to leave the United States). Just to be able to fly across the world and live there for two weeks or three weeks was the most amazing thing I’ve done in my life.

Q) What are you going to do now that you are no longer on the show?

A) I am going to move to LA and try it out. I’ll see if it is my place to be. I will take some acting classes and do some more TV  commercials. I’ll do some modeling. I’ll do everything. I want to do it all!

Q) Who do you keep in touch with from the show?

A) I keep in touch with Danielle, Sara, Mollie Sue, Furonda and Nnenna. More recently, I talk to Jade. It’s pretty much the final six girls.

Q) What advice do you have for future contestants?

A) If you’re going to try out for “America’s Next Top Model,” you should definitely search your soul and make sure you really want to do it. You shouldn’t try out unless you really want to do it. If not, then don’t waste your time because this is a serious competition. Try to be yourself and work on your runway walk. Practice in heels, try to stand out and don’t overdo it with makeup and hair. Be fresh and clean. Be yourself because they want to find people that they can work with. Not people that think they know it all. I guess Jade was the exception, but be yourself. Try to stand out.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) First of all, I’d like to take a moment because it’s overwhelming to even have fans. I can’t quite fathom it, yet. It’s amazing and I thank everyone for taking time out of their Wednesday to watch the show and for leaving messages on my Myspace. Thank you for liking me and being my fan. It’s amazing and I’m so happy! Thanks and definitely keep your eye out for me because I am hopefully going to do a lot more! More reasons to be my fan!