Christina – America’s Next Top Model

By starrymag | January 12, 2014

Christina is the 10th Eliminated Contestant in the episode that aired Wednesday,
May 4, 2005
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, airs Wednesdays at 8 PM ET/PT on UPN

Q) Who is your favorite designer?

A) I like Tom Ford and John Galliano. I also like Heatherette because they are just crazy and out there.

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

A) It was because I always wanted to be a model and because I figured I’ve taken other avenues to pursue it and it didn’t work here or there since I didn’t put my whole efforts into it. I decided to go back to school and then the opportunity came along to go to an open casting. My friends and family said I should go in do it because they all thought I could model and that I had the potential to model. So, I went and tried out and here I am!

Q) What was it like meeting Tyra Banks?

A) Oh my God! It was awesome and so surreal. It was very overwhelming, but she is so sincere and warm person. I love her!

Q) What did you like most about living in the loft?

A) I loved that it was huge. I loved the fact that there were fourteen girls in the house. A lot of people weren’t sure if they could do it, and I did too at first, but it was one big slumber party. It was just so much fun to have down time and do crazy, sort of fun things, with the girls when we didn’t have to do challenges, shoots or panel.

Q) What did you learn most about modeling from the show?

A) I learned to stay confident, stay true to yourself and learn from what people teach you along the way because it is going to pay off later on in your career. Always use the knowledge people have given you along the way.

Q) Who do you plan on keeping in touch with from the show?

A) I definitely will keep in touch with the final five girls who were there this last episode. I hope to keep in contact with quite a few of the other girls. I got along with everyone well, but I wasn’t as close to some of them as I was to maybe Brittany, Kenya, Kahlen and Naima. I hope to talk to Sarah, Rebecca, Lluvy and Tiffany and everyone (even after the time I got into a fight with them during the show), but I hope to keep in touch with everyone.

Q) You were the winner of the competition where you got to interview Eve. Did you get to see yourself on “Entertainment Tonight?”

A) I have actually not seen it yet. All of my friends and family, or anyone that’s seen it, come up to me and say that I did such an amazing job with “Entertainment Tonight” with Eve. I have to tell them that I haven’t seen it yet because I went to see my sister in Tampa because I have a brand new niece and I wanted to go see her. I ended up missing it, but I will eventually see it because I have it taped.

Q) After your elimination, we saw you writing a note. Who did you write to and what did the note say?

A) I wrote the letter to the girls basically just telling them good luck in the rest of the competition and I wished them all well. I told them I missed them and can’t wait to see them again. I told them I look forward to seeing them on the runways and in the magazines, along with each other on the runways and magazines. I was really close with all of them so I just wanted to leave a note telling them how much I enjoyed the experience with them and basically thanked them for all of our times together and the memories we had. I told them also to tell Tyra and all of them one last time that I was thankful for the opportunity.

Q) What was your favorite part of life in South Africa?

A) I liked being in a different environment. I love traveling, so having the opportunity to go to South Africa was amazing. It was just so heartwarming to be there. It was beautiful and breathtaking and inspirational. It was just so many things in one. It is an amazing place and I would go there again if I got the opportunity.

Q) Why did you not utilize Tyra’s tissue trick more?

A) She taught me the trick before my last photo shoot and I did use it. I used it out on the rock and Mr. Jay knew that I was trying this new trick. I put it in and we tried it. The tissue kept getting all over the gloss and it kept breaking up. It just became a big mess and he asked if he could see it without it. I told him that Tyra had taught me this trick and I wanted to use it to see if I could better myself in the competition. He said, “Let’s see without it” and he said just to go without it. I was like okay and followed directions. So, I went without it, but I did try it. I actually spoke with Tyra about it and told her that I tried it and it wasn’t working. She said that she had talked to Mr. Jay and knew I tried it and that we’d just come up with something else.

Q) What elements did you end up finding to be used for your final photo shoot?

A) It was a nature type of thing. They wanted us to look very serene and one with nature. I only had a few minutes to gather our stuff so I thought to myself that I was just going to grab different parts of nature, whether it be twigs, flowers, weeds, etc. By the time I put myself together, I just went with whatever I felt at the moment. I picked out my outfit and put myself in the setting for the shoot.

Q) Do you feel your personality was misrepresented on the show? 

A) I felt on the show I held back at times at panel as people saw on the show, being cold, icy, standoffish or nervous. I felt I was being professional or classy, whatever I had to be in front of the judges because they were important influences in the career I am going to be taking on. So, I was very reserved and held back. It does get misconstrued and I feel like I did get misconstrued in front of the panel. I wish I would have brought forth my more goofy side and my fun loving side that I am like when I am with the girls or at photo shoots and hanging out, not when I am standing in front of the panel. I felt like I was two different people. I was one person outside of panel, but then I’d freeze up and be this totally different person in panel. It ended up hurting me in the end.

Q) Do you have advice for contestants who try out in the future?

A) Be yourself and give it all you’ve got! All you can do is be the best person that you can be for success. Regardless of how far your dreams may seem to be from reality they can be right there waiting for you, like our’s were with the chance we were given to be on this show. I definitely think you should never give away your dreams and pursue it if you are really sincere and serious about the business.

Q) Now that the show is over, are you going back to being a fashion-marketing student?

A) I actually have been in my classes while the show has been going on, but I will be moving to New York in June to pursue my career in modeling.

Q) Who do you think is going to win the competition?

A) I don’t really know who is going to win, you never know what the judges will be looking for. I feel that each one of them has strong points and there are weaknesses among them as well, but as far as at this moment Kahlen and Naima are the strongest since this last episode. I don’t know because I love Brittany because she’s tall and has that great bubbly personality that everyone can get along with at times and she has an amazing face. They all have a chance so I don’t know who could win.

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

A) I would just like to say thanks for being there throughout this amazing experience and I appreciate your support. Hopefully, you’ll be seeing me soon in magazines and on runways!