Naima Mora – America’s Next Top Model

By starrymag | January 12, 2014

Naima Mora is the WINNER of
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL 4

Q) Who is your favorite designer?

A) My favorite designer of all time is Alexander McQueen. His works are very fantastic and dreamy and almost ethereal. Along with that, his fashion shows are that way. I’m really into that and I love that part of the fashion industry. I find kind of like a home in it.

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

A) I had wanted to model, but I didn’t really want to do a reality TV show at first. My friends kept telling me that I should really audition for the show and I said no, but I was actually working at my coffee shop job. A producer came in, after I had unfortunately missed several auditions, and good for me that they did. They said I should really come by for an interview tomorrow. I looked at it and said that it was probably going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity and it would probably be a lot of fun so why not?

Q) What was it like meeting Tyra Banks?

A) Tyra is beautiful! She’s a really kind person. When I first met her, it was in this big group of girls at the semifinals and I was star struck. I couldn’t believe I was in a room meeting Tyra Banks. Now, I feel like she is one of my big sisters.

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

A) I have to say that I used to hang out with a lot of guys, kind of like a tomboy, and I missed having girlfriends. I liked the most when we would go out, with everyone putting on their makeup together, putting our hair together and putting on outfits.

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

A) I learned most about modeling is just to be myself and to work really hard.

Q) What was your most difficult photo shoot?

A) The shoots were all very difficult because in each photo shoot I had to challenge myself more than the previous one. Because, as all the rest of the girls were getting better, I had to get better as well. I think every photo shoot was harder than the one before.

Q) Do you feel that your personality showed more at the end of the show?  

A) Yeah, I do think that a lot of my personality showed more towards the end because it was a point in the competition where I started to believe in myself and feel really good about who Naima is.

Q) You were the people’s choice for CoverGirl of the Week for a record ten times in a row. How does that make you feel?

A) I feel great! I feel amazing! I appreciate everyone who voted for me every single week. It makes me feel really good and it warms my heart.

Q) What was the most surprising comment you received when the group was told to critique each other’s photos?

A) It was hard because I knew the judges wanted to see how critical we could be of each other and how well we knew what we were doing. You make friends with someone that you live with for so long and I guess it was hard for them to hear, but not even that because I am sure it was, but it was hard at the end critiquing my friends.

Q) How did you get rid of your butterflies at the last photo shoot?

A) I didn’t. I never got rid of my butterflies. I was always nervous, anxious and excited.

Q) What was it like getting to walk on water?

A) It was like a dream. It was my first fashion show and it was absolutely an amazing experience. It felt like a dream to me.

Q) Did you ever feel like you were going to fall off the runway when walking on the water?

A) We had a rehearsal earlier during the day and I felt pretty secure. We had little sandals on and there were lights on the stage. I didn’t think I was going to trip or anything.

Q) Do you plan on keeping in touch with anyone from the show?

A) Oh yes! Totally! I still talk to a couple of the girls and actually, all of them are going to be moving to New York so we’ll probably be hanging out and working together.

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

A) Be brave! Be courageous! Have lots of fun with it and knock ’em dead when you go in there. Really believe in yourself!

Q) What are you going to do now that you are the winner of the show?

A) I work as the new face of CoverGirl. I start modeling and I start living out one of my dreams!

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

A) I would really like to say that I appreciate them so much! Follow your dreams and believe in yourself!