America’s Next Top Model contestant Ambreal had a lucky break this season. Two episodes ago, she should have been eliminated but at at the last minute, her fellow contestant Ebony decided to drop out. Tyra made a quick decision to let Ambreal have a second chance in the competition but it only bought her two more weeks. This week, Ambreal’s performance in a desert photo shoot was not enough to save her and she was (technically) eliminated for a second time. A college student with a background in musical theater, Ambreal’s first love has always been modeling. Today, she spoke to BuddyTV about life after Top Model, who she thinks can win, and those clever people that edit the episodes!
Below, you will find the complete transcript and mp3 of the interview.
Hey, everybody. It’s Gina from BuddyTV, and I’m talking to Ambreal from America’s Next Top Model.
Hi, Gina.
Now, was modeling something that you were always interested in? And have you grown up liking creative things like singing and acting?
Oh yes. Modeling is something that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s in my blood, it’s in my heart. I’ve always wanted to be in front of the TV, camera, whatever. I like to entertain, so I always did stuff, always jumping around. Yeah, music and dancing and everything has just always been with me.
And, have you ever tried out for America’s Next Top Model before this season, or was this the first year that you tried?
This was actually my third time trying out. The first time, I wasn’t old enough. And the second time, I had gone to a mall and didn’t get a callback. And the third time was my charm. I sent a tape in and started the roller coaster ride of callbacks and semi-finals.
When you watch the episodes back and you look at your portfolio, how do you think you performed in the competition throughout?
I think I did really well. I’ve done better than other girls in the past. I see certain things that the judges were saying, certain critiques I understand, actually being able to see it now, see myself work. I need to work on my facial expressions and my eyes and stuff. But overall, I think I did really well. I think my pictures were gorgeous.
When you got eliminated the first time, and Ebony quit, what was going through your mind when you were standing there?
So, the first time, I didn’t realize, you know, it hadn’t set in what was going on. It was a little shocker. I didn’t realize I got to stay because, you know, in the past they have eliminated two people at the same time, so I wasn’t sure if I get to stay or do I have to go too with Ebony? It didn’t hit me until Tyra said, “You have a second chance, and you get to stay.”
This season, the models have gotten a lot of criticism from BuddyTV readers for being particularly mean to Heather. Now you actually lived with them, so would you say that that was really what happened, or was that clever editing?
It’s just editing, really. Most of the stuff that you see, our little tiffs and little arguments that we had, we did resolve them right away. We were really, you know, good friends. We got along pretty well. We actually feared that we were going to be a boring season because we got along so well. So, most of the stuff that you see, it looks like we said something behind somebody’s back, we actually did speak to them and told them to their face whatever we were saying. So, it wasn’t as bad as it looked. Of course, we did have our little arguments and stuff but they were resolved quickly.
Were there any models that really impressed you and that you expect to go far this season?
I really, really hoped that Jenah goes far. She’s just gorgeous and brilliant and she’s a well-rounded person, and I just really pray that she can make it all the way and become America’s Next Top Model.
What was the highlight for you about being on the show this season?
The highlight was just learning everything and the experience and getting to meet all these wonderful people in the industry, and letting them at least get to see my face and know my name. It’s just a blessing and a wonderful thing. I just embraced it all and took it all in and just enjoyed the process of how everything works.
And what’s life been like since leaving the show? Are you going to continue pursuing modeling?
Oh yes. I have to continue modeling. I mean, it would be stupid and the whole show would be in vain if I didn’t. Modeling is just something that I’ve always wanted to do. Even at school when I was pursuing musical theater, my classmates and teachers could tell that modeling was my number one priority. So, I have to do it and then see what else is out there for me.
And is there one lesson that you really learned from Tyra and the other judges?
Just remain true to myself and don’t forget who I am. That’s the only lesson, you know. I was doing really well at the beginning of the competition, and slowly drifted down. But I believe it’s because I forgot to stay true to myself, and also didn’t take the criticism that I was given.
Well, Ambreal, thanks so much for talking to us today. I just wanted to wish you good luck in the future.
Oh, well, no problem and thank you so much.
– Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CW)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
