One thing is for sure, there was never a dull moment with Victoria Henley around. Three weeks ago, fans of America’s Next Top Model: College Edition waved goodbye to the ever dramatic (I mean that in the best of lights) Victoria.
Sure, she spent most of her stay at the Top Model Sorority House, talking about her mother, calling her mother, missing her mother and worrying the other models about her state of health, but Victoria left us with the legacy of a strong model.
While in the competition, Victoria found herself in the middle of drama quite often. I’m glad to say that the following “final exam” gives her the chance to explain her side of the story. Thank you, Victoria, for your time and efforts.
Name: Victoria Henley
College Attended: Liberty University Online
Do you feel you represented your school well? What has the reaction been to your appearance on the show?
While I feel that some of the girls selected to be in the College Edition of America’s Next Top Model did not exactly exemplify how a modern educated woman should behave, I feel that I did generally conduct myself with poise and class, despite certain aspects of myself which I feel were misrepresented. I find it very amusing to see some of the extremely enthusiastic (sometimes comical reaction) of fans I happen to come across in my everyday life and have been wonderfully overwhelmed by all of the various fan pages created for me. Since I was extremely heavily featured as the “quirky girl” on this cycle, I feel that there has been an extremely strong reaction from both the media and fans to my unique and individualistic nature.
Which previous models and/or challenges inspired you to tryout for ANTM?
I was inspired to try out for ANTM because of my intrepid drive and zeal to become a success in the modeling industry, not particularly because I aspired to be like any particular models who appeared in a previous cycle. While I knew walking into the show had the “reality” aspect of the show (such as the pettiness and fighting) and that I could definitely be portrayed in an inaccurate light due to editing, I also knew that the show was a very fast road to gaining priceless international exposure.
What do you feel your strengths were, going into the competition?
Since I had previously built a resume prior to my appearance as a competitor on ANTM by walking in various runway shows, appearing in print ads, and starring in various films by a Sundance and Cannes award-winning film director, I feel that my wide array of experience would give me an edge over the competition. The show, is of course, a reality show and not always specifically relevant to the modeling industry; however, I do feel like my previous experience was conducive pertaining to my presence and versatility, not to mention my ability to maintain the attention of the cameras.
The show has undergone tons of changes for this College Edition. Is there any aspect of the previous make-up that you feel you missed out on?
I definitely feel that I share the sentiments of many Top Model fans and enthusiasts when I say that I miss the presence of both “Jays” on the show. I could tell from watching previous episodes of ANTM that their critiques of the models on set of various photo shoots always seemed to be both constructive and beneficial. I find it very disheartening when I have watched some of this cycle’s episodes play back before that Johnny was very quick to criticize me in his various voice-overs; however, he was never so kind as to give me any of these critiques to my face. Both Johnny and Rob had once given me praise for getting into character for my photo shoots, but they later expressed the fact that I highly annoyed them by doing so. I feel that this ultimately played a role in my elimination.
How do you feel about the newly incorporated social media aspect of ANTM?
I feel the social media aspect of the show was not entirely positive pertaining to the fact that the general public was making their voting decision on our photos and were not allowed glimpses of each contenders’ personality (not to mention the manner in which each girl conducted herself in the presence of industry professionals… which in some of the contestants’ case was far from impressive.)
Given the opportunity, would you go through the process again? And if so, what would you do differently?
As a viewer could generally derive from watching certain episodes of the show, there was definitely a large supply of negative aspects of the whole experience for me; however, I am ultimately very grateful and appreciative of both the exposure I have gained and the avenues to which my position on the show has already led. I definitely would not choose to go through the experience again, but rather, I am intensely focusing on using credibility I have gained from the show to propel me forward in the modeling industry. Since returning from the show, I have taught many modeling workshops, walked in runway shows, and modeled on countless international and national covers and editorial spreads ranging from Australia to New York City. I definitely feel that my keen ability for self- promotion will carry me further in the industry than many of my fellow contenders this cycle, and I look forward to seeing what my future holds.
How has this experience changed your personal/professional life?
My personal life has changed drastically in the way that barely a day goes by when I do not have an encounter with a fan who wishes for autographs and photos, and of course, gladly comply and am always honored to meet fans who support and cheer for me
What are your aspirations as a model?
I have already attained my goals of teaching modeling workshops and appearing on international magazine covers. I am working on achieving an additional goal which I have aspired to achieve since I was a little girl: walking in New York Fashion Week. I ultimately aspire to model in high fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar and other publications such as Glamour, Lucky and Cosmo as well. My aspirations exceed beyond modeling as I am also collaborating with a film maker on bringing to fruition an idea I have for a screen play, and I plan on submitting the film to both the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. I have diverse talents, and I plan on relentlessly pursuing every goal I have set for myself in order to utilize them to their fullest potential.
Who do you believe is the strongest of the remaining models?
I am actually not watching this Cycle since I was eliminated, and I feel that my time is better spent by working on my own projects instead of watching the show and wallowing in the fact that I was kicked off.
Miss a previous final exam interview?
Jessie Rabideau
Darian Ellis
Destiny Strudwick
Leila Goldkuhl
Allyssa Vuelma
Brittany Brown
Don’t miss this week’s America’s Next Top Model finale by adding the show to your very own watch list. Download BuddyTV Guide for free on iTunes.
(Image courtesy of The CW)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
