Interview With Renee of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8
Age: 20
Hometown: Maui, Hawaii
Occupation: Stay-At-Home Mom
Despite the fact Renee had several verbal run-ins with the other contestants she fought a grueling, fierce battle and somehow made it through the ever-looming eliminations on America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 8. Her journey ultimately came to an end as she became the third runner-up. Renee’s beauty was as strong as her desire to win. What was more impressive was her determination to win on behalf of her son. We recently caught up with her and got her dish on everything.
Hi Renee! How’s it going? Congratulations on being in the top 3 of the Top Model competition. You must be so excited.
Hi! I’m good. Actually I am. I still can’t believe it.
How did you end up auditioning for America’s Next Top Model?
I heard about the auditions the night before in Chicago. I had just gotten married 4 days prior to the audition so my husband was like, “You should go to it… I think you have a good chance.” We went and from there it just took off.
There were 7 previous cycles of Top Model. Which cycle or model most stands out in your mind?
Well I have to say Eva the Diva because she was just such a character. I don’t know… for some reason I’ve always liked the bad girls. I liked Jade, Melrose; I liked all the girls that were a little rough around the edges. I just like that. I like it when people keep it real and they’re not all fake.
Can you paint us a brief picture of your life before Top Model?
Before Top Model I had just gotten married. We were pretty broke. I had just had a baby 7 months before I did the auditions for Top Model. We were just struggling to get by, struggling to live. It seemed like a great opportunity and a chance to dig yourself out of the hole, so it was just hard. We had a lot of love. I mean, our family has a lot of love for each other. My husband and I, my son and my stepson, we all love each other very much and that helps to get through it- but still it helps to have some money.
Were you already experienced with modeling?
I did have some prior experience when I was younger. Nothing that big, but still some.
You really struggled with being away from your son. Was it hard to stay focused on the competition?
You know what? I had pictures of him that I carried everywhere with me. Whenever I would start to feel overwhelmed, I would just look at that picture of him and just remember why I was doing it.
At the beginning of the competition, after you’d sized up the other girls you were quoted as saying, “The other girls lack character and motivation.” What gave you that impression?
It’s not so much that they lacked character because I think your character is like… even if it’s a dull one, it’s still character. I just think some of the girls didn’t have that fire. They didn’t have as much riding on it as I did. They didn’t have the passion for it like I did. I went there for a reason. Some of the girls went there for the experience. I went there for the contract. I went there to win. There was just a difference between me and a lot of the other girls. I think Jaslene was the only other one that was on the same level as me that knew winning was everything.
There were obviously times you rubbed some of the girls the wrong way and came off a little too cocky. Was this an editing thing, or a glimpse of the real Renee?
I mean, obviously they twist and bend things and tweak things. They make things look one way when maybe it was another way. I would say the CW Network in general did a very good job of portraying me for who I am. I’m not going to sit here and try to defend myself and be like, “Oh I’m not that way… I’m really just an honest and sweet girl.” I mean I am. I am an honest and sweet girl and a loving, nurturing and motherly type. I also have my mean side like every woman does. I’m not the type that’s going to hide that just cause a camera’s around. If I don’t like you, you’re going to know it. That’s just me. I’m blunt, to the point and in your face a little but that’s me. You could either love it or hate it. I’m not going to change for anybody.
Let’s talk about the photo shoots and challenges. Which one was the most difficult for you to deal with?
The most difficult photo shoot I probably had would probably be the class clown shoot or the candy one. That was just simply because with the candy one it was like pastels and I had my new hair do and I was trying to get used to it. I felt like a man. The class clown one was just weird. I just didn’t understand how that was modeling at all.
Which aspect of modeling would be considered your strength?
I would have to say that I did well in front of the cameras, like commercials and just being live in front of the cameras was very good for me. I enjoyed it so much. It really seemed to click for me. It was very natural and just flowed very well.
Aside from the ongoing criticism from the judges, were any of them actually in your corner?
I definitely felt Twiggy and Miss J in my corner the whole time. I really did. I have mad love for both of them. I think they’re both just wonderful, wonderful people.
Who was your biggest threat in the competition?
I would have to say Jaslene was my biggest threat. It wasn’t a matter of who took better photos or that sort of thing. It was just the fire she had in her eyes to match mine. She had the desire to be America’s Next Top Model that matched mine. I could tell right away with Jaslene that it was going to be one of us down to the wire.
Out of curiosity, you’d had a baby 7 months prior to the audition. How did you get in shape?
Before I had my son I was really into pilates. I would do pilates every day and blah blah blah. Then after I had him, about 5 days after I had him I started going to the gym. I only went for a couple of days and then we moved to Chicago so we could get married. I didn’t watch my diet or do anything like that. To tell you the truth, I just had a lot of sex. That just seemed to melt the pounds away. We were just freshly getting married and it was like you know, the passion was there. (I don’t know if you can put that or not.)
You’re being honest. This must’ve been a life changing experience for you. How has your life been impacted?
I feel like it’s made me a better person. It’s made me a little bit more patient with people. It’s given me a better understanding of myself and who I am.
Quite a few times the judges commented that you photographed much “older.” Were you surprised to hear that from them?
You know, it wasn’t that big of a surprise. I mean if you’ve watched any of the previous episodes, the minute you get stamped with, “I think she’s photographing a little bit older…” you know you’re going to make it to the end cause you’re good, but you probably won’t win because you photograph old. The minute somebody says that about you it’s like the death of your career.
As far as that goes, do you intend to prove them wrong?
I don’t mind being told that I look a little bit older. I’ve been through a lot in my life and it’s just wisdom that you see. It’s maturity. It’s not age. It’s maturity. I think it’s beautiful to see a woman, especially a girl that’s young that’s been through a lot that’s come out a strong confident woman. I think that’s very attractive. I think I’d say “Thank you very much,” and just smile.
Have you made plans for the future? Will you continue to model?
I plan on moving to Los Angeles within the next few weeks. I’m going to get an acting coach and I’m going to try to get a modeling agency and a manager and just see where I can go. I’m just going to push real hard for anything. If doors don’t open up for me, I’m going to push them down. My biggest desire is pushing towards film. Modeling will definitely be there because I love to do it. I just really feel like film is where I’m supposed to be so I’m just going to keep pushing for that.
What would you like to say to the fans you’ve gained along the way?
I would just like to say, “Thank you for your support.” It really helps to know that there’s people behind you that believe in you. It can make such a difference. I would just say thank you and I promise this is not the end. You guys will probably see more of me.
How can anyone contact you?
They can contact me through the CW Network. I live on Maui and I guess there’s a Myspace and people have a computer and do things like that but I’m really just a beach bum… maybe when I get to L.A. I’ll set up a Myspace page. Right now there’s some fake ones out but those are not me.
Will it be a drastic change for you to move from Maui to L.A.?
It’s obviously going to be a drastic change because L.A.’s a far cry from Maui. I just feel like change is usually a good thing. I do pretty well with change and moving around. As long as I have my family and people who support me, I’ll be fine.
Renee thanks again for speaking with us. Good luck as you continue to pursue your goals.
Okay. No problem. Thank you! Bye.
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