Interview With Jaslene, Winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8
Age: 20
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Occupation: Online College Admissions Advisor
On America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 8, Jaslene, the gorgeous, exotic beauty with the spicy personality, offered the right zest and ultimately won the competition. The judges were awestruck by her amazing photos and strong determination. Beauty + Personality + Determination = Jaslene, America’s latest Top Model. We recently caught up with her to find out what it feels like to win the competition.
Hi Jaslene! How’s it going? Well, congratulations on winning America’s Next Top Model. Have you pinched yourself to make sure it’s for real?
Hi! I’m great. Oh my God! It’s just surreal for me right now. It’s crazy. I’m going through a whole whirlwind right now. It’s just crazy. It’s just amazing how everything is coming my way.
You auditioned for Cycle 7 of Top Model but didn’t make it, then you tried out for Cycle 8 and made it. Why did you audition the first time?
Just knowing I had all the potential. Coming from Chicago where high fashion or editorial work is not really well-known there, and the pace is more mellow. So it was really hard to establish myself, so I felt the need to establish myself somewhere. I felt like being on Top Model was the perfect place.
Was there a difference between this audition and the first one?
I was just more focused and more prepared. I really had the objective of winning the second time around.
Did you have prior modeling experience before landing on the Top Model runway?
Yes, I was doing local fashion shows for local designers.
Tyra tried coaxing that zesty personality out of you. Were you really holding back?
Yes, I was. I wasn’t trying to be some type of character on the show because I wasn’t trying to market myself as a reality TV star. I wanted to focus myself as a model, as a Top Model at that. Yeah I was being myself. I was being “me.” The whole time during the drag queen scene and the diva scene was an exaggeration. It was just an alter-ego that I used for the show.
Should personality and attitude have any bearing on the modeling industry?
I think it’s extremely important. When they talk about personality they want somebody who has integrity, somebody who warms up the room, somebody who knows what they want and has a good head on their shoulders. It should be somebody who makes people feel comfortable. It really takes a lot. In the industry and with designers that’s what they look for - people they want to work with.
With such an intense competition was it hard developing friendships with the other girls?
I am definitely friends with all of them. I’m very good friends with Renee, Dionne, Natasha, Cassandra, Kathleen… mostly all of them. All of them I’m very good friends with. I grew a very special friendship with all of them.
You and Natasha offered such cultural diversity. What is your nationality and do you feel this will impact the industry in seeking more Latina models?
My nationality is Puerto Rican. Ever since I’ve been announced America’s Next Top Model I’ve been getting nothing but love and support from my own culture and nationality. They’re so proud. It brings me great honor that I’m the first Latina embracing my culture. It’s a beautiful thing. I don’t know if there will be other Latina models going into the competition like me but for all those Latinas who want to do something for themselves they should do it. We apparently have the flavor that everybody wants to feed off of.
Your portfolio is absolutely gorgeous. Is there at least one photo you’re not thrilled with?
Yeah, I hated the one with the 4 personalities. It was so not my thing. I didn’t put too much thought in it so I figured the photo shoot came out completely horrible.
Were you able to keep any of the fashions you modeled?
No I wasn’t. I wish though.
We put so much focus on outward appearance. So many women struggle with being overweight, or being too thin - how do you maintain your lovely shape and stay healthy?
To me, all women come in all different shapes and sizes. There’s a field for everybody. I’m so sick of these girls who try to lose weight because they want to feel love by this industry or that but no. I do feel like it’s an advantage for me because I do have a passion for modeling and the modeling world; they like thin girls or whatever, but you know what’s my diet, girl? Cheeseburgers, chili fries. I’m trying to gain weight. It’s not like that. You should love yourself for who you are. You shouldn’t try to satisfy anybody. If modeling is not your thing and you feel you have to go through all that to lose weight to get an approval so somebody can tell you, “Yes, now you can get a job. Now you can get what you want,” I think that’s sad. I think that’s pathetic. I think you should be happy with how you look and love yourself for who you are. Find something that makes you happy with being the way you are.
Did you become discouraged at any point in the competition?
It’s not that I lost confidence but there was a time when I had doubts. I had one point where I was like, “Well I know I can make it far, but now can I win and succeed?” That was a key question, but with my overall performance it led to where I am now.
Besides being awarded the ultimate modeling package, what else did you gain from this experience?
Oh my God. I definitely came out as a totally new girl. I came out with a huge amount of confidence. I learned to have an open mind. I learned to love myself. I also learned that determination can take you so far. I learned all of those qualities from Top Model.
What does the future hold for you?
Oh my God. I’m making TV appearances, radio shows, TV shows, interviews left and right… I did a photo shoot for Seventeen Magazine which hits the newsstands June 5th. I’m going to do a CoverGirl contract, cosmetics… just many, many more. I plan to grace all the covers of especially Latina Magazines. Anything out there for me to conquer.
Although you received a lot of support from family and friends, you also gained a wonderful fan base through it all. Would you care to express anything to them?
To all my fans, I love you guys with all my heart. Thank you for all your support. I appreciate it all. I’m definitely doing this for all of you guys. I see myself having a voice within. I like to speak to people and reach out to people. Thank you so, so much! I’m here for everybody. If anybody wants to talk to me, I’m not afraid to talk to none of my fans. If they have any problems, I am here.
With that being said, is there a way for fans to contact you?
I will have a Myspace page coming up soon. We’re working on that. Right now we have like a billion fake ones so we’re just trying to get my official page. So, look out for that.
Jaslene again, major congratulations! We’re so excited and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.
Thank you so much! I can’t wait either. See you soon!
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