“Never Once Did I Compromise Myself” – An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 8’s Jael

In the beginning, I loved Jael. However, as time went on, I found her increasingly annoying, capping during her last episode when she was becoming not only more crazy, but cocky as well. I did have a chance to talk with Jael, though, and I have to admit, she was quite endearing! In this interview, Jael discusses how she felt she was edited, how relieved she was that the judges never brought up the whole pool incident with 50 Cent, her decision to stay in the competition after her friend’s death, and tons more!

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Jael, thanks for taking time to talk with me today. I have to apologize first because I have a cold and sound like a frog.

Jael: That’s okay, Phil. If anything, you might need subtitles to understand me!

RNO: Ha! Fair enough. Had you watched previous seasons of the show, and what factored into your decision to apply?

Jael: I never watched a full season before, but I have seen episodes here and there. I didn’t actually apply for the show – I was actually scouted by one of the producers on MySpace. So I never really went out of my way when I auditioned, but when I made it to the semifinals, that’s when I decided that I was going to really apply myself to the whole thing.

RNO: Being in the bottom two during week one, would you say that it was a wake-up call and pushed you to do better or was it more of a detriment to your confidence?

Jael: It was neither, really. I was honestly sick and tried my best and actually thought it was a good picture. I think the whole thing was that I had more energy than most of the other girls, so more was expected from me. It never really shook my confidence, though.

RNO: I can’t remember if it was the first or second photo shoot, but you were sick, then we saw you hula-hooping and doing fine. Were you really sick, or was it just nerves?

Jael: Ha! I really WAS sick! I’m a manifester, though, and I wanted to help the other girls. As for the hula-hoop – it was there, and I figured it would help me. It did!

RNO: Were you surprised that the judges never mentioned you being pushed into the pool by 50 Cent? Did you expect to be eliminated over that?

Jael: I didn’t expect to be eliminated over that whole thing, especially since I had a great photo that week and really earned my place in the competition by that point. It really wasn’t all that bad, and I think 50 Cent was actually intimidated by me. I’m glad they didn’t mention it, though, and I don’t think I really deserved to be criticized over it. I mean, they never showed him jump in the pool, too!

RNO: Another problem you faced during your time on the show was the death of your friend. Looking back, do you think you made the right choice by staying in the competition instead of going home?

Jael: For sure! That’s what she would have wanted me to do. We are strong women, and I know I made the right choice.

RNO: We often saw the judges criticizing the girls for their outfits in panel and their appearances in general, yet you walked around with blue wigs, tutu, and topless most of the time. Were you ever worried that this might get you eliminated?

Jael: I wasn’t worried because when I was cast for the show, I showed up in a tutu there as well! They knew exactly who I was. Never once did I compromise myself. I stood out and was very proud.

RNO: When you were eliminated, you said that you were the only girl that probably bonded with everyone. What did you mean by that?

Jael: I was fortune enough and put energy into making a relationship with all the girls. I think I was very lucky to live with such a diverse group of girls from all over the country – many of which I never would have met if I wasn’t on the show. I put a lot of energy into it, and being the social girl that I am, I thought it was great.