“I’m Young, Fun, and Ready to Rock America!" – Reality News Online’s Exclusive Interview With America's Next Top Model 18’s Jasmia

First off, I have to tell readers that although I am American, my husband is British, so I am remaining neutral on the British-American rivalry this season.

Reality News Online: Hi, Jasmia, thank you for talking to Reality News Online today. How long ago were you on Britain’s Next Top Model and how did you do?

Jasmia: It was five years ago now and I came in third in that edition.

RNO: What have you been doing since your appearance on BNTM – you said you’ve done a lot of UK modeling?

Jasmia: I’ve been the face for a hair company called Sensational for the last few years. I’ve also worked for L’Oreal. I did one of their runway shows. I’ve also been in a few commercials – lots of runway shows.

Also, I’ve been pursuing my music career because I’m passionate about the arts as well. I didn’t really just want to be a model. So, I’ve been working on my album and I’m also a dating coach – advising men and women how to get their target. I also write for a youth magazine called NXG.

RNO: Do you think there are more opportunities for diverse models in America?

Jasmia: Oh, definitely! From when I was a little girl I’ve always heard that America is the land of opportunities. We can see in the [American] commercials that it’s so different because in the UK commercials you’ve got the black girl or the ethnic girl – but in the American commercials there are just loads of different cultures.

I think there are lots more opportunities. People think the UK is really, really big – but it’s not in comparison to America and its 52 states. So I think you have many more opportunities here.

RNO: Do you feel having already competed on a Top Model show was an advantage for the British models?

Jasmia: I think, definitely, because we knew what to expect a little bit doing a reality show. You understood that they were going to be filming 24-7.

But I think it could work for your advantage or disadvantage – and in my case I think it worked to my disadvantage. In the UK Top Model I was quite young and still very energetic… even a little bit gettin’ into it at times and I argued quite a lot which didn’t really work to my favor once the show was aired because people that I was aggressive. So when I met them, they were quite surprised.

I didn’t want to be so outspoken here. I don’t think that helped.

RNO: What did you find most different about the two shows?

Jasmia: America’s Next Top Model is bigger – a lot bigger. There’s a lot more pressure because you’re up in front of Ms. J, Tyra, and Nigel Barker – all the main faces of Top Model. That alone is already a lot more pressure.

Also, for the British version of the show they ease you in a bit more on the show. Then on this show just trying to adapt with dealing with Brits and Americans and even what we were saying was hard.

And when we were in the UK, even though you’re locked in a house, you still feel at home. There are memories and you go to locations you might have been before. It was my first time in America and I didn’t have a clue!

RNO: Getting to the challenge – Did you have a plan in mind for portraying John Lennon?

Jasmia: A little bit, yep. I thought about my character. John Lennon was very outspoken, he was murdered, and he was from the Beatles. So I was thinking, how do I portray him? I thought about his character and I thought about myself and I thought we were both pretty opinionated, so that was good.

As for the shots they picked, I know I did some with my legs down as well as the ones mucking around. I didn’t know exactly what they were looking for so I tried to give them options. I felt like I got into the character.

RNO: When you were done shooting, did you feel you would be safe that week?

Jasmia: Oh, yes! I didn’t think I was going home at all. I started unpacking more of my clothes after the shoot because Mr. J’s comments afterwards were that I was concentrating a bit too much but he thought I did well.

And I looked at Mariah, who I was in the picture with, and I was like, “Well she didn’t bring much energy at all, so if anyone’s going home its probably her rather than me.”

RNO: What were you feeling when so many Brits were left standing as Tyra gave out photos?

Jasmia: I was very disappointed. I couldn’t believe it. I thought, “I hope I’m not in the bottom two.” I still couldn’t believe I would be going home. Then when it came to just me and Ashley I thought, “Oh, my gosh! I can’t believe this. I don’t want to be the first to go.”

But then I thought about how in the British Top Model my walk was atrocious – I’d never worn high heels before – This time I could catwalk and my confidence level was up. So I was disappointed, but I felt I learned a bit too.

RNO: Was it really U.S. vs. U.K. in the house – or was it more individual friendships forming?

Jasmia: I think there were a lot of individual friendships forming as well because people are people. It doesn’t matter what country you’re from.

RNO: What are your future plans? Will you continue modeling?

Jasmia: Next month I’m going to release my first single, Model Walk. I wanted to introduce people to my actual life so the first track’s about modeling. It’s got a very electro, very British feel. My album will be launched later this year. And modeling, modeling, modeling – modeling’s my number one. I’m aiming for more campaigns and America’s next on my list to get one.

RNO: Is there anything else you would like to tell fans of the show about you or this experience?

Jasmia: America’s Next Top Model is a great experience. You didn’t get to find out everything about me. You can follow me on twitter @jasmiarobinson and support me through my journey. I’m young, fun, and ready to rock America!

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