“It Showed That I’m a Positive Person” – An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 8’s Natasha

I was so up and down all season on Natasha it was ridiculous. At times, I loved her photo and her attitude, but then other times I was mortified by the product she was putting out, not to mention the way she handled herself and the way she dressed. Through it all, though, I think Natasha deserved her place in the finals because she really did work harder than almost any of the other girls. I had a chance to talk with Natasha, and here’s what she had to say about her time on the show:

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Natasha, thanks for taking time out of your day to chat with me! What factored into your decision to apply, and had you watched previous seasons of the show?

Natasha: I watched a little bit of the show. I saw the first and third season, and the beginning of Cycle 7. I really liked the show, and I always wanted to be a model, since that was never really an opportunity for me in Russia. They were not having a casting call in Dallas, but there was one about an hour and a half away, so I drove there. When I arrived, there were so many girls there that I didn’t think I had a shot at being called back, but I was!

RNO: It was made known to the viewer that you are from Russia, but when exactly did you come to the United States, and what was your first impression?

Natasha: I came to the United States three years ago, and I thought it was great here. I was dating my husband at the time, and he invited me to spend time with him in the States during the Christmas holiday. So I came here and really liked it. He helped me get my visa to stay here, and when I came back, we married. A year later, we had our child!

RNO: Did you think that your accent and ethnicity would be a hindrance in the competition, and did you ever feel there was a language barrier?

Natasha: There was definitely a language barrier, but it lessened over time. The girls had some issues understanding me at first, but got used to it. I think that is what caused so much tension with me and the other girls when the competition started.

RNO: It was obvious that the other girls wanted you eliminated – when I spoke to Renee the other day, she said that you should have been gone from the beginning! Do you think they were jealous?

Natasha: That’s what I don’t understand – I have been in contact with most of the other girls, and they have all been so nice to me. Yet in their interviews, every one of them talks bad about me and says that I shouldn’t have been there in the final two. I don’t know what to say.

RNO: How did you manage to have such a positive outlook on things, even when the judges didn’t like your photos?

Natasha: I didn’t really “manage” to be positive. That’s just the way I am, and I think it showed that I’m a positive person. The judges gave their critiques and I was willing to take what they said and grow from it.

RNO: Were you surprised when you made the final two, or did you have no doubt that you would be in the final runway show?

Natasha: I wasn’t so much surprised because I knew that I really wanted it. It was very hard for me, though, and I was under so much stress because I had just been in the bottom two with Dionne, then I had to go through it again with Renee. It was rough, but I’m so happy that I did make it.

RNO: When you did make the final two and you were standing with Jaslene at the final panel, did you have a feeling that you would come in second or did you think you were going to win?

Natasha: I was sure that I would come in second at that point. After the whole thing with Dionne, I knew that Jaslene was going to win, and I think that Renee knew, too. Jaslene was favored by the judges from the beginning, but I’m so happy that I came in second place. I mean, I got just as much exposure as the winner, except I didn’t get the prizes, so we’ll see what happens!

RNO: How did you think you were going to handle being away from your family for so long? Was it harder than you expected it to be?

Natasha: It was way harder than I expected it. Especially when the girls saw their babies. It made me realize how much I wanted to go home, but when it was all over, I was able to head home and see my family.

RNO: You won Cover Girl of the week several times this season. Did you realize that you had such a strong showing of support from viewers of the show?

Natasha: At first, the whole thing was so upsetting, especially with the way I thought I was coming across on TV. Then it got a little better and it made me happy. I knew that in the beginning I was the underdog, and the judges didn’t think I was so striking in photos. The viewer support was great, though, and I’m glad that I won Cover Girl of the week – it made watching the show so much better, especially since I was so stressed!

RNO: Did you feel like the girls were beginning to gang up on you as the number of contestants became less?

Natasha: Yes, I did have that feeling. You know, girls talk, but I didn’t realize that they were being so negative about me until now. I didn’t want to ruin my friendships, though, so I never really talked about the other girls, and I didn’t really cause any drama for that reason either. I thought people were being nice to me, too, but when I saw the show, I saw how badly they were all talking about me, and I couldn’t believe how much they were ganging up on me.

RNO: Oh, and what was up with you jumping into the pool at that industry party? It seemed like that might not be the smartest thing to do when you have many people that have influence on the judges around!

Natasha: I didn’t really jump into the pool! What you didn’t see was me actually falling in the first time, after I was talking to some guy at the party and he dared me to jump in. I told him to do it first, and he did! Then, he pulled me in with him! The second time, I jumped in after Jael got in the first with 50 Cent. There were so many other people in there at that point, though!

RNO: Knowing how hard it was to be away from your family, especially your child, do you think you could see yourself being a model and possibly being away from them for even longer periods of time?

Natasha: Yes, I do still want to pursue it. When you are in the show, it’s like you are in your own little world. There was so much stress and tension in the house – it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. We were gone for three months so it was crazy. Now I’m only gone for about two weeks at a time, and I can pick up the phone and call home whenever I want. It’s a lot different in the “real world”.

RNO: Is there any kind of advice you can give to girls that are thinking of applying for future seasons of the show?

Natasha: I would say that if you have desire to be on the show and be a model, go and try an agency in LA or NYC first. If you are rejected there, then I would say go out for the show, but remember that they are looking for someone that has a unique look and knows how to be themselves. You have to stand out.

RNO: Is there anything you would like to add or say to fans of the show?

Natasha: Thank you so much, everyone, for your support. It helped so much when I was watching the show. I can’t thank everyone enough because it really was so nice having everyone rooting me on. Thanks!

RNO: Thanks, Natasha!

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