“There Was Really No Need for Drama” – An Interview With America’s Next Top Model 11’s Analeigh

Analeigh was definitely one of my favorite girls this season, not just for her photos, but because she always stayed away from the drama and managed to continuously have a positive attitude. In fact, after MY Joslyn, she was definitely my favorite girl in the house. When I talked with Analeigh, she was just as sweet as I expected her to be – even though I tried to get her to talk smack, she dodged the question, which made me love her even more. Read on to see what she had to say.

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Analeigh! I’m really glad to have a chance to talk with you today. Had you watched previous seasons of the show, and what factored into your decision to apply?

Analeigh: Yes, I definitely watched previous cycles and was a fan of the show. I think one major reason I decided to apply was watching the final episodes of prior seasons – just to watch the girls go through the transformations that they went through really made me think that it’s something I could do as well.

RNO: Being a figure skater, how did you expect that to help you or hinder you in the competition? Were you nervous the judges would look at you more as an athlete than a model?

Analeigh: I certainly was! I told the judges coming in that I had done figure skating in the past because I thought it would help my character and it was part of my life, you know? On set, though, they would always tell me to use my figure skating and I had no clue what that meant. The second I stopped worrying about it, when it began coming out and showing in my poses.

RNO: It seemed like in the middle of the competition, Marjorie and Elina began to alienate themselves from the other girls, yet you managed to still be close with them. How did you manage to stay in the middle of both groups?

Analeigh: I’m not a fighter at all, and I hate when people get in shouting wars. There was really no need for drama, and I swear that sometimes we all just found little things to argue about. Some people didn’t understand the way Marjorie and Elina felt and they didn’t bother to try and understand. On the flip side, Marjorie and Elina didn’t go out of their way to try and see both sides either, so I really just tried to mediate the situation and help everyone be as civil as possible.

RNO: What do you think it was that made you turn it around early in the season going from the bottom two to the top of the pack? Was there something specific or something you did?

Analeigh: The runway. The teach for the runway was terrible, since it was done in a bowling alley and I was slipping all over the place, so I was really waiting for our runway challenge, since I know that’s my strength and something that I can do really well. When the judges saw my runway, I know they were impressed, and I think that’s when they started to take me more seriously.

RNO: Every season has its share of shocking eliminations. What would you say was the shocking elimination of the season, or do you think everyone was eliminated when they deserved to be?

Analeigh: I don’t think… hmm. You know, I think Clark and Lauren Brie going home as early as they did may have been a shock to some – I know it was for me. You never really know, though. You think you are doing okay one minute, and think you have a good photo shoot, and then you go to panel and the judges tell you so many things that are wrong with it, so you can never be too comfortable, or think you are doing so great that you aren’t going home.

RNO: Looking back, is there really anything else you could have done to make it into the finals, or did you give it all you had?

Analeigh: I loved my Cover Girl photo – let me say that first. Beauty shots aren’t as easy for me as they are for McKey or Samantha. I definitely think that I gave it my all, especially with the commercial. It wasn’t possible for me to practice anymore because that night before I had every line down. I practiced on the way to the shoot and knew it all, but the second I got in the studio, I couldn’t remember it. I guess it’s just nerves, and that was something I had to deal with.

RNO: Do you think had you done better in the commercial, you could have made it all the way, or in a way, do you think the judges pretty much knew who was going to be in the finals?

Analeigh: I think that at times the judges really did fight for me. I know Nigel, Tyra, and even Ms. J. at times really pulled for me, but I don’t think Paulina thought I was really a model, and that’s fine because everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was really looking forward to the commercial, too, since acting is my forte, so I assumed I would do really well.

RNO: What kind of advice would you give to girls that want to try out for future seasons of the show?

Analeigh: I would just say don’t be intimidated. Also, try not to be cocky because those are the girls that talk a good game but don’t really make it that far. There was a lot of that during the early round of auditions. Just be yourself, and if you want to do it, why not?

RNO: So where are you going from here? Do you have any intention on getting back into ice skating, or are you strictly focusing on modeling right now?

Analeigh: It’s funny because I’ve been asked to do some guest ice skating at a few places, but I haven’t skated in a few years now, so I don’t think I’m ready for that right now. I really do want to just go with the modeling thing right now and see where it takes me. I’m not quitting now after doing so well and going so far.

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

Analeigh: Thank you. The fans make this show what it is, and I have had some of the kindest people approach me and tell me they were either fans of me or fans of the show. It’s incredible the support I’ve gotten and it’s funny when my mom calls asking me if I’ve read this blog or seen this website and what they are saying about me – she’s a mom. It’s so overwhelming, though, and I’m happy that the fans continue to support the show.

RNO: Thanks, Analeigh!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent America’s Next Top Model 11 articles on RealityNewsOnline:

Phil Kural is an office manager at a dental office, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. You can send feedback to him at pkural@gmail.com.

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