The Industry is Dog-Eat-Dog: An Interview with Camille McDonald from ‘America’s Next Top Model 2’

RNO: Watching the show now, do you feel that sometimes you would try to come up with excuses to explain your actions too much, and should have just taken the judges criticism in stride?

Camille: Well, watching the show now I do think that sometimes I should have just bitten my tongue. What they didn’t show was that there were several times that the other girls would argue with the judges as well. When they would do it, I would too, but I was the only one shown. I thought Tyra was fine with the criticism that she gave me. I love Tyra to death and respect her so much. She is such an inspiration and role model to me and I think she’s great. I’m a very respectful person, but this was just a different experience for me.

RNO: So, just out of curiosity, did you ever get Xiomara’s earrings fixed for her?

Camille: First off, I never broke them. She let me borrow them, just like I let her borrow my skirt. I never complained that she stretched out my skirt because I’m an adult. So anyway, I just wanted to state that I never broke them. I laid them on the bathroom counter and with 10 girls sharing the same bathroom, things are going to happen. Someone else broke them but I took responsibility when she came running up to me saying I broke them. I gave them back not even knowing they were damaged. So I never apologized because it wasn’t my fault. I gave her a pair of my earrings that were very beautiful and crystal, and I still have hers. However, she commented on the website chat that they are gaudy and look like Christmas ornaments. If she doesn’t like them, I’d be more than happy to take them back and give her the broken ones back. That’s up to her.

RNO: If you had to pick a winner right now, based on what you have seen and the photos in each girl’s portfolio, who would you pick and why?

Camille: On photos alone, I would say April or Yoanna. You know what? Yoanna has a great face and bone structure, but I’ve seen that before and plenty of people look like Yoanna. I would pick April because she has had great photos and there aren’t many Asians on the runway. I wish her luck, but I wish all the girls that are left tons of luck.

RNO: Was there anyone on the show that you feel you connected with so that you would want to keep in contact with after this is all over?

Camille: Oh, yeah. We all had fun together. I’ve spoken to Xiomara and Mercedes and we are all cool. However, I can’t really talk to anyone because of the situation right now, but we’ll see each other at the finale party. Jenasica was too funny and needs her own comedy. Shandi gave off a good vibe, but I wasn’t always feeling the “I’m an underdog” speech that she was always saying with Xiomara.

RNO: Do you feel that it was unfair that you won the one challenge, which was based on personality and professionalism, and then you were eliminated because your personality was too strong?

Camille: I sure do, and I even questioned Tyra about that. A model goes on go-sees all day long, and it’s an art that has to be mastered. I was the last person to go that day and I had been up for so long so I was physically and mentally exhausted and still won the challenge. The people were purposely rude to us and I was tired but still trekked on. I was new to it, so I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

RNO:What do you plan to do now? Are you going to try something new or try to stick with modeling?

Camille: Let me tell you, things have been absolutely crazy. My phone is constantly ringing off the hook. I can’t go down the street without people wanting to talk to me, and I’m finding that people either love or hate me, but 99% actually love me and wish me luck. I’m hoping that IMG still signs me, as they have the option to sign whomever they want. Other agencies have contacted me, but I’m taking some time to figure out what I want. Even TV shows have contacted me, wanting me to star as the girl with attitude, so this is all working out for me. I just want to hit the runway and show some attitude.

RNO: Is there anything you would like to say or add? There are plenty of people who have a strong opinion of you Camille, anything to say to the naysayers?

Camille: I just want everyone to know who the real Camille McDonald is. I encourage people to check out my website at www.camillemcdonald.com. Also, just know that reality TV isn’t exactly true reality, and that I’m actually a very nice person. The show didn’t show that, but I guess in the time allotted they can’t show everyone’s true personality.

RNO: Thanks again, Camille!

Phil Kural is a senior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@temple.edu.

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