“I Wanted to Show I Was Multi-Ethnic”: An Interview with April Wilkner from ‘America’s Next Top Model 2’

RNO: Besides the elimination ceremonies, how much time does everyone actually get to spend one on one with Tyra?

April: Actually, what you see on TV is the only time we actually spend one on one time with Tyra. We don’t see her any other time except the times that you see us with her.

RNO: Since you were told in the past that your shots were consistent, did you see your elimination coming or was it a surprise to you?

April: I didn’t think I was going to be eliminated that night, but you know what? Everything is in the air when there are only four girls left in the competition. Of course, nobody wants to go into the elimination ceremony thinking that it’s their night to go home. It hurt me when I found out that I was eliminated and I was in shock. It didn’t even look like I was in trouble until the whole shirt thing. That’s how fast this competition can change when only four people remain.

RNO: Do you feel there was anything you could have done to stay in the competition longer?

April: Nope, I don’t. I left the competition with no regrets. When I finally had time to sit down, I realized that I was just on this amazing trip, and I was never able to look back and enjoy the view. When I finally had that moment, I realized what an amazing time I had and all the things I learned. There was nothing I could have done to stay longer because I gave it all I had.

RNO: What is the one most important thing you learned about yourself from being in this competition?

April: The one thing that I learned was to take myself less seriously. I learned that I have to start having more faith in myself and just dive right into things. Even in high school, I had high ambitions and overanalyzed things too much. I’ve always used my head to get ahead in life. I landed a job with my intelligence and it was never called a negative for me until now. I don’t plan to stop using my head, but I do plan to stop taking myself so seriously.

RNO: With the advice that you were giving, and knowing what you know now, like what the photo shoots would be like, do you think you could do the competition over again and win, or could you still be beaten?

April: I think that if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t change a thing so I obviously wouldn’t win. I left the competition the same way I came into it – as myself. At times, I thought the judges were trying to change me from the inside, and I didn’t want that. If I had to recreate myself on the inside in order to win, then I would be losing. I’m happy with the way I did.

RNO: So, did you ever get Nigel’s number in case the two of you happen to become single at the same time?

April: Ha ha! I did actually get his number, but only for the reason to work with him in the future. I think the reason he was silently rooting for me was because his wife is half Asian and that came into play. Hey, I have been in a serious relationship for about three and a half years now and I have learned to make it work! Nigel is a great guy but we are nothing more than friends.

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

April: I just want people to know that watching the show, it is not exactly what happens all the time. It is only part of the truth. I also want people to look out for me in the future, because hopefully I will be making my way unto their screens!

RNO:Thanks again, April!

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

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