“So I Hear I’m YOUR Mercedes?”: An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 2’s Mercedes Scelba-Shorte

RNO: So do you plan on sticking with the modeling career, or do you want to try something else?

Mercedes: Oh, I do want to continue modeling. I had a little bit of experience before the show and I actually won some small competitions but was never signed to any agency. Also, I would love to get into acting as well. I was in and out of acting schools when I was little and I was in some things, but nothing all that big. It’s a lot of fun though, and I’d really like to pursue that as well.

RNO: Do you think there was anything else you could have done during the course of the competition or during the fashion show that would have changed the judges' minds and made you the winner?

Mercedes: Oh, I worked it on that runway! I don’t really think there was anything I could have done. The judges knew why they wanted Yoanna to win, even though their reasons were different then mine, but they chose her to win and I don’t think there was anything else I could have done to change their minds. They knew she would be a success in the industry, and I wish her luck.

RNO: What is the one thing from the show that you want viewers to remember you by, and do you think the editing showed you accurately?

Mercedes: Yeah, I would say they showed me very accurately. The editing didn’t really show, though, just how stressful the whole situation was. We only got like four or five hours of sleep a night and it was just so tiring. We all handled it so well though, and I wish they would have showed more of that.

RNO: Almost every time I asked one of the eliminated girls who they became close to, they said you. Why do you feel everyone is always so drawn to you? I mean, I pegged you as my favorite before the show even began!

Mercedes: I have always gotten along with everyone. People know that I am nice and seem to gravitate towards me. Even in high school, I had so many different kinds of friends. I accept people for who they are and have had punk friends, goth friends, hip-hop friends, you know? People are people and I just happen to get along with most of them!

RNO: What type of advice would you give to girls who are considering applying for the next season of America’s Next Top Model?

Mercedes: That there is so much more then just high fashion modeling. So if you don’t make the show, know that it’s not because you aren’t beautiful, because there are so many types of other work out there, like commercial, print – they look for foot models, hand models, you name it!

RNO: For my final question, I was just going to say “MY Mercedes” 100 times, but I figured that would be a little stalkerish, so instead, I’ll just ask if there is anything you would like to add or say to all your fans?

Mercedes: I just want to thank everyone for the support that they gave me. Also, let me clear up my ethnicity for everyone. I have an African-American father and a white mother. I grew up in a Spanish neighborhood and my stepfather is Chinese, so as you can see, I’m a pretty well-rounded individual. Thanks again, Phil!

RNO: Aww, no problem! Thank you, MY Mercedes. You’re the best, I love you so much. I’m gushing!

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

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