America’s Next Top Model: Where Are They Now?

RNO: As for future prospects, where do you see yourself a year from now? What other goals do you still want to accomplish?

Kim: Well, I love my job at MTVU. I learned a lot here and want to lean so much more. I’m still interested in international policy, and I’d love to be on the air doing something with that as well.

RNO: Is there anywhere in the near future people can expect to see you?

Kim: I’m working for the LOGO station, and MTVU of course. I’m doing a campaign for L’Oreal soon as well, not to mention that I’ll be in Philly soon for Equality Forum!

RNO: Thanks, Kim! Congrats on the MTVU gig – that sounds like a pretty sweet deal!

Love her or hate her, Bre was one of the most focused girls on her season of ANTM. She improved as the competition went on, fought with Kim and Nicole over a granola bar and has gone on to do some pretty impressive things since her Cycle wrapped. I’ll let you read on to see what I’m talking about!

RealityNewsOnline:Since appearing on the show, what have you been doing in the modeling industry? What about in the entertainment industry as a whole?

Bre:After being eliminated, I did some freelance modeling. I just did a spread in Vibe magazine and I’ve just been working and working. I was in an Old Navy commercial last Christmas and in September, I’ll in a Pantene Pro-V commercial. I recently signed with Ford Models and will be doing in ad in “CosmoGirl” for haircare soon!

RNO:The skills that you learned on the show -- do you find yourself using them in the "real world" or is it a lot different?

Bre:You do use a lot of what Tyra and the judges say, but what works the most is simplicity. I was known as the accessory girl, but I learned how to tone it down and be more simple. I’m not wearing the bright colors anymore, or all the accessories I used to – and I’ve found that I book more jobs that way!

RNO:Are you still in contact with anyone from the show, contestants or judges?

Bre:Not really, but I do work with a lot of girls from all seasons. I did the BET “Rip The Runway” special and was working with Danielle, Wendy, Jade, Nik and Toccara. We called it the ANTM reunion! I can’t say that we are all friends, but we respect one another and have something very special in common.

Let me tell you something about Tyra though – I love her! Make sure you get that in there – I love Tyra! She is always thinking of me when they bring back past girls on the show and has had me back twice now. If she doesn’t call me, one of her assistants does. I may not always be able to talk with her, but she is always looking out for me, and that means so much.

RNO:Is there any kind of advice you would give to girls who want to apply for the show, or hoping to start a modeling career?

Bre:I think that when it comes to modeling, you have to finish school first. Focus on the foundation and the rest will build from there. You have to be sure of who you are, and I’m a living example of that. I was the underdog and was in the bottom two, what? Like five times? I never changed, and was sure of who I was. You make your own future!

RNO:In reality, do you think being on the show hurt or helped your chances of starting a career in modeling? Do you think it set you up better as just being known as a TV personality?

Bre:It was up to me to decide who I was going to be, and the best thing the show did for me was gave me the versatility I would need to get by in the real world. When people are looking for a TV personality, then I’m a TV personality. I talk in many middle schools, and it’s easy for kids that age to relate to a TV personality. However, when I’m going to a client to book a modeling job, then I’m a model! I’m whatever the job calls for.

RNO:Did we ever find out who ate your granola bar?

Bre:I still don’t know! At this point, you would think that someone would just confess and say they did it. What do they think? That I’m going to come after them over it?

RNO:Do you think it is realistic for girls who are pursuing a modeling career for it to happen over night, or think that by being on the show that they won’t have to work as hard?

Bre:No, not at all. You work twice as hard, actually. People don’t take you seriously as a model, and you have to show personality. You have to prove you can really do it. Realistically, as a model, it doesn’t happen overnight. I’m still trying, but working very hard at it.

RNO:As for future prospects, where do you see yourself a year from now? What other goals do you still want to accomplish?

Bre:A year from now, I see myself being two years better than I am today. I’m constantly competing with myself to be the best I can be. I just want to finish school, since I dropped out to do the show. For me, as someone from Harlem, I have to say that a degree is one of the most powerful things you can have.

RNO:Is there anywhere in the near future people can expect to see you?

Bre:Well, you can definitely see me in September in a new Pantene Pro-V commercial! That should hold you over until my next big project!

RNO:Bre, you crack me up. Thanks for talking with me!

Finally for Cycle 5, we have the winner, Nicole. I tried to get a hold of her, but it was next to impossible. She does, however, keep her MySpace page very up to date with what she has been doing and new photos, so I suggest you check that out. Here’s the link. I also have some information from Wikipedia as well!

Linkletter has appeared in ELLE Magazine (April 2006) for a couture spread shot in Paris. This spread was ELLE's spring 2006 couture spread for which Linkletter was selected by photographer Gilles Bensimon. In addition to this, She has appeared on the covers of ELLEgirl Magazine (Feb 2006), Women's Health and Fitness Magazine (Mar 2006), Lemonade Magazine (Apr 2006), LeMonDe Magazine (Apr 2006) and Vanidades Magazine (July 2006).

Linkletter has modeled for CoverGirl cosmetics and eyewear, Ford Fusion, Secret Deodorant, Vigoss jeans, Yank Clothing, Sele Clothing, Milk Boutique, Trovata, ELLE Magazine, ELLEgirl Magazine, People Magazine, Stella McCartney, Adidas, Jewel magazine, V Magazine, US Weekly Magazine, Lemonade Magazine, Women's Health and Fitness Magazine, Zink Magazine, Girlfriend Magazine, Celebrity Living Magazine, Golf For Women Magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, Grand Forks Herald, In Touch Weekly Magazine and Vanidades Magazine.

Her runway shows include: Gharani Strok Fashion show, Alice and Olivia (Fall 2006), Fashion for Life Benefit Show 2006, The Society of Young Philanthropists Gala/Fashion Show 2006, Bebe (Spring 2007), Rozae Nichols Spring 07, Juan Carlos Obando Spring 07, and Italian Trade Commission Spring 2007 for Grimaldi Giardina Spring 2007.

The first girl I was able to speak with was Katrina survivor, Wendy! Wendy was the second girl eliminated during Cycle 6, but has managed to keep her face out there since then, and has actually had some luck with staying in the industry!

RealityNewsOnline:I remember one of your main storylines was being a Katrina survivor. Is your family fully reunited now, and how has life after the tragedy been?

Wendy:Everything has been great, but hard. Starting over is not easy and it takes time. Once you come to realization that things won't get back to normal overnight, it gets easier. Most of my family has reunited. I've visited home three times since and my parents came up to NY for Christmas. I went through so much since Katrina. As my New Year's Resolution, I promised myself that I would enjoy my life and reward myself for the hard work that I put in. I'm traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii at the end of the month as one of my rewards and I'm so excited about it!

RNO:Since appearing on the show, what have you been doing in the modeling industry? What about in the entertainment industry as a whole?

Wendy:Well, I've signed with 2 Management, a division of ID Model Management in New York and also Choice Management/The Lyons Group. I'm also represented by Uber Models in Los Angeles, where I plan to move in summer of 2008. I did a photo shoot for Vibe Magazine last September for the December 2006 issue. I modeled in a few fashion shows including Marc Ecko, and the last two years of “Rip the Runway,” lots and lots of radio interviews which I love doing, hair modeling for Matrix, attending many networking parties, and having a blast while doing it all.

RNO:The skills that you learned on the show -- do you find yourself using them in the "real world" or is it a lot different?

Wendy:Definitely not. Except the rejection part. It's a lot different. Sometimes you find that you don't even use the fact that you were on the show. It can help you, but also hurt you in the same sense. This industry is tough and only the strong survive. But it's always been my dream so I'm willing to put up with the rain to see the rainbow.

RNO:Are you still in contact with anyone from the show, contestants or judges?

Wendy:Yes. I talk to Furonda a lot and Nnenna and Danielle every now and then. I also talk to Keenya from Cycle 4 and I did a photo shoot with Naima a few weeks ago and we had a lot of fun. I ran into Ms. J. a while back, but haven't seen him since. Have never spoken with Tyra, even though she claims she keeps in touch with all of the girls from the show.

RNO:Is there any kind of advice you would give to girls who want to apply for the show, or hoping to start a modeling career?

Wendy:Never give up unless you realize it's not for you. You have to chase your dreams, not just slowly follow behind, especially if it's something you really want.

RNO:In reality, do you think being on the show hurt or helped your chances of starting a career in modeling? Do you think it set you up better as just being known as a TV personality?

Wendy:Nothing can ever hurt your career. The things that you think can hurt you, you just have to adopt them as life experiences, use what you learned from it and move on. It's definitely a conversation piece and gives you something to talk about. But there are so many reality shows out there you can't expect for the world to remember you. I meet lots of people who do recognize me, and it means much more to me that they remember my story and every thing about me. I don't think it's a good thing to brag about. It'll get you in the door, but it's you that gets the job. People have to like the inner you.