“All I Can Really Say Is … Look At Me Now! – An Interview with America's Next Top Model 8's Winner, Jaslene

I was rooting from Jaslene from the beginning. From her “catalog pose” and “I walk like this every day!” all the way to her drag queen persona and outright confidence. Jaslene really was the entire package this season, and it would have been tough for me envisioning anyone else walking away with the title. I finally had a chance to catch up with Jaslene since the season finale, and it was definitely a pleasure. Humble as always, this is what Jaslene had to say about her time on the show!

RealityNewsOnline:Hey, Jaslene! First, I want to say congratulations on your win! Has it sunk in yet?

Jaslene:Oh my God, has it sunken in yet? I’m not so sure because I still can’t believe it. I’m loving every moment of it though!

RNO:Well, viewers know you as one of the girls who didn’t make the cut for Cycle 7, so why did you put yourself though the stress again and apply for Cycle 8?

Jaslene:I wouldn’t say that it was really that stressful going out for it again or getting back into the whole thing. It’s something that I wanted and really had my heart set on. I was devoted and determined. I wanted to be there and fulfill exactly what I wanted, and I did!

RNO:What would you say was different about yourself the two times that you applied for the show?

Jaslene:I definitely reinvented myself. I realized that I was out of control the first time that I went out for the show, and the second time I was much more focused and determined to be taken seriously and do a good job, and I think that really helped in the end.

RNO:Did any of the other girls recognize you from your appearance on Cycle 7, and did you ever feel like any of them resented you for that reason or felt it was unfair that you had returned?

Jaslene:None of them resented me for it or thought it was unfair that I was there. At least to my face. In fact, most of the girls thought that it was admirable that I went out a second time and put myself out there again.

RNO:Did you feel the same way as the judges when they told you your personality wasn’t as great as it was the last time they saw you, or did you feel that you were being yourself?

Jaslene:I didn’t want to agree with them on that subject, but I knew that I was a little more subdued this time. I realized that you have to exaggerate your personality at times to be noticed, but I didn’t want to make a fool of myself this time around, so I was trying to give personality, but not give too much that it would make me look over the top, you know?

RNO:Going into the final three, which girl did you think was your biggest competition and why?

Jaslene:There’s no doubt there – Renee. By the time we were in the final three, Renee really did have a great portfolio, not to mention that Renee was a model before she was on the show, so that was something to be worried about definitely. Of the two girls I was with, I thought she was clearly going to be my main competition.

RNO:Several times throughout the season, we heard you saying how your family was supporting you. How important did you consider their support?

Jaslene:Oh, it was a great amount of support that I really needed. You need to have your family to just call and vent to. They give you advice and point out to you the difference between right and wrong when you can’t see it. They knew that I was going for something that I really wanted and offered me all the support I could have ever wanted and then some!

RNO:Were you happy or worried that the judges were giving you such high praise during the beginning of the competition, since it meant you constantly had to do even better?

Jaslene:Oh, I was definitely happy that they were expecting more from me. You know, every moment counts, no matter how well you are doing. That’s why I would encourage girls to apply a second time if they didn’t make it the first. Every moment is different, so you never know when your moment is going to arrive. Just because I was getting high praise, didn’t mean I was going to win. Every moment is different, but this time it was my moment.

RNO:What do you think is going to be the toughest part about being labeled “America’s Next Top Model”?

Jaslene:That would be that people are going to be knowing my business all the time now. I like to keep a little private, but I realize that with the territory, comes a loss of privacy, so I think that losing my privacy is going to be the toughest part.

RNO:At the final panel, the judges worried that you might be limited to editorial work, and not commercial. Do you still plan on pursuing a commercial career, or simply sticking to editorial?

Jaslene:I definitely want to do commercial and editorial. I mean, I’m a Cover Girl now, and you don’t get more commercial than that! Seriously though, don’t count me out! I plan on doing whatever comes my way, if it’s commercial, editorial or even catalog!

RNO:Speaking of which, do you ever plan on using your catalog pose again?

Jaslene:Ha! The pose with my hand on my face? That has become my trademark, right? I don’t know! That’s too funny though, I think you are the first person to ask me about that!

RNO:Beyond modeling, what would you say was the biggest thing you learned about yourself from doing the show?

Jaslene:I found an inner strength and beauty about myself that I never knew I had. I value myself so much more now and really do believe in everything that I do. I want other girls to realize the same, too. It’s so empowering once you are comfortable with yourself.

RNO:So now that the show has finished airing, what are your plans as far as breaking into the industry?

Jaslene:I plan on doing so much! It’s great because not only do I have fans and supporters here in America, but the whole Latin community as well. Being Latina will open doors for me, and I’m looking forward to it. As far as what I’ve been doing though, I think the question should be what have I NOT been doing? TV appearances, phone interviews, red carpets – there’s so much, but I’m loving it! My month of June of is almost fully booked!

RNO:Wow, I bet you never thought you would hear yourself saying that a whole month of your time is already booked, huh?

Jaslene:I still can’t believe it! I have a whole month booked! (laughs)

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

Jaslene:Thank you so much to all the fans for the love and support. It’s been a great ride and I really do love the fans for everything they have been doing for me. All I can really say is one thing – look at me now!

RNO:Thank you so much, Jaslene. I was rooting for you from the beginning and I think you’re going to do great!

Jaslene:Aww, thanks sweetheart!

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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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