"You Never Know What The Judges Are Looking For" – An Interview with America's Next Top Model 8’s Kimberly

I really wasn’t all that sure how I felt about Kimberly this season. Before it began, I thought she was going to be one of my favorites, but from the little that we got to see of her, I can’t say I was the biggest fan. In fact, when she was given the boot, I barely flinched. That being said, when I got a chance to talk with her, my opinion totally changed. Kimberly was pleasant, sweet, and very down to Earth. She filled me in on some tidbits that we didn’t get to see, so read on to see what she had to say!

RealityNewsOnline: Hello, Kimberly! Thanks for taking time today to talk with me. Had you watched previous seasons of the show and what factored you’re your decision to apply?

Kimberly: I watched all the old episodes! Not so much when they aired, but I would watch the marathons on VH1 all the time with my mom and friends. I’d always watch and say, “Oh, I could totally do that!” So finally, I looked online to see when auditions would be near me, and I went. It turned out pretty well, huh?

RNO: What did you think of the whole semi-final week? Were you confident that you would be chosen to be part of the final 13 girls or was there doubt?

Kimberly: Oh no, I was never fully confident. You never know what the judges are looking for. Until my name was called, and I was told that I was going to be in the house, there was always going to be doubt.

RNO: We saw last week where you said you didn’t plan on helping out Heather or giving her special treatment. Was that a fair account on your views concerning her?

Kimberly: Ugh! No, it wasn’t a fair account, but I’ve sure been getting it for that comment! It was a group conversation at the time. Heather and I were actually pretty good friends. All I was saying was that none of the girls should get attached because this is, after all, a competition. A lot of the girls were helping Heather, and she was getting better because of it. However, you can’t help someone too much, because it will end up biting you in the butt, and that’s all I was saying.

RNO: What were your thoughts on the whole Bianca and Saleisha incident? Was it as intense as it seems, or was it played up for the cameras?

Kimberly: It really was quite a blow up. They showed it accurately, but the whole thing was kind of dumb. A lot of the girls thought it was unfair that Saleisha had done the T-Zone thing, and they looked at it as an amateur competition. It was inevitable that the two of them would step on one another’s toes, so it would have happed anyway, if it didn’t happen then.

RNO: Did it seem to you that there were any specific judges pulling for you, and did you feel that any just wouldn’t get in your corner?

Kimberly: I never felt like any of the judges were out to get me, but I also never felt that any of them were specifically pulling for me either. I was the most excited to meet Jay Manuel because I was looking forward to his critiques. I never really got any! When I finally did get some critique, I was sent home – so I never actually got to put it to use and show the judges that I was able to learn and apply!

RNO: Were you upset that you didn’t make it far enough for a makeover, or were you happy with your look already?

Kimberly: I was looking forward to a makeover! I guess it’s really bittersweet though, since I do like my hair, and I’m not sure how I would have been with it getting all cut off. I guess I was just meant to be eliminated second so that I have my hair for something in the near future.

RNO: What would you say was the hardest aspect about being on a reality TV show? Was it the competitions, the lack of sleep, living with the cameras?

Kimberly: You really don’t realize how hard and stressful it’s going to be until you are there. The cameras were weird getting used to at first, but it did eventually happy. The sleep was terrible, and we worked so much, but it was so worth it. I think a lot of the girls were annoyed at times, and since we were so tired, it made us snap at times.

RNO: We did get to see you hanging out a lot with Bianca, but which other girls did you have a connection with?

Kimberly: Bianca was definitely my best friend in the house, but I was really close with Ambreal. Sarah and Victoria were pretty good friends of mine as well. I got along with almost all of the girls. I think the only girl I didn’t connect with was Ebony. She just never really opened up, and she slept in the bed next to me!

RNO: You had said that you had no modeling experience prior to the show. Do you think that ending up being a hindrance, or do you feel it worked to your advantage at all?

Kimberly: Ha! Yeah, the only modeling experience I had was a small competition in my own town which was basically like, “Stand in front of the camera and smile!” I think it was good because I was a blank slate and was able to be molded, but I was never really given a chance to show what I learned, which kind of sucked.

RNO: When you were in the bottom two, did you have a feeling you were going to be sent home, or were you confident you would be staying?

Kimberly: I was never confident, but you never know. I had a little boost when Tyra told Bianca that she had to impress more than just one judge, but until I saw my photo, I wasn’t going to get my hopes up.

RNO: Who, in your opinion, has the most modeling potential of the remaining girls, and why?

Kimberly: Honestly, I think that Victoria is a closet modeling superstar! She’s just so captivating. Lisa has legs that go on for miles, and she was great with posing and different positions. Bianca too, of course. She better win – I don’t want me going home for nothing!

RNO: So is modeling still something that you want to pursue, or are you onto bigger and better things from this point?

Kimberly: I definitely want to keep on modeling, but to be honest, I’m open to whatever comes my way. I’d love to get into acting or movies, or whatever – I’m pretty much just going to keep my options open and get my name out there.

RNO: What is your plan B in case modeling doesn’t end up being what you expected?

Kimberly: Well, school is on hold right now. I know that it will be there in the future, while getting into this industry has an expiration date. I really just want to work on making a name for myself and taking it from there, but I know school will be there when I’m ready for it.

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

Kimberly: I just want to say thank you to the fans that I do have! It’s so weird to say I have fans. I guess to the fans that I lost because of the Heather comment, I’d like to say that you really need to learn more about someone before you judge them – so remember that!

RNO: Thanks, Kimberly!

Phil Kural is an office manager at a law firm, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. You can send feedback to him at pkural@gmail.com.

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