“I’m Really Not That Aggressive!” – An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 9’s Victoria

I loved Victoria! She was definitely one of my favorites this season, and it really sucked to see her sent home so soon. That being said, at least I got to talk with her sooner! As I expected her to be, Victoria was very down to earth and fun to talk to, not to mention that she had me cracking up the whole time. Read on to see what she had to say.

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Victoria! Thank for chatting with me today. We know you weren’t big into modeling before the show, so why did you decide to apply?

Victoria: I was very up front from the beginning that I applied for the show as a dare. I wasn’t too much invested in the show before I applied, but I’ve always said that it’s better to try something than to regret it later. I got a lot of flack for going on and not living and breathing Top Model, but it’s a reality TV show, not reality, and I kept a very laid back attitude to the whole thing.

RNO: In the beginning of this week’s episode, you said you wanted to win and to stay there, but in the end, you revealed that your heart wasn’t into it. When did you make that decision?

Victoria: It’s a very delicate balance, and they were very good with the way they edited it. I made the first comment much earlier when I was talking about trying to get invested in the whole modeling thing, but in the end, I knew that if there was someone that really wanted to win a reality TV show, then more power to them. It wasn’t for me, and I knew that.

RNO: At any point did you feel the other girls might be harboring something against you because of the way you viewed the industry or being on the show?

Victoria: No, not at all. I got along great with the other girls, and they always call me. Some call, some visit, but I made so many good friends from the show and that’s why I don’t regret it at all. Honestly, the whole Yale thing was made into something that it wasn’t. I never told the other girls that I went to Yale – the producers did, in an attempt to start up some drama! It just didn’t work.

RNO: Did you feel like you were constantly trying to convince the other girls and the judges that you wanted to win?

Victoria: Not the other girls so much because I don’t even think they cared. The judges are just so serious and take themselves so seriously, and I just didn’t view them that way. They would get so flustered when I would ask questions, and I loved it. Tyra knew that I applied as a dare, and she still put me on the show, so they had to expect it.

RNO: Let’s talk about the judges. Did you feel like you were being a little snappy towards them?

Victoria: This is where the editing screwed me. When I would go to panel, I always had a funny conversation with the judges. We would laugh all the time, but it was chopped up and they edited it to make me look aggressive. I’m really not that aggressive! Jenah called me last night and pointed out that they made the conversation up. They made it look like I was attacking. It was funny the way they did it. I didn’t catfight with the other girls and I took good pictures, so they had to figure out another way to get rid of me!

RNO: I have to admit, I loved that you always had a comeback for Twiggy. She has been picking on certain girls for several seasons now, and it was refreshing to see someone snap back!

Victoria: Ha! I just knew that if I was quiet, then I’d be labeled as insecure. If I was well spoken, then I’m abrasive. I just loved baiting the judges to watch them lose face. Nobody ever talks to them, so they were always so confused when I would ask questions, instead of just smile or nod, or sob about how badly I wanted to win. I loved it!

RNO: Looking back, do you think you would have kept quiet if you knew it would have kept you in the competition longer?

Victoria: Not really. I would rather speak my mind and ask questions than just smile and kiss up. A lot of people are disappointed that I didn’t shut up. You didn’t get to see this, but Tyra called me abrasive at panel one time, so I called a vote from the other girls. Nobody raised their hand, and Tyra lost a lot of face. It was quite funny.