"Make Me Look Good On The Internet!" – An Interview with America's Next Top Model 9's Janet

RNO: What’s one thing that surprised you about being on a reality TV show?

Janet: Everything! It was nothing what I imagined it would be. Would I do it again? Yeah, but I would have different expectations. I didn’t realize just how much we would be watched, and that we’d be escorted to the bathroom. You can’t even fart without someone there to smell it! Oh my goodness, are you going to put that on the internet?

RNO: You know I am!

Janet: Ha! Oh, no! Seriously though, you are out of contact with everyone and everything. It’s reality alright – if reality is being stuck in a house with 12 girls and you can’t watch TV and can’t read any magazines!

RNO: It seemed like you were practicing a lot on your posing and walk. In retrospect, do you think there is anything you could have done to stick around longer, or was your time simply up?

Janet: I really don’t think I could have done anything to stick around. They knew how they wanted it. I did the best I could, and I’m happy that every time you did see me, it was me being focused and trying to better myself. I wasn’t naked running around saying I knew everything. If I was casting for something and watched the show, which girl would I pick? The girl that was always shown trying to improve or the crazy girl running around naked? Exactly.

RNO: Did Twiggy ever lay off of you? I feel like you were on her hit list from day one!

Janet: She was on me in the very beginning, but it got better. She did say this week that she liked my photo in the beginning, and the week before I was “men’s magazine.” It’s hard not to be men’s magazine when you’re almost naked, though! I know she saw a fashion model evolving, and she did warm up to me in the end, which was all I can really ask for.

RNO: What kind of advice about the industry was Danielle able to offer you when you got to do the photo shoot with her?

Janet: That whole thing was so cool. My friend Mollie is good friends with her and they still talk all the time. Danielle told me about emotion and gave me some pointers how to work it in my photos. She told me that no matter if we won or lost, her being the winner didn’t get her much further than anyone else, besides the Cover Girl contract. Half of us girls can get into any agency if we really try. In fact, Elite had a casting director at every casting call this season – you just have to prove yourself!

RNO: So is modeling still something you would like to do, and do you think being on the show will help or hinder that?

Janet: I really don’t know. I’ve heard that some designers love having the different top model girls during fashion week, and some stay away from them. I feel like it doesn’t necessarily have to hurt me. Being on the show helped me build a portfolio and get exposure, but I can’t say that since I was on the show, I should be booked for every job. It really helped me learn about myself, and I’d love to continue modeling.

RNO: What else is in store for you? Do you have any other plans right now besides trying to break into the industry?

Janet: I have my license in cosmetology, and waxing will always be there for me – even if it’s not on Tyra! It’s a passion of mine, and I do makeup as well, so if I am not happy with modeling, I can always be behind the scenes. All I have to do is call up Sutan and he’ll have me a job with a quickness!

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

Janet: Thank you so much to everyone who thought I was amazing. I love when people run up to me at the grocery store and tell me I was their favorite. Seriously, I did have a great time, and I don’t regret a second of it!

RNO: Thanks, Janet!

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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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