“I Like to Gossip, But Who Doesn’t?” – An Interview With America’s Next Top Model 10’s Fatima

It’s funny – if you asked me if I liked or disliked Fatima this season, I probably wouldn’t be able to give you a straight answer. Sure, she started crap all the time with the other girls, but you feel bad for her, too, because of the way she was treated when younger. I never really leaned either way, though, until I had a chance to talk with her and find out what the real story was. It turns out, I like her! Read on to see why Fatima knew she wasn’t going to win, her thoughts on staying over Stacy Ann, her current relationships with the other girls, and so much more.

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Fatima! Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me. Have you watched previous seasons of the show, and what factored into your decision to apply?

Fatima: I didn’t really watch the show, like most of the girls that had been in the house this season. I never thought that I could be a model, and it never really crossed my mind. I was brought up by my parents thinking that it was only acceptable for me to go to school and get a degree. I didn’t really have much confidence. Trainers of mine told me that when the casting call arrived, if I didn’t go, they would drag me down there, so I went and checked it out – it was totally random.

RNO: Obviously, the judges were intrigued by not only you this season, but your story. Had you been open about things prior to being on the show?

Fatima: I had talked about it with my family and friends, of course, but it was the first time that I ever told my story publicly. They ask you a lot of questions during the casting and while you are in the house, so you get into telling them a lot of your growing up and stuff. I had to tell it, though, and it felt so good to actually share that side of myself with the show.

RNO: Have you found that you have been a support system, or have girls been able to relate or look up to you because of your story?

Fatima: I hope so! I mean, people have been telling me that I have a lot of fans online and on blogs and such, but I don’t really go online. I just wanted to reach out to other women and share my experience. I wasn’t trying to come down on my country or my culture, but my intention was to raise awareness of what was going on.

RNO: It’s no secret that this season you have been one of the girls at the center of most of the drama. Was that you intent?

Fatima: Ha! It was never my intention to be dramatic. I’m actually a very quiet person, and any of my friends would tell you that. However, I’m very blunt and I’m always honest. We were in a very intense situation, being around one another all the time. So if I was bored, I’d go ahead and shake things up a little bit.

RNO: Most of the girls I spoke to this season have mentioned, in one way or another, that you were very antagonistic in the house. Did you know you were coming off that way?

Fatima: I kind of figured I was coming off that way. Some of the girls would tell me that I tended to instigate things in the house, and I just found it fun because I would be bored and would want something to do. It’s a reality show, so I realize you are either going to be loved or hated, and I was fine with that. I was always honest, and that’s why I’d make a good judge – whoever I talked about was the next girl eliminated!

RNO: Have you watched the show and thought that maybe you were a little too critical on some of the other girls, or maybe said something you shouldn’t have?

Fatima: Definitely! The thing is, though, you don’t see the girls hanging out and being friendly – you only see when we argue and fight. The competition was very black and white. I like to gossip, but who doesn’t? Everything I said was what I said… I never lied and I was never told to say anything. It’s how I felt at that moment in time, so I can’t really regret it, but I do look back and feel bad sometimes.