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

RNO: What are your thoughts on the situation with you and Stacy Ann? Do you think it was fair you got to stay over the girls that were actually at the photo shoot that week?

Fatima: Honestly, it did cross my mind to step down at that point. Stacy Ann did what she needed to do – she was at the photo shoot, she had her papers in order, etc. However, what people don’t realize is that immigration takes forever and the process to get my papers was so long. I had applied months in advance for my papers before the show even started, so it wasn’t like this was something I started the week before.

I’m thankful to the show for actually helping me get my papers because I still don’t think I would have them had I not been helped. As for the thing with Stacy Ann, though, I wanted to be there. I felt bad about Stacy Ann going home, but it could have been anyone. I thought about stepping down, but I didn’t want it to seem like I went through all that trouble to get my documents, and then I quit. It’s not me to quit, and I wanted to win.

RNO: Has anyone given you the cold shoulder over getting to stay over Stacy Ann, or anything you said on the show about them?

Fatima: No, not at all. It’s so weird because off the show, and when there are no cameras around, we are all friends now, and it’s all squared away. When you are doing the show, you forget there is this whole world out there that you are secluded from. We are all cool now. I actually had dinner last night with Claire and Lauren. You have to remember that English wasn’t my first language, so sometimes what I say isn’t exactly what I mean, and the girls understood that later.

RNO: In the final three, in panel, did you have any idea you might be on the chopping block?

Fatima: I kinda figured that it was going to be me going. When I saw that Saleisha was the winner the season prior to mine, I knew that there was no way I would win. They weren’t going to make a black girl win two seasons in a row – and Dominique and I both knew when we got to the house in Rome and saw her photos everywhere that we were done for. It’s about politics, so what can you do?

RNO: Besides the whole passport thing, is there anything you would have changed if you could go back in time?

Fatima: I had a really good experience on the show. I don’t regret or feel bad about anything that happened. Everything happens for a reason, and when it’s my time to be eliminated, it’s my time. I wouldn’t change a thing.

RNO: What do you think you got out of the whole experience? Was it more about telling your story, or becoming a model?

Fatima: Everything! Watching the show has been so therapeutic. I went into this never doing anything on a whim before. I went in as this insecure girl, and when the judges would compliment me and tell me that I already look like a model, it would help me grow and realize that I’m not this little girl, but a woman. On top of it, I did get to tell my story.

RNO: So is modeling still something you plan on doing for a long time to come, or are you ready for something new at this point?

Fatima: Of course. I can’t wait to actually get out there and work. While on the show, you aren’t allowed to do anything, but now I plan on moving, finding an agent, and then just working my butt off to find work and be signed!

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

Fatima: I’m just so glad it’s over, to be honest, since now I don’t have to keep a secret anymore! I go to Bryn Mawr College and a bunch of girls were here rooting me on every week, and I loved the support. I had an amazing time, and I’m so thankful for all the support that I received.

RNO: Thanks, Fatima!

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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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