“I Don’t Think You Got to See My True Story” – An Interview With America’s Next Top Model 11’s Sharaun

RNO: What about when you were in the bottom two? Did you pretty much know it was going to be you going home, or did you still have hope that you had a chance of staying?

Sharaun: I didn’t want to believe it could be me. We both had really big personalities but sub-par photos, so I had no clue who was going home, but I didn’t think it would be me, though. It was a thought that ran through my head that it could be me, but I was trying to stay positive and didn’t want to think anything negative.

RNO: Did you have any modeling experience prior to the show? If so, how did it help, and if you didn’t, do you feel that prior experience would have helped you make it further?

Sharaun: That’s something else you never got to know about me – I did the whole thing with no modeling experience. My first photo was my senior class photo and that went pretty well! I watched Tyra on those Victoria’s Secret shows and learned how to walk. My sisters and I would do mock fashion shows in our home, but I had no experience at all, and made it as far as I did, and that’s a big accomplishment!

RNO: From the little you have seen so far on TV, has anything shocked you about any of the girls, or did you see something you had no clue was going on?

Sharaun: Oh, yeah! Clark really surprised me with some of her comments that she had said, since in person she came off so nice. I didn’t expect some of them, but I still really like Clark. Again, you have to realize that you don’t see everything, and only what they want you to see is what is aired.

RNO: It seems like this season, Tyra is looking not so much for someone commercial, but someone that is going to actually work as a couture top model. Is that the feeling you were getting from the judges this season as well?

Sharaun: You never know what the judges are looking for, and they would never tell you. All you can do is hope that you have what they want. Even now I’m still unsure as to what the judges were looking for, since it was never expressed.

RNO: From the final 20 girls, were you surprised that someone specific didn’t make it into the house, or do you think the right 14 were chosen?

Sharaun: I definitely think that they chose the right 14 girls. I befriended almost all the girls and I’m close with so many of them to this day. They made a great choice in the cast this season, since we are all so different. It’s very diverse, and that’s what I think is going to make this season stand out so much.

RNO: What are your plans now that you have been eliminated? Do you plan on continuing to pursue a modeling career?

Sharaun: Of course I still want to model – I’m not going to get this far and just stop! It’s not about how far you make it, though, it’s about your intention, and how much you want it. I want this so bad, and you know what? Even though I was the first one gone, that means I’m free to go out there and start looking! From here, I’m just going to gout there and market myself. You’ll see me soon, don’t worry.

RNO: What other plans do you have? Is there a plan B or C in case modeling doesn’t end up being something you want to pursue, or if you find out it’s just not for you?

Sharaun: I definitely have backup plans. I’m very talented. I act, dance, edit videos, etc. My major is going to be broadcast journalism, and I’m starting school in fall of ’09. So hopefully I’ll be doing reporting and anchoring one day, as well as hosting. I was a news anchor in high school, and I loved it.

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

Sharaun: I’ve gotten so much positive feedback from being on the show, and I really want to thank everyone for that. It means so much to know that there are people out there supporting you. I don’t plan on stopping now, and the sky is the limit, so be on the lookout for me!

RNO: Thanks, Sharaun!

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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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