Following a Dream: An Interview with Sara Racey-Tabrizi from ‘America’s Next Top Model 2’

Sara was the hardest elimination on the show thus far, according to Tyra. However, she was labeled “too sexy,” struggled to make her father accept that she wanted to be a model, and missed home very much. In this interview, Sara talks about how much fun really went on, which shots were the most fun, and why the judges told her she was practically “vomiting sexy!”

RNO: Several times during your final episode, you noted that you wanted to win more than any of the girls. Why did you want to win so badly?

Sara: I know it’s going to sound like the same old story, but from when I was eight, I knew I wanted to do modeling, and when I was 13, I REALLY knew I wanted to do modeling. I had actually planned on moving to New York City to pursue a modeling career right before I was cast for the show, so things just fell into place. I did some modeling locally, in Seattle, but nothing big time. I wanted to win so bad, it has always been my dream.

RNO: When it was just you and Yoanna standing in front of Tyra, did you think that you would be the one going home, and how emotional was that elimination ceremony?

Sara: To tell you the truth, I had a gut feeling that I was going to be the one eliminated. I didn’t want to believe it, of course, but I had a feeling it was my time to go. Plus, they kept throwing the “sexy card” at me, so I knew it was going to be my downfall. You know what though, sixth place isn’t so bad, so I’m still very proud of myself. As far as the elimination ceremony goes, it was much more emotional then what you saw on TV. It was very sad and everyone was crying.

RNO: I know you said that you have a bad knee, but we never found out why. Did you have an accident, or an operation on it?

Sara: I’ve actually had three surgeries on my knee since high school. When I was a senior, I was playing volleyball, and I tore my knee up. I’m very athletic and love to stay active. However, ever since I tore my knee, and had the surgeries, it has never been 100%. It’s fine right now, but I know it will never be the way it originally was.

RNO: Do you get recognized on the streets? What have people’s reactions been to your appearance on the show?

Sara: Oh, its crazy sometimes! Hordes of people come up to me sometimes asking for autographs and just wanting to talk about the show. I went to a basketball game last week and a 70-year-old man came up to me asking for an autograph, telling me how much he loves the show. I didn’t even know the show had such an eclectic fan base! I even signed a baby stroller last week. I love it though, it’s fun.

RNO: Did you find that learning model traits like makeup, runway and movement were tough, or was it harder just living with the people that you were competing against?

Sara: Well, the makeup and runway really aren’t that big of a deal. You are going to grasp them eventually, so it’s either you got it or you don’t. The hardest thing was being away from your family for so long. It’s like you are shut away and have nobody to talk to – well, you have the other girls, but sometimes nobody can really console you the way a mother can, and I am very close to my mom, so it was rough being away from her for so long.

RNO: Which photo shoot was your favorite to do, and which one was your least favorite?

Sara: My favorite shoot was the one we did with the Steve Madden shoes. I loved the way that photo came out. I liked doing the Angelina Jolie photo too because I got to act very sexy and Angelina is a very sexy woman. My least favorite was the underwater shoot. It really sucked to have to take in all that salt water, and what you didn’t get to see was everyone being so nauseous when the shoot ended from swallowing so much salt water. I had a really cool shot, but the shoot itself was horrible.

RNO: Here comes the most obvious question: What happened with your dad? What did he think about your stint on the show?

Sara: We have talked on and off since the show has started to air. I think he is set in his ways with not wanting modeling to be my career, and I am set in my ways with wanting it to be. I’m not sure if it’s a cultural thing on his part, but I respect his opinion and hold nothing against him. We are just going to move on from here. I don’t think he’ll ever fully understand, and at this point, I don’t think I expect him too. I’ll always love him though.

RNO: Since Camille got flack from the judges, she seemed to calm down her bossiness. Was she really making an effort to change, or was it all an act?

Sara: Sorry to say, but it was all an act. Just keep watching the show, and you will see what I mean. Camille got slapped around at the last elimination, so I think she just knew it was time to shut up for a little while. You know what though, that’s Camille and that is who she is. You can’t fault her for the way she is. She is a very beautiful woman, but doesn’t understand that you have to bite your tongue sometimes. She’s burning bridges and if that is the way she wants to go, good luck to her.

RNO: Do you think that Janice really means half of the criticism that she gives, or do you think she exaggerates for the cameras?

Sara: Oh, I love Janice! You have to realize that we know her better than the people at home, who only see her for ten minutes a week. She knows that it’s her role on the show to insult us. She plays that part very well and is a very opinionated woman. She doesn’t apologize for anything she says and most of the girls realize that you can’t take her too seriously. You have to take it or leave it, and most of the time, I just shrugged her comments off.

RNO: Who do you think has the best chance of winning right now? I’m sure there are certain people you are specifically rooting for, but who do you think, as of this moment, could win the competition?

Sara: I would say that would have to be either Mercedes or April. Both of them have had amazing photos so far in the competition, and either one of them could take it at this point. Personality wise, April has calmed down a lot. She knows that she can’t be so analytical all the time and isn’t perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes and she knows that now, realizing that everyone is going to get some criticism, no matter how well they do.

RNO: Was there anyone in the competition that you felt was eliminated too early, and didn’t really deserve to go when they did?

Sara: I was somewhat surprised when Jenascia was eliminated. Not so much for the modeling aspect of the show, but since she had such a strong personality. I thought she was going to go very far in the competition. Her personality was so refreshing, and several times after she left we would all find ourselves missing her and wishing that she was still there to make us laugh. She was such a good time.

RNO: When April bumped Yoanna on the runway, was that intentional, or just an accident? Did they ever even discuss it?

Sara: In my opinion, from what I saw and heard, it was a complete accident. Nobody ever really sat down and talked about it, but everyone was confused as to which side of the runway we had to walk down, and some people got confused. April flat out said that she didn’t mean to bump Yoanna, though, and I believe her. She is not that kind of person.

RNO: What are you up to now? Are you considering a new career, or do you plan to continue trying to burst into the model scene?

Sara: Are you kidding me?!?! This is just the beginning of all this! Tyra was so supportive to all of us, and I still want to get involved in the modeling industry. My dream has come true, so I’m going to continue to try and follow it. I may move to New York, L.A., or anywhere that I would have to go in order to pursue a modeling career. It’s my dream, and I don’t plan on cutting it short.

RNO: In retrospect, is there anything you could have done differently to stick around? Mostly, it seemed like you had it together, so I’m curious as to if there was anything you were lacking.

Sara: Honestly, no. Somebody had to go this episode though, and I like I said before, I was just labeled “too sexy” for high fashion. One of the judges even told me that I “vomit sexy.” I’m not quite sure what that meant, but I think it may have been a compliment. I’m happy with everything I did on the show though, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

RNO: Is there anything you would like to add, or say to your fans? Maybe something the editing left out?

Sara: Oh, we went out all the time, not just the one time that they showed last night. We would have so much fun at the clubs. What they didn’t show was that I was a very fun and goofy person that sometimes can be very sarcastic. I had so much fun on the show, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

RNO: Thanks, Sara!

Phil Kural is a senior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@temple.edu.

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