“I Wasn’t There Long Enough to Clash With Anyone!” – An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 8’s Kathleen

I was so sad that Kathleen was the first girl eliminated this season. When she was standing next to Jael, I was sure that Jael would get the boot. It wasn’t to be, though, and the fun-loving, very outspoken Kathleen was the first to get the boot. What does she have to say about her brief stint on the show? Did she feel she was given enough direction during the first photo shoot? I had a chance to dish with Kathleen, and here’s what she had to say!

RealityNewsOnline: Kathleen, I have to say that I have interviewed girls since cycle 2, and I’ve never been this devastated over the first elimination! You were too funny. What happened?

Kathleen: Well, thank you! I think what it all came down to was that I was misunderstood in front of the panel. I never thought that I would be eliminated first – I planned on being there until the end!

RNO: You had stated you had no modeling experience except for strutting around Brooklyn. So what factored into your decision to apply?

Kathleen: It was always a dream of mine to become a model. I just had no clue where to even start. I figured going on the show would be a good way to jumpstart things, and it was!

RNO: During the photo shoot, it seemed like Jay and Nigel almost expected you to know what to do. Did you feel you lacked direction?

Kathleen: I did feel like I was just thrown into it. I think I might have done better had the advice that I was given be a little more straightforward. If they said to me, “Look up” or “do this,” it would be easier than to just hear, “Be high fashion!” I couldn’t really compare to what the other girls got either, since I didn’t have a chance to see anyone else’s shoot.

RNO: Do you feel that had you been given another political view, other than anti-fur, that you would have been able to do a better job?

Kathleen: Definitely! Like, if I had Cassandra’s, I think I could have done so much better. Being a vegan was more fun, and I could have worked with my surroundings a lot more. I guess I just didn’t click with the whole anti-fur theme.

RNO: What was your stance on the whole Jael “I want everyone to love me” fiasco? Did you think she was being sincere, or is she more screwed than what we were shown?

Kathleen: I did feel that Jael cared about what the other girls thought. It was genuine – she wasn’t being fake. For some reason, she just didn’t want to be seen as a troublemaker and wanted to be everyone’s friend. That’s just not for me.

RNO: What are your thoughts on two plus-sized girls being cast this season? Do you feel a plus-sized girl could really win this competition?

Kathleen: Well, I know that a plus-sized girl has never won before, but I do think that Diana has potential. To me, she doesn’t even look like she’s plus-sized. She really does have a great body and I think she will make it far. Could a plus-sized girl win this competition? Eventually, I’m sure, but I just don’t see it happening yet.

RNO: So here’s my funny question: if you found a dead squirrel on the ground, would you be opposed to making a pair of gloves out of him?

Kathleen: No! I’m totally not like that and I don’t even need a new pair of gloves!

RNO: What did you think about the editing? Did you feel you might have been edited a little more crass or dense than you should have been?

Kathleen: There was definitely a lot of editing that went on. There is so much more to me and my personality that was shown, so I would say that the editing was a bit much.

RNO: If you knew you were going to be eliminated first, would you have at least told a few people off before you left? It seems like a good portion of the girls this season have an attitude problem!

Kathleen: No, I don’t think I would have snapped at anyone. To be honest, I wasn’t there long enough to clash with anyone! Everyone was still real nice when I was there, so I guess they were all just being fake.

RNO: Standing with Jael in front of the judges, did you think that you had a shot of staying or did you automatically think you would be going home?

Kathleen: My critique was really bad, so when it was me and Jael in front of the judges, I had a good feeling it was me going home. Besides – she won the challenge! I knew that they wouldn’t send the challenge winner home. Of course, I always had a glimmer of hope that I would get to stay, but I knew it wasn’t likely when it was just the two of us.

RNO: Did anything surprise you about the panel? Where they tougher or easier than you expected them to be?

Kathleen: They were much tougher than I expected! Especially considering that it was only our first photo shoot. I think they were holding us to standards that were a little too high for our first time!

RNO: I’m assuming that you plan on continuing to pursue modeling?

Kathleen: That is my dream! I don’t plan on stopping here, and I want to use the show as a steppingstone to really get into the industry. I made it so far, so of course I want to keep on going!

RNO: What is your plan B in case modeling isn’t what you end up wanting to do? Do you have a backup plan?

Kathleen: I’ve always loved doing hair, so if I don’t end up sticking with modeling, I’d love to open up my own salon some day. That would be a great plan B.

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

Kathleen: I had a great experience, and I really am so thankful for the opportunity to be on the show, even though it wasn’t for that long. I don’t plan on stopping now, and this is just the beginning for me!

RNO: Thanks, Kathleen!

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Phil Kural is an office manager at a law firm, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. You can send feedback to him at pkural@gmail.com.

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