“I’m Really Not That Aggressive!” – An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 9’s Victoria

I loved Victoria! She was definitely one of my favorites this season, and it really sucked to see her sent home so soon. That being said, at least I got to talk with her sooner! As I expected her to be, Victoria was very down to earth and fun to talk to, not to mention that she had me cracking up the whole time. Read on to see what she had to say.

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Victoria! Thank for chatting with me today. We know you weren’t big into modeling before the show, so why did you decide to apply?

Victoria: I was very up front from the beginning that I applied for the show as a dare. I wasn’t too much invested in the show before I applied, but I’ve always said that it’s better to try something than to regret it later. I got a lot of flack for going on and not living and breathing Top Model, but it’s a reality TV show, not reality, and I kept a very laid back attitude to the whole thing.

RNO: In the beginning of this week’s episode, you said you wanted to win and to stay there, but in the end, you revealed that your heart wasn’t into it. When did you make that decision?

Victoria: It’s a very delicate balance, and they were very good with the way they edited it. I made the first comment much earlier when I was talking about trying to get invested in the whole modeling thing, but in the end, I knew that if there was someone that really wanted to win a reality TV show, then more power to them. It wasn’t for me, and I knew that.

RNO: At any point did you feel the other girls might be harboring something against you because of the way you viewed the industry or being on the show?

Victoria: No, not at all. I got along great with the other girls, and they always call me. Some call, some visit, but I made so many good friends from the show and that’s why I don’t regret it at all. Honestly, the whole Yale thing was made into something that it wasn’t. I never told the other girls that I went to Yale – the producers did, in an attempt to start up some drama! It just didn’t work.

RNO: Did you feel like you were constantly trying to convince the other girls and the judges that you wanted to win?

Victoria: Not the other girls so much because I don’t even think they cared. The judges are just so serious and take themselves so seriously, and I just didn’t view them that way. They would get so flustered when I would ask questions, and I loved it. Tyra knew that I applied as a dare, and she still put me on the show, so they had to expect it.

RNO: Let’s talk about the judges. Did you feel like you were being a little snappy towards them?

Victoria: This is where the editing screwed me. When I would go to panel, I always had a funny conversation with the judges. We would laugh all the time, but it was chopped up and they edited it to make me look aggressive. I’m really not that aggressive! Jenah called me last night and pointed out that they made the conversation up. They made it look like I was attacking. It was funny the way they did it. I didn’t catfight with the other girls and I took good pictures, so they had to figure out another way to get rid of me!

RNO: I have to admit, I loved that you always had a comeback for Twiggy. She has been picking on certain girls for several seasons now, and it was refreshing to see someone snap back!

Victoria: Ha! I just knew that if I was quiet, then I’d be labeled as insecure. If I was well spoken, then I’m abrasive. I just loved baiting the judges to watch them lose face. Nobody ever talks to them, so they were always so confused when I would ask questions, instead of just smile or nod, or sob about how badly I wanted to win. I loved it!

RNO: Looking back, do you think you would have kept quiet if you knew it would have kept you in the competition longer?

Victoria: Not really. I would rather speak my mind and ask questions than just smile and kiss up. A lot of people are disappointed that I didn’t shut up. You didn’t get to see this, but Tyra called me abrasive at panel one time, so I called a vote from the other girls. Nobody raised their hand, and Tyra lost a lot of face. It was quite funny.

RNO: Since you were so new to the whole thing, what did you think would be your biggest strength in the competition, especially going up against girls that were knowledgeable about the show and modeling?

Victoria: I think my biggest strength was that I’m so happy-go-lucky. I’m not afraid to try new things, and I did love being different characters each week in the photo shoots. I think that’s what made me begin to really like the whole modeling thing – my love of portraying different characters.

RNO: Do you feel like you accomplished your goals from being on the show, or would it have been nice to be around a little longer?

Victoria: It would have been cool to go a little further, simply for the photo shoots and the experience, but I was so physically exhausted. There was no drama with me, and I got along with all the girls. That wasn’t the problem at all, so I’d say that I accomplished what I wanted to.

RNO: When the season first began, it seemed like you were one of the only girls that wasn’t talking badly about Heather. Did you feel that the others were being unfair or mean to her?

Victoria: Again, the editing. All the girls helped Heather, even Bianca. By the way, they are making Bianca look like this horrible person, and she isn’t. I love Bianca. Heather is amazing, though, and very beautiful and talented. Girls talk – that’s what they do. I’m just not that way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no saint, but talking about people is just beneath me. I love Heather, and I still talk with her all the time.

RNO: There’s drama this season, but it doesn’t seem like as much like from seasons past. Please tell me that you were all going at it with one another and we just aren’t getting to see it!

Victoria: You have to realize that we have no books to read and we are cooped up in this house. We are girls, and like I said – girls talk. There’s always going to be someone in another person’s way, but we were all so high-spirited that it never really got that bad. Who knows what might happen for the rest of the season, though!

RNO: What did your friends and family think about your time on the show? Are they shocked at how great your photos looked? Do you think they expected that from you?

Victoria: My family was definitely taken aback. They didn’t really know about the show or know if I really wanted to be a model. They were pleasantly surprised, though. My friends don’t really think of my appearance that much, but neither do I. Tyra and company chose a pale, pasty-looking girl to be on this show for God knows what reason!

RNO: What is your plan from this point on? Do you plan on continuing to pursue modeling, or are you ready to get out there and work your degree?

Victoria: I believe I could do both. I would never drop out of school – I love it, and I’m happy being a student, but I do think that if I want, I can do both. I’m keeping my options open and just taking it where it goes!

RNO: If you had to choose between the library and the runway, which would you choose?

Victoria: Ooh! Wow, you hit me with a zinger! I’m not so sure. I guess I’d choose the library!

RNO: Ha! We could compromise with heels in the library!

Victoria: I think you know what I’d choose!

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

Victoria: Thanks so much for watching, and I do know that I have a lot of supporters. Thanks for cheering me on. Please know that I’m not that rude to Twiggy, and I think she’s pretty cool. It was the editing, but I did have fun while I was there!

RNO: Thanks, Victoria!

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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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