“I Was Definitely Misread” – An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 9’s Jenah

Jenah was sent home at the final three when the judges felt that she didn’t really want to be there anymore. That wasn’t the case, though, according to Jenah. I had a chance to talk with Jenah and it was definitely a pleasure to talk with her. Very candid and sarcastic, Jenah let me in on how she really felt, what the judges thought of her, and how they took her the wrong way. I was entertained the whole time.

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Jenah! Congratulations on making it to the final three.

Jenah: Thanks! I have to say, it’s so nice being able to do these interviews while sitting on the couch at home!

RNO: Had you watched previous seasons of the show and what factored into your decision to apply?

Jenah: I really hadn’t seen much of the show before I applied. I’m sorry, I have just never been the type of girl to commit myself to a TV show to go out of my way to be home at a certain time to watch it. Well, except for the first season of 24, but that got old. My friend literally dragged me to the audition. For me, it was simply an excuse to go to NYC for the day. I had to borrow an outfit from a friend, and I went to NYC with four guys, so it was so funny while I was waiting in line with a bunch of guys, one being my boyfriend.

RNO: You came into the competition with little experience and seemed to do great during the first few photo shoots. Were you worried that you would be expected to do great every time?

Jenah: Not really. I think that if you’re simply good at something, then you’re good at it! The only times I felt nervous, and felt like I really had to prove myself, were the times when Nigel and Tyra were the photographer, since I knew that they were judges and it was a more important shoot.

RNO: What did you think of the judges questioning your attitude and commitment to the competition? Was any of it on point?

Jenah: Not really. I was disappointed at the way they showed it, since I don’t think it really showed me how I normally am – I’m not an emotional person at all, and my commitment was always in the competition.

RNO: Was there ever a point where you felt they were using your attitude as an excuse to eliminate you?

Jenah: I was definitely misread. I don’t think they used it as an excuse, but I guess I just have a weird type of sarcastic humor. Sarah and Victoria got it, and they are from the Northeast section of the U.S., so maybe it’s an area thing. I made people laugh and I constantly made jokes, so if they used my attitude as an excuse, I don’t think it worked.

RNO: Why do you think Nigel took you the wrong way before the photo shoot that he was the photographer for? Did he know your sense of humor prior to the shoot?

Jenah: I have no clue. I have people sending me messages on MySpace all the time saying they have the same humor as I do, and that Nigel is a jerk. I don’t know him, so I really don’t know if he knew how I was either. I was making a joke. I do think that he was a little condescending and patronizing when he was around us. Although that could just be me having an issue with authority. I just think they made me look really insecure when I wasn’t.

RNO: Do you feel that being on the show properly prepared you for entering the modeling industry in the real world?

Jenah: I have no clue, to be honest. I’m terrified that I’m going to go into my first shoot and start doing the things I learned on the show, and then have the photographer look at me like I’m crazy. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

RNO: Did you see anything on the show that surprised you, or that you didn’t know was going on?

Jenah: No, I wouldn’t say that anything really surprised me, although I’m a pretty hard girl to surprise. I knew what everyone thought of me, and they knew what I thought of them. I was never involved in any of the drama.

RNO: What about the way you were edited? Pretty true to form or a bit over the top?

Jenah: It was totally not my true personality. I’d say that when we got to China, I had a really hard time. It just sucks that you can’t call home as much as you’d like, and it sounds really silly now, but really there was nobody to talk with. I always thought that I was fun and loud, and not very emotional at all, which is the way they showed me – emotional.

RNO: Did you think you had a shot at the final three, or did you feel like it was your time to go?

Jenah: I think I knew I was going. I think when you know things are bleak, you notice stuff you normally don’t. Like, it was the first time I was on the right while I was in the bottom two, and I got sent home. The other two times, I was on the left. I just had a feeling that I was going that time.

RNO: One of the other girls had said you were the only one affected by the “no-smoking season.” What was that like?

Jenah: Oh, it sucked! Trust me, it’s not a walk in the park to just quit cold turkey, not to mention have to live with 12 other girls at the same time. That’s a lot of estrogen! I seriously went nuts and felt so manic some days, then I would get so introverted on others. It’s nice to be home and be able to go out and still smoke a cigarette if I want.

RNO: So what is your plan from here? Do you intend on continuing to purse modeling or are you ready for something else?

Jenah: Absolutely. It was an amazing experience and now that I can do it all without the cameras, it should be better. I’m just trying to find work right now, then I plan on moving to NYC in the spring and going from there!

RNO: What about the future? Do you have anything else in mind in case modeling doesn’t end up being the job for you?

Jenah: I’d love to go back to theater, which is what I used to do in school. Not so much film, since I’m not sure how well I’d do, but I would really like to pursue modeling, or something like that. I think that I’m that girl that never picks a major, yet ends up with a degree somehow.

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

Jenah: People have been amazing. It sucks that I can’t respond to every message on MySpace since I get so many messages, but I love everyone that has been showing support – it makes me smile!

RNO: Thanks, Jenah!

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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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