“I Never Said I Was Better, I Just Wanted To Do My Best” – An Interview with America’s Next Top Model 10’s Dominique

I’m the first to admit that this season, Dominique was one of the most annoying girls in my opinion. I never really understood why she was so full of herself, even when Ms. J. would tell her that she looked like a man. I was glad that she didn’t make the final three, but after speaking with her, I wish she had! Dominique was a pleasure to speak with, and came off as very humble and down-to-earth. I still can’t believe I couldn’t get her to talk smack on the other girls!

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Dominique! Thanks for taking time out to talk with me. Have you watched previous seasons of the show, and what factored into your decision to apply?

Dominique: I would watch the show all the time and sit there and say, “I can do that!” I always thought about trying out, but didn’t think I would make it since I didn’t really have any modeling experience. I did a few things prior to being on the show, but nothing big. So I decided to just try out, be myself, and see where it took me – and it worked!

RNO: It’s no secret that you were probably the most confident girl this season, but do you think watching it back that you were over confident?

Dominique: No, not at all. I was grounded the whole time I was there, and you have to be in order to have successes. This is not the first time I tried out – I tried plenty of times and eventually made it. It’s because I stayed grounded and true to myself.

RNO: What was it that made you think you would stick out more than the other girls to the judges?

Dominique: I think that all the girls stuck out in different ways, since I think each of us had something very distinct. I never said I was better, I just wanted to do my best. Most of what I said was taken out of context.

RNO: Watching the show, have you been surprised at some of the remarks the other girls have made about you?

Dominique: No, not really. I think they were quite entertaining, to be honest. I’m glad that this has been such a good season, drama-wise and talent-wise, and I’m so happy that I was part of it. I watch it on TV and hear what people had to say, and it’s all fine. I mean, you sign up for a reality TV show, so you have to expect that people are going to talk crap about you… Like I said, though, you just have to stay grounded.

RNO: The judges remarked that you were growing week to week, and seemingly getting better, so why do you think you were sent packing?

Dominique: It’s really difficult to say. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be at that time. I can still be successful and not win the show. I got the experience that I needed now, and I have the platform of being on the show to use as well. I have no doubt that I’ll be a success.

RNO: What’s the one thing you learned about yourself from the competition that you didn’t know previously?

Dominique: A lot! I learned how to pose better, how to soften my features, and how to contour my body. The judges gave us all so much direction, especially Mr. Jay on set. I learned so much about modeling from the show that I think it would have taken years to learn in the outside world.

RNO: Have you made amends with Claire, Whitney, and Lauren over the several arguments that you had with them?

Dominique: Oh, please – on the show, we would get in an argument, cry, and it would be over so quickly. We had so many strong personalities in the house. It was a priceless experience that we all shared, so there will always be that bond. As for Claire and the others – we are fine now.

RNO: When I interviewed Kat last week, she had said that Fatima was much more malicious than what we were seeing on TV. Do you feel the same way?

Dominique: All I’m going to say is that Fatima was a very antagonizing person. That being said, she did have her good points, and was normally very nice to talk with. I just think that she likes to pick a few fights every now and then.

RNO: Who do you think has the best chance, based strictly on modeling abilities, of winning the competition?

Dominique: I think all the girls that are left have potential, so I’m really not sure which would win if it were based only on modeling abilities.

RNO: Based off of personality and charm, is your answer the same, or does someone else have a better chance?

Dominique: Again, I think all the girls have their plusses and minuses, so it’s hard to say which would be the best. Each of them are very different and very special.

RNO: Ha! I can’t get you to slander anyone, huh? Your training did you well!

Dominique: I know, right? I learned my lesson! (laughing)

RNO: At the beginning of panel, did you have a good idea that you were going home or did you think you had a spot in the final three?

Dominique: You always have to remain optimistic, and have to tell yourself that it’s going to be okay whatever happens. You can’t go in like Amis did to panel, knowing that you are going home. If you do that, then you WILL go home. I wanted to be that girl that was hanging in there, and I think I was. I always had confidence and believed I would stay.

RNO: So what do you have planned from here? Are you actively pursuing a modeling career or moving on to something else?

Dominique: I’m definitely moving to California in the near future, so that I can continue to pursue modeling, acting, or anything really in the entertainment industry. I’ve wanted to do something in that field for so long, so it would be nice to use the show as a stepping stone to do so.

RNO: What else do you have planned in the works? Is there any way people can keep up with you, or can see you in the near future?

Dominique: I don’t have a website yet, but I’m working on one. It will be dominiquereighard.com, and although it’s not up yet, it will be shortly. I’ll be on other sites as well – believe me, you haven’t seen the last of me yet!

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

Dominique: I really do appreciate all the support. People have been coming up to me saying how much they liked me and how well I did, and I appreciate every moment of it. The votes for Cover Girl of the week, on blogs, the people that act like they are me on MySpace… I love it! Thanks, everyone!

RNO: Thanks, Dominique!

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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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