"I Didn’t Expect The Cameras To Always Be Around"– An Interview with America's Next Top Model 7’s Anchal

To be honest, I thought that Anchal was going to be eliminated much earlier than she was. Not because of her look – I definitely think she had that part down. Not because of her pictures either, which were always good. It’s just that Anchal never believed in her own talent or potential. Normally that spells doom for girls on this show. Anchal managed to get to the mid point of the competition, but her self doubt did eventually catch up to her. I had a chance to talk to Anchal about her time on the show, and this is what she had to say.

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

Anchal: Believe it or not, I only watched the first Cycle of the show, when Adrianne won, and the Cycle that Eva won. I was hesitant to be on the show because I was actually contacted by production. I did want to give it a chance though, and I was always interested in modeling, so I figured that this would give me the opportunity needed to get some exposure.

RNO: One of the biggest plots this season seemed to be your insecurity. Do you feel it was played up in editing or did we get to see how you normally act?

Anchal: I think my insecurity was put out there more than it needed to be. Most of it was due to editing. I am insecure. No, I WAS insecure. I was insecure about my body, but I gained the self confidence over time and I do love myself now. I accept what people say now and if it’s negative, I turn it into a positive.

RNO: Did you realize that doubting yourself so much, especially in front of the judges, would end up being your reason for being eliminated?

Anchal: To be honest, I never meant for my insecurity to show in front of the judges. It just sort of worked out that way. Maybe that is the reason I was sent home or maybe not. I do think that the way I saw myself though played a huge factor in why the judges sent me home.

RNO: Did Tyra or any of the other girls offer to help you with your confidence issues at any time?

Anchal:Tyra did encourage me and so did CariDee. I tried to listen to them and take their advice and I would say that it helped me.

RNO: Two times we saw you get in an altercation. Once with Monique over the phone and once with Melrose for talking smack. Which would you say was harder to deal with?

Anchal: That would be Melrose. Honestly, I barely even remember the fight now because it happened so fast. It’s just that normally, I’m not usually the one to stand up for myself – I usually just walk away. You really have to push my buttons to make me snap back and she did just that. She was on my last nerve, and it felt like I was facing my childhood all over again. I do think that growing in self confidence helped me though because I normally would have just walked away instead of standing up for myself.

RNO: Looking back, especially on what was shown and your self confidence, do you regret opening yourself up to be on a reality TV show?

Anchal: I didn’t expect the cameras to always be around. I do regret it a little bit because I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into. I don’t think I’d ever do a reality TV show ever again.

RNO: What would you say was the hardest aspect of the show? Do you think it was more the TV part or would you say it was the modeling aspect?

Anchal: Oh, it was definitely the TV aspect of the competition. I honestly didn’t think that the cameras would be there to capture every little thing that we did. It was a bit frustrating at times!

RNO: How did you feel about the eliminations up until yours? Did you feel that girls were being eliminated when they should have been or did you think that politics was beginning to play a part in who went home?

Anchal: I really feel like there is some credibility to that statement with politics. Megan had so much potential. She has one bad photo and is sent home? It didn’t seem right. Jaeda should have gone home that week. She should have gone home a few times. Here pictures are never that great and she has been in the bottom two so many times but has yet to be sent home. A.J. had one bad picture and went home. Same thing with Brooke. I didn’t understand. Yes, A.J. did get pessimistic but she really knew how to model.

RNO: Did you feel that any of the judges in particular were pulling for you? What about the guest judges?

Anchal: I liked the judges and most of the guest judges were always nice to me. I know that they can’t choose a side because they are looking at us as models, but I can say that I know Twiggy didn’t like me. That’s for sure!

RNO: Do you feel that you were receiving advice and critiques from not only the judges, but from Jay Manual, that you were able to use in future challenges and photo shoots or did you find yourself having to learn more yourself?

Anchal: It was a game, you know? There were certain things that we had to and were expected to learn for ourselves. Jay was a little vague at times, but he would normally sit us down and explain to us what he wanted and what we should do. However, what the judges gave us was mostly critiques. We were then to use those critiques in the future to succeed.

RNO: You said that you weren’t friends with any of the girls in the house. Do you feel like you made a connection with any of the girls while in the house?

Anchal: All the girls that I liked and got along with were sent home early! I really liked and got along with Christian, but she was the first girl sent home. That was the first blow. I didn’t see it coming. Then A.J. and Megg, two other girls that I got along with, were sent home as well. I talked to CariDee and Eugena, but it wasn’t like how I was with the other girls.

RNO: What are your plans from this point on? Do you plan on continuing to pursue modeling or are you ready to try something else?

Anchal: I want to break into the modeling world and give it a shot. I’d like to do it as long as possible and use being on the show as a stepping stone to get into the industry.

RNO: What is your backup plan incase things end up going another way?

Anchal: I’m in school right now for nuclear biology, so I plan on doing that before anything else. I know that education is important, so it’s not a back up play, but something that I want to do anyway.

RNO: What surprised you the most about the whole experience? Do you feel you were adequately prepared to enter this business?

Anchal: Right now, I can’t say that I’m ready to get into the business because of school, but other than that, I’m totally ready!

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

Anchal: I want to say that I’m not a cry baby! I do appreciate all the support and the fans that wish me well. It really does mean a lot to me. Thanks again!

RNO: Thanks, Anchal!

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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