"I Expected To Be Judged As a Twin"– An Interview with America's Next Top Model 7’s Amanda

Wow, only days after I had a chance to talk with Michelle, it’s already time for me to talk with her sister, Amanda! In my heart, I do feel that Amanda should have been in the final three. Let’s face it, we all know Eugena is the next to go on the “your potential has run out card” just like Bre from Cycle 5 and Keenyah from Cycle 4. Anyway, I did get to have a little chat with Amanda, and although she was a little rush-rush and quiet like her sister was, I was able to pry a little more information out of her. Read on to see what she had to say about her time on the show!

RealityNewsOnline: Hey, Amanda! Thanks for taking time out of what I’m sure is a busy schedule to talk with me today. How much of previous seasons of the show did you watch and what factored into your decision to apply?

Amanda: I watched all of the first and second season. I didn’t watch the third through fifth, but I would go online and look at the girl’s photos. I don’t really watch too much TV. I applied for the show because I figured it would be a good opportunity to finally get my modeling started, plus it looked fun!

RNO: Were you surprised that your sister decided to apply when you did and did you feel that applying with a twin would lessen your chances of being picked?

Amanda: You know, I was surprised only because I knew she was so into basketball, and not really modeling. However, it was the off season, so she came along! I actually think applying as twins helped us out because it made us stand out. There weren’t any other twins at our audition!

RNO: Theoretically, how do you think you would have done if Michelle was not in the competition? Do you think you would have made it further if you were in the competition by yourself from the beginning?

Amanda: Well, I think I made it pretty far with Michelle, so I’d probably say I would have made it about as far without her. I can’t really say though, since that’s not the way it went down.

RNO: Did you feel that being part of a set of twins in the competition was more of an asset or a liability?

Amanda: I think it was an asset by getting us into the house together. We had one another there to talk to and help each other out, so that helped too. It was only really a liability when we would be judged as twins in front of the judges, and they would compare us. That was expected though – I expected to be judged as a twin. However, it’s a show for individuals, but we were cast as twins.

RNO: Were you surprised when you were kept over Michelle when the both of you were in the bottom two?

Amanda: No, I wasn’t surprised at all. I knew that one of the most important things in the competition was showing that you wanted this, and Michelle was unsure. I don’t feel like she sacrificed herself for me or any other the other girls, she just expressed to the judges the way she felt.

RNO: Did you ever feel that being a twin was actually being used against you by the judges, even though you were cast that way?

Amanda: No, not at all. Like I said, we were cast as twins, so being compared was expected, but I never felt like it was being used against us.

RNO: It started to seem like nobody was getting along with Melrose by the time it was down to the final four. Was that the case or were we simply seeing the worst of it?

Amanda: Well, I know that Eugena and CariDee didn’t really care for her. Melrose and I were fine though. We didn’t really fight, and when we did, I would just talk to her and that was the different with me and the other girls when it came to Melrose. If you talked to her, it was easy to overcome things. I didn’t have a problem with her at all.

RNO: Did your harbor any animosity or hard feelings towards CariDee or Eugena when they said they felt you had the least amount of potential in front of the judges?

Amanda: No, not at all. I mean, I said that CariDee had the least amount of potential. We all went back and pretty much had to pick someone to embarrass in front of the judges. I think it was used to start drama, but it’s a TV show, so I guess that’s just part of it.

RNO: Did you find the competition felt a little easier or maybe a little less pressure once Michelle was eliminated or was it something you didn’t even take notice to?

Amanda: It didn’t really change much for me at all. I missed her, but in reality, I was only in the competition on my own, without Michelle, for about three or four days. It wasn’t very long at all.

RNO: Most of the time we saw you on camera, you came off very quiet and reserved. Is that the way you really are or were you nervous about putting yourself out there on TV?

Amanda: In the beginning I was more quiet and reserved, but in the end, I felt that I was being pretty loud and was much more like myself. I was just concerned and drawn back in the beginning, but they chose to show me as being quiet most of the time. I don’t know why!

RNO: Do you think we are left with the best final three possible? Was there anyone you expected to be in the final three but didn’t make it?

Amanda: Well, me! No, I’d say that it’s a pretty good final three, considering that my sister and I aren’t in the final three. Besides us though, I think they are three of the best.

RNO: Another writer for the site, C. Brian Devinney, wanted me to ask you if you felt Jay Manual wore more makeup than the girls at photo shoots?

Amanda: Ha! He didn’t wear that much makeup! Well, maybe sometimes he wore a little more than us. I know during the water runway photo shoot he definitely was. I’m just going to say that!

RNO: When I talked to your sister a few days ago, she said she was going to continue to pursue modeling. Do you plan on doing the same?

Amanda: Yes, that’s what I want to do. I just plan on finding an agent and seeing if I can get my foot in the door. It’s my passion and what I want to follow.

RNO: What is your plan B incase modeling doesn’t end up working out for you? What are your other aspirations?

Amanda: Well, I plan on going to school, but to be honest, modeling is really all I want to do right now, so I’m just going to continue to try and pursue that and we’ll have to see what happens!

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

Amanda: I just want to thank everyone for the support that they gave me. It really does mean a lot to me! Thanks!

RNO: Thanks, Amanda!

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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