Tea party photoshoot from Britain and Ireland's next top model.
It’s back with vengeance and things have changed. Not only is Britain’s Next Top Model including the luck of the Irish and changing its name to Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model (confusion much? – we liked the BNTM moniker), but the competition seems to be getting tougher too. The girls had to make it through auditions with judges, super model Elle Macpherson, stylist Grace Woodward, designer Julien Macdonald and model Charley Speed, before being put through their paces at boot camp. Then thirteen lucky girls found themselves in the model’s house ready to take on the real competition – this week’s tasks being a tree top catwalk and a Mad Hatters tea party themed shoot for Lipton Tea. First eliminated were Kimberleigh Spreadbury and Joanne Northey. We got a second to chat to Kimberleigh about dirty tactics, bitchy girls and going all the way.
First things first, How gutted were you when you found out that you were going to be leaving the show?
“Very. I hadn’t really been there long enough and it didn’t seem right. I wanted to stay longer but at the same time I did respect the judges decision to let me go. But, yeah, I was really sad.”
When you started out did you think you’d win?
“I’d like to have thought I could’ve won. I think if I’d stayed a little longer I would have had to toughen up more and be a lot more competitive, but I didn’t think I would go first!”
Was the experience anything like you imagined it would be?
“Yes and no. I mean from previous seasons you understand how involved it is, what with the house and how much the cameras are always, there but you don’t really expect it ‘til you’re in that situation But you do forget the cameras are there sometimes and you get used to it. And then you think, ‘oh I probably shouldn’t say stuff like that!’”
So you didn’t feel self conscious around the cameras at all?
“No, I think after the first few days you accepted the fact they were there and they weren’t going away, no matter how many times you told them, so you had to just deal with it and get used to it.”
Did anything put you off becoming a model?
“No, not at all. I’m going to keep pursuing it and one day I’ll be on the cover of Vogue. So definitely not.”
We were quite shocked that you left and we definitely didn’t think your final picture was the worst...
“I liked my picture!”
Exactly, it was good. So why do you think you were chosen to leave?
“I think possibly there were other girls who did better on the shoot but, to be honest, I’m not entirely sure why I left. It’s not like I can sit Elle down and ask her though. Which I think is a positive, as I haven’t got anything negative to go on and the only way is up and I can build and move forward.”
The other girls all said that you don’t have much confidence and you’re not very model like. How did that make you feel?
“To be honest I didn’t care what the other girls thought. It’s not their place to judge me. And based on the fact that it’s a very public industry anyway a lot of people will have thoughts and comments about me. If I had been in the house longer I would have been able to prove I can be a normal person AND I can be a model at the same time. I think personality will get you everywhere in this industry. If you just turn up and there’s nothing that’s likable about you apart from your face and your abilities then people aren’t really going to want to work with you.”
There seemed to be some love lost between you and the girls because they thought you’re ‘too nice.’ What was your take on that?
“I’m not sure you can be too nice! I think my happiness did irritate a few of them and I got called childish, but I’m only 21 so it’ because I’m young. The fact I do act childish shows that I don’t take my self too seriously and I can have fun. You only live once.
“At the same time if the need arises I can be professional and can be quite serious and adult, Throughout my personal life I’ve had to grow up quite fast, so it’s nice to reflect upon childish moments and have fun.”
Where do you think you get your sunny disposition from in the first place?
“I think that there’s no point in being unhappy in life, it doesn’t get you anywhere. It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. Less wrinkles when you’re older.”
If you were in the competition again, would you do anything differently?< /br>
“I would have practiced walking in heels a lot more. I would have bought them before the day before I went in. That’s all I would do differently, I wouldn’t change myself for the show or for anyone.”
The judges seem quite harsh this year, would you say that’s fair?
“I actually thought they were a lot nicer than they were in previous years. I liked the fact they were involved with the auditions this year, I thought that was really good because you get their perspective right from the beginning and you form a bond with them.
“To be honest though, there are so many people in this industry that are going to be horrible to you that you have to get used to it. If it’s a ‘nice’ life you want, you don’t really go for this industry.“
Who do you think you got on best with in the house? Who will you stay in contact with?
“I’d say I got on best with Imogen. Me, her and Holly shared a room together in boot camp. After the whole competition was over I got in touch with Tania and now we’re really good friends.”
Who do you want to see win and why?
“I’d like to see Tania win because she’s such a beautiful person. I think the fact that she’s a mum and a model goes really well even though the two don’t seem to overlap in front of the camera. I think that’s a really lovely quality that she’s got because she’s got a softer side, but can bring an edgy rock chick look if she wants too.”
Juste had a break down in hair and make up during the Tea Party shoot because she didn’t like her look. What did you think of that?
“I’m not entirely sure whether it was tactical or her actual view, because for her to go from hating her hair to bringing out an amazing shot I don’t know how she was playing that. It did shock us, because she was very reserved throughout the whole time and very held together, elegant poised throughout the show and that was the first time she showed that side of her. It was a bit of a relief to be honest. “
If she’s being tactical, do you think the other girls will pull her up on it?
“No because everyone’s tactical in there. It’s a competition at the end of the day. It’s just whether your tactics were true or not which will get shown later on in the competition.”
What did you learn about yourself from the show?
“I gained a lot more confidence through the show. I have learnt how to slightly improve the walk, it’s not perfect but I learnt what I needed to make it better, and I’ve got to put into practice.”
What’s next for you?
“I am going to try anything and everything and eventually take the fashion world by storm.”
Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model is on Mondays at 9pm on Sky Living.
