The third girl to leave the Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model house is Irish Hannah Devenne, who the judges described as too ‘nice’. We chat with her about whether ‘nice’ is a compliment, the fighting going on between Anastaija and Tanya and what’s next…
You were up against Amy in the final two – what was going through your head when you realised you were going head to head with her?
It was difficult, we’re so different. It’s hard to compare myself with Amy as she’s so high fashion and I’m more commercial – we have such opposite looks! I found it difficult to compare us and I know the judges had a really hard decision too, so I’m not taking it too personally. Obviously, being in the show at this point had become our life, we were living the dream, and all I was thinking about was praying I had done enough to make it through. Obviously, I didn’t, which was disappointing, but I’ll just have to find my own way into modeling now.
The judges said you were too 'nice'. Do you think that was a fair comment?
There are worse comments that could be made! And I hope I am nice, it’s much better than being awful. And it wasn’t that the judges were saying I couldn’t be a model so I haven’t taken that as a negative.
What was your favourite part of the whole experience?
Probably meeting all the amazing guest judges. Like Janice Dickinson – when she came in my jaw just dropped to the ground and I couldn’t really believe she was standing in front of me. I’m such a huge fan of hers, and I watch all her shows, so meeting her was just brilliant. She was so nice as well and she really helped us all out with our walks – by the end of the challenge I definitely thought my walk had improved and so did all the other girls. I mean, how many aspiring models get catwalk advice from Janice Dickinson?! And meeting Alek Wek as well, she is just so striking and everyone knows her face. I was just gob smacked when I met her, it’s a moment I will remember forever.
What was your least favourite part of the whole experience?
Me leaving! It was really disappointing, as I had been having such fun doing the show. I don’t have any other negatives really. I’ve got no regrets about doing the show or anything I did when I was on it. I wouldn’t do anything differently and I did my best so I’m proud of my accomplishments. I’ll definitely look back fondly at the entire experience.
Who do you want to win now and why?
Stacey probably – as she’s Northern Irish and I met her right at the beginning at the auditions in Dublin so we’ve been friends from the start. I don’t think she sees her own potential, she doesn’t realize how good she is.
What will you do next? Do you plan on carrying on modeling?
I absolutely plan to carry on modeling! After I came out of the house, I pretty much went back to my normal life and it’s definitely made me realise how much I want to be a model. I could only pursue modeling once the show had aired, so now my episode has been on TV I can focus on trying to get into the industry. I’ve actually just quit my job as a manager at Hollister in Dublin so I can model. The show has 100% made me realize that it’s what I want to do.
Who do you think is the biggest competition? Who did you see as the biggest competition while you were in the house?
I didn’t really think of the girls in that way and I didn’t pitch myself against them in that way. I think you need to focus on yourself completely so that worrying about what anyone else is doing doesn’t distract you. We were all so different and all have such different strengths that I don’t think it helps if you constantly compare yourself to what each of the other girls is doing.
There have been so many arguments. What was your take on them? Did you have anyone you agreed with out of Anastasija and Tanya?
That one was the first big bust up I guess – well there had been some tension from the beginning between Anastasija and Tanya but only those two know what was really going on. I tried to stay out of the fighting and was more of a mediator in the house. I didn’t want anyone to get upset and look back negatively on the experience so I tried to help everyone get along. But it is inevitable with 13 different girls put in one house that there would be differences of opinion and clashes which being in the house will exaggerate. But I tried not to take sides mostly.
What do you think you've learnt from the whole experience?
Lots! My walk has improved, I’ve got more confidence on the catwalk, and I’ve learnt that doing things with conviction is really important. I’ve learnt not to worry that I might mess up as if I try something and it doesn’t work out or it’s bad, you can always change it and try it again. And from being picked for the competition in the first place it shows me that I do have potential and I shouldn’t start second guessing myself.
Has it made you think differently about modeling at all?
Not really. It made me realise that it is as good as I think it is! I really enjoyed being in the competition, perhaps more than I even thought I would, and it’s definitely made me determined to continue modeling and make it in the industry. I’m going to dream big! Why not?
Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model is on Mondays at 9pm on Sky Living.
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