The judges complained that they were insecure, lacking in confidence and sometimes just looked plain bored. We chat to this week's Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model eliminees Holly and Amy about their time on the show, the fights and having more self-confidence.
Other Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model content:
Interview with Hannah
Interview with Ufuoma
Interview with Kimberleigh Spreadbury
Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model: Where Are They Now?
The house seems to have become completely divided over the past few weeks – how has that had an impact on how everyone's coping with the competition do you think?
Amy: I just tried to keep myself out of it really. It is a competition and everyone is out for themselves so it’s understandable that there is a bit of tension, but I ignored it as best I could and stayed away from the arguments. I don’t like confrontation – if someone asks me what I think of them, I’ll be straight with them, but I mainly tried to stay out of it.
Holly:I don’t think the tension affected the competition or how people acted in the tasks. It was back at the house that it got more tense so it affected the atmosphere there, but not how we all worked I don’t think.
What was your take on the whole experience?
A: Very exciting and such an incredible experience! I’ll never forget it – which I know sounds cheesy but I really won’t! I’m so pleased that I took the chance to audition.
H: Amazing, it was a brilliant experience! Even though there was some tension and arguments and cattyness, I came out of the competition with a really positive view overall.
You were both a little bit insecure in yourselves, which may have been one of the reasons you didn't make it through to the finals, how did you learn to overcome this during your time on the show?
A: I think everyone goes through stages of doubting themselves – I know I shouldn’t but I do. I think I seemed insecure because I knew that I was trying my best but not getting the results I wanted, and that’s why I got upset and cried so much. But it has taught me that you need to stay true to yourself and you’re not going to be right for everything, but that’s ok.
H: From watching myself back it has made me realize how insecure I looked on the show, but I do think I’ve grown in confidence from doing the competition. And I can see now why the judges said I looked bored, but it was really just nerves about really wanting to stay in the competition and standing in front of the judges – they can be quite intimidating!
Were you shocked to find yourselves leaving?
A: Obviously I really didn’t want to go and do think that I still had something to give and was still to show my best. But the shoot wasn’t suited to me and even though I tried my best, it didn’t work. So I guess I wasn’t really shocked and I understand the decision, but I think I could have given a lot more if I had been able to stay.
H: I don’t think I was shocked as my photo was one of the worst pictures that week so I knew I was in the running for elimination. But I do think I had more to give and show to the judges.
What kind of attitude do you think you entered the house with? Did you expect to go all the way?
A: I didn’t even expect to get past the first audition, let alone all the rest! When I went into the house it was overwhelming, scary but also exciting and amazing! I went in with the thought that I could bring something different to the show and I think I did that. I tried to stay true to myself and remain down-to-earth and genuine. And I represented something different in that I’m not really girly like a lot of the contestants and past winners.
H: I wasn’t in the frame of mind that I was going to win but I did think I had as good a chance as anyone. I was just really grateful to be there and always tried to do my best.
Who have you made friends with in the house and who will you keep in touch with?
A: Jess – I still talk to her all the time. Though we actually knew each other from before the show, we worked together in a shop in Norwich, so it was cool to have a friend in there from the start. And the Irish girls, Joanne, Hannah and Stacey, I still talk to them quite a bit. And I’ve talked to Tanya a little since I’ve come out of the house.
H: Jade and Imogen were my best friends in the house and I’ve kept in touch with both of them since leaving the competition. And I’ve already invited both of them to my wedding party in July next year!
Who won't you be keeping in touch with?
A: It was a really good experience an it’s always good to have contacts, so I won’t say I’ll ignore people and it won’t be me that doesn’t talk to people. But at the same time you’re not going to get on with everyone and there are some girls I’ll probably speak to far less and drift away from.
H: Probably Tanya, Anastasija and Juste – they are girls that I wouldn’t get on with outside of the house so I doubt we’ll keep in touch.
What has been your favourite task so far?
A: I really enjoyed the Miss Selfridge challenge where we styled our own clothes and did a catwalk – I thought my outfits were cool and I looked quite quirky! And I loved the falconry shoot – I’m fascinated by birds of prey so that was a bit of a dream come true.
H: My favourite was the nude shoot. I freaked out a bit at the beginning but as the shoot went on I got more into it and felt comfortable and confident and liberated.
What do you think you've most learnt about yourselves?
A: Be confident and not to let nerves get the better of me. I learnt how I need to work my body and expressions to create different looks. And to try not to concentrate on the negatives, even though that’s really hard!
H: I’ve learnt not to try and please everyone else. Everyone has conflicting ideas of what your look should be and how you should act and you can’t fit in with what they all want from you. So now I try and be myself and feel confident in who I am.
How have you surprised yourselves?
A: Being naked in front of a room full of people was something I never thought I’d do! And I was surprised to find I was really happy when I got home after coming out of the house and I felt so much more confident in myself. It’s definitely been an amazing experience. I normally run away from things that I find scary or intimidating, so I was quite surprised that I stayed there even when it got tough.
H: Yes! I didn’t think I’d even get past the first audition and I was shocked when I made it through each of the stages – that’s probably why I didn’t have complete confidence in myself.
What did you learn about modelling that you perhaps didn't expect to find?
A: All the different challenges made me realize that there can be so many different parts to modeling other than just taking pictures – it can also be about styling, directing, interviewing someone or presenting.
H: I discovered that in the industry everyone had different ideas about how you should look and what is right and wrong, and you need to remember that you’re not going to be right for each job every time.
If you'd been head to head, instead of two girls being thrown out of the competition, who do you think would have been leaving this week?
A: Holly – I can’t say I think I should have left! I think I was one of the most intriguing girls in the competition and I wish I had been able to bring more of myself into the photos.
H: Well I have to say Amy – I’ve got to believe in myself!
Who did you think was the biggest competition?
A: I didn’t really think about anyone else like that – I just concentrated on myself and tried not to look at what anyone else was doing. That’s only distracting and I’m quite a worrier so I didn’t want to add to that by thinking about other people. I was doing my own thing.
H: Anastasija or Juste – they’re both young like me and really tall and confident.
What do you plan on doing next?
A: I’m still going to pursue modeling by going to agencies, though I don’t know quite when yet. I would love it if people came to me after seeing me on the show but I know that if you really want something you need to work at it so I’ll defiantly give it my all. I’d also love to do styling – I work at Whistles at the moment and enjoy giving advice to customers about clothes.
H: I’m going to go to London agencies and hope I’ll get signed – I definitely want to pursue a career in modeling. I also really enjoyed interviewing The Wanted and think that interviewing and presenting is something I’d like to try to develop alongside modeling if I can.
Who do you think will win and why? Who do you want to win?
A: Jade – her look is very different and she’s got a great figure. She’s got curves and I think people can relate to that - her body shape isn’t the typical stick-thin model. And she’s got a lovely personality and she’s an all-rounder.
H: I think Jade will win as she had such an interesting look and a lovely personality. She has so much potential to do really well in the competition.
Other Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model content:
Interview with Hannah
Interview with Ufuoma
Interview with Kimberleigh Spreadbury
Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model: Where Are They Now?
