by Michelle Spigner

 

You may know America's Next Top Model cycle 14 contestant Angelea Preston to have one of the biggest personalities on the show. Although the judges loved Angelea's strong personality, it was her unwavering persistence and focus that first got the Top Model casting directors to notice her.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted: How did it feel to make it to the final episode, the final four?

A. Angelea: it was so cool. It was amazing. I was happy that I made it that far.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted: Did you expect to make it to the final four?

A. Angelea: I  wanted to make it to the top two. In the end I feel that the judges made a decision that was better for them. They wanted Krista and Raina in the top two. And that was their decision and I stand by that. I was just happy that I got a change to experience that. I was a little nervous going in, because I didn't get to experience that cycle 12. But when I got second picture at the first elimination I knew that I could do it.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted: When did you know you wanted to model?

A. Angelea: Since I was nice. I saw a commercial for Wilhelmina. At first I thought they were a scouting agency so I didn't know anything about them. I just saw this really tall girl walking down the runway. And I was like oh I wanna do that, I wanna do that so bad. So ever since I saw that Wilhelmina commercial when they were looking for models in my area, I wanted to model.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted: Why did you decide to try out for America's Next Top Model?

A. Angelea: At first, when the first season came out I was like I'm gonna do this on my own, I don't want to apply for it. But then after a while I was like am I crazy? The opportunities that can come from being on the show, like your nuts, your trippin. So I kept applying for it, like I was stalking them. I went to Knoxville, Tennessee because I heard the casting director was gonna be there. So I just got on the bus and went down there. I'd never been there before. I went to the Erie, Pennsylvania audition and I got the boot so I was just like I'm gonna keep applying cause they're gonna notice me. And then they noticed me. So I was real happy because I could have given up.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted: How did you stay focused in the competition?

A. Angelea: There was a lot of drama in the house. But I didn't let the drama get to me. I stayed focused in the competition because I wanted it so bad. When you want it so bad, you don't pay attention to what's around you. You kind of tune it out and block it out. So that's what I did. I didn't let anything in the house transcend onto the set.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted: What was your favorite photo shoot?

A. Angelea: I have two. I loved the Cover Girl photo shoot because I got first photo. I loved the styling. I felt so chic. From everything from the clothes, cause it was designer clothes I was wearing. An Escada shirt and Dolce shades. I liked the fake photo shoot because it was outrageous.  But actually I liked my clothes. I liked the outfit, the hair, the makeup. And it was right in the middle of canal street and I liked being in the middle of the city. The Cover Girl shoot was also in the city on the subway. So I was like yes I've got to do this cause I'm from Buffalo. I'm so New York. I have to get first photo. If I don't get first photo well.... Damn!

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted:  During the Cover Girl shoot the judges raved about the inner confidence you had in your picture. What were you thinking about to get that great shot?

A. Angelea: I was like okay. Every other time before that when I was on the set Jay gave me critiques and the photographer gave me critiques. And I was confused between the two. So I was like who should I be listening to the photographer or the director? For this photo shoot I told Jay I said, 'Jay don't say anything I want to do this on my own. I want to prove to everyone I can do this. I'm just confident I know I can do this.' So he said, 'Okay I'm not gonna say anything.' So I just went in there and I just had so much confidence that shoot. I just did what I needed to do.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted:  What was the most difficult part of the show?

A. Angelea: I think the most difficult is taking direction from the photographer and the director. What I have learned from the show is that the creative director will have one vision and the photographer will have a completely different vision for what he wants you to do. So you have to come to a medium where you can please both the photographer and the director. That was the most difficult for me. Because if the photographer liked it Jay didn't like it and if Jay liked it the photographer didn't like it. So I was like okay how do I make both of them like it? How do I do what they both want me to do and still have a great picture?

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted: What did you take away from being on Top Model?

A. Angelea: It's so crazy because at the end of the panel. Jay said that he said I was just going to stop with Top Model and not pursue it. I didn't know he felt that way. And I didn't know at what point in the competition he thought that way. I know what I am capable of doing as a person. And I know that I am going to be successful. I guess it's just me proving people wrong. And that's what I've always done. And proving people wrong when they didn't see me go home the first week or the second week or the third week. Also learning that not everybody is going to like you and not trying to please everybody and just doing what you want to do. Because at the end I feel that I got so caught up in trying to please Jay and what Jay wanted, that I forgot about me and modeling for me. So I walked away from that lessoned learned.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted:  What are you looking to do, now that the show has ended?

A. Angelea: Well I'm looking into agencies now, to try find out which is the best for me. I'm hoping to get a little bit into to TV and maybe a little bit of acting, maybe a little bit of filming. Maybe be a VJ for like BET or Vh1. I just really want to be in the mix of things. I don't want do one thing, I'm gonna start off with my modeling and succeed in that and then I'm gonna take it from there and whatever opportunities come for me. Full speed ahead. I'm charging it like a bull. Oh, girl! I can't wait I'm so excited.

 

Q. Michelle, RealityWanted:  How does it feel coming from humble beginnings and proving to so many people who doubted you that you can be successful?

A. Angelea: I feel like I watched the show and I saw that I made it so far. Even when I was there physically I was damn proud of myself. Of course I wanted to win, of course I wanted to be in the top two  but I was so proud that I made it that far because I know regardless of if you win or not. I know you can do what you want to do. I know this was just a stepping stone for me. And you don't have to win the show to be successful. And if you want it and can work hard for it you can do it. You can be successful. I feel like I'm an inspiration to somebody because I didn't give up. I just want people to know that it doesn't matter where you come from and who you are and how much negativity you've been through in your life. If you know you're destined to do something and you have dreams and you have goals. Go for it!

 

 

(Image courtesy of the CW)

 

 

For more America's Next Top Model Links visit SirLinksALot.net