by Mike Bandy

Last night on Top Model, Angelia, the 20 year old exotic beauty from Miami, FL was the first to be eliminated. In the bottom two with Dominique, it was determined that Angelia did not show passion in her photos, and the judges did not feel an emotional connection to her, so she was asked to leave. We caught up with Angelia to talk about what she thought about being eliminated, how she felt about Tyra's prank on the girls, and what's coming up next for her.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What was it like to be tricked into thinking you were going home only to find out you were actually a part of the final 14?
A. Angelia: Oh my gosh, that was such an evil prank! I can't even find the words to express how it is... I went through so many emotions that day, going from feeling really confident, and then drug all the way down, and then being brought back up again... it's an emotional roller coaster! I can't imagine what it must have been like for the girls who got a photo only to be sent home!

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Tell us about what it was like walking inside a huge plastic bubble. That must have been really difficult!
A. Angelia: Oh my goodness, it was difficult, and hot and stuffy! All you can do is try to concentrate on staying on the ramp without looking down. There was confetti anywhere, and I had a really long dress on so I was trying to stretch my legs, and then it looked like I was marching. It's something you'd only see on Top Model. I'd rather not have that experience again.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Even though you were only there a short time, did you make any lasting friendships with any of the girls?
A. Angelia: Yes, I'm close to a few of the girls, and I think they'll be lifelong friends. Nicole lives in Orlando, so she's three hours from me and we talk almost every day. We have a good, strong friendship. I also keep in touch with Monique a lot, but I liked all the girls.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: You mentioned last night that you were shocked to be going home because you know your stuff. What has been your past experience with modeling, and do you feel it helped you on the show in any way?
A. Angelia: I modeled when I was younger; I was signed with a small agency. I'd go to a few runway shows and then I started working on my book again, but that was 5 years ago. In the past year, I started a new portfolio, because I'd stopped modeling for a while to finish high school, and I know my poses and how to do my look, and I'm very confident about my expressions. I was very shocked when they said that I had no emotion in my eyes...I know it sounds conceited, but I look at my book and I can see the emotion in my eyes! I think the picture they showed at panel doesn't show my real talent. I've had family members call me and they said that the picture of Hannah that I was in, you could see my face perfectly. Why didn't they choose that one for panel? Either way, everything happens for a reason.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: If you had to make a prediction about who would win the cycle, who do you think it would be?
A. Angelia: Um...I would honestly say between Brittani, Molly, or Jaclyn.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What's coming up next for you?
A. Angelia: Modeling is my passion, I love it! I'm gonna shop for agencies here [in Miami], and in LA and NY, and push it and go for it.

America's Next Top Model airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on the CW.

(Image courtesy of the CW)