by Mike Bandy

Last week on Top Model, Monique, the 19-year-old Shalom Harlow look-alike from Hebron, IL, was eliminated. Throughout the competition, the judges didn't really get to know Monique, and Tyra said that she was just sailing along in the middle and not really standing out. We caught up with Monique to talk about what really happened the night she read Alexandria's diary, her time in the competition, and what's coming up next for her!

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: On the show, it looked like you were the ringleader of the plan to read Alexandria's diary. What really happened that night, and how have people reacted to watching that?
A. Monique: Well, I walked into her room, and all the girls were having a powwow on their true feelings about Alex, but me being the impulsive person, I suggested we look at her diary. I felt guilty and bad about it afterwards, but at the time it seemed like a fun thing to do. She obviously didn't know about it, and if I could go back and tell her, I would. I called her before the show and told her about it, and we had a talk. The problem is that I actually do really like Alex, but I got caught up in the moment. The girls were pushing me to do it.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: On last week's episode, you mentioned that you were "on the verge of an emotional breakdown" and that there was something inside you that was holding you back. What do you think happened?
A. Monique: Well, looking back at it now, I kind of got distracted by my feelings for why I was really there. We didn't have a lot of time to call home, and my mom is like my rock, and I wasn't able to talk to her. It made me really emotional. The whole part of me being distracted by that, held me back in the competition, and that was in the back of my head in the photo shoots.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Were you the only one who was angry about having to clean up the fan mess? I feel like that was edited to make it look like you were the only one complaining, and I just don't believe it. Can you clear that up for us?
A. Monique: When we had to clean up the fan mess, I was really pissed off because I wanted to win, and I was with Kasia and involved in all her conversations, and I let my emotions get the best of me. I wear my feelings on my face, and I was saying what was on my mind, but I just hate garbage, and the whole thing just really grossed me out. I was probably the biggest complainer.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What was your favorite photo shoot and favorite challenge?
A. Monique: My favorite photo shoot was the first one with Russell James...it was a surreal dream for me. I love him so much, and I liked the whole feel of the photo shoot, it was really relaxed, and everybody was really down to earth. My favorite challenge was the fire runway, it was really challenging and terrifying, but it was a huge rush for me. I enjoy scary situations like that.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: It seemed like Brittani was the most upset when you were eliminated. Are you really close to her? Are you close friends with any other girls in the house?
A. Monique: Um, I LOVE Brittani, I love her sense of humor and personality, we got close on the show, but we got closer when we got home. WE call each other every few days, and I'm gonna try to visit her in a couple weeks. I can honestly tell you I have a special connection and love for every single girl on the show. If we lived closer together, I'd try to see them as much as I could. I also talk to Sarah almost every day too.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What's coming up next for you?
A. Monique: I'm planning on moving to LA at the end of April, I feel that it's the best fit for me with modeling, get involved in acting classes and put myself out there and really go for it.

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

(Image courtesy of the CW)