by Mike Bandy

Last night on Top Model, in the midst of one of the craziest panels EVER, Mikaela, the 21 year old with amazing bone structure from Boca Raton, FL, was eliminated. Though she has a stunning face, the judges struggled to find lasting intensity in her eyes, and decided she should not continue on. We caught up with Mikaela to talk about what REALLY happened at the craziest panel ever, her time in the competition, and what's coming up next for her.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Okay, I absolutely want to focus on you and your time in the competition, but first I have to ask...How crazy was that panel?? Did anything happen that we didn't get to see?
A. Mikaela: It was pretty intense, I don't think any of us were expecting that it would turn into that. I did not expect Brittani to be in the bottom two at all. I definitely knew I was going home, though. What you saw on TV was pretty much what happened!

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Last night you mentioned that you've been modeling since you were 15 years old. What kinds of awesome stuff have you done? Anything viewers may recognize you in?
A. Mikaela: Yeah, I've done a lot of runway stuff for Diane von Furstenburg, Versace, mostly in Miami. I've been in Elle magazine, and some overseas magazines. I was really excited to just be on the show and further my career as much as possible.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Having had so much modeling experience in the past, do you feel that Top Model accurately prepares girls for the hardcore world of modeling? Was there anything you didn't expect?
A. Mikaela: To be honest, it was definitely unlike things I've experienced before; in the real world you can take a look at your photos and see how the shoot's going, so the photographer/model relationship is a bit different in that respect. But Top Model is like model boot camp, so it does prepare you for it in some ways.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What was it like to have Tyra tell you she wished you were staying instead of Brittani? Did she or any of the judges say anything else after your elimination?
A. Mikaela: You know, after the elimination I didn't talk to the judges, but it meant a lot to me that Tyra wanted me to stay. I love Brittani and I've always said that she was my toughest competition. I had a great time on the show, and I had a good run.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Did you make any lasting friendships with any of the girls?
A. Mikaela: Oh for sure, I just talked to Monique and Sarah last night; I still talk to most of the girls. We all got along well for the most part, and I'm hoping to see a lot of them in NY this summer, ‘cause that's where I'm going to work.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What was your favorite thing about the entire competition?
A. Mikaela: My favorite thing was probably the runway challenges. My favorite part of the industry is runway, and those were so much fun for me, and they were unlike anything I've ever done before.

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What's coming up next for you?
A. Mikaela: I'm moving to New York this summer and see who wants to sign with me. I was with Wilhelmina with 3 years before top model, so I just look forward to getting back to work. That's been hard for me - not being able to work since the show.

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

(Image courtesy of the CW)