by Mike Bandy

 

On last night's finale of Top Model, Molly, the 22-year-old from Charleston, SC was eliminated in the final two. Throughout the competition, Molly took amazing photos, but her attitude was called into question a few times. She gave a strong walk in the fashion show and was first call out for the last three weeks in a row, but she lost the competition to Brittani. We caught up with Molly to talk about her time in the competition, what her life has been like since the show ended, her thoughts on being the runner up, and what's coming up next!

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Molly! You came so far in this competition, making it all the way to the final two. Take us back to the final panel - you were really emotional and waiting for the news of who would be America's Next Top Model. What was going through your mind in that moment?
A. Molly: After seeing my covergirl commercial, I was kinda like, "Uh oh, I might not be winning this!", so that was definitely on my mind. I think I blew it with the commercial, and that's why I was emotional and crying, but I kinda knew after seeing that that I was screwed.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: You produced some of the strongest and most stunning photos in this competition, particularly in Morocco. The shot of you on the camel was just divine! Which photo shoot was your favorite one to work on?
A. Molly: God, they were all so awesome. Once we went to Morocco they were all equal in my book. The camel one was awesome, the hair and makeup and clothing were so ridiculous, and then on the horse carriage, I loved my outfit and my makeup. Even though Mr. Jay gave me iffy feedback on the beach shoot, I had so much fun shooting with Nigel. Everything in morocco was awesome! I can't narrow it down to just one shoot.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: You spoke a lot about your past - about being adopted and having abandonment issues, and going through rehab, and about just wanting to model. How has this competition (and modeling) helped you in dealing with your issues? Has it made a big difference?

A. Molly: Yeah, I think it's definitely given me more of a positive outlook and made me realize that I actually can do the things I want to in life. I didn't even want to try out for the show because I was sure I wouldn't make it, but meeting goals and then setting higher ones was great for me in the competition. I never thought that modeling would happen for me. [But] the critique is good; No one's saying it to hurt you, they're saying it to help, and it really helped me.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Your parents seemed like such great people, and it was apparent that they love you so much! What was their reaction to your being the runner up, and how supportive are they of your modeling?
A. Molly: They've always been really supportive of modeling, even when I was awkward looking and nobody thought it would happen. My mom and I watched the show for years, so she was even more excited about the whole thing. They're awesome people, and they said before I went that they were proud of me every step of the way, whether I made it or not. They're so happy for me, and they're happy for Brittani too, they love her.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: There was a bit of talk this cycle about your attitude, and about you being cranky. Personally, I can't imagine that the other girls weren't cranky at times during the competition! In watching the show, do you feel you were portrayed accurately? How do you feel about the way they portrayed your attitude?
A. Molly: Um, I mean, everybody complained a little bit, though they showed mostly just me, but I did complain, so I was asking for it. It was pretty accurate - there was a lot of repetitive me being a brat, like "Oh, look how big of a brat Molly is!", but I am, so it was the truth!

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What has been the reaction back home in SC, and what has your life been like since the show ended?
A. Molly: Definitely lots of people I know congratulating me, and even before the finale, people were really supportive, my parents have been running around telling everybody...it's been a really good experience! I haven't had a lot of negative feedback at all.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: I know you mentioned that you're close with Brittani, but have you made any lasting friendships with any girls in the competition?
A. Molly: Yeah, I really liked everybody. I liked Alexandria too, even though there was drama, but I really liked everyone, which was surprising. I thought I would hate everybody there, but we really had a great group of girls! I still keep in contact with the majority of them on a weekly basis.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: As someone who's been through this competition all the way to the end, you have a lot of experience with it. What advice would you give to girls who want to audition for Top Model?
A. Molly: Definitely with the audition, I was thinking "Should I not be as crazy, should I filter what I say?" They really want the real you, that's the whole point of it. It's reality TV! I mean, just be yourself and obviously, you can't act out in front of clients and stuff, but don't filter yourself and just be appreciative of everything that's happening around you, because people would die to have the opportunity that we all had.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: If you had the competition to do all over again, is there anything that you would do differently?
A. Molly: Um..I mean, I'd probably not complain so much. I don't know, there are little things I would have done differently, but for the most part no, I'm pretty happy with how everything went. Coming home after filming was really weird, though, because there was nothing happening around me, and I was like, "Where is everybody?"

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: Okay, we have to talk about the biggest topic of all - your hair! What was it like dealing with weaves coming on, weaves coming off, and then the final cut at the end?
A. Molly: The weave was horrible, and it wasn't even just that it looked horrible, it hurt! It was pulling on my hair; my hair is really, really thin, and they could barely even get it attached. I had sores all over my head. Mikaela went through the same thing, and she also had hers removed, but they didn't highlight that much. It was awful, and it made me more cranky. And then the haircut at the end...I mean, I get it, it's edgier and shocking, but I mean, I've never had anybody say they don't like it, and it does stand out a lot more than my old hair.

 

Q. Mike, RealityWanted: What's coming up next for you?
A. Molly: I am waiting...I have two weeks to hear from IMG to see if they want to sign me. If that doesn't happen, I'm gonna meet with other agencies. Brittani and I are moving to New York in the next month or two, it's official! I'm gonna do it either way!

 

(Image courtesy of the CW)