by Gina Scarpa

America's Next Top Model fans may have been disappointed that a new episode did not air this week, but next week should make up for it with a music video challenge and the return of All Stars winner Lisa D'Amato. What everyone may not know is that besides being a successful model, Lisa has had a music career for many years, making her the perfect mentor for the upcoming challenge. We talked to Lisa today in an exclusive interview to find out how the show has changed her life, talk about her new website, and get some info about next week's episode!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What has winning All Stars done for your career?
A. Lisa: Well, you know, I've always been in this industry pushing the envelope and really trying to shine through. What it has done is it has stepped up my career a notch. It's amazing and beautiful. I couldn't be more grateful, seriously. I have a plethora of things that I have been involved with that I can't wait to share.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are some lessons that you learned from your time on Top Model?
A. Lisa: The first time around, in cycle 5, it was a double-edged sword for sure. You are basically given a platform and it's up to you what you do with it. It's up to you the way you identify yourself. It's important to stay genuine and for me, I'm incredibly daring and spontaneous and I really needed to learn to tame the beast. I think that whatever your dreams are, you really have to push and keep pushing. If you feel like you're going to let go, you have to hold on. Nothing is easy.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was it like to return to the show this season, not as a competitor but as a mentor?
A. Lisa: They brought me back on cycle 6 and I couldn't have been more excited to come back for season 18. It's something I've been invested in for the last 6 years of my life - music, songwriting, and performing. I got to bombard the model house and present them with a really fun music challenge. I'm straight up jealous of these girls because their music challenge has more elements than what we got on cycle 17. You will see! We all worked with them with our own fortes but for me, I got to write songs for the girls with a producer and we wrote parts specifically for each girl. I got to help them in a studio.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: We know a lot about your modeling career but tell us a little bit more about your music career.
A. Lisa: I have been doing music and acting since I was like, 12 years old. The first time I got signed to a record label, I was 17 and it was through my modeling agency. My problems through the industry, in general, were with management. I didn't always have the best pushers and that was a huge problem. I didn't have stage parents and I had to constantly work hard. I've been signed three times. The industry is really tough. Stuff happens but that has never stopped me. I've performed with LMFAO, Far East Movement... it's been great. I've had serious experience in the field. Now, what I want to tell you is that I'm working on my third project, after two albums. Everyone can go to the site and get free music, signed CDs, dinner with me, and the site is lisadandgeoci.com. That's my DJ and one of my producers.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What questions did the girls have for you?
A. Lisa: They didn't really have too many questions. It was more really trying to listen and take direction really well, which I completely appreciated. They were all really great to work with. A lot of times, for most of these girls, it was their first time in the recording studio. I was just really trying to be encouraging.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Anything else you want to mention?
A. Lisa: The first ANTM perfume ever, that I'm the face of, is called Dream Come True and it's available in Target everywhere. You guys have to check it out!

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

(Image courtesy of the CW)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa and "Like" her on Facebook!