by Gina Scarpa

 

This week on America's Next Top Model, Tyra attempted to teach the girls how to make the most of their booty by using butt pads. AzMarie felt uncomfortable and refused to put the pads... or tooch, as its known... on. She was kicked out of the lesson and later, called out for being cocky on set with Mr. Jay. She went from being a frontrunner to being eliminated from the competition and we talked to her today about her journey in an exclusive interview.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for America's Next Top Model?
A. AzMarie: I haven't followed the show for that long. I would say the last time that I saw parts of the show is when Toccara was on it. It's been years. I had been scouted two or three years before this year to do it but when you go in and you fill out the application, you can't be with any agency at any time. That was always a point for me, I was represented in New York and London all the time and I wasn't going to get out of my contract. Eventually, I was like, in this standstill and I bit the bullet. Clearly, it's what I needed to get that exposure.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: As always in the Top Model house, you guys had your fair share of drama but you seemed to stay out of it. What was your opinion of the way some of the girls behaved?
A. AzMarie: I thought it was all right. You don't see everything. As far as the drama, it's likely. Being in the house with fourteen other girls, it didn't make a difference to me. You don't see me trash talking anyone.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The first two weeks, you were in the middle or towards the bottom of the pack when names were called at panel. By the third week, you really hit your stride in the competition. Did you feel something change or click for you?
A. AzMarie: I think the photo shoots from that point on may have catered more to my style at the time. The first one was the George Washington lookalike. When it came to the second one, with Kris Jenner, I felt like I did really well. Once it got to me being able to do the individual shoots, then that's when you do see the actual body of work. I finally got into it. Once I did, it's like, "Now, you're cocky." It's like oh my god...

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: If you had made it to the end, who did you see yourself going against?
A. AzMarie: I would say it would've been Laura and Sophie. I think just their body of work, their image, is strong. Seeing how things were continuing to manifest, I could see that their work was only going to get better.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: This week, you came under fire for being cocky. Do you feel like you were misunderstood?
A. AzMarie: I do, I do feel like I was greatly misunderstood. I think the choice of words to say I was cocky, rather than saying confident... to say, "In this industry, we don't like attitudes and it can spread like wildfire and nobody will want to work with you," it's like, I've never shown anybody that over the five weeks. I didn't get that kind of feedback from the photographers when we were on set. To hear that from Mr. Jay, it was like really? You're entitled to an opinion. If I had the attitude to back what they're saying, I could see how it could hinder me.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you worried that their words and this episode would hurt you at future modeling auditions?
A. AzMarie: Yes and no. I've not thought much on how I'm perceived on future auditions. Once you're in front of someone, they can see past that. I didn't know how people were going to respond when it aired.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What has the response from fans been like for you?
A. AzMarie: It feels good, especially for those that are just coming into knowing who AzMarie is and being introduced to me through the show. It did feel good. The feedback has been amazing, as far as the support. They're like, "This isn't the final destination," they're on the pick me up side. The LGBT community has boasted about it and people have said, "You're a great leader for us," and a lot of people respected me for standing my ground. A lot of people can't do that in a given situation.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. AzMarie: Next, still focusing on modeling. Since the show has aired, I've been asked to do a couple films or tv shows so now I can audition for those. Musically, I've been exposed to certain producers who are mentoring me and teaching me kind of the back side of music and helping me as a writer. I want to submit writing for artists that are already out there. I'm just taking everything in.

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of the CW)

 

 

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