by Gina Scarpa

 

The journey for Kyle on America's Next Top Model definitely had its ups and downs this season. After having a moment of weakness and wanting to quit a few weeks into the competition, she felt she had recovered but that's not how it came across. Besides the fact that the girls refused to let it go that she wanted to leave, Kelly Cutrone said her photos were getting worse each week.  After landing in the bottom with AzMarie the week before, the panel wasn't forgiving a second time and she was eliminated from the competition.  We talked to her today in an exclusive interview about the stress of the competition as well as her exciting news.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was this your first time trying out for Top Model?
A. Kyle: I tried out for Cycle 14 in Houston and I made it to the part where you make a video but I didn't get a phone call back. I moved to Dallas and wanted to get my education and continue to try to do modeling out here. I tried out for Cycle 17, which was All Stars. I tried out again and didn't hear anything back but got a phone call a few months later. The whole reason I wanted to try out because growing up, watching the show, seeing the models and the tasks they get to do, I really wanted to learn about modeling and thought it would be a great experience and it was.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Being a fan, what was different about actually competing on the show as opposed to watching it on tv?
A. Kyle: I think that on tv, it looks... and don't get me wrong, it's awesome... but it's so stressful. It was just so hard to be away from my family and I was so confused because I didn't have... once Mariah went home, I didn't have anyone to confide in. I don't know. It was just really stressful, not being able to sleep and being on camera, the challenges all day long.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: A few weeks back, you came very close to leaving the competition. What was going on in your head and do you feel like you bounced back from that, mentally?
A. Kyle: That was a mistake of me opening my mouth and acting dramatic. I shouldn't have done it. I did want to be there. I gave up school, my education, and I was finishing up. I gave that up to be there and I really did want it. I wanted to win. It was just the pressure. Of course, you're on tv so you need to watch your mouth. You just say what you're feeling and there's no censor. I shouldn't have said that because a lot of girls never lived it down but I feel like I did come back from that. I said to myself, "I've got to get my head back in the game," and I feel like I did come back.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The girls had a tough time with the fact that you were debating leaving. Did you know how much they held that against you or did you learn more when you watched the episodes?
A. Kyle: I found out more when I watched it back on tv. At first, when I wanted to leave, everyone was really mad. In the judging room, everyone was like, "You don't even wanna be here!" After that, I didn't think they were still holding it against me. Yeah, it sucks.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There were so many different challenges on Top Model - photo shoots, runway, videos. Which was your strength, do you feel?
A. Kyle: I think photo shoots definitely, for sure, was my biggest strength. I learned so much being on the show and being in the shoots. Mr. Jay gave me so much advice. Now that I'm off the show, I'm so much stronger. I'm more in tune with what I need to do and what looks good on camera. Runway... I need a little work on my walk but I think it's okay.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you surprised to be eliminated this time around, given that you had just been in the bottom with AzMarie?
A. Kyle: You know, with AzMarie, I thought I was going to be going home. You see, Az is a singer already and a dancer. She's so good at that stuff. I knew we were going to be in the bottom because she didn't put on the tooch but I thought it was going to be me. When I stayed, I told Tyra, like you saw on tv, "I'm going to step it up and do whatever it takes." On last night's episode, I tried so hard and I was trying to do all sort of crazy stuff in the shoots. Laura didn't like me but she said on the show that I got the best photos and stuff like that. When I went into panel, I felt confident but when I saw me and Alisha in the bottom two, I knew I was going home. She got best in the music video.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The American girls started out the season so strong but the British girls have made a serious comeback. Now, the British girls seem like the frontrunners. What needs to change for the Americans to have a shot?
A. Kyle: I think as a whole, the American girls need to come together because the British girls have each other's backs. They work on things constantly, challenge each other, and work together. The American girls don't have that. None of us really clicked. We were not really in tune with one another. I think now, one thing I'd like to see is the American girls coming together and try to help each other out.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Kyle: I definitely want to continue modeling and taking acting classes to see maybe if I'm good at acting. Right now, I'm 9 weeks pregnant with my fiancé so now, getting ready to be a mom. Maybe doing some maternity modeling! I do wanna continue modeling because it's so fun to me and I'm so passionate about it. Hopefully, this won't be the last of me... it won't be the last of me!

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of the CW)

 

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