by Gina Scarpa

Laura definitely secured her spot as the frontrunner for the American girls early on this season on America's Next Top Model: British Invasion. Her edginess and creativity in her photos won the judges over week after week and was called first at panel three times. Up against Sophie for the grand prize, she worked hard, even fighting through a panic attack to finish her Cover Girl shoot. Laura may have come in second, but she won't soon be forgotten and today, we talked to her in an exclusive interview about her Top Model experience.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your modeling experience prior to doing America's Next Top Model?
A. Laura: It was relatively small. I did do some stuff in South Africa, I used to live there. I used to live in Germany for a little bit and I did some small ads there. It's been on and off because I was doing stuff with school.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You didn't get along with some of the girls on your team, including Kyle and Eboni. What do you think it was about them that you couldn't relate to?
A. Laura: They weren't well traveled. They hadn't left the U.S. There was some maturity that needed to happen. I've seen different places and they would talk about like, boyfriends. It's like, "Don't you have anything better to talk about?"

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Sophie said that she viewed you as her biggest competition all season long. Did you feel the same way about her?
A. Laura: Oh yeah, she was my competition from day one. When we really got to know each other more, we really became amazing friends. It then became like, "No, we HAVE to be in the final two. We have to be with each other in this final."

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Can you tell us a little bit more about the panic attack you had during the Cover Girl shoot and what you felt brought it on?
A. Laura: That was something that I've never felt before. It really felt like I was having a heart attack. I've never even though I could have one. The biggest thing is that when it happens, you want to be around somebody that you feel comfortable with, who can calm you down. People were taken away from me that I felt comfortable with in my life but Mr. Jay came in. No one knew what was happening or screamed out, "Panic attack!" That would've helped me register that a little more. I truly believe it wasn't because of the pressure of the competition. I think it was lack of sleep, lack of food.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You seemed to struggle at times when it came to being softer in your photos, as opposed to edgy or sexual. When you look back on it, what do you think that was about?
A. Laura: I really thought a big part of it was misdirection on the show. I've done tons of beauty shoots before and I've never had a problem. But sometimes, there was just direction that was given to me that didn't really make sense. It's like, seven different people want seven different things. In a real photo shoot, you have one direction and can knock it out. You weren't allowed to see your photos and on a real shoot, of course, you can. That was a big thing for me.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you surprised by the fact that you didn't win or did you see it coming?
A. Laura: I definitely had a feeling. I was just so happy for Sophie and she works her butt off! She's always trying to get out there and do stuff. She's beautiful, inside and out. If I had to lose to somebody, I would want to lose to her.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Laura: Oh, I'm gonna be all over the place. I'm starting a rave line that's going to come out soon. I'm going to be in a few commercials coming up, doing some photo shoots, I'm getting in touch with agencies that are interested in me. I'm going back to Hong Kong to shoot the movie and the video. I wanna get my skydiving license! I'm all over the board! Balls to the wall - let's go!

(Image courtesy of the CW)

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