by Gina Scarpa

 

It is quite fitting that a Brit won America's Next Top Model: British Invasion. In fact, Sophie Summer's victory marks the first time a non-American girl has won the competition. Besides her consistently strong photos each week, her bubbly and energetic personality also won the judges over.  After all, her superpower... or should I say, Intoxibella power name WAS Illuminata!  Tyra named her the winner this week, narrowly beating runner-up Laura LaFrate, and today we talked to her in an exclusive interview about her dream come true.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How were you feeling after coming in second on Britain's Next Top Model and what made you decide to compete again?
A. Sophie: I was so mortified! When you're in the competition, you feel like that's the end of you're life, literally. It's like, "Oh my god, that's it!" I love modeling so much that I knew I had to keep going. When we got the call to do America's Next Top Model, I was a tiny bit hesitant. Everyone said I should do it and go and enjoy myself - and I did! And it worked! Yay!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the biggest difference, to you, between the two television shows?
A. Sophie: I think America's Next Top Model is just so much bigger. When you watch American tv, it's like you're a million miles away. Just everything was on a grander scale and I definitely think I took away more in America. The mentoring, the advice was just so amazing.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The judges were saying that you felt like you came into your own in the competition in the third episode, when you shot the campaign for very.com. Was there a point that you felt like you started to kick things into high gear?
A. Sophie: No, to be honest, I feel like I was kind of consistent. I went into everything with the same attitude and the same mentality. I looked at the other girls and worried that I had no shot in hell. I'm not quite sure how it happened but I'm very grateful.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You were so good in your Cover Girl commercial, as well as the music video. Is hosting or presenting something you'd like to do?
A. Sophie: Definitely! I'd love to get into presenting. That's what I enjoyed most was the Cover Girl and the music video. I definitely think when I come to the states, I want to focus on that. The Sophie Show!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You seemed to struggle a little bit in the finale during the Vogue Italia shoot. What was going on?
A. Sophie: In the Vogue Italia shoot, I was just terrified. That was a big thing for me. You want to impress so much that you try to hard almost. It was right at the end, you're running on 0.5 hours of sleep... it was the first time I put myself under pressure.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When I spoke to Laura, she had nothing but wonderful things to say about you. Can you tell us a little bit about your thoughts on her and your friendship?
A. Sophie: Aw, she was just great! We kind of clicked right from the beginning. She was always hanging out on the UK side... you know, the house was kind of divided. She's very special. She's a very special person. We always said from the beginning that we wanted to be together in the final. It was nice to go through something with your best mate. She's got a great future ahead of her!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you up to now and what's next for you?
A. Sophie: At the moment, I'm in the south of France. I literally got on a plane four hours after the finale aired. Then, I'm coming back and doing a music video and then, hopefully, heading to the states. I want to get out there, do some presenting, and move everything forward. I'm taking videos and showing everyone what happens after Top Model. I've got a blog, YouTube, and Twitter. I just want to show people what happens after.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you have to say about your fans?
A. Sophie: Oh my gosh, they are pretty amazing! I felt warm and fuzzy after I read all my Twitter messages. I got all teary. It's just something I can't quite get my mind around.

 

(Image courtesy of the CW)

 

 

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