by Gina Scarpa and Thea Napolitano

Last week on ANTM, the models posed for photos while paint was thrown at them. Jiana and Phil, the closest person to her in the house, ended up in the bottom two but the panel decided it was Jiana's time to go. Following her elimination, we chatted with her about whether or not Phil was a distraction, if she thinks Jourdan is a frontrunner, and what the future holds for her.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was it like to go from bartending to being on America's Next Top Model?
A. Jiana: It's funny because people approach me thinking I've had overnight success. I've been in the fashion world for 5 years and I've always had a passion for modeling, dressing up, and runway shows. I started in pageants and went to one as a guest. I got asked to participate and won! I was like, "Wow, I can make this into a living." I never had an agent so Top Model was a big opportunity. I was very new to the business aspect of the modeling world.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You and Phil got pretty close this season. Do you feel like you let him take your focus off of the competition?
A. Jiana: You know, I was aware that people felt that way but Phil and I are good buds. We're good friends.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the toughest part of last week's photo shoot with the paint?
A. Jiana: Having a lack of creative control was hard. That photo was a snapshot before my best and it just shows that every shot has to be good. That's what I took away from it. Every second counts.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It seems like Jourdan is a frontrunner, given her performance each week. What's your take on her?
A. Jiana: I would say she's a strong model. People are doubting her because of her past but she's young. She's definitely a frontrunner but no one deserves to be there more than anyone else. We all have our own dreams and personal stories.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The concept of girls versus guys is interesting because it seems like it would be hard to compare...
A. Jiana: I agree. This is the biggest analogy I can come up with. How would you feel if women were playing in the NFL? Bringing guys into a ten year ritual... I watched this show every week growing up. It's difficult to compare the guys and the girls but Tyra did a great job blending the lines. She did a phenomenal job. It was interesting, to say the least.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's your takeaway from your experience on the show and do you have any big plans?
A. Jiana: I'm a day by day person. This literally means so much to me and it's like, "I have fans?" It was so cool to me. I felt the need to work my butt off for Tyra and the judges. I feel like I proved to myself how far I could make it.

America's Next Top Model airs Fridays at 8/7c on The CW.

(Image courtesy of The CW)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa