by Kylene Hamulak

America's Next Top Model said goodbye to house-favorite Jessie Rabideau in the first elimination of the college edition cycle. Representing "nerdy grad students," Jessie (or rather her backside) made quite an impression during the selection round, but her personality got lost during the first challenge and photo shoot. In an exclusive interview with RealityWanted, Jessie talks about how she ended up on Top Model, why everyone loved her, and what's next for the architecture student.

Q. Kylene, RealityWanted: Obviously you've invested a lot into your education - how did you start to pursue modeling?

A. Jessie: Through the show, actually. I'd been in LA for a year, and I wanted to maybe try it out, but I hadn't booked anything, with any agency or anything. Top Model was always kind of a dream.

Q. Kylene, RealityWanted: So how did you end up on the show?

A. Jessie: It was actually back on Spring Break, so, like March, I guess? I was actually watching the show, and it was the British Invasion one. I saw an ad that they were casting for the "College Edition," and I thought maybe I'd try it. I thought it might be fun to represent nerdy grad students!

Q. Kylene, RealityWanted: You said you've been in LA for more than a year - did you come out to pursue a career in entertainment, or was it primarily for architecture?

A. Jessie: My main reason was for architecture. It's a good city for architecture. I'd thought about maybe getting a design job related to the entertainment industry. It seemed like a good career to be in and be creative.

Q. Kylene, RealityWanted: The new round of Top Model gives eliminated contestants a second chance to stay in the competition. What did you learn in the regular competition that you'll use to improve in this next round of the contest?

A. Jessie: Bring as many ideas and facial expressions as you can to the shoot. It's important to work on utilizing everything that you have to give different looks and maintain intensity. With more and more practice, you learn to control parts of your face and your body.

Q. Kylene, RealityWanted: The house is full of some very interesting personalities, but everyone seemed to love you. From the judges and Johnny to the girls in the house, no one had anything bad to say about you. From what we saw, you totally avoided any of the "mean girls" conversations that went on - why do you think everyone reacted so positively to you when others haven't been so lucky?

A. Jessie: Everyone I met was like, "You're going to go far." It's just my personality. I was just really happy to be there. I took it seriously, but I was just there to learn modeling. I'm a big competitor, but I didn't let that control me or make me seem like a mean girl, or an aggressive girl. I mean, I can be that way in a competition, but mostly I have an easygoing and friendly personality.

Q. Kylene, RealityWanted: You're back in classes now, so how has life changed for you on campus since Top Model started airing?

A. Jessie: Well, a few people are like, "Are you Jessie from ANTM?" It's cool - strangers notice me, which is kind of weird, but it's cool. And USC is really proud.

Q. Kylene, RealityWanted: So what's next for you - are you going to continue to pursue modeling?

A. Jessie: My first objective is to get my degree and finish my schooling. After that, we'll see what I can do in LA, acting or modeling. We'll see what opportunities come. I really enjoyed my time at the photo shoots, even though I was hesitant and shy at first. But LA is a good place to be creative, so I'll probably stick around and see what happens.

America's Next Top Model airs on Friday at 8pm on The CW.

(Image courtesy of The CW)