Gabrielle Kniery for Alive Magazine (Nov 2010)
November 11, 2010
Gabrielle Kniery for Do You Social Mag
September 13, 2010
Gabrielle Kniery for Tuan Lee Photography
July 16, 2010
Gabrielle Kniery for Gegi Designs (2011 Collection)
May 24, 2010
To learn more about Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery, visit her bio page here. Photo credit: Stephen Melvin.
Source: Stephen Melvin / RTVGames / Gegi Designs
In March of 2010, RealityWanted.com interviewed Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery. The interview summarizes her feelings on elimination, if she studied fashion before going on the show and her long time plans for the future. Here is the text from the article (written by Gina Scarpa and Michelle Spigner):
America’s Next Top Model Cycle 14: Exclusive Interview with Gabrielle
Last night, on America’s Next Top Model, the girls were thrown for a loop when they found out that two of them would be eliminated. For the first photo shoots, the models had to pose mostly nude, with just one item of clothing. Gabrielle was given sequined leggings, but Jay felt that wasn’t modeling from head to toe and making the most of her time in front of the camera. She was the first to go and today, spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show.
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Where did your interest in modeling begin?
A. Gabrielle: I was always looking in magazines and seeing these beautiful women doing what they loved doing. Being in front of the camera was always something I wanted to do.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you decide to try out for Top Model this season?
A. Gabrielle: I was with an agency but it closed down. I wanted to get my face back out there and I was truly passionate about doing something.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did it feel to have no control over your makeover and how you were going to look?
A. Gabrielle: I truly did not mind. My hair grows so fast. I was like, “You can cut it, shave it, make me look like Dennis Rodman.” If hair makes you somebody, then you’re very materialistic. It took me time to get used to it but I love it now.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You showed Jay that you had a lot of knowledge when it came to the fashion industry. Did you study that before going on the show or is that just an interest of yours?
A. Gabrielle: It wasn’t for the competition. It’s always been an interest to me. I always studied it.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did you get along with the other girls?
A. Gabrielle: I got along with just about everybody. When I’m in a big crowd of people, I closed off a little bit so maybe that had an impact but I got along with everybody.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your reaction to the nude photo shoot?
A. Gabrielle: My brain was blank. You’re trying to cover yourself because you don’t want people to see certain things. Having to keep that in mind does have an impact because, in shoots, you’re not worrying about what’s being shown.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you agree with what the judges had to say?
A. Gabrielle: They were critiquing me and I took that in. I’ll make sure I work on things like not showing my neck. I think I was given the short end of the stick which I think always happens with the first girl that gets eliminated.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did you learn most from your experience on Top Model?
A. Gabrielle: I think I changed. It made me grow and made me more wise. I learned not to really care what people say, especially what the blogs say. You have to be comfortable with yourself if you’re going to go far.Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you want to do now?
A. Gabrielle: I was so distraught and shocked when I was eliminated. I would probably continue modeling for a while and then go back to school. Number one, school is a must because I want to be educated. I want to go to FIT and pursue fashion merchandising and then go to business school.
To learn more about Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery, visit her bio page here.
Source: RealityWanted.com
Photo: CW / Jonathan Mannion
In March of 2010, DigitalSpy.com interviewed Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery. The interview summarizes her feelings on the nude shoot, landing in the bottom two and how she felt about her makeover. Here is the text from the article (written by Lara Martin):
Gabrielle (‘America’s Next Top Model’)
Following last night’s episode, nobody could say that Gabrielle Kniery’s time on America’s Next Top Model was easy. The Missouri-born student’s first and last photoshoot saw her bare all as she stripped to nothing but a pair of gold leggings, before facing the judging panel including new addition André Leon Talley. Unfortunately, they thought she looked “scared” and “awkward” and she became the first finalist to get the boot this cycle. We gave her a call to find out how she was feeling.
How did you feel when you landed in the bottom two with Alasia?
“My heart just dropped. I was just in complete shock. My head was just buzzing.”Were you expecting to be in there after your photoshoot?
“I did not expect to be, but I guess they see things that you don’t catch. If I saw the show not knowing how reality TV works I would have been like, ‘Oh, I understand why’, but it was a complete shock to me.”Why do you think they picked you over Alasia?
“She hasn’t had experience in the industry and I think I have and to show such a poor photograph is a negative point on my part. I’m okay with being eliminated though because a lot of the girls haven’t had experience and I’m giving them a shot to experience something more.”How did you feel about your first photoshoot being the nude one?
“I was just like, ‘Aw man’. I didn’t expect it to be so soon, but I knew it would happen so I guess it was a shock that it was first. I was completely fine with it, though.”Were the leggings your first choice of item to model?
“I saw them and thought, ‘Hey it matches my hair, I might as well give it a shot!’ If I didn’t get them I would have probably grabbed the ring or the hat.”Did you like your final photograph?
“No I didn’t. I had a lot of shots where I was standing up and I thought they were more appealing than that one. I feel like there were a lot of better shots, and with the other girls too, but those weren’t the best ones shown.”Which of the other girls really stood out to you?
“I enjoyed looking at Raina, except the part where her chest was out. I was in love with Ren! She was my favorite person out of the bunch anyway.”We saw tension brewing between Ren and Alasia last night – were you aware of that while you were there?
“Yeah. I think a lot of people were. Alasia and I are both young, but I think I have an old soul. She’s very immature when it comes to a lot of things because her eyes haven’t been opened to a lot of things that go on. I’m not shocked because Ren doesn’t put up with bullcrap as you see. I think it was just a roll-of-the-shoulder laugh to everyone because we all expected it to happen.”Another divisive character last night was Naduah after her stories about Playboy and international fashion weeks. What do you think about her?
“I’m getting to speak to her a lot. We talk off and on. I really think she’s misunderstood and a lot of girls judge her, but she has been opened to a lot of things that people aren’t exposed to. Her views on things are totally different compared to a lot of the girls. I think she wasn’t given a fair shot, and some of what the judges told her, like she was too classic, I thought that was unique about her.”What did you think of your makeover?
“I love it! I miss my brown hair because that was just me – with the thick eyebrows – but I think the blonde softens my face and makes me seem less mean. It kind of gives me a softer look. Before the show everybody was like, ‘Oh she is going to be mean!’ and then after the makeover they said, ‘Oh I love Gabrielle, she is sweet!’”Finally, are you planning to stick to modeling?
“Totally! I’m going to go back to New York in a few weeks and try to go from there and see what happens. I’m five foot nine and a half so I might be just about the right height for runway, but I definitely want to keep working on editorial and taking the criticism they gave me and using it to the best of my ability.”
To learn more about Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery, visit her bio page here.
Source: DigitalSpy.com
Photo: CW / Jonathan Mannion
In March of 2010, RealityTVWorld.com interviewed Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery. The interview summarizes how she felt about the way she was portrayed on TV, if she made a possible impact for biracial models and how she felt when she impressed Jay Manuel following her first shoot. Here is the text from the article (written by Reality TV World Staff):
Exclusive: Gabrielle Kniery talks about ‘America’s Next Top Model’
Things appeared to be looking good for Gabrielle Kniery when America’s Next Top Model photo shoot director Jay Manuel praised her as the girl who had impressed him the most during the fourteenth season’s casting semifinals.
However things quickly derailed for Gabrielle when the judges decided she had done extremely poor at the season’s first photo shoot, resulting in the 18-year-old student from St. Louis, MO becoming the first finalist eliminated from the competition.
On Friday, Gabrielle talked to Reality TV World about her brief Top Model experience — including why she’s glad she’s off the show, how she felt when she learned of Jay’s comments, whether she was really as confident and shocked to be eliminated as she appeared on the show, if she really thinks the modeling industry does have a biracial barrier, what she thought about new Top Model judge Andre Leon Talley, and which fellow contestant she still talks to every day.
Reality TV World: Were you really as confident and “not scared” of being eliminated as you were shown saying before the first panel or was that just the editing?
Gabrielle Kniery: I feel like it was the editing. I was confident, like — I don’t know if I can talk about this, but certain things weren’t shown. I guess they made me sound conceited [and] I am nothing close to being conceited.
I think everybody is worried about being eliminated. I was a tad confident about the shoot, but they just showed the criticism that I got, which every girl got, so I thought that was kind of unfortunate.
Reality TV World: Yeah, after that they showed you saying you thought you had “worked out” and done well for Jay Manuel [but] all the comments Jay was shown making were kind of the exact opposite. Is that kind of what you’re referring to?
Gabrielle Kniery: Yeah, it was kind of shocking, but it is reality TV and they will portray you how they feel.
Reality TV World: So you weren’t as confident after the shoot as the show suggested?
Gabrielle Kniery: Yes.
Reality TV World: Did you begin to think you might be in real trouble when you saw the judges’ initial reaction to your photo?
Gabrielle Kniery: It just had me thinking — I was like, “Oh man, this means I may go home. I may have a second chance.” I don’t know, I think by me being eliminated, a lot of the girls thought I was their biggest competition. And to know that I was eliminated, I think it made the girls re-think everything. I don’t know, I think it opened their eyes to know that for them, no matter how good a shoot was or wasn’t, they can go home.
Reality TV World: After you were eliminated, you seemed pretty crushed and said you were in “major shock.” About how long did it take you to recover and how are you feeling now?
Gabrielle Kniery: I am fine now! I’m glad I’m off the show, because I don’t want America to portray me and see me as something I’m not. And I was there to model, I wasn’t there to be “America’s Next Top Drama Queen.”
I mean, after I found out I was just so hurt and mortified. But just being able to take time and take it in and see the positive reasons about being off the show now, I’m fine.
Reality TV World: During your exit words, you talked about breaking a barrier for biracial models. Given we have a biracial president and there are plenty of big biracial entertainers like Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Halle Berry out there, do you really think that barrier actually exists in the modeling world?
Gabrielle Kniery: Yes and no. I think some people like, when you go to a casting call they want “exotic.” Like they say I have “high fashion hair,” but they’ll take a Caucasian person’s hair and tease it to make it look like mine, and I think that’s kind of unfortunate.
I mean it’s not as much, I will say. But I do think there still is.
Reality TV World: During the semifinals, you had made little secret that you considered Angelea to be your biggest competition for the show since you are both biracial, so how surprised were you when you both made it?
Gabrielle Kniery: I thought it was pretty cool. It was just because usually they pick maybe one mixed model and there was actually three of us on [this season]. So I thought that was really neat.
That was the only reason I felt that. I feel like I can carry myself a tad bit better than how the way [Angelea] speaks. I think calling yourself a bitch is not at all appealing.
So I mean in that note, there was no competition because I think somebody would rather book somebody more respectful than somebody that’s just downright rude.
Reality TV World: I’m not sure I’m going to pronounce this right, but what made you decide to pose as Freja Beha Erichsen?
Gabrielle Kniery: (laughs) Freja Beha Erichsen.
She’s like my all-time favorite model. Like I really look up to her and everything she does. And I feel the little things that I can relate to her, like from my interviews that they did.
She’s got this masculine but feminine look to her, and like the way she carries herself is as a guy in a girl’s body. And I think that is so unique and different from a lot of the models in the industry. I also like the fact that she is so laid back and so chilling and I figured I can portray her better than any other model.
Reality TV World: Were you surprised none of the other girls seemed to know who she was?
Gabrielle Kniery: Yes and no. I think I have more of a passion than some of the girls. I mean they want to model but the whole industry fascinates me, so I think… I don’t know, it was kind of sad that they didn’t know who she was because she is amazing and truly intriguing.
Reality TV World: During the casting session, Jay Manuel actually told Tyra that you had impressed him the most because he felt you came to the table with the most modeling industry knowledge. Was was your reaction to hearing that — was [last week's broadcast] the first time you actually heard it?
Gabrielle Kniery: Yeah. I felt really good because impressing him is probably one of the hardest things to do I think, out of all the judges. So to know that he felt that and said that I impressed him the most, it really feels good and takes a lot of pressure off your shoulders, to know that somebody believes in you and feels that way about you.
Reality TV World: How surprised were you when you heard Tyra say that they couldn’t find 14 girls that they thought were worthy of being on the show?
Gabrielle Kniery: It was kind of shocking because they chose some of the wrong girls to be on the show. I guess it is a reality show so they need personalities too, so that might have played a [role] in it. I don’t know. It makes you feel good that you made it to the Top 12 of the girls, because she was still scared about picking certain people.
Reality TV World: What did you think of Ren when she showed up later? She obviously wasn’t there with you girls during the semifinals, and once she joined you she seemed to generate some strong feelings with some of the other girls.
Gabrielle Kniery: I talk to her every single day on the phone! Ren is like my all-time favorite. She is the realest person I have ever met in my life. I like the way she carries herself, because although girls are starting drama she just sat there and looked at them like, “It isn’t worth it.”
I agree with everything. Like she acts on the show is how she is in person. She doesn’t put up with nonsense, and I respect that.
Reality TV World: Have you kept your new hairstyle?
Gabrielle Kniery: Yeah, I love it. I’m just growing it out, but I’m keeping it bleached.
Reality TV World: During the makeovers, you said you wouldn’t have cared if they had shaved your hair. Did you really mean that?
Gabrielle Kniery: No, I really meant it. My hair grows so fast and I’m not a materialistic person that much. If they would have shaved it I guess it would have been for the better, I don’t know. [But] my reaction, I really wouldn’t have mind.
Reality TV World: What did you think of having Andre as a new judge?
Gabrielle Kniery: It was interesting because I didn’t even know that was going to be our judge. So to see him walk out on panel and see him, I was like, ‘Woe, I hope my photo looks decent.” It was quite interesting.
Reality TV World: How were you cast on America’s Next Top Model? Was it your first time applying?
Gabrielle Kniery: It was my first time ever.
Reality TV World: Overall, do you feel you were portrayed accurately — except for the editing issues about your confidence that we already discussed?
Gabrielle Kniery: I think the first episode portrayed me almost how I am. I think they tried to make me sound a little insecure about my nationality but I was just talking about in the past when I was younger how I felt.
I think overall, the first episode was how I am and how interested I am in this industry.
Reality TV World: After you were eliminated, was there anyone in particular you began rooting for, was it Ren? Anyone you wanted to see win or not win?
Gabrielle Kniery: I was rooting for Ren, Angelea and Raina.
Reality TV World: What’s next for you — are you still planning to go to school for fashion merchandising and do some modeling on the side?
Gabrielle Kniery: I was like really down [when I said that], like so shocked. I’m going to pursue modeling as long as I can until that can’t be a full-time job. Then I’ll go to [Fashion Institute of Technology] and major in fashion merchandising and business, and then do modeling on the side. But for now it’s probably just going to be modeling.
To learn more about Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery, visit her bio page here.
Source: RealityTVWorld.com
Photo: CW / Jonathan Mannion
In March of 2010, BuddyTV.com interviewed Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery. The interview summarizes how she almost didn’t make it on the show, if she kept her makeover after the show and how she feels about being biracial. Here is the text from the article (written by Maria Gonzalez):
Exclusive Interview: Gabrielle Kniery of ‘Americas Next Top Model’ Cycle 14
Despite being the first one cast out ofAmerica’s Next Top Model Cycle 14, the 18-year-old Gabrielle Kniery already made quite an impression on audiences. Her biracial beauty stood out, along with her strong personality.
Though her performance on the first photo shoot led to her elimination, who could forget her saying, “Whatever you want me to be, I am”?This is Meghan from BuddyTV and I’m on the line with Gabrielle from America’s Next Top Model Cycle 14. How’s it going today?
It’s good. Busy. Running around.
Yeah, doing a lot of talking about that first episode.
Mmm-hmm!
Well, I just wanted to start out by asking what motivated you to try out?
Modeling has always been an interest, and just knowing that that was a passion for me. I decided to take the extra step and try it, and get my face out there into the industry.
Well you definitely got your face out there, and I loved the makeover that you got. Did you decide to keep [the blonde curls] after the show, or did you go back dark?
No, I kept it. It took me a while to truly get used to it, but after I know how to use it, and know how to work with it, I’m keeping it for a while, until the next agency tells me to change it.
What was your casting process like? Did anything interesting happen while you were trying to get on the show?
When I went to Chicago, you go through, like, a million eliminations. And so they just call out numbers and if your number is called, you get to stay. My number wasn’t called, so I was like, “Wow. I’m going home. But I made it this far.” So I went in the elevator. I guess somebody from production put his foot into the elevator and was like, “Is number 69 here?” And I was like, “Yeah.” So if I had went down inthe elevator, I wouldn’t have been on the show at all.
Wow.
So it was pretty intense. It was pretty cool.
That’s really lucky. Sounds like fate. Were you a big fan of Tyra’s before the show?
I was. She’s like an icon, an idol to a lot of girls, and looking up to her because she’s done so much in so little time, that you can’t help but be interested in her.
Did she meet your expectations when you met her in person, or was she different?
I really didn’t get to see or interact with her as much as I wish I would have. But, I mean, other than… she looks the same. She’s gorgeous. Prettier in person. I don’t really have an opinion on her personality because I didn’t really get to interact her.
During episode 1 you really impressed Jay with your knowledge of some pretty obscure fashion models. Is that something you studied up for for the show, or an overall passion of yours?
That’s just an overall interest. A lot of the models that interest me, I will take the time to learn and know what keeps them so motivated. Learning about models wasn’t anything for the show, because I didn’t even know I was going to try out for this cycle.
Going back to the photo shoot that you did, how did you feel like it went?
I mean, I was getting criticism, but I feel like they made it harsher than what it was. I feel like they picked the worst photo. But taking the worst photo and getting criticism on it I think was good, so I know not to ever have any photo, whether it’s the first photo or the last photo, to look like that. So I can take any photo and be like, “Wow, this is amazing.” I mean, that kind of helped me out.
How did you feel going into that elimination ceremony?
Like, I looked up, and I was like, “Oh wow. It’s just Alasia and I.” It’s heart-throbbing. But I had a feeling, I knew I was going to go home. So, I don’t know. I think becauseAlasia hasn’t had any experience, and for me to have experience and show up with such a poor photo, that was on me.
I know that being biracial is a big source of inspiration for you as a model. What do you hope viewers got out of that?
A lot of people, a lot of biracial people… a lot of my friends that are mixed are people that…I looked at the blogs… like, people that are mixed, they can understand where I’m coming from, because just an average person doesn’t know how it feels to get negative criticism from just random people because they’re being racist or prejudiced. So I think it made a lot of kids feel good that I said that, and got it out there, to know where I’m coming from, and how it feels.
Did you watch last season? What did you think of the biracial photo shoot that they did during the last cycle?Yeah, I thought that was amazing. That was amazing. That was pretty cool how they portrayed Nicole and a lot of the girls.
While you were there, did you become close with any of the girls?
I’m really… I had time to get close to a lot of them, like Ren. She’s mad cool, like that is my all-time favorite of the bunch. Angelea, I would have to say. Naduah, she was cool. Simone, she’s a sweetie. Just really laid back, doesn’t say much. Raina, she’s beautiful. She’s like a sister, along with Anslee, the mom of the group.
Who do you think is the front-runner at this point?
Um… the talent that I see, the people… I really couldn’t tell you. It’s a strong bunch. I feel Ren has potential. Angelea. Raina. Those are the top people, in my opinion. Anslee, her bone structure is beautiful, though.
Yeah, as long as Ren can get past the drama, it seems like she could do really well.
Yeah.
So you said you plan to go into fashion merchandising, and model on the side. Is that still your plan?
I was so in the moment, like, I was just so crushed by everything going on, because it’s so overwhelming. Like, I definitely want to continue modeling as far as I can. And then after I can’t do that any longer, where it’s not a full-time job, I’d definitely go into business and fashion merchandising, and work behind the scenes of the industry.
Do you have any last words for ANTM fans out there?
I hope you enjoy the show!
Thank you so much, and we wish you all the best.
Thank you.
To learn more about Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery, visit her bio page here.
Source: BuddyTV.com
Photo: CW / Jonathan Mannion
In March of 2010, the LA Times interviewed Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery. The interview summarizes her experience on the show, her feelings about her makeover and how she feels about being a beauty model. Here is the text from the article (written by Jethro Nededog):
‘America’s Next Top Model’: Gabrielle, ‘Other girls were weaker’
Gabrielle has the dubious honor of being the first person eliminated in Cycle 14 of “America’s Next Top Model.” She was a top pick after the premiere episode, but things went downhill once the real competition began.
Ultimately, new judge André Leon Talley showed just how influential he can be on the show with Gabrielle’s elimination. Leon Talley basically saved Alasia from elimination when he said he would hang her photo in his salon. She stood in the bottom two with Gabrielle, but how could Tyra send a model home with such a strong endorsement from the venerated Leon Talley?
I spoke to Gabrielle, the student from St. Louis, about her elimination, the remaining girls and where she sees herself going after the “Top Model” experience.
You were such a spitfire coming out of the premiere. What happened in that first photo shoot?
I guess I had a lot of things taking a toll on me. First, you have to get used to your new makeover and then you’ve been working like 20 hours during the day. So, you’re pretty much tired. I thought I did well, but seeing the performance, I guess I was portrayed as doing really badly. I think in the beginning, I let loose a little too much. I wasn’t on my toes as much as I should have been, so maybe that took a toll. I really didn’t think I was going to be eliminated so soon. I felt a lot of the other girls were weaker in not just the photos but a lot of things.In the judging when your picture came on-screen, the judges all went quiet. Did they really pause for that long?
It was not that long. When you’re standing there having that photo drop, it feels like forever, but it wasn’t drawn out that long. As soon as it happened and Tyra said it was dead silence and that’s not good, Nigel jumped in. I don’t think that was my best photo. I know that was one of my worst photos. I felt that them selecting my worst photo taught me to never take a bad photo, so that someone can talk down about it. I know now that every single photo I take should be able to go into a magazine, and everyone should think it’s wonderful.
Were there any women in the house that you didn’t get along with?
There are some people you just don’t click with. I think Alexandra and I were cool, but there wasn’t a spark between us other than that if we were by each other we’d talk. But I didn’t have any issues with anyone. I wasn’t there that long for people to even get to know me and start arguments.
What was it like having André Leon Talley judging?
It was quite interesting, because I did not know he was going to be the judge. And to see him standing in front of you, it’s like a huge shock. I guess he wasn’t as fond of me, but he didn’t see the side that Jay Manuel did see of me. I guess he just saw that horrific photo. So, I feel like I got misjudged a bit for just being a gorgeous face. [André Leon Talley] is a strong character in the show and has a big impact on which girls go home or not.What are your plans now?
I’m definitely going to go back up to New York in a few weeks and start working again. When I was eliminated, I was just so sad in that moment. I said I’m not going to do this anymore, but I’m too driven to do that. So, I’m going to go take modeling as far as I can. Then when I’m done, I’m going to major in fashion merchandising at FIT [Fashion Institute of Technology], then go into business. From there I may go into filmmaking, film editing or journalism. Something along those lines.Will you try out again like Angelea did?
No. I will be in the modeling industry, but I’ll take a different route. I don’t think I have to showcase myself on reality TV to get somewhere. I made it once, and that got my face out there.What was your reaction to Naduah being eliminated after you?
I think this cycle has been a complete shock regarding who was eliminated. Naduah has potential and drive. A lot of the girls that are still on the show – don’t get me wrong, I loved them all – but some of them didn’t care to be there. Maybe her photo wasn’t perfect or maybe she was too classic, but she had a lot more potential and drive than a lot of these girls. I think it’s unfortunate. If you don’t want to be there, don’t be on the show.Which ladies are in your top three for the title?
I’m rooting for Raina, because her face is extraordinary, despite all the drama and things that go on. Angelea, she got her act together. And Jessica, she’s a cute girl. Those three are my top as of right now.
To learn more about Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery, visit her bio page here.
Source: LATimes.com
Photo: CW / ANTM
In March of 2010, RealBlogger.com interviewed Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery. The interview summarizes her feelings about the front runners in the competition, the ‘televised silence’ during her photo review and what we didn’t get to see about her personality. Here is the text from the article (written by Andy Shaw):
Gabrielle Kniery, 18, thought she might be the type of niche model “America’s Next Top Model” loves, with her mixed ethnicity and edgy look. But she failed to impress at the nude photo shoot – although I beg to differ – and she was the first girl eliminated in Cycle 14.
During her Real Blogger Exit Interview, Gabrielle, a St. Louis native, talks about her makeover, the girls in the house and her competition with Angelea.
——————————————
Real Blogger: You thought you wouldn’t make it if Angelea did, but you both made it. Did you still feel like it was either you or her? Gabrielle Kniery: After we both made it, it wasn’t really her I was competing against, it was everyone as a whole. But until we made it into the house, I felt like she was going to be my competition.RB: Who did you think was an early front-runner?
GK: I was in love with Ren. It was Ren, Raina and Angelea as frontrunners. Ren had the unique look, that “I don’t care, I’m a bad (expletive).” Raina had the old-fashioned look. And Angelea is different than all of them.
RB: Let’s talk about your photo shoot. What did you think of your performance in the nude shoot?
GK: I knew that was not my strongest photo … with that photo, I understood where the agenda was coming from (with the judges’ decision)…. No photo should look like that.
RB: I thought it was a decent photo, but the judges definitely didn’t like it. What was going through your head when they were silent?
GK: They elongated (the silence). But I was thinking, “Lord, please say something! This is awkward.” I thought they’d say something.
RB: What was your issue with the photo?GK: I feel like it didn’t portray who I was. That was more uptight. I mean, it was a nude photo shoot, but you are trying to cover yourself up. It makes it (uptight).
RB: So you were cool with the nudity, then.
GK: Yeah, I really didn’t have an issue. You know it’s going to hapen. You have to be ready for it.
RB: What was your favorite part of being on “Top Model”?
GK: Meeting a lot of unique girls in the house that I wouldn’t have met if I didn’t do the show. And meeting Jay Manuel. He’s a big influence on me.
RB: What did you learn from Jay, or any of the judges?
GK: From Tyra and all them, I learned about showcasing my neck and elongating it. And making sure I have no eyes that look dead. You have to take that into consideration.
RB: Ah, so you want to smize (Ed. note: Tyra’s made-up word for “smiling with your eyes”)
GK: Yes!
RB: What did you think of your makeover? Your hair was changed a lot. I thought it looked good.
GK: It was a big change. It was cool – I knew I was going to get something total opposite (from what she had) … I thought, I should be able to get used to it and work with it. And then just when you’re getting comfortable, you get kicked off. It sucks.
RB: Are you keeping the look?
GK: I’m keeping it. It makes me look less harsh.
RB: What did people watching not get to see about you during your time on the show?
GK: My personality is really laid back and goofy. They didn’t show how silly I am. I think fans of the show would appreciate a good sense of humor. You can have humor and drama at the same time.
RB: And what are you doing next? Will you keep modeling?
GK: Definitely, I can start modeling now that I’m done with the show. I’m trying to do as many test shoots as I can.
To learn more about Cycle 14’s Gabrielle Kniery, visit her bio page here.
Source: RealBlogger.com
Photo: CW / Jonathan Mannion
