America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 16 4 Eliminee… Dominique

Fooled By Reality

Exclusive interview with Belinda Trotter-James

Dominique is the 3^rd contestant eliminated from being America’s Next Top Model, cycle 16. In an exclusive interview Dominique reveals what made her upset at the salon and why Top Model isn’t a modeling competition.  Read on for all the juicy details…

Marketing major college graduate, Dominique is a unique beauty who will be continuing on in a master’s program.  She really did not want to do the show however, she was scouted and that’s how she ended up on Top Model. The only experience she had was when she participated in fashion shows at school and did a few things here and there but nothing major.   At first she seemed really cocky and overly confident in our conversation; almost rude in her responses.  Maybe she was nervous. Maybe it was just me.  You be the judge.

Q.  During the makeover show the camera caught you crying or holding your head in your lap as if you were upset.  What happened?

A.  First off I was not crying; I was whining.  My eye brows were colored red!  I was doing a mild version of Alexandria.

Note:  For those of you who missed the makeover show, Alexandria put on a crying performance that was worthy of an Oscar nomination. (NOT)

Q.  From the sound of your voice it seems that you have a lot of confidence.  You kept blaming your poor performance on your lack of confidence. Why do you think your confidence was so shot on the show?

A.  Just the fact that from the being behind the scenes I realized it was reality TV.  It’s a lot more going on than what you see.  We are not just modeling; we are doing a show.  We are putting on a show for you guys.

Q.  If you had to look at your photos, what would you say about them?  (She laughs a little and said…)

A.  That’s a good question.  I thought, “That can’t possibly be my best shot.  This is not my best shot!”  They take hundreds of photos of us and they don’t let us see them.  Out of all the shots, is that my best?

Note:  Dominique could not get over the fact that Tyra selected her best shot which was not that good.  It does make you wonder how the girls could take a bad shot when they have the best makeup artists, hair stylists and photographers working on them.  They definitely would not want their reputations to be at stake.

In a runway challenge the girls were put into a giant plastic bubble to walk a 12” runway over water.  Yup, you had to be there.  Dominique fell and could not get up.  She laughs as she tells the story.  “I have never seen a runway where the models were in plastic bubbles.  How are you supposed to see the garment?  I bet Tyra never had to do that,” comments Dominique.

Q.  You shot a threesome in couture gown which made you look like you did not want to be a part of the shot.  Walk us through what was going on in your mind about that couture shoot?

A.  I felt like I was not included.  If three people are standing together, you would think that the person in the middle would not lean more towards one side and leave the other person out. They would make sure to include the people on both sides of her.

Q.  It doesn’t make a difference if the person in the middle leaned right or left; wouldn’t it be up to you to follow her lead or move to join the crowd?

A.  I felt it was okay to be away from the girls so that I could stand out.  They had experience. I had no experience.  The girls had experience.  They were signed to agencies, taking runway lessons and I had no experience.

Q.  Couldn’t you fake it ‘til you make it?

A. Yeah but how far will that get you?  Those girls were with agencies and worked in the industry.

Q.  You said earlier that you had participated in some school fashion shows.  You mean to tell me you never pretended to be a model and walk up and down the hallway in your home pretending to be a model.  You mean you never seen how real models walk and try to imitate them?  You couldn’t pull that confidence out and fake it???

Note:  There was silence.  Sheesh!  Don’t get me started. Tyra does not want excuses; only results.  So what if the others were with agencies.  If they were really doing well, they would not be on a reality television show for no pay.  They would be on the runway of a high end designer making hundreds!

Q.  Would you do it over again?

A.  I wanted to get out of there.  I took off my mike to leave and they had to talk me into staying on the show.  I felt we are here for a reality TV show.  I wanted to leave at the couture shoot.  I was frustrated.

Yup!  She was frustrated and definitely not ready to be America’s Next Top Model.  Her red hair has been changed to an orange color.  I have not seen it but I think orange would look nice on her too.  As soon as the winner for cycle 16 is announced, she will no longer be under contract with Top Model to not do any modeling jobs.  She is planning to move to New York or LA.  Hmmm!  Maybe her marketing degree will help put her in the spotlight.  Let’s see how far that will take her on the streets of NY and LA.  Which city do you think will welcome her with open arms?  Stay tuned.