The Branding of America’s Next Top Model  All-Stars

SHANNON STEWART

Never Let ‘Em See Your Underwear

By Belinda Trotter-James

Modelocity Online.com

We first met Shannon during the first cycle of America’s Next Top Model.  She was the second runner up and most remembered for refusing to pose nude or in underwear.  Has she stuck to her image and maintained a modeling career?  In this exclusive interview Shannon reveals why fellow contestant Lisa made a comment about her being a Christian and what she believes is the difference between underwear, lingerie and a bikini bathing suit.  Read on for all the juicy details…

Question:  You are now 27 years old and some of our fans have not seen you since leaving the show at age 18.  What have you been doing with your life?

Shannon: I have been signed with IMG modeling agency since I left the show and I love being with IMG.  I’ve modeled in Australia and New York’s fashion week, speaking engagements, hosting, print and I got married!  I live in California and my husband is in trade stocks and models a little.

Question:  Congratulations on your marriage!!!  What’s the difference for you between cycle one and seventeen?

Shannon:  Well, you don’t see Tyra as much. In my cycle they were just starting to build up the show so you always saw Tyra.  The budget is definitely bigger.  They did say that this show would be about the branding but it turned out to be something else.

Question:  Thank goodness you stayed long enough on the show to go to Greece!  How was it?

Shannon:  It was beautiful.  The food was fresh, it was gorgeous.  I want to take my husband to Greece next time.  It was one of the best places I’ve ever seen.  You must go!

Question:  What is your brand?

Shannon:  My brand is trustworthy.  I tried to stick to my brand throughout the show.  In the shoots they wanted me to be trustworthy but then would ask me to be a little naughty [sexy].  I always try to be a woman of substance where my character can’t be bought.

Question:  Tyra said that you were eliminated not just because you would not pose in underwear, but because you are the only girl who did not win a challenge or get best photo.  I had a hard time believing that explanation.  What did you think?

Shannon: I don’t believe I got eliminated because of my photos.  In my motorcycle shoot I had a couple of great shots where I my eyes were piercing through the lens.  They did not use it.  I had a few good photos throughout the competition.  If I would have posed in underwear, I would not have been true to my brand.  I would have been a hypocrite; a liar.  The judges were confused about my stand but I was not confused.  They cannot push their voice on me.  I was also offended when we did the fragrance challenge and was asked to get in a bathtub of water.  Nigel got up in my face and put his hands on my hips and tried to push me in the tub, but I would not do it.

Question:  You were photographed in a black bikini bathing suit in cycle 1.  In cycle 17 there were a few questionable outfits that could have passed for underwear.  However, as soon as a garment is labeled ‘underwear’, you refuse to shoot.  A two piece is a two piece no matter what it is called. The guest judge said that some girls would say that they will not show certain parts of their body; which makes more sense than saying I don’t model underwear. Nigel seems to think you are using semantics on words. Let’s set the record straight for the fans on your definition of the differences between underwear, lingerie and a bikini bathing suit.

Shannon: I don’t think Nigel likes me.  Underwear and lingerie are intertwined and is only for my husband to see.  I don’t pose in underwear.  I knew they were watching me to see if I would stay true to my brand. The black bikini was photo shopped to look like that.  There was more fabric on that bathing suit.  They also gave me boobs. (She laughs.)  I don’t have any boobs.  I called the producer of the show to see if he knew boobs were added to my photo?  They caught Lisa on tape talking about me being a great Christian and I talked to Lisa and she said it was two different conversations that they edited together to make it sound negative.  She did not make those comments about me; it was edited to look that way.  It’s nothing that we could really do because we signed contracts but I did not think they would manipulate the truth.

Question:  Why did you come back to do the show?

Shannon:  I was lied to.  They said the show was going to make us into a brand.  Why wouldn’t I come back to show my brand.  I wanted my fans to see me.  I have gotten a lot of fans from the show since cycle one.  I’m just glad I did not back down.  I stayed true to my brand.  I wanted my fans to see that the business did not change me.  Once I got on the show I thought,  “this is a joke.  This is not branding.”  I’m not a quitter.  My father taught me not to be a quitter and that’s why I did not leave the show.  I thought to myself that I would just ride this thing out.

Question:  What advice can you give to aspiring models?

Shannon:  In this business people will pull you in all directions.  Don’t let them do it. Respect who you are.

Question:  What’s next for Shannon?

Shannon:  Books, speaking engagements, modeling, commercials.

Question:  Why type of books?

Shannon:  Non fiction and fiction.  I want to write a book about my life as a model and encourage people.  I want show people the testimony of my life.

Shannon will definitely be an inspiration to those who think they must do things they are not comfortable with in the modeling industry.  Now we know that you will not be blacklisted from getting modeling assignments because it may have a negative affect on your brand.  You never know what could come back to disrupt your future careers.  We will keep in touch with Shannon on her website at ShannonStewartmodel.com and twitter at ShannonStewart1.