ANTM Exclusive: Interview With Atalya Slater

I was lucky enough to sit in on a conference call with the first girl eliminated from Cycle 10 of America’s Next Top Model, Atalya Slater from New York.

Interview begins below the jump!

How did you get involved in Top Model?

I went to the audition in New York, where I was from. There were thousands of girls there to audition and I was chosen. I also sent in an audition tape, and they selected me from that. I went to the semi-finals in Los Angeles, then came back to New York for the show, and you know the rest.

What interested you in trying out?

I’ve been a fan of the show and have watched it since cycle one. I always wanted to be a model and told myself as soon as I turned 18, I would try-out, so I did.

At elimination, Tyra told you that you were too commercial? Did you have the same feelings?

I honestly felt that my look could be both high fashion and commercial. Previous girls who were commercial did very well in Top Model, and I thought I could too. I didn’t think I would be the first to be eliminated. My elimination was very surprising.

At Elite Model Management, what critiques did Paulina give you?

Paulina told me that I have beautiful almond eyed, but I need to watch my angles, especially my chin. It can work for me or against me, but I need to be very careful about it.

Did these critiques make you self conscious?

Actually, they didn’t. I’m very aware of my body and myself, both good and bad. I’m not perfect and I’m comfortable with that. These critiques were to make us better models.

What’s next for you?

Modeling is something I am definitely going to purse. It doesn’t end here for me. I plan to work very hard after the show, and prove them wrong. Yes, this door is closed, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. It’s time for me to start a new journey.

What makes you Top Model material?

I have the height and I’m versatile. I can be both commercial and high fashion. I’m a really hard worker, and I’m realistic about myself and the industry. I have a lot of potential and I didn’t think I would be eliminated first.

What did you learn from this experience?

I learned to be more independent. It was the first time I lived on my own, away from home. I also learned to take more risks with modeling and in photo shoots. And living with thirteen other girls is hard, so I learned how to deal with that!

Who do you think will win Top Model now

Well, now that I’m gone, I’d like to see Aimee go far. We were the youngest contestants, she’s 18 like me. We had a lot in common!

What were your initial thoughts of the other girls?

I came into the competition thinking that I’m here for myself and I’m not going to worry about the other girls. I just wanted to work hard and do my best. Things happen, you know, and you can’t control that. I’m just happy that I made it this far and I wish the other girls the best.

Were you involved in any of the drama in the house?

I had petty arguments with a few girls, but nothing major. With that many girls in such a small space, under such stress, of course there will be drama.

Who do you think should have gone home instead of yourself?

I didn’t have the weakest picture. I’m sure of that. Amis and Alison’s critiques at panel were worse than mine. I was really surprised that I was elimianted, in fact, I was even surprised I was in the bottom two.

How can your fans contact you now that you are off the show?

I will be starting a MySpace soon and just getting myself out there, getting myself known. You’ll definitely see more of me in the future, you can be sure about that.

How did you prepare for the homeless themed photo shoot?

I came into the photo shoot thinking that it’s about fashion, but to still remember that I’m homeless and I needed to convey that. I kept thinking I was sad, and making sad faces. After that, they told me I should have done more, taken more risks and given more to the shoot. Despite all this, I didn’t think I had the worst picture.

What what the Bagdley Mischka fashion show? It looked cold out there!

So freezing! That was the first thing that came to me when we were getting ready. But as soon as I hit the runway, I forgot about it and concentrated no the show. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m very grateful I had the chance to take part.

What was your favorite part of the Top Model house?

It was a very small house. The girls played cars a lot and did a lot of fun things. Played silly games and that kind of thing. You know, the kinds of things you do when you’re bored.

What would you like to say to your fans?

I just want to thank them for supporting me. I’m really grateful for that. I’m thankful to the show for beleivin in me. Making it to the top thirteen is something special, and I’m glad the judges saw something in me that I could make it that far. I am going to continue to pursue modeling. so watch out for me! I’m not going anywhere.

What do you think makes a girl a Top Model?

A Top Model is confident, strong, a good role model. She’s independent, and not a follower. She does her own thing and sets her own trends. She needs to be both high fashion and commercial and have the ability to work the industry. Most importantly, she needs to have a great personality.

Do you think ANTM does a good job of representing social issues?

Yeah. A lot of the photo shoots, like the homeless one, are about controversial issues that affect us today. It’s important to be aware of them and to talk about them. This is a good show for young girls because it exposes them to issues like this.

On the show, you mentioned that you missed your mom. Why did you miss her and what did she say when she watched the episode?

My mom watched the eipsode! She was hocked I missed her, she was like ‘you never miss me!’ But I did. All the girls missed their families. Some of the girls have kids and it’s hard to be away from your families. After she watched the episode, my mom just told me that she was so proud of me.

Were you shocked when Kim quit at panel?

I was! We all were! We didn’t see it coming at all. I thought, after she quit, Tyra might give us a break. But Tyra said that the show must go on. So it did. Yeah, it was a big shock.

Do you keep in touch with any of the girls from the show?

Yeah. Kim, Marvita–she was really funny, Aimee, Claire–she’s from New York, like me. Most of the girls were really cool. I’m glad I got to know them.

Thanks Atalya! Good luck with modeling and everything! We appreciate you talking to us!

Thank you!