The FORT Interview with Ebony, 10/1/05

**hepcat** · 10-02-2005, 02:46 AM

The girl who impressed Tyra Banks by describing her desire to be a model as a “forest fire in her heart” found her dreams doused all too quickly. Ebony, the 18-year-old girl from Sylmar, CA, became the second contestant to be eliminated from the competition. When we first saw Ebony in the semi-finals, she was overflowing with enthusiasm about the world of modeling. She was quick to make an impression on Miss Tyra and her Jays by rattling off the names and salient features of most of the other semifinalists from memory. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm did not carry over into her photographs; or at least, she didn’t perfect the hair toss in time to save her place in the competition. Ebony found herself in the elimination ceremony being told by Tyra that modeling will only be a dream for her, but will she abide by Tyra’s final directive?

Thank you for talking to me this afternoon, Ebony. I’m sorry that it’s so soon in the competition.

Thank you, it’s good to talk to you.

Tell me more about your personal slogan, “‘Don’t get it twisted.” Where did it come from?

Don’t get it twisted was really derived from me and my friends - we’re best friends - at school, hanging out. We started it, someone would say something, and we would say, “Don’t get it twisted.” I really do feel like that, but, I don’t know. We adopted it and started saying it.

How did you get the idea to audition for the show? Did you watch previous cycles?

Yeah! I have been watching America’s Next Top Model since the first season when I was in tenth grade. I wanted to do it, but I was too young. I kept hoping they would do seasons until I was eighteen, and then in my senior year, I made the age cut by five days. I auditioned, and I made it on the show which was the most exciting thing ever!

What was it like getting that call that you were a semi-finalist?

Oh my God! It’s like having a goal and you totally reach it - it’s the most awesome feeling ever. I was so excited, it was like I couldn’t believe it. Going to audition, you want to have a positive outlook, but then seeing all the other girls there, and knowing they still have to go across the country – well, I thought my odds weren’t too good. So to make it on the show was so awesome.

What did you think of the new apartment, the stretch hummer, in short, the more luxurious feel to the show?

Oooo, the bling on season! I’m glad I was a part of that, okay! (Laughs) I loved it. It was the bomb, because I know in past seasons it’s been in New York and they had a little apartment. But living in Bel Air and driving around in the stretch limo was so awesome. The house was just the bomb, and I was excited to have my own bed because at home I have a bunk bed and I share with my two sisters. So for me, it was so tight having my own bed.

Were you allowed to keep anything from the house?

No, it was just for show.

Oh, how disappointing!

I know! (Laughs)

Did you do any modeling beforehand or was this something totally new for you?

I told my mom that I wanted to be a model, but she told me I needed to focus on high school first, and once I graduated I could make that choice if that’s what I wanted to do. So pretty much I finished high school, and tried out for the show, and it worked out.

You impressed Tyra by knowing all the semi-finalists’ names. Do you have a photographic memory?

Yeah, I think I do! It worked for me in high school in all my tests, so I’m glad it worked for me on the show, too.

Who was your best friend in the house?

I didn’t have one, I had a few girls I was close to. Obviously, Lisa - she was the first girl that I met from any audition, even the first open call in L.A. It was great that we both made it in the house together. I spent all those hours with her waiting to both be called back was great. Lisa was the first girl that I knew, but Nicole and I clicked immediately when we met in the semifinals, so definitely Nicole and I are really close and we still talk. Then I would say, Kim and Bre, both of them are my girls right there, and I wish them all the luck in the world.

Are you rooting for one of them in particular?

I wish all those girls good luck. All of them!

What was your favorite part of being in the house?

Probably my bed, and the confessional. Not sleeping in a bunk bed was really good for me because I’m so tired of it because I’ve doing it for so many years. The confessional was really cool because you could go in there and talk and just get stress off your chest. Nicole and I would go in there and talk all we wanted, and just make jokes and act conceited (like you probably saw last night).

What was the worst part of the experience?

The worst part was definitely the stress, and all the eliminations! That was probably the most stressful time, the elimination process.

You got a makeover that required you to be in the stylists’ chair – for HOW long?

Twelve and a half hours, and they had to come to the house the next day to finish it.

Were you pleased with the results?

I loved it. I love my hair. I feel good about it, I don’t know how other people feel, but I definitely love my hair like this, it’s awesome.

Did you have any say in your makeover?

No, it’s pretty much the direction that Tyra and Louis gave us, whatever they thought would be great for us.

One thing I noticed is that in past cycles there were girls who came in with braids and they took them out. So did you think getting the microbraids would hinder you as far as modeling?

I don’t think it will, definitely not, because I really embraced it. I love it, and I think other people will love it too. I’m going to make it work!

What did you think of the “sophisticated with an edge” style they chose for you?

I really like sophisticated edgy because it’s like you can be, “I’m cute” but not be overzealous about it, you can be professional as well. I like that look.

Cassandra made her opinion about her makeover known pretty clearly - what did you think of her haircut?

Cassandra’s haircut, honestly, made her look really good. It helped her so much. It took her from the boring pageant queen from Texas to people stopping on the street to notice her. I don’t really care about Cassandra but she was good.

Did you find Cassandra demanding while you were shopping on Rodeo Drive?

Surprisingly, it didn’t. I was definitely nervous about being partnered up with her on Rodeo, but there was a lot of cooperation involved, which was definitely a great thing. She had a lot of questions. I don’t think she shops outside of her pageant girl criteria, but we cooperated, and it was welcomed.

Did you pair up with Lisa in the photo competition because you are friends, or were you thinking of strategy?

No, when he told us get a partner, we didn’t know what it was for, so I went for the girl I was closest to - Lisa. She was my friend, so that’s how that happened. I was like, “What was I thinking?” (Laughs) No, we had fun and Lisa pushes me in competition.

What did you think of Tyra’s closing words when she said that maybe modeling will just be a dream for you?

Right. When Tyra told me that, it was definitely disheartening, but I didn’t take this show as end all be all, as my last and final opportunity. It was an opportunity to further my career, but definitely I’m NOT taking that and running with it. I still have a million more doors to knock on.

What’s ahead for you - are you interested in pursuing a modeling career, or perhaps get into acting?

Modeling is my passion. Acting I don’t care about, but I love modeling.

Is there anything else you’d like to say to the viewers?

Thanks for the support!

Thanks to Ebony, and many thanks to UPN for granting the interview.

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jaylaaaa · 10-02-2005, 03:02 AM

thank hepcat !!!
Don't get it twisted Ebony!!

Alphabet Soup · 10-02-2005, 03:16 AM

Thanks hepcat!

Great interview! It sucks that Ebony was eliminated so soon! I don't blame the judges though.. her pic was by far the worst. Don't get it twisted!!

BigMacs4Life · 10-02-2005, 05:15 AM

Aww.. Ebony handled the interview well! Just like the Ashley interview, I enjoyed reading it. Ebony's photo wasn't that bad actually, I thought it was beautiful. She looked mysterious.. Hehehehe.

aga · 10-02-2005, 07:34 AM

I agree with you BigMacs4Life, this week's picture was not bad in fact I would say it was quite good.

Also she was a bit of a spazz on the show, which I thought was charming and goes with being 18, but I think she showed insight and maturity in the interview above.

Good Luck Ebony!!!

CCL · 10-02-2005, 12:04 PM

Ebony came off as very mature and positive in her interview - that will help her out in the future.
Great interview, hepcat.

Milay · 10-02-2005, 12:58 PM

Thank you hepcat!
Ebony your picture was one of the better ones. I've been studying photography for 3 years now and your picture is one of three that have a motion to it and a certain story telling. Good job!

GlitterGabi · 10-02-2005, 06:48 PM

What a sweetheart.

Sista Ulala · 10-03-2005, 02:12 AM

Don't get it twisted Ebony!!

suckmytoes · 10-03-2005, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milay

Thank you hepcat!
Ebony your picture was one of the better ones. I've been studying photography for 3 years now and your picture is one of three that have a motion to it and a certain story telling. Good job!

I agree, I actually liked Ebony's photo. I thought Jayla had the worst one, sadly.

I wonder if Ebony comes on this board like Ashley? Sorry for all the past negative comments Ebony, I take them back , I really mean it - you were really sweet on the show!

10-02-2005, 02:46 AM	#1
hepcat Phooey. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: here Posts: 24,920 Blog Entries: 3	The FORT Interview with Ebony, 10/1/05 The girl who impressed Tyra Banks by describing her desire to be a model as a “forest fire in her heart” found her dreams doused all too quickly. Ebony, the 18-year-old girl from Sylmar, CA, became the second contestant to be eliminated from the competition. When we first saw Ebony in the semi-finals, she was overflowing with enthusiasm about the world of modeling. She was quick to make an impression on Miss Tyra and her Jays by rattling off the names and salient features of most of the other semifinalists from memory. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm did not carry over into her photographs; or at least, she didn’t perfect the hair toss in time to save her place in the competition. Ebony found herself in the elimination ceremony being told by Tyra that modeling will only be a dream for her, but will she abide by Tyra’s final directive? Thank you for talking to me this afternoon, Ebony. I’m sorry that it’s so soon in the competition. Thank you, it’s good to talk to you. Tell me more about your personal slogan, “‘Don’t get it twisted.” Where did it come from? Don’t get it twisted was really derived from me and my friends - we’re best friends - at school, hanging out. We started it, someone would say something, and we would say, “Don’t get it twisted.” I really do feel like that, but, I don’t know. We adopted it and started saying it. How did you get the idea to audition for the show? Did you watch previous cycles? Yeah! I have been watching America’s Next Top Model since the first season when I was in tenth grade. I wanted to do it, but I was too young. I kept hoping they would do seasons until I was eighteen, and then in my senior year, I made the age cut by five days. I auditioned, and I made it on the show which was the most exciting thing ever! What was it like getting that call that you were a semi-finalist? Oh my God! It’s like having a goal and you totally reach it - it’s the most awesome feeling ever. I was so excited, it was like I couldn’t believe it. Going to audition, you want to have a positive outlook, but then seeing all the other girls there, and knowing they still have to go across the country – well, I thought my odds weren’t too good. So to make it on the show was so awesome. What did you think of the new apartment, the stretch hummer, in short, the more luxurious feel to the show? Oooo, the bling on season! I’m glad I was a part of that, okay! (Laughs) I loved it. It was the bomb, because I know in past seasons it’s been in New York and they had a little apartment. But living in Bel Air and driving around in the stretch limo was so awesome. The house was just the bomb, and I was excited to have my own bed because at home I have a bunk bed and I share with my two sisters. So for me, it was so tight having my own bed. Were you allowed to keep anything from the house? No, it was just for show. Oh, how disappointing! I know! (Laughs) Did you do any modeling beforehand or was this something totally new for you? I told my mom that I wanted to be a model, but she told me I needed to focus on high school first, and once I graduated I could make that choice if that’s what I wanted to do. So pretty much I finished high school, and tried out for the show, and it worked out. You impressed Tyra by knowing all the semi-finalists’ names. Do you have a photographic memory? Yeah, I think I do! It worked for me in high school in all my tests, so I’m glad it worked for me on the show, too. Who was your best friend in the house? I didn’t have one, I had a few girls I was close to. Obviously, Lisa - she was the first girl that I met from any audition, even the first open call in L.A. It was great that we both made it in the house together. I spent all those hours with her waiting to both be called back was great. Lisa was the first girl that I knew, but Nicole and I clicked immediately when we met in the semifinals, so definitely Nicole and I are really close and we still talk. Then I would say, Kim and Bre, both of them are my girls right there, and I wish them all the luck in the world. Are you rooting for one of them in particular? I wish all those girls good luck. All of them! What was your favorite part of being in the house? Probably my bed, and the confessional. Not sleeping in a bunk bed was really good for me because I’m so tired of it because I’ve doing it for so many years. The confessional was really cool because you could go in there and talk and just get stress off your chest. Nicole and I would go in there and talk all we wanted, and just make jokes and act conceited (like you probably saw last night). What was the worst part of the experience? The worst part was definitely the stress, and all the eliminations! That was probably the most stressful time, the elimination process. You got a makeover that required you to be in the stylists’ chair – for HOW long? Twelve and a half hours, and they had to come to the house the next day to finish it. Were you pleased with the results? I loved it. I love my hair. I feel good about it, I don’t know how other people feel, but I definitely love my hair like this, it’s awesome. Did you have any say in your makeover? No, it’s pretty much the direction that Tyra and Louis gave us, whatever they thought would be great for us. One thing I noticed is that in past cycles there were girls who came in with braids and they took them out. So did you think getting the microbraids would hinder you as far as modeling? I don’t think it will, definitely not, because I really embraced it. I love it, and I think other people will love it too. I’m going to make it work! What did you think of the “sophisticated with an edge” style they chose for you? I really like sophisticated edgy because it’s like you can be, “I’m cute” but not be overzealous about it, you can be professional as well. I like that look. Cassandra made her opinion about her makeover known pretty clearly - what did you think of her haircut? Cassandra’s haircut, honestly, made her look really good. It helped her so much. It took her from the boring pageant queen from Texas to people stopping on the street to notice her. I don’t really care about Cassandra but she was good. Did you find Cassandra demanding while you were shopping on Rodeo Drive? Surprisingly, it didn’t. I was definitely nervous about being partnered up with her on Rodeo, but there was a lot of cooperation involved, which was definitely a great thing. She had a lot of questions. I don’t think she shops outside of her pageant girl criteria, but we cooperated, and it was welcomed. Did you pair up with Lisa in the photo competition because you are friends, or were you thinking of strategy? No, when he told us get a partner, we didn’t know what it was for, so I went for the girl I was closest to - Lisa. She was my friend, so that’s how that happened. I was like, “What was I thinking?” (Laughs) No, we had fun and Lisa pushes me in competition. What did you think of Tyra’s closing words when she said that maybe modeling will just be a dream for you? Right. When Tyra told me that, it was definitely disheartening, but I didn’t take this show as end all be all, as my last and final opportunity. It was an opportunity to further my career, but definitely I’m NOT taking that and running with it. I still have a million more doors to knock on. What’s ahead for you - are you interested in pursuing a modeling career, or perhaps get into acting? Modeling is my passion. Acting I don’t care about, but I love modeling. Is there anything else you’d like to say to the viewers? Thanks for the support! Thanks to Ebony, and many thanks to UPN for granting the interview. __________________ THE SMEAR: Barack Obama got 100% on "Through the Fire and Flames" on Guitar Hero. THE TRUTH: Barack Obama is a DDR fanatic.

10-02-2005, 07:34 AM	#5
aga FORTified Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,571	I agree with you BigMacs4Life, this week's picture was not bad in fact I would say it was quite good. Also she was a bit of a spazz on the show, which I thought was charming and goes with being 18, but I think she showed insight and maturity in the interview above. Good Luck Ebony!!! __________________ "We all know that we're going to get beat tonight." - Melrose (ANTM Cycle 7) when Monique gets eliminated from the CoverGirl / Queen Latifah challenge. "Hi pretty lady...and Tyra." - Heather (ANTM Cycle 9)

10-02-2005, 12:04 PM	#6
CCL Jam Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The only snowflakes I want to see are the ones in my avatar Posts: 6,151	Ebony came off as very mature and positive in her interview - that will help her out in the future. Great interview, hepcat. __________________ If wishes were like horses we'd all be going for a ride.

10-02-2005, 06:48 PM	#8
GlitterGabi Lipstick and Callous Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Age: 21 Posts: 316	What a sweetheart. __________________ Ich liebe dich!

10-03-2005, 02:12 AM	#9
Sista Ulala FORT Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: hollywood, cail Posts: 33	Don't get it twisted Ebony!! __________________ "Take a break, Eat a cookie" Lisa from ANTM5

10-02-2005, 03:02 AM	#2
jaylaaaa ~TEAM JENAH~ Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 977	thank hepcat !!! Don't get it twisted Ebony!!

10-02-2005, 03:16 AM	#3
Alphabet Soup Alphabet HO Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 20 Posts: 550	Thanks hepcat! Great interview! It sucks that Ebony was eliminated so soon! I don't blame the judges though.. her pic was by far the worst. Don't get it twisted!!

10-02-2005, 05:15 AM	#4
BigMacs4Life piece of me~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Neko City Age: 17 Posts: 1,461	Aww.. Ebony handled the interview well! Just like the Ashley interview, I enjoyed reading it. Ebony's photo wasn't that bad actually, I thought it was beautiful. She looked mysterious.. Hehehehe.

10-02-2005, 12:58 PM	#7
Milay FORT Fogey Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sweden Age: 25 Posts: 2,202	Thank you hepcat! Ebony your picture was one of the better ones. I've been studying photography for 3 years now and your picture is one of three that have a motion to it and a certain story telling. Good job!