America’s Next Top Model 9: Media Conference Call Interview with Saleisha, 12/13/07

[Hot Mess 10023]

ShrinkingViolet, i couldnt agree more. i got that sense too. she was coached what to say. playing a very good politician at that. it was so rehearsed. it made her look more guilty than anything.

Originally Posted by ShrinkingViolet

First off, thanks for all the nice comments, everyone! I'm happy to have been able to bring interviews to you this cycle in one form or another. Of course, I would prefer the one-on-ones.

I'm sure these post-show interviews have to be difficult for Saleisha. She is aware of the controversy going on--there's no way one can't be aware of it. The contestants in the past haven't generally been restricted to what they could say, except for stuff that wasn't shown on the show or stuff that has happened between the time the show ended and up to present. When the moderator stepped in to say Saleisha couldn't answer a question, that would have applied to any of the girls, not just Saleisha.

My thought would be Saleisha has been prepped not to go into great detail about the controversy--but acknowledge it if asked directly--just so she isn't "attacked" during interviews. However, I think she could have turned the tides and gotten "sympathy" if she had expanded on questions such as:



She had the opportunity to address the acting and commercial she made for damage control. She totally ignored that when asked of her, which I found odd. Not admitting those makes her appear she is hiding something, especially since people already know about it, and it's documented.



She didn't mention any struggles or challenges she's had in the past, which lead her to T-Zone. I still don't know why she went in the first place. Granted, it's up to her to disclose that, but knowing how she has struggled and overcome can really make a sympathetic Cinderella story. This could have also been the time to say, yes, she met Tyra, and whether or not she thought it had any effect on giving her the label of "the predetermined winner."

Her answers were very lacking in general. Did we learn anything about her we didn't already know? Did she make us want to like her more after this interview? She was not able to portray that perky, bubbly personality during this interview. She was quite reserved (from what we've seen on the show). Chantal couldn't contain her excitement in contrast to Saleisha's interview. Saleisha was pleasant and tried to be enthusiastic. I think it was just a very tough situation for her with all the negativity surrounding her win, and she did the best she could considering the circumstances.

Of the final three interviews, Jenah displayed the most personality (and you really got a sense of who she is), which is quite ironic in and of itself.

[Google]

 

[BustaK]

After reading her interview all I have to say is.....

...If modeling doesn't work out for her, she has a great future at being a politician!

What phony answers, oh my!

[moxie345]

I agree with SV, I find it highly suspicious how evasive she was or how she completely avoided certain subjects.

[j3ssie231]

She was asked to audition through myspace?
thats soooo sketchy

[Sireafi]

A lot of people are scouted from MySpace, j3ssie231.

[withoutasol]

Originally Posted by kema

I also think she is placed in a no win situation and no matter what answer she would give no one would have been satisfied. I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. I agree she could have been more informative but given the circumstances I'm sure she's stressed and probably feeling hurt that everyone thinks she's a liar and a cheat whereas Jenah and the other girls can be more relaxed because there isn't so much controversy surrounding them. I mean has she really gotten the chance to enjoy winning antm, that's another question.

Exactly. Any answer she would have given would probably not be enough. Were people really expecting her to state that she wasn't deserving of winning? If she gave a more detailed answer about her prior experience people would hold their pitchforks high and exclaim AH HA! When she gives a short answer its she has something to hide. Even with her prior experience she's had to go through the same challenges and work just as hard as the other girls. Honestly, after a few questions, I can imagine for her that all these interviews don't seem like they are actually interested in her winning and more like interrogations to the validity of her win.

[antmANNfan]

Originally Posted by withoutasol

Exactly. Any answer she would have given would probably not be enough. Were people really expecting her to state that she wasn't deserving of winning? If she gave a more detailed answer about her prior experience people would hold their pitchforks high and exclaim AH HA! When she gives a short answer its she has something to hide. Even with her prior experience she's had to go through the same challenges and work just as hard as the other girls. Honestly, after a few questions, I can imagine for her that all these interviews don't seem like they are actually interested in her winning and more like interrogations to the validity of her win.

I totally agree with you. Not only is she probably getting asked these questions a lot but I've read here that FoRT interviews are usually some of the last after the win. Saleisha was probably BORED of answering the same questions (explains why she isn't so upbeat, pretending like it's the first time you've heard a question after you've been asked it 100 times must get exhausting) and not only that but denying her past experience or elaborating on it would just given more fuel to people who want to bring her down. I would have liked her to elaborate because as a fan I am interested in her journey in a completely positive way. But being vague and just giving answers people already know but not touching on them to give even more stuff to bash her with IS smart. She did the best thing for her in the situation. She could have changed some minds but I highly doubt she would have. Maybe a few but she would have just caused more problems for herself and pretending like it's not a big deal is probably the best option for her. She gets tons of publicity out of the scandal, E! is reporting it, gossip blogs do, etc. but imo it's NOT a scandal and it only helps her get her name out there in the long run. Adrianne Curry does NOT get good press lately but the bad press only gets her more fans and gets her more gigs in the industry, because PEOPLE KNOW WHO SHE IS. All of this is getting Saleisha's name out there and it's going to help her. The paparazzi did not care about Vanessa Hudgens until her nude pictures came out and now they're stalking her which only helps clients who hire her because EVERYONE IS TALKING/LOOKING AT HER WHICH GETS THEIR BRAND TALKED/LOOKED AT. I HOPE people talk about Saleisha for a while, maybe not so much this stupid scandal but she is definitely gossip worthy and this can definitely help her.

Kate Moss lost her contracts after the pictures of her doing coke came out, but why do you think she got even more lucrative contracts AFTER it? People talked about her contracts, they linked them, Kate Moss' scandal drew attention to them. All this is just drawing attention to Saleisha and everything she has done is now getting attention.

You think the people who hired her for the wigs thought they'd be getting this much attention? The people who made the Wendy's commercial? This is only happening BECAUSE of Saleisha, who knows how many more orders that wig website has gotten since people have been looking at it because of Saleisha. This only makes her more attractive to potential clients because they realize the attention Saleisha can bring to them.

[bucwild]

The flipside of the scandal is that many people are trying to take her title away from her because of it. A lot of people wanted to know about the bed situation with Heather and when she basically blew it off that upset alot of people who were already against her anyway. Saleisha was wrong about the bed but alot of people forget it was Jenah who told Heather she could slept in the chair. Saleisha couldn't talk about her post show stuff because she's a part of Cycle 10 as the previous winner.

[antmANNfan]

Originally Posted by bucwild

The flipside of the scandal is that many people are trying to take her title away from her because of it. A lot of people wanted to know about the bed situation with Heather and when she basically blew it off that upset alot of people who were already against her anyway. Saleisha was wrong about the bed but alot of people forget it was Jenah who told Heather she could slept in the chair. Saleisha couldn't talk about her post show stuff because she's a part of Cycle 10 as the previous winner.

The bed thing wasn't even a big deal to me. Jenah told Heather, while Heather was running through the house crying her eyes out, that Heather could sleep in the most uncomfortable chair instead of a bed but no one says anything about it. I agree that Saleisha was wrong in the bed incident, she could have handled it a lot better. But the only person who came out of that looking perfect (when she most definitely is not) is Chantal yet Saleisha is the only one who gets any crap for it. She wanted her own bed, big deal. She could have handled it more maturely BUT ALL OF THE GIRLS COULD HAVE. It didn't even show her laughing with Bianca when Bianca was talking about how funny Saleisha wanting to keep the bed to herself was. It showed Jenah laughing though, even adding to the situation. Plus these girls have been living together for over a month, not being able to seperate AT ALL, and JUST got off a plane from USA to China. It just frustrates me people aren't more understand to how other people can be in that kind of situation.

[lrpv1688]

know what, she keeps evading the questions the more people will pester her. if she's not guilty, tell the whole story. who knows, maybe the people would understand and like her than keeping secrets. this controversy is giving her the publicity, which is an advantage. but, it doesnt mean designers would want her. and dont compare her with kate moss.. even though she was crackhead she was HF.