Things got off to a shocking start on America's Next Top Model this week.  On the second episode, where the finalists move to New York and participate in their first photo shoot, one model decided to pack it in and go home.  Kimberly felt that she wasn't passionate about fashion, nor did she feel that anyone should spend an obscene amount of money on jeans or a purse.  Tyra asked her if she wanted to leave and Kimberly chose to remove herself from the competition.  However, that didn't mean there wouldn't be an elimination.  After just one photo shoot, Atalya was sent home after landing in the bottom two.  Today, she spoke exclusively to BuddyTV about whether or not she agreed with the judges and what the future holds for her.

Below, you will find the complete transcript and mp3 of the interview.

Hi, it's Gina from BuddyTV and today, I'm talking to Atalya from America's Next Top Model. Do you have any background in modeling, or is this something that you've just started trying?

No, I do have a background in modeling. I've done some modeling before. Nothing major, but I have some experience.


Was Top Model Prep very stressful for you?

Oh yeah, definitely. It was a lot of pressure on all of the girls and myself. We all just wanted to get in the house, and it was so many emotions in one. It was like I was happy, excited, nervous, all in one.


How did you feel you did in this first photo shoot? Did you think you should have ended up in the bottom?

Oh no. I definitely didn't think I was even going to go home, and not in the bottom two either. I thought I was gonna at least make it all the way, at least until makeovers. I didn't see myself going home.


When Kim took herself out of the competition, what was going through your mind at least?

I still wasn't worried when Kim had quit, because I really didn't think I was going home. When she quit I said you know what, she doesn't want to be here, and that's okay that she changed her mind. Maybe someone else will get a spot. But Tyra, this time around, because last cycle she did that with the girls -- one of them quit and she gave them a chance -- but this cycle she said, you know, I'm not having that. The show must go on.


Were there models there that really impressed you based on their first photo shoot?

The person who impressed me on the first photo shoot was, I think Lauren. Looking at her I wouldn't think that she would be able to model or anything. She's totally from the streets, punk rocker, and she pulled it off. I think once again it's because she actually was homeless, so she was able to draw from her experiences. Some of the girls really had horrible background stories, and I was fortunate enough to never have been homeless. I think if I would have pulled more from, put myself in their shoes some more, maybe I would have gave a different face instead of being just sad.


There's so much drama right off the bat this season. Some girls are already going at it. How did you end up staying out of it all?

Well, I don't know. There were little petty arguments that you guys didn't get to see, but I guess they only aired the major, major arguments. Everyone in the house argued. I mean, it's 13 girls living in a house, of course there's going to be arguments, fights, drama here and there. I tried not to get involved too much in the drama because I was there to win.


I know you didn't get to stay very long, but being in the house with all of them, what was the atmosphere like?

The atmosphere was kind of like a dorm room. A very big dorm room, with a whole bunch of girls competing for the same prize. It was different, it was a fun experience living with all of them, and it was kind of fun at times. We played little games. There was a lot of stuff you guys didn't get to see, but overall it was kind of fun living on my own with a bunch of girls.


This season the show has a new judge, Paulina Porizkova. What was it like for you when she came in with a bang and told everybody right to their face what she thought of them?

Yeah, she did. I really thought her critique was useful. I thought that we really could have took it into consideration. She's there to tell it like it is. That's Paulina.


She told Amis that she needed to work on her skin and Dominique that she looks like a drag queen. What did she say to you in her critique?

She said that I have beautiful, almond shaped eyes, but I need to spend mirror time because certain angles, my chin might get pointy. That's the only thing she said to worry about.


Is the experience of doing Top Model something that you would do again?

Wow, would I do it again? I don't know. You know what, I probably would do it again now that I know what they're looking for. Maybe I would do it again. I think I did it once, and everything happens for a reason. One time is good enough for me, and I'm just gonna use this to my advantage. I'm not going to let this stop me from doing anything. I'm still gonna progress.


And you'll keep modeling?

Oh yeah, modeling is something I definitely want to do. Of course it's not going to last forever, so I definitely want to get into more things. You guys should be seeing more of me, of course.


Well I just wanted to thank you so much for your time, Atalya. Good luck in the future.

Thank you so much.


- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CW)