I doubt I was the only viewer shocked to see model Rae Weisz, the 21-year-old mother from Rochester, MN, eliminated last night on America's Next Top Model. Up until last night, Rae took some of the strongest photos in the group, and her icy blonde hair and striking features set her apart as one of the more versatile and marketable contestants in this cycle of short-statured models.

Unfortunately for Rae, episode 8 of America's Next Top Model brought with it the quintessential Covergirl commercial challenge, and--even though hers was certainly not the worst in the bunch--her repeated lack of personality in front of the judges led to her elimination.

I had the chance to chat with Rae this morning about her experience in the Top Model house, and she shared the unique way she was cast for the show, her favorite photo shoot and fellow contestants, and why she found it so challenging to reveal herself in front of the judging panel.

Check out the full audio and transcript after the jump.


This is Meghan with BuddyTV and I'm on the line with Rae from America's Next Top Model Cycle 13. How's it going today?

Hi, Meghan. I'm doing well.

Glad to hear it. How did you end up going on America's Next Top Model?

This is kind of a crazy story. I'm from Rochester, Minnesota, and Rochester had sort of a "Rochester's Next Top Model" sort of small little deal at one of the movie theaters here, actually. And they'd advertised in the newspaper, and my father saw it the night before, and he had told me that I should go. And I was sort of hesitant, but I ended up going. And then they had three winners--you know, they had a panel of their own judges, and they picked their own winners, and so I came in second. And then they sent everyone's tapes over to the production company. And a week later the production company called me and asked me to come to Chicago for the big audition. So I did that. And then I was called to go to casting week in LA, and then I was finally cast in the house. So it was a long process, but yeah, it was really fun.

What kind of things did they do with you in Rochester? Was it a video of you, or did they have you pose for photos, or anything like that?

Yeah, it was just a video interview, so they just asked us questions such as, "Why do you want to be a model?" and things like that. And then they sent all of the tapes, they sent the tapes that they made over to the production company.

Had you had previous modeling experience before that?

You know, it's always been a passion of mine. I love modeling, I love fashion. So when I was much younger, around the age of 12 to 14, I did a little bit of modeling just locally, here in Minnesota, and did some ads for places like Target, just some commercial things. And then when I got to high school, it got to be a bit much. And so I really only got back into the industry a couple, maybe a year ago, and here I am.

Once you were on the show, why do you think you struggled to show your personality to the judges?

Well, I think it's difficult. And some of the girls do a wonderful job. Laura, for example, she's just--she shines wherever she goes. She's wonderful, she has a great presence. But it is difficult to go into panel. You only have so much interaction with these people. And, you know, it's not like you can sit down and have a conversation and really get to know them, or have them get to know you. So you have to be able to just reach out, just by standing there, just by being there. And it's more difficult than it sounds. And so, yeah, I definitely struggled with that.

But you did produce some beautiful photos, I have to admit.

Well, thank you very much.

Of course. What was your favorite photo shoot that you did?

My favorite photo shoot... you know, photo shoots were my favorite thing to do, and I went into this competition really focused on the photos, and that was my goal the entire time. I never felt as if, "Oh, I have to be America's Next Top Model." Modeling is a passion for me. And so the photo shoots, and really excelling at this as my career choice is what I was focused on. My very favorite shoot was the Cirque du Soleil shoot. It was so much fun, and I'd seen Cirque du Soleil, and being up there with those performers, and the photographer, Mike Rosenthal, is amazing. So, just our wardrobe, and being with the other girls in the shot, it was great. It was great energy, and it was a wonderful shoot.

Did you guys get to do anything else fun in Vegas while you were there?

We didn't. You know what? After Jennifer, Brittany and I shot, we hopped on a plane and went back home. We didn't even get to watch the other girls shoot. So yeah, we were really jet setting there. We all had different flights, and so... that was it.

Oh, you didn't even fly together!

No. I can't say that was "only" it, because that was an amazing opportunity, but... [Laughs]

Last night was probably the toughest week you guys had so far, or at least that's what it looked like. What was the most challenging thing about shooting the Covergirl commercial?

Shooting the Covergirl commercial--it's so different being in front of a camera, you know, with a director and reciting lines and selling a product. I mean there are so many factors that you have to take into consideration when you're doing something like that. And so it was great practice for me. The final product was... iffy. [Laughs] Um, but you know, now I have that experience, which is great, because I can use that and move forward, and I think that if I have an opportunity like that again, I will definitely be able to produce a much better product.

At least you weren't alone in struggling with it, right?

[Laughs] Right.

It did not look easy by the end. I was like, "I don't think I could have done that."

No, it really isn't! And you know, I think it was meant to be a little bit easier because, you know, we were able to write our own scripts, but I don't know, that sort of makes it a little more nerve-wracking, because not only are we doing, you know, selling this product as a model and as a spokesperson, but we're sort of doing the marketing end of it, too. You know? We have to come up with something that will be marketable to all demographics, you know, all of the people who use Covergirl, and so, taking all of that into consideration...

That's a lot of responsibility.

Yeah, it is! It's like, "Oh my gosh!"

So you sound like you're going to continue modeling, then?

Oh, definitely. Yeah, I love modeling. I love the industry. I would also like to get into acting, but first and foremost, I love modeling. So it's something I will always have a passion for and always pursue in some respect.

How are you going to balance that with your family and your daughter?

Yeah, you know, I have a great family life, and I have a huge support system, which is incredibly important, and I am so thankful for that. And so that has been so helpful, and it will continue to be so in the future.

One last question for you: who do you think should win?

Who do I think should win? Hmm, let me see... [Laughs] No, I... honestly and truly, each and every one of the girls, even the ones who have been eliminated, brought something wonderful to the competition. I mean, everyone is talented, everyone is obviously beautiful, and so it's hard to pick and choose, out of especially the girls who are left, because there's such a strong body of work there. But, I love Erin, I think she's great. Of course she doesn't cry as much as they've been showing! [Laughs] No, really, she's a great, great friend of mine. But Laura, I love Laura. I think she'll go way far, not just in this competition but, you know, in whatever endeavors she chooses to pursue in the future, and I think she just has a wonderful face for cosmetics. I think she could do amazing things for Covergirl.

Thank you so much, Rae. I look forward to seeing you on the billboards!

Thanks, Meghan!



-Meghan Carlson, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Image courtesy of the CW