Exclusive Interview with AVA CAPRA America’s Next Top Model Eliminee – Cycle 22

The 80’s Mullet Kills Ford Model

By Belinda Trotter James

Believe it or not before top model this 5’5” beauty from Los Angeles California was a professional model.  “I was signed to Ford when I was 15 and from there I evolved and grew into modeling,” reveals Ava.  “I did print, commercials, music videos and my brother is an actor.”  Of course bells went off in my head trying to figure out how did she go from being a Ford model to appearing on ANTM only to be the 4^th eliminated contestant to leave the competition? Ava explains, “I got my Tyover… the Tyra Mullet kind of weighed down on my confidence a bit.  Although I was trying to act as professional as possible I did not really feel the same.  I mean…. It’s all good.  It’s hair and it will grow back,” she laughs.

Ava’s imagination was not playing tricks on her hair.  When Ava appeared at panel Tyra wasn’t feeling the mullet at all as well.  She told Ava she looked like a housewife.  She did look like a throwback to the 80’s and not in a good way.  It should have been an updated mullet instead of a throwback never to comeback mullet.  At that point I thought Tyra would re-do the cut, but it did not happen. 

Modeling is almost like acting and when you find yourself wearing something hideous or having a horrible makeover, you need to turn yourself into a different character.  Some may say that they did not feel like themselves and they would be partially right.  The half you don’t like isn’t you.  It’s your alter-ego… playing a role just like an actor would in a film.

Thank goodness Ava did not keep the unattractive mullet once she left the competition.  “I came back home and chopped it into a pixie”, says Ava.  “My mom actually did it and I dyed it platinum.  It’s the Marilyn Monroe affect.”  You can see her new cute cut courtesy of her mom coming to the rescue on all her social media pages. 

Ava reveals that she was eliminated because her model mullet did not suit her or fit her personality.  “It was very hard to move forward after I got my hair chopped off and also there is a lot of drama in the house,” says Ava.  “It just got to the point where I just did not fit in.  I was just fed up with the drama.  I didn’t want to go home, but it was really intense.”

Throughout Ava’s high school years she was home schooled because of bullying in the earlier grades.  It’s horrible when a child cannot enjoy their childhood or get a good education and have wonderful memories because of other unhappy children who thrive on making life hell for everyone around them.  Bullying doesn’t stop in the schools; it also takes place in the workplace.  Our family and school situations prepares us for the world which contains evil, good, happy, dark and peaceful experiences.  With each experience is a lesson which contains answers on how to resolve social situations.

“It may have seemed like I lived in a bubble [being home schooled] but I did have a life,” begins Ava.   “I just didn’t have roommates and that kind of contact with my peers was just a little different for me,” explains Ava.  I guess adapting to the actual pressures of living with 13 personalities for the first time can send shock waves to the brain.  Seeing ANTM on television in the comfort of your own home each week and actually living it every day for 14 weeks is two totally different experiences.  We can scream at the television or write our comments on social media however, Ava and the gang had to stay in place 24/7.  “Yeah, it’s pretty different,” says Ava.  “From watching it to actually living it is definitely different.”

For those watching the contestants on television it is a little hard to comprehend the stress levels in the house and seeing the total breakdowns when contestants get a chance to speak to loved ones.  One would think they were captured and thrown in a hell hole prison camp.  They are young adults having a total stress meltdown because of a reality show.  Why are they so stressed????  It ends in 14 weeks.  It’s not hard core military boot camp.  This is something contestants have been dreaming of their entire young life and now that it’s here a meltdown starts to eat away at the dream.  Is it really that bad?  “Yes”, says Ava.   “It’s a lot of things going on in the house like drinking alcohol.  I did not have any connection to the outside world for two months.  It was really tough and what I realize is that it’s not like this in the real modeling world.  I learned from it and definitely learned new social skills.”

In life we sometimes wish for a do-over.  Ava reveals her do-over plan.  “I think I would’ve started focusing more on myself.  I was quick to defend people all the time and I only did that because of my background.  I was abused by my father and I also was affected by bullying so that’s why I feel like I had to defend others, but at the end of the day it is a reality TV show and if you’re not there for drama or there to hook up, then you get sent home.”  We both laughed and I said, “People don’t get sent home for that; it’s good TV but, they get sent home for not getting a good score from the judges.” 

I deliberately did not ask her any questions about her abusive father; that is the past.  We must learn to let go of the past in order to move forward.  We are beautiful spirits having a human experience.  Ava’s past will now allow her to be the brave protective soul who will defend and share her experiences and words of wisdom with those who may have a similar experience and may not be strong enough to move forward.  It is said, “What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.”

Even though Ava experienced challenges growing up she managed to get signed by one of the top modeling agencies in the world and make it on the number one modeling reality show competition in the top 14 on America’s Next Top Model. That’s a big deal!  Behind the fashion industry curtains there will be a lot of negative energy however, there will also be an overwhelming amount of positive energy.  Ava’s past made sure she will have the strength to deal with it all.  She will have to keep reminding herself that she is worthy of all good things.

In the show she did slip and say some things that would make you want to say, “Huh?”  She is only 5’5” and for a moment doubted her height against every one in the competition because they were taller.  How quickly she forgot that she was chosen by the Ford modeling agency.  “I said certain things that I honestly don’t remember,” remembers Ava.  I don’t remember half of the things that went down because it was so out of my realm.  It was months ago and I did say things I should not have said about myself.”

Many contestants who were eliminated from ANTM have gone on to do great things in their career.  Ava is well on her way with a mountain of wonderful gigs. “I have a lot of things coming up.  I have New York Fashion week gigs and being 5’ 5” that’s a huge accomplishment so I’m excited about that and I also sing.  I just released a new song and I’m working on a reality show.      So it looks like it’s endless for me.  I’m so excited for the future.”

Ava’s advice to youth trying to find themselves is to love themselves first.  We hear that so many times from many different people; it must work if so many testify to this key of life.  “You can never give up on yourself,” advises Ava.  “That’s a huge thing.   When I was in the competition there were many times when I felt like a failure and discouraged, but I’ve always learned to get back up after I fall down.  So I think that’s what it’s all about.  Learn to love yourself and find the courage to move forward.

 

Follow Ava on all the social network sites http://www.twitter.com/TheAvaCapra 

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