AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL CYCLE 6
FURONDA ELIMINATED FROM UPN'S "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"

Photo courtesy of UPN.

Furonda, a student from Stuttgart, Ark., became the ninth girl eliminated from the sixth cycle of UPN's hit series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool from five girls to four.

To help enhance their grace as models, the girls arrived at Thailand's Patravadi Theatre where they learned the strong and elegant body movements of Thai classical dance. While most of the girls found this lesson challenging, Furonda had the most difficulty and became frustrated by the complicated Thai dance instruction.

Later, the girls were challenged to put their dancing ability to the test in front of a large audience of Thai spectators, as well as a small panel of judges and dance experts. Although the challenge judges agreed that Furonda's performance was entertaining, they felt she didn't capture the essence of the dance and needed to pay more attention to the techniques.

The next day, Jay Manuel greeted the girls for a photo shoot for Venus Vibrance razors where each had to showcase the smoothness of their legs against the rough skin of an elephant. Once again, Furonda's nerves seemed to get the best of her causing her photos to appear rigid and uncomfortable. "Furonda looked beautiful," Jay said after the shoot. "But as soon as Furonda felt that she had to pose, she turned her jaw into it and she got stiff."

During the week's elimination ceremony, the girls were challenged to demonstrate three emotions while wearing a traditional Thai mask, forcing them to use the skills they had learned about body movement. Although the judges had grown to enjoy Furonda's enthusiastic spirit and personality, they felt that her lack of grace and presence was growing too strong. "The judges see a great personality, somebody that's fun and endearing. But someone that doesn't quite get it," Tyra said just before eliminating Furonda from the competition.

The winner of UPN's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will have the opportunity to be managed by Ford Models. She also receives a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl. Finally, the winner appears in a fashion spread in Elle magazine.

The sixth installment of UPN's hit dramality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL follows 13 young women as they attempt to prove they have what it takes to make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of modeling. Banks, who created the show, also serves as executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Anthony Dominici ("The Amazing Race").

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL airs Wednesdays, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. For more information about AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, log on to www.upn.com.

The Interview

From the very beginning of speaking to Furonda on the phone, I knew she would be fun to talk to. As one of my favorites this season, it was nice to see that her personality matched (and even exceeded) my expectations. I began by congratulating her on making it so far in the competition, and admitted that I had been rooting for her. Her response was a gleeful "Thank you. I am proud of myself, and really happy."

Furonda told me how she had been encouraged to audition for America's Next Top Model. "In stores people would tell me - and they still tell me so obviously they don't watch - that I should be on the show" she laughed. She had never modeled before, but had been trying to break into the business. "I didn't know what I was doing. I had no guidance. I didn't know anything!"

Furonda had watched America's Next Top Model, although "not every single show. But I watched some of every season. The first was my favorite. Kesse was from my hometown, so of course I watched her. I loved the strong personalities. I loved what they did." She had applied to be on the show for the second season and never heard anything back until this past summer. But watching reality TV and being on reality TV are two different things. "The reality portion of the show was hard. You're monitored all the time. It is freakish!" she laughed. "Every word you say is heard."

Living with a bevy of other women could be stressful as well, but Furonda decided a direct approach would be a good start to their living arrangement, and came up with the now famous "Furonda's Rules". I asked if she thought it helped alleviate drama and fighting in the house. "Yeah, I know it helped." She went on to say that a few people didn't understand it. "They showed one scene and the girls talked about it. Hey - there was a rule about 'talk to me'" she laughed. It had seemed as if Furonda was being depicted as a "diva-ish" character and I asked if she felt that way, or if we saw the real "Furonda". "Ha - everyone I know says 'that was SO you!'. Ya know, I don't give massages to other girls. I just don't. Ya know? So I think it was pretty accurate" she paused "I'm not as difficult though."

In addition to the reality TV / living with others aspect of the show - it is above all else a modeling competition. The girls had some amazing photo shoots and I asked about Furonda's favorite one. "Can I tell you my least favorite one first?" she laughed. I agreed and she quickly explained why the "falling" photo shoot was so painful for her. "Is this fear factor for models? Who came up with this? 'Hey can I see them fall off a table?'"she explained as she laughed harder and harder. "We had 50 frames, and the mat did not have enough air in it. It was hard! Sara got hurt and they had to call an ambulance - they didn't show that." Furonda was excited about her favorite shoot. "The living doll, The Pantene Pro-V photo shoot was my favorite. I thought it was funny because Jay was calling me a rag doll. So I became a rag doll."

Furonda has no regrets about the experience and would do it again despite the stress. "It was such a stressful time. We all wanted that one position. It was mentally straining." But though the girls were vying for the one top spot, friendships were formed. Furonda is still in contact with many of the girls, and is proud to say she has no enemies amongst her former roommates.

SO what is next for this funny beauty? "I have a website, (www.furonda.com)." Se talked about her diverse interest in pursuing modeling, acting, music, Saturday Night Live and writing. Furonda has written many articles about body image and self-esteem that she is looking to get published. Her inspiration for writing these articles came from her own childhood. Having always been extremely skinny (and hating it for a long time) Furonda understands the mixed messages girls get today. All humor had left her voice as she talked about the girls that would e-mail her, saying they wanted to look like her. Her message to all girls is "Be happy with yourself."

Whatever avenue Furonda pursues, I think she will succeed. I would also like to thank her for taking the time to speak with us. We can't wait to see what she comes up with next. :)

~May 4 , 2006

Read about America's Next Top Model Cycle 6
Read about America's Next Top Model Cycle 5
Read about America's Next Top Model Cycle 4
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 3
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 2
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 1

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