Misc. Reviews

"AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL," Tessa Carlson

Age: 19 years old

Height/Weight: 5'9" / 124 lbs

Hair/Eyes: Blond hair / Blue eyes

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.

Occupation: Self-employed, running a small company with her boyfriend. They make and sell several different retail products based on a patent pending. She is developing products for Spencer's Gifts and Jerome Russell cosmetics

Self-Description: Sexy, Crazy, Cool! Or is that a TLC song? I'm fun, spontaneous and kinky.

Background: Tessa has been with her boyfriend for two years.

Favorite Things: TV show: "Elimidate;" Movie: "Gia;" Music: Hip Hop and alternative.

Life Motto: Live and let live.

The Interview

Tessa Carlson is the first girl to leave the penthouse that is home to the girl's vying for a modeling contract on America's Next Top Model. And unlike Tyra Banks, we happen to think this girl has loads of personality. A point she wanted us to stress while chatting with her on the phone in the first of a series of interviews we'll be conducting with the participants.

Very upbeat, Tessa described her experience on the show as just that: an experience - which is what she was looking for. She was inspired to audition for the show when she saw a commercial for the auditions the night before. She headed down to the bar where the auditions were being held, and after bribing a girl to trade numbers so she could go sooner, she had her chance. The effort paid off. She was one of the final girls chosen to be on America's Next Top Model. Not new to the world of modeling, Tessa began at the age of 12 in St. Louis. She moved to Chicago looking for her "big break" after high school. When asked if she thought this was it, she said she was hopeful that it was a definite step in the right direction. Tessa hoped to learn a bit more by being on the show and would have liked more advice and support. The advice she is sure the other girls will receive the longer they are there.

Her brief stay did have some excitement. And yes - it was freezing up on the rooftop for the swimsuit shoot. "Couldn't you tell?" she laughed over the phone when asked about it. "I was really looking forward to being off that roof." At 10 degrees who could blame her? She was also there long enough to choose some of her favorites - although she stated that she doesn't know who will win. "Adrienne is not typical. She's opinionated and outspoken. I like that. Ebony has that unique look you don't see often."

Living your life on TV can be a bit overwhelming for many - but not Tessa. "I think I was portrayed pretty well. The end was sad. Of course a lot of what was filmed was cut out that showed my personality. I really let loose and had a good time and I don't think that it showed."

Which brings us to Tyra Banks' comment about Tessa not having personality. "I used to like Tyra. I do have a personality and Tyra said I didn't. I don't dislike her, but she didn't seem like she said she was. She was all about how she really cared for the girls and wanted to help. I just didn't see it. But I was only there a couple of days, too."

When asked if it was harder to leave the girls that she met on the show or to leave the show itself she exclaimed "I didn't want to leave New York! It was my first time there." But it wasn't just the scenery she was leaving behind. With a Revlon contract hanging in the balance, it was disappointing to realize that she was also leaving that opportunity. "But hopefully a lot of people will watch the show. I hope it gets good ratings. It was a great experience." She is also hoping for a reunion. "I'd love to see the other girls again. See how much they've changed and grown."

Overall, Tessa believes it was fair. "They have an idea of what they want and I wasn't it. Hopefully they find it." And she will continue pursuing her dream of becoming a "Top Model". Just as she encourages everyone to "stick with it" - we think she should do the same.

Tessa Carlson Interviewed by Jeniffer, May 22, 2003

~May 2003

Read more about America's Next Top Model

Send this review to a friend

Post your own Misc. Reviews here

Current Reviews                     Past Reviews

Featured Book:

Looking for a book? Use this convenient Search Box from Amazon.com Search: Books Keywords: