December 22, 2004 |
Top Model's Amanda Faces Gossip
by Daniel R. Coleridge
Single mom Amanda Swafford finished third on America's Next Top Model last week. But word is, the 25-year-old North Carolina native was Janice Dickinson's first choice for winner — and Miss Janice is bitter that Eva Pigford won! Despite her loss, Amanda still intends to relocate to New York after the holidays to pursue her modeling dream. But first, the blue-eyed blond discusses the dramas she faced — vision problems, evil whispers, backbiting — on her way to the final three. TV Guide Online: Were you allowed to keep the T-Mobile Sidekicks? My Watercooler pal Damian worships his.
Amanda Swafford: No! We didn't get to keep them. Isn't that sad? Oh! I'm so sorry, my other line is ringing. (Call-waiting pause) That was Ann. TVGO: Speaking of Ann, she told us you two are addicted to reality-TV fan websites.
Amanda: (Sheepishly) Oh, yeah. I was like, "Ann, why did you say that?" I didn't want anybody to know that I'm online reading and caring what people type about me! But I really like all the positive support and encouragement. TVGO: What about the bad stuff?
Amanda: I really try to apply all the negative stuff I've read and heard about myself for something positive. No matter how off-the-wall or untrue it might seem, it still might have a shadow or truth that I might need to investigate so I can better myself. TVGO: Were any of you tempted to rush the judges' table and ravish Nigel Barker?
Amanda: (Sighs) Ya know, Nigel is a good-looking guy. When he looks at you — especially the way he tilts his head to the side — he's pretty cute. I don't really agree with his opinions on my poses and my evening-wear look, though. (Slips into a little-girlish voice) I still think I'm pretty! TVGO: What was scarier: Janice Dickinson or that tarantula photo shoot?
Amanda: As long as Janice keeps a buffer zone of a few feet, the tarantula is scarier. But if Janice is in your face, then I'm sure it's her. TVGO: Wasn't it weird how she hug-humped Eva at the end?
Amanda: Yeah, that's cool if she's happy for her, but why is Janice talking smack about Eva now? Janice has been saying she doesn't think the right person won. She's also said everybody that she chose this season and in the past seasons will get more work than Eva. It's just really mean. TVGO: Janice yelled "Love you!" as you were voted off. Any guesses on who she really wanted to win?
Amanda: (Chuckles) Um, I think me. It's a good compliment, but I feel bad for Eva. [Janice has been] so negative and hurtful that I don't really want to be associated with such negativity. TVGO: Telling the other girls about Cassie's alleged bulimia backfired on you. Because they all gossiped, you ended up looking (and feeling) like the bad guy.
Amanda: Cassie told Julie and me [about her self-induced vomiting] the first night we were in Jamaica. I don't remember what she said verbatim, but it didn't sound like a completely past issue. The day of our photo shoot, I said something to Ann because I was paying attention to Cassie's obsessive behavior. She was hardly eating anything at dinner. She'd take a couple of bites of chicken — that's it — and go drink nine Diet Cokes. TVGO: Hmm...
Amanda: So Ann tells Eva and everybody else. My intention wasn't to spread anything but... duh! That's the kind of information people are just hungry for. But it was genuinely coming out of a place of concern for her. I feel like if Cassie didn't want the help, I don't think she would've told me in the first place. I understand people thinking I'm a bad guy, but honestly, I was just trying to get her some help. TVGO: Your sitch reminded me of Camille tattling on Yoanna's mysterious bathroom habits last season.
Amanda: That seemed more malicious than just trying to get her help. I didn't know that, if that topic came up, [Cassie] would have a possibility of being eliminated for it. (Groans) Cassie and I had a good talk at the finale party. She looked awesome. Once the competition's over, all that past resentment is out the window and we're back to being normal people. TVGO: What can you tell me about your retinitis pigmentosa? How bad is it?
Amanda: My central vision is almost as good as anyone else's, so I hold eye contact with people, I read, I look at pictures. The pockets of periphery that I do have, which are few and far between, are erratic. TVGO: Did your vision keep you from becoming America's Next Top Model?
Amanda: I don't think so, because I handled all the challenges well, like the zigzag runway in that dark club. I relied on people like Ann, Eva, Nicole or Yaya for help when I needed it. And they were always there for me. I hope to stay in touch with them all.
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