Caridee English
America's next top model winner Caridee is taking the world by storm, and she's doing it in heels. While she has a slew of modeling gigs on the way, and the coveted title of America's Next Top Model, Caridee doesn't need a show (or Tyra Banks) to tell her she's a winner.
Photo Credit: De Yonker/The CW
The Star Scoop:
How have things changed for you since winning the show?
Caridee English:
I'm busy. I'm busy now [laughs]. It's great. It's just a whirlwind, and I'm trying to keep everything in tact and be professional. It's great.
The Star Scoop:
Do you have any additional pressures now that you're in the public eye [to look good]?
Caridee:
I've always loved dressing up. I'm the type of girl, that like, [If I was] just running to the gas station, had to make sure everything matches. My favorite part of the day is picking out an outfit. It really is. I do, I love dressing, and I like makeup. I don't like really doing hair, because it takes so long. But I love doing makeup. It's different every day.
The Star Scoop:
Where do you think your love for fashion came from?
Caridee:
It's just in my blood. I couldn't help it. I don't remember this, but, when I was three years old I got money from my grandpa for a birthday. What was great is that I got money and my dad took me shopping, you know, go to the toy store, toy section. What actually happened is I went and I bought a red dress, red socks, red leggings, red shoes, and like all the stuff. I don't remember any of this. Three years old, that's crazy...I just always knew I wanted to model. Ever since I was little, it made sense...nothing else felt right. I've done rewarding jobs, but it's weird, when I get in front of a camera, it feels like I've been educated in it, my whole life. There's something inside me. Everything just makes sense.
The Star Scoop:
What do you think of the opportunities America's Next Top Model gives girls?
Caridee:
I think the opportunity that I had was amazing. I thank Tyra every day, every second. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be in New York right now, and I wouldn't be talking to you, and I wouldn't be living my dream. I'm so thankful for everything.
The Star Scoop:
What did you think of the things the judges had to say about you?
Caridee:
They were true. The judges are judging. That's their point. It's not gonna be fair, not all judging is fair, you know. Especially, it's a lot nice than what the real fashion world would be.
The Star Scoop:
In the show, you get to do a lot of different [kinds of] modeling. Where do you feel like you're most at home?
Caridee:
In terms of modeling? I definitely feel the best when I'm in front a camera, like print. I love it. I love the camera, the relationship with the photographer. I love the relationship with the lens. I look in the lens, and I'm not seeing a black circle, I'm seeing, I don't know, it's weird. It just makes sense, that's all I can think [and] say. It just works.
The Star Scoop:
What was the most challenging part of competing on a television show?
Caridee:
It was a privacy issue, just having the cameras. That's what was hard for me, is just waking up and having a camera literally in my face.
The Star Scoop:
Now that you've been back to your normal life, what have you been doing?
Caridee:
Just hanging out with family, really just appreciating being with family and friends. I know my life's about to change and everything.
The Star Scoop:
Where do you want to see your modeling career go?
Caridee:
The top, really. I would love to Victoria's Secret. I would love to do fashion for anything with print, anything to be a spokes model for any kind of designer, a Dolce & Gabbana girl, or an Express girl, being known for a certain company is great.
The Star Scoop:
Do you have any advice for girls who want to be models?
Caridee:
Send a Polaroid of your face, side, profile, both sides, in a swimsuit, and just send it in to agencies in New York, L.A., anything. It'll take like five bucks to send it off, and they'll get back to you if they're interested. Send them out to many agencies.
The Star Scoop:
The person that we saw on TV, is that the real you? How would you describe your own personality?
Caridee:
Yeah definitely. They show really highs and really lows. I'm really out there, I'm really free-spirited. I don't care what people think. You don't me, then we don't have to be friends. People can just accept me for me. You have to separate yourself career wise and personal wise.
The Star Scoop:
How would you rate the overall experience of the show for you?
Caridee:
It was great. It was amazing. All of it was so amazing. I wouldn't do it again, but I would do it again.
The Star Scoop:
Do you have a message to your fans who cheered you on?
Caridee:
Thank you! It means a lot to have people like you and honor and respect you for a dream of yours.
The Star Scoop:
Where can we see you next? What will the change be like?
Caridee:
I will be in the CoverGirl commercial coming up. I'm filming it for on, I think, the 18th [of December] in Australia. My CoverGirl outlast double lip shine ad that you saw in the show, it comes out next week and then Seventeen Magazine comes our January 2nd. It's going to change, but it's going to be a positive change, and I'll have to roll with the punches as I go along.