Exclusive: Alexandra "Alex" Agro talks 'America's Next Top Model: Guys & Girls'

America's Next Top Model eliminated Alexandra "Alex" Agro during The CW's broadcast of the twentieth season's sixth episode last Friday night.


Alex was eliminated from the competition after she found herself in the bottom two alongside Jiana Davis, a 5' 10" 20-year-old bartender from Denver, CO.

The female models landed in the bottom two based upon their challenge score and total combined scores from the judges and viewers for a commercial which required the girls to dress up like guys and the guys to dress up as girls to sell a "sexy" fragrance. The contestants were given characters to play and had to pose as a couple with a fellow model of the opposite sex, ending the commercial with a kiss. Alex's overall score was 34.70 to Jiana's 35.50.

In an exclusive interview with Reality TV World, Alex talked about her Top Model: Guys & Girls experience. Below is what she had to say.

Reality TV World: When you got eliminated, Tyra basically said you were "floating," and when one floats, she either rises to the top or sinks. Prior to your elimination, did you feel like you were rising to the top and getting better with each week or did you find yourself sinking as the competition progressed for whatever reason?


Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I didn't really feel as if I was floating, I had been on top the first few weeks, it was hard ending up in the bottom this week.  For me, it was just now all about getting back on the show.

Reality TV World: Were you surprised to get eliminated at this point in the competition, especially since you were well aware you had high social media scores?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: It was amazing that social media kept giving me such high scores, and to me that meant everything, because if you are eliminated, then you can come back. I was of course surprised. I do not think anyone really wants to believe they'll be sent home, and especially this week.

Reality TV World: What did you think your chances were when you saw you were up against Jiana in the bottom two? She started crying immediately, so she actually seemed more worried about getting eliminated than you were.

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: You know, this entire competition I have really just seen as a competition with myself. It's how well I can do, and if I did the absolute best I could and someone else beat me, at least I have no regrets. Do I think I should have stayed over her? Of course, but that's how I should feel. If I do not believe in myself, who else will?


Reality TV World: Considering your modeling potential as a female in the fashion industry, was it frustrating you got eliminated from the competition during a week when you had to pretend to be a man? I'm sure you were thinking, "I doubt I'll have to pose as a man again in my career..." (Laughs)

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: You know, it was incredibly frustrating. But at the same time, I would have rather been eliminated for not being able to portray a man kissing a 6'3" drag queen then being eliminated for a high fashion shoot. I mean, I am not really sure this week's commercial really shows off my abilities. (Laughs)

Reality TV World: Could you talk a little bit about your struggle with that commercial? Johnny Wujek said you didn't seem confident nor could you get a good grasp on portraying a man.

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I love acting, I thought I would kick butt at this. I suppose my struggle was really just with the part I was playing. I was supposed to be a business man, so they wanted me to be more serious, calm, and collected.

I think I may have had an easier time if I had a funnier character that I could be a little more exaggerated and over-the-top with it, I am not sure. Also, remember I was partnered with a man who does drag for fun all the time. (Laughs) He was a natural woman -- hard to compete, right?!


Reality TV World: Some viewers have suggested the girls may be at a disadvantage this season because fans of the show might naturally give higher social media scores to the guys considering it's a new twist this season and teenage girls will probably crush on some of them. Did you feel that way? Do you think it'll be a pattern this season that the boys' scores will tend to be higher than the girls' fan votes?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I am not sure about that. I can see why people would say that, but I always had very high social media, and a lot of the time, a lot higher than a lot of the guys. I think social media really did give accurate assessments of the photos.
 
Reality TV World: What was it like competing against guys? Were they a distraction or were you crushing on any of them? If so, who and why?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: It was interesting because I felt so much more competitive with the girls, and I think the same went for the guys. We would all kind of have to check ourselves and remember that there is only one winner. I didn't fall for any guys, although I will say they are some of the greatest people I have ever met.

Jeremy is the kindest guy, Don is absolutely hilarious, Mike just awesome all around -- people I will be friends with for a lifetime, but I have a boyfriend and I think this really was an advantage for me in the competition. Some people were getting caught up in each other whereas I already have someone. It allowed for me to not become distracted.

Reality TV World: Many viewers are annoyed with this week's fashion correspondent challenge. They think it was unfair because it wasn't judged on talent or a person's interviewing skills but rather his or her willingness to joke around and basically act like a fool. How did you feel about that challenge? Would you agree that it was kind of a joke or did you really learn something from it?


Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I was really excited about this challenge at first. I have always wanted to host as part of my career. I then found myself really frustrated with the challenge. Perez Hilton has really created his career by putting people down. He made so much of this challenge just that.

I am not willing to hurt people or put down people to get further in my career, and if that meant getting a lower score, then so be it. He asked me to say some horrible things to the person I was interviewing. The kid I was interviewing actually walked off stage, saying his wife was going to kick my ass. With bullying so prevalent in our society right now, it was just NOT right.

Reality TV World: What were your general thoughts on Jourdan this season? Clearly Renee had a big problem with her and many contestants seemed to agree she was kind of conceited.

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I don't have a problem with Jourdan, I just felt badly for her. This was an experience we all shared together, no one will ever understand it like we did. It is a bond, regardless if we are competing. I felt like she was the only one not really partaking in that, but if she was ok with it, then so be it. She is doing well in the competition, so maybe her strategy was right.

Reality TV World: Jourdan claimed she was an outcast in the house because she had a higher maturity level than everyone else. What's your reaction and response to that?


Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I have always been mature for my age, I have been through a lot as well. She says she's more mature because she's been through so much -- well, what about Kanani who has a child, or Chris who was verbally abused his entire life, or me with my mom battling cancer and losing my brother, or Marvin having such hard issues growing up?

We have all been through a lot, we all have a story, and I think Jourdan chose to be the outcast. It had nothing to do with maturity at all.

Reality TV World: It was obvious to the models and even the judges that something was going on between Phil and Jiana in the house. Since Phil admitted to having a girlfriend back at home, how did you view their relationship? Did you think Phil was crossing the line or did you feel they were really just close friends?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I didn't really know what to think of Phil and Jiana. I mean, Phil always talks about his girlfriend but the next second was all over Jiana. It's contradictory, and I think it confused Jiana as well.

Reality TV World: Tell us a little bit about your experience with the separate competition amongst the eliminated models. Did you feel more or less pressure than the original competition? Was it frustrating to compete for that one spot back on the show?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: It was more laid back because we had a lot more down time and a lot more time to sleep, though I did feel the pressure of knowing there was one spot and I wanted so badly for it to be mine.


Reality TV World: At this stage in the game, which girl and which guy did you think was your toughest competition? Who did you think could ultimately win the whole thing?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: At this stage, I find Chris to be one of the biggest competitors. He keeps getting better and better and keeps rising higher and higher. I was so much more just focused on me. If you let others intimidate you, you'll fail. It was how well I could do, and if I did MY best I would be happy with however it turned out. I still think I should win, I can still come back don't you remember!?

Reality TV World: You mentioned your mother had a battle with breast cancer. We're very sorry to hear that. How is she doing now and what did she have to say about you competing on America's Next Top Model?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: Thank you so much for asking, my mom is in remission, with no more cancer! YAY, thank God. She was so supportive of me going on the show. Growing up, she taught me that I could do and be anything I wanted. She instilled in me the confidence and drive I have now.

Reality TV World: How familiar were you with Top Model prior to appearing on the show, and why did you originally apply to compete? Was it your first time applying?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I have watched Top Model since I was a kid. I remember being 16 and swearing one day I would be on it.  My friends even auditioned when I was way too young at the time, but I would go watch them audition hoping one day it'd be me and I would make it. It was my first time auditioning and I made it, how cool is that! Dreams do come true.


Reality TV World: What's next for you after the Top Model season finishes airing? Will you continue to pursue modeling and what are your goals now?

Alexandra "Alex" Agro: I will absolutely continue modeling, this show was just the beginning for me. I didn't come on here to see if I could make it, I know I can do it. This is just all part of my journey. In this industry, you are told you're not good enough, you're not this enough, you're not that enough -- all the time. It's how you feel about yourself, what you want, and how hard you're going to push to get there.

You can't let one, two, three, or even 10 knock down you down and ruin it for you, you know how many times Tyra was told no? A lot. I am also taking acting classes and have some big and exciting things coming up. I so look forward to you all seeing what I have in store!






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski