Exclusive: Chlea Ramirez talks 'America's Next Top Model: Guys & Girls'

America's Next Top Model eliminated Chlea Ramirez during The CW's broadcast of the twentieth season's fourth episode last Friday night.


Chlea, a 5' 10" 20-year-old credit analyst from Bear, DE, was eliminated from the competition after she found herself in the bottom two alongside Don Walls, a 6' 0" 25-year-old rapper, model and club promoter from Minneapolis, MN.

The two models landed in the bottom two based upon their total combined scores from the judges and viewers for a photo shoot which required the contestants to deliver a "sexy, fierce" photo when posing with either Rob Evans, a Top Model judge and famous model, or Victoria Secret supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio. Chlea's overall score was 22.2 against Don's 22.6.

In an exclusive interview with Reality TV World, Chlea talked about her America's Next Top Model experience. Below is what she had to say.

Reality TV World: When you realized you were in the bottom two with Don, what was going through your mind? Did you think you stood a good chance against him or were you really worried about going home?


Chlea Ramirez: I figured I was going home so I wasn't worried.

Reality TV World: Are you surprised that as the only "real-size" model in the competition this season, you got eliminated so early on? Did you anticipate Tyra Banks maybe, or the fans, having your back a little more?

Chlea Ramirez: There's usually only one "real size" girl every season. The fans and judges like who they like. I got my fans and they're going to ride out 'til the wheels fall off.

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 they're 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?

Chlea Ramirez: I didn't care too much about other people's scores. I didn't pay attention. But I do think the guys get more love which is expected.


Reality TV World: What did you initially think about boys joining the cast when you first learned of the twist and after competing against them and living with them for a short while, did your opinion change? Do you think it was a distraction or anything like that?

Chlea Ramirez: Living with guys was not a distraction. They just took up space.

Reality TV World: You were shown have a little confrontation with Kelly Cutrone. It seemed like you two buried the hatchet, but did you really?

Chlea Ramirez: Yes, we did bury the hatchet. She makes her money and I make mine. We have no bad blood and there's nothing but love between us.

Reality TV World: Following your physical makeover, Kelly Cutrone noted on the judging panel you also had an attitude makeover. Did you really feel like that was the case or would you argue you never thought you had much of an attitude problem to begin with? 


Chlea Ramirez: I don't think I had an attitude problem to begin with. She came at me so I defended myself.

Reality TV World: You mentioned during your photo shoot with Rob Evans that you felt Marvin was kind of overpowering you in the shot. Could you talk about that a little bit? Do you think had you been paired up with a different male model maybe things would've turned out differently because you would've had better chemistry or more of an opportunity to shine?

Chlea Ramirez: I think if I was with a different model the chemistry could have been better.

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 there a part of you that felt you were kind of wasting your time because chances of coming back onto the show were low or was that not the case at all?

Chlea Ramirez: I was happy to just chill out without the cameras and enjoy myself.


Reality TV World: During the show, you made a passing reference to how you moved out on your own when you were 17 and how you're estranged from your mom now. Would you mind elaborating on that a little more? Have you grown a lot as a person over the last couple of years because of that experience or how has it affected your life now?  

Chlea Ramirez: I've always been wiser than my years. I've always been the type to get stuff done and take care of it. I've been through way worse than getting kicked out of my house when I was 17. Getting kicked out was a blessing.

Reality TV World: It seemed like you loved your new makeover, hair included. Do you plan to keep that look or are you going to change it up again?

Chlea Ramirez: As a woman, I feel as though we change our looks so often. So who knows what I'll do next!

Reality TV World: At this point in the competition, which girl and which guy do you think was your toughest competition? Who do you think had what it takes to win the whole thing?


Chlea Ramirez: At this point, I'm rooting for everyone. I don't have a favorite.

Reality TV World: If you were actually the model to win the separate competition amongst all the eliminated contestants, do you think it'd still be a long shot to win the whole show?

Chlea Ramirez: Yes, I do. Everyone left is very good.

Reality TV World: Why did you originally apply to compete on Top Model? Was it your first time applying for the show?

Chlea Ramirez: My cousin convinced me to apply for the show. I haven't watched since the third or fourth season.

Reality TV World: What's next for you? Are you going to continue pursuing modeling or do you have other career goals in mind?


Chlea Ramirez: I'm going to do some modeling for the moment, but I'm open to anything. I love acting and went to high school for drama. I'm actually working on a clothing line right now. It's a urban female line -- I'd describe it as very California swag and fun and sexy. 






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski