Q&A: Canada's Next Top Model Winner Meaghan Waller
Source: AOL
Posted: 07/15/09 2:25PM
Filed Under: Canada's Next Top Model
By CHRIS JANCELEWICZ
It's hard to believe that the quiet, seemingly reserved girl from Winnipeg is Canada's Next Top Model. Meaghan Waller, the blonde, soft-voiced former brace-face, came out of her shell during the rigourous CNTM competition. If you asked me eight weeks ago who was going to take the title, she wouldn't have even made my top three picks.
So it was a shock, and ultimately a treat, when Meaghan started speaking more to the roving CNTM cameras - and she was clever, witty, and enjoyable. Midway through the competition, the show paid for the removal of her metal braces and replaced them with InvisAlign.
Meaghans Final Portfolio
Still laden with braces (and thus forced to keep her mouth shut), cutie Meaghan poses with a wild wolf. The picture is quite fierce, but lacking in any real charisma.
CTV
At first, we balked on the makeover; the end result was a little too Paris Hilton. Meaghan said she thought it was 'too pee-coloured', and she's not wrong.
CTV
She channels a porcelain doll in this one, but her face isn't doing anything for us here. The asymmetry is pretty cool.
CTV
This was the week where Meaghan started to come into her own. For the first time in her photo, she showed some sex appeal. This desperate-seeming beach shot really made us love her.
CTV
Cute and sultry? Meaghan pulls it off to win 'the battle of the blondes'.
CTV
There's something playful yet sexy about this shot; the combination of the hair and the pixie-esque face reminds us of Dr. Seuss.
CTV
As with Linsay, Meaghan nails this shot. She develops two separate personas: one, the nerdy behind-the-scenes girl, and the other, a dead ringer for Coco Rocha.
CTV
Her Cover Girl shot was a bit wonky, by her own admission, but after looking at it a few times, it's not that bad. She has great bone structure, and that girl-next-door look comes very easily to her.
CTV
Speaking with her now at the CTV studios, she looks glamourous: long, beautiful hair, great high heels, confidence exuding from her every word. Meaghan is determined to make it in the fashion world, both here in Canada and abroad. She spoke with AOL about her newfound status, and what's next in her modeling career.
Did you, at any point, think that you were going to win?
I never got too far ahead of myself. I knew there was a chance that I could, but I didn't want to tell myself that I could do it, because I didn't want to let myself down. I didn't want to jinx it.
Who do you think was your toughest competition?
Most definitely Linsay. She was the underdog at the beginning, and halfway through she totally pulled a 180-degree whirlwind. Jay said she was a lightning bolt, and there was no stopping her. She had an amazing walk, and I was definitely intimidated going into the runway challenge, but I did it.
What's your favourite portfolio shot of yourself?
Either the avant-garde beauty shot (with tape over my mouth)...and I like the beach bride one too.
I think that's where you really came out of your shell.
Yes, I think that's true.
As a girl growing up, did you want to be a model, or did you have any other aspirations?
Always in the back of my mind, I wanted to model. I was very shy, and got made fun of...tons. I was always the tall, lanky, awkward girl. I never thought I could model. It wasn't until I was 16, 17 that people started telling me I should. I never took other peoples' opinions seriously until two days before the Toronto auditions for the show. An agent came into my work and she was like, I'm going to take pictures of you and send them into the show. So we did.
Is there anyone who used to make fun of you who you'd like to say anything to?
[Laughs] No, there's no one in particular. Even my friends...you know, I can joke about my flaws too.
Were you bullied at all?
Not bullied, just made fun of. Even in high school, I looked like a 12-year-old boy who hadn't hit puberty yet. I just had no shape. Now it's paying off.
Are you leaving the show with any regrets? Did anything happen that you wish had unfolded differently?
I have the philosophy of living day by day, don't look back, always look forward. If I did have to change one thing, it would be the way the Maryam situation was portrayed.
Canadas Next Top Model Finale Photos
Meaghan's Final Shot
CTV
Linsay's Fashion Magazine Cover Shoot
CTV
Nikita's Fashion Magazine Cover Shoot
CTV
Meaghan's Fashion Magazine Cover Shoot
CTV
Meaghan and Jay
CTV
What do you think you, as an individual, have to contribute to the modelling industry? What makes you stand out?
I've been told that I look like a lot of former models, which his nice because I can bring back that fresh face again. But, then again, I feel like I'm very versatile. I can do a lot of editorial, as well as some stuff that's a little softer and more commercial.
How did your family react when you won?
I had my family on speaker phone when I was here, and they were back in Winnipeg. It was just a roar of screaming and shrieks. I had to pull the phone away because it was so loud. My boyfriend said my mom and dad were very emotional; he said my dad was crying, and I've never seen him cry before.
Immediately after you won, what did you tell yourself was the first thing you were going to do?
I didn't have to tell myself anything! [Laughs] Elmer [Olsen] is doing everything for me! Tomorrow I'm doing Elmer's Boot Camp to Big Time (basically a cattle call), Saturday I'm doing the Fashion magazine editorial spread, and Monday I'm shooting an ad for Capezio shoes. I've already been completely launched in there. I'm really excited.
Do you have any advice or suggestions for young up-and-comers?
If it's something that you aspire to do, then most definitely go into it whole-heartedly, 100 percent. But stay true to yourself, don't change for anyone. When you stay true to yourself and keep a level head, that's when things work out for you.
To read an interview with the CNTM top 3 finalists, click here.
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