‘Australia’s Next Top Model’ Post-Elimination Interview: Abbie


And then there were three. The dream of becoming Australia’s Next Top Model may be over for Abbie, but don’t expect this Brushgrove babe to fade into obscurity any time soon. With legs for days and a skincare commercial complexion, we can see how she managed to crack the ice cold heart of Alex Perry.

What did you find really challenging while on the show? I think for me, living at home and always being surrounded by my parents, it was definitely hard being away from them and trying to be independent without them. The first couple of weeks were really, really hard, I missed them so much, but then I eventually just started having fun and doing my own thing. It was definitely missing home.

Your parents must be glad to have you back. Yeah, I know! When we saw each other it was so good. I was crying and they were crying; it was pretty funny.

So you’re only 17 — I’ve just turned 18. I turned 18 in July.

Ohh, 18. Still so young! Do you think being on the show made you more mature? It’s definitely opened my eyes to everything. It’s definitely made me more mature and way more independent.

Who do you think will win? I don’t know! It’s actually so tough. I would love to see Shanali win. She just has such a model-esque look, and has so much passion.

It seems throughout the season she’s had the most consistent results. She did, she did.

She always gets good feedback. I was so surprised you left though! Everyone seemed to love you. Alex Perry especially loved you. It was definitely a shock to even be in the top four! I thought I wasn’t even going to make it into boot camp. I went so far in the competition and I’m so grateful for everything, but the top three would’ve been amazing, but unfortunately I did just miss out.

I’m sure there are still a lot of opportunities. Throughout all of ANTM, even the girls who don’t win can go on to do amazing things, like Cassi and Kesley. What’s your plan at the moment, are you going to keep modeling? Definitely. I’m going to try to get management, that’s the big thing, and my push at the moment.

Who was your favourite judge? It was definitely Alex Perry. He had so much influence on the show and he has so much industry in the Australian fashion industry. It was a bit scary when he was judging me sometimes, because it’s like, “Oh my god, you’re so amazing!”

It’s funny that you say that he’s your favourite judge, because nobody else has said that! Do you have a least favourite judge? Obviously Alex is my favourite but, no, I don’t have a least favourite judge. All the others were just beautiful and they were really easy to get along with. We all chatted, so yeah, there wasn’t really anyone I disliked.

When you guys were all living together in the house, who had the most annoying habits? Well, I’m such a clean person that people’s most annoying habits were not washing up after themselves, like Shennali. Shannon didn’t really clean up, and it was so annoying. You just have to call a house meeting and be like, “Clean up after yourselves!”

Were you almost the mum of the house then? I was definitely not the mum because I was corrupting people, like telling them to go jump in the pool and stuff, but in the sense of cleaning up I was definitely on to them. Wash your plate, it’s not that hard!

What was your favourite challenge? Dressing up as boys!

That one looked SO FUN. You did really well at that one actually, Gussie. It was so funny because your manicured nails were so noticeable with your costume. [Laughs] Yeah, that was funny. That challenge was kind of the point where I realised that the competition only had a couple more weeks left so I just had to have fun and embrace it. That week I had so much fun, it was a turning point because I told myself, “OK, I can win this.”

And it’s probably something you’ll never do again, wearing a beard in public. Exactly.

What about your dream modeling job, have you thought about that? Ah, yes, I have! I’ve always wanted to walk for Versace. I would just love to meet Donatella and have coffee with her. I need to. It’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.

So is that what you want to do, runway? Yeah, definitely. Catwalk is the main thing that I’m aiming for, because of my height. And more editorial sort of looks because I’ve got such a different look. I’m not really that commercial ‘happy smile’ kind of look, my smile is disgusting.

Have you been checking out any of the Spring shows that have been going on overseas at the moment? Yeah, New York Fashion Week’s just been on. It has been amazing, it’s just ridiculous, so hopefully I’m going to aim for overseas. [Squeals] Eeee! I’m just really excited to actually start getting into my career now.

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