After being told by Tyra Banks that she was just sailing along in the competition, Monique was the next to be eliminated from “America’s Next Top Model.” The 19-year-old college student from Hebron, Ill., spoke to CTV.ca about her elimination, why she was so unimpressed about meeting her fans and her future plans. Excerpts are below.

CTV.ca: How are you feeling about your elimination now?

Monique: I’m feeling really good about it only because I’m really excited to keep going and get started here. It was hard to watch the show but I’m happy now.

CTV.ca: When Tyra kicked you off she said you weren’t the best, but you weren’t the worst and the judges kind of felt you were just sailing along – what did you think of that rationale?

Monique: I thought what she said didn’t make much sense because she said, ‘We don’t really know her personality’ and it’s like, ‘How the hell are you supposed to know my personality at panel?’ I’m pretty sure I have one of the biggest personalities on the show … and the fact that she also said I remind her of herself at a young age and I wanted to be like, ‘Ok, stop the cameras for a second. Then why are you eliminating me?’ I didn’t get it but it’s reality TV.

CTV.ca: You looked pretty upset and shocked when you found out you were eliminated. How were you feeling?

Monique: The last week or so at ‘Top Model’ I became very agitated and that is something I wish I could go back now and get my head back in the game. But I was very annoyed and frustrated at that point. I was kind of just over the competition … I didn’t prepare myself for what I was getting into, mentally, so that’s why I didn’t stay focused and I believe that’s why I got sent home.

CTV.ca: You did not seem impressed when you had to meet the fans during that challenge. What happened?

Monique: What happened with that whole challenge that really irritates me is I absolutely adore this new status that I have. I love meeting people and taking pictures and signing autographs. It’s always been a dream of mine. On that challenge I had two people right off the bat come up to me, the one woman had said, ‘You look too old to be 19. Your sizes aren’t standard model sizes’ … And then I had that creepy guy come up to me and he said, ‘Oh, I think I’ve seen your videos’ – basically insinuating that I was in adult films and I was like, ‘What?’ It really just pissed me off and made me kind of disengage from the whole thing.

CTV.ca: You told that guy that Alexandria would kiss him. Why did you say that?

Monique: First and foremost, to get him away from me. Alexandria and I would joke around the entire competition. They didn’t really show us having fun and goofing around but I knew that Lex could handle him coming up to her and doing that so it was honestly all just fun and games for me … I’m very aware she has a boyfriend and she probably wouldn’t kiss him.

CTV.ca: How do you feel about how you were portrayed on the show?

Monique: I’m not especially happy with the editing they did only because sometimes I come off as a real snotty bitch. People are comparing me to Alexandria’s attitude (but) I’m not really like that … I just hope people understand that and they don’t think I’m some spoiled brat. I’m just a small town girl.

CTV.ca: You said on the show you couldn’t be a model in Illinois. What are your plans now?

Monique: I was signed in Chicago when I was 12 years old and then I had to get out of the whole modeling thing. I got interested again when I was 18 so I kind of feel like I already shut Chicago down and am ready for bigger and better.

I’m planning to move to Los Angeles at the end of the month … my cousin lives there so I’m going to move in with her and maybe take some acting classes. I’m just going to fully chase my dream this year.

About Sheri

Sheri Block has been covering entertainment for CTV.ca since 2008. In addition to meeting Colin Farrell at TIFF 2009, Sheri's highlights have included going on tour with "Canadian Idol," being a stand-in on "Canada's Next Top Model" and reporting on such events as the Juno Awards and MMVAs. Follow her on Twitter!