The judges thought Liz made too many excuses but the next girl to be eliminated from “America’s Next Top Model” says that couldn’t be further from the truth. The 21-year-old hopeful from Arlington, Texas spoke to CTV.ca about being sent home, how hot it really was in panel and why she couldn’t stop giggling at the roller skating commercial the previous week.

CTV.ca: Were you really upset about being eliminated?

Liz: I was, just because I feel the photo they chose was not a smart decision. I feel like they had to pick something to talk about.

CTV.ca: The judges thought you made too many excuses. Did you agree with that?

Liz: That’s how it appeared on editing because they seemed to catch every little smidge where I was talking but I know myself, and my friends and family know who I am, and they know that’s not my personality and honestly if I made that many excuses in the real world I would not get far. I’ve got three jobs and a kid and step kid. I’ve got so much on my plate and if I was making so many excuses I would not make it in the real world.

CTV.ca: Do you think the reasons they sent you home weren’t that valid then?

Liz: Yeah, I don’t think it should’ve been my time. I think that some other people should’ve went before me but in the long run I’m really just glad I made it that far, to make it abroad and be able to say I did. That in itself made me feel pretty proud of myself.

CTV.ca: What was it like to go to Venice, Italy?

Liz:  Italy was awesome considering I grew up in Texas and I’ve been in Texas my whole life. That was definitely fun to go out of the country, and fly in a plane and do all that jazz. We couldn’t really do much though, being under camera watch at all times you didn’t really have freedom to enjoy it but it was nice getting to be there. It was my first trip out of the country.

CTV.ca: Did going there make you want to live the life of a top model?

Liz: It did. I definitely want to go back when I’ve got money to actually spend and go out there just for fun.

CTV.ca: Can you tell me about the weather there? It looked like you were all just melting.

Liz: It was like 107 (degrees Fahrenheit) when we landed that day and we were just head to toe in wool and it was real hard to breathe.

CTV.ca: Did that make it difficult for the photo shoot on the gondola as well?

Liz: Yeah, I was upset the judges thought I didn’t look the part or in the same era as the other girls but they put me in a full-blown leather jacket that just didn’t go with the rest of the girls’ outfits. I already felt like I didn’t match and then (I was) sweating my toupee thing off they attached to my head.

CTV.ca: What about in the judging panel? It looked like you all were going to pass out.
 
Liz: Yeah it was extremely, extremely hot. We were in a warehouse with no air conditioning and no circulation. On TV it looked like five minutes but in real life it was like three hours.

CTV.ca: What about the models’ apartment? It was a little less than glamorous than you all were hoping for. Was that a reality check of what the life of top model might be like?

Liz: No, considering I’ve lived in homeless shelters and right now I live in a one-bedroom (apartment) with four people so that was much bigger than what I am living in right now.

A lot of the girls are used to much bigger things so they’re kind of in shock but I’ve hit rock bottom a couple times so it wasn’t that bad for me.

CTV.ca: How has your life changed since being on the show?

Liz: People recognize me like crazy, I guess the Mohawk has a lot to do with it but people just freak out and it’s just so funny to say I can be Googled on the Internet.

I work at the mall so I can’t even get through the food court downstairs without people (bothering me). (I work at a shoe store) and people automatically recognize me and forget to buy shoes and want to take pictures and autographs rather than what they came for so my manager has to hide me in the stockroom like every day because I can’t get any work done.

CTV.ca: When you got eliminated Tyra said you don’t have to win this to be successful. Do you agree with her?

Liz: I do (agree) because I know how hard I can push myself and how persistent I really am and how bad I just want to take care of my family and be done struggling. I know I’m only 21 but I feel like I’ve had my share of struggling financially with my family and stuff so I’m really ready for a change and I just want something to pop up in the next couple of months.

I would love to do television hosting or stuff for fitness magazines … I’m also still in school, doing architecture.

CTV.ca: I also wanted to ask you about the TV commercial on roller skates you shot the previous week with Nigel Barker. It seemed like you were laughing the whole way through but was that really the case?

Liz:  On television it looked like I was laughing my butt off but in reality when I get really scared or really nervous or embarrassed I try to laugh it off because I don’t like people to see me cry and I don’t like appearing weak so to look stronger I just kind of laugh it off and shake it off … that’s just my way of doing it rather than breaking down.

I had actually knocked over the camera crew by accident and fell on them, spilled the (energy) water, it was so embarrassing.