Since the debut of America’s Next Top Model in 2003, women of all sexualities have been included as part of the televised reality contest. Cycle 1’s Ebony Haith had the pleasure of being the first out contestant, who dealt with some homophobia from her housemates when she wanted her girlfriend to visit. She was followed by Cycle 4’s Michelle Deighton, who came out as a bisexual, open lesbian Kim Stolz on Cycle 5, and Cycle 7’s Michelle Babin, who struggled with her sexuality while on the show.
By the time 18-year-old Elina Ivanova was cast as a competitor on the current cycle of Top Model, she had the pleasure of being known for her modeling ability instead of being known as “the lesbian.” In fact, it seemed very much a non-issue in the editing of the cycle, which touched less on Elina’s sexuality than on her crush on her fellow contestant, Clark.
Perhaps the focus was instead intended to be on the show’s first transgender contestant, Isis, but Elina’s talent kept her on the show until just last week, when she was eliminated from the final five.Born in the Ukraine and currently living in Seattle, Elina came across as serious and composed on Top Model, which made her a threat to the other girls. But in the end, the judges found her to be too controlled and let her go in Amsterdam.
Elina talked with AfterEllen.com about her thoughts on how she was portrayed on the show, her relationship with Clark and what she hopes to do now that her time on Top Model has ended.AfterEllen.com: I was just reading an interview you had done recently, and in it you said you keep in touch with Clark. Is that on a friendly level or more than a friendly level? Elina Ivanova: [Laughs.] Well, we are friendly. She’s a great girl. We’re just friendly right now.
Elina (left) and Clark
AE: You didn’t talk too much about your sexuality on the show but how do you personally identify? EI:I don’t really want to put a label on it. I used to; I just don’t really know what I like physically. I’m open to anything and I want to keep it that way. Whatever comes my way.
AE: Clark didn’t seem too opposed to kissing you on the show. Do you think she’s bisexual? EI: I think she might be curious. I don’t know. It was a really fun night and I tend to bring it out in girls that are curious.
AE: You attract straight girls? EI: Yeah [laughs], I do, I get hit on by straight girls. It was fun, and I thought she was really cute. I wanted to see what I could make happen.
AE: It seemed like some of the other girls in the house weren’t used to seeing girls kiss other girls, or used to meeting people like Isis. It was like they could be a little small-minded. Did you ever feel any homophobia when you were in the house? EI: No, I didn’t even think about it that way. It wasn’t my priority. I just don’t even see that as an issue. It’s like “OK what else is new?’ I don’t ever really question if someone is OK with it, if I’m living a certain way. I’m sure there was someone in the house that had a problem, but it was nothing I was bothered by.
AE: I know Sam was talking about the friendship between Marjorie and Annaleigh and how she thought that was kind of weird, about them taking baths and things. Did she ever voice that in the house? EI:Sam was very distant from me and I think she’s very- she’s just a girl from L.A. and I wouldn’t say she’s closed-minded, but I don’t know. I don’t know how many people she’s been around of different sexualities. I don’t know if she was uncomfortable, but she never sparked a conversation or asked me about it. And you know that comment that she made about the lesbian baths, I was like “Get over it!” [Laughs.]
Samantha (left) with Elina
AE: I never got the sense that Marjorie and Annaleigh were anything more than friends. Is that true? EI: Yeah, they were just really close. And actually I think they might be living together or might have plans of living together in L.A. I don’t know, I love Marjorie. Marjorie was a great girl.
AE: I know you can’t talk about the outcome, but in other interviews you’ve talked about how talented Marjorie is but also that her nerves get in the way. Do you think that will be hurtful to her for the rest of the competition? EI: Yes, and it’s a shame because I know her- I really got to know her very well and I see how much potential she has. She’s brilliant, she’s absolutely amazing and I think that if she really just got over nerves and whatever’s holding her back — I kind of have that same problem, too, you know? But I’m definitely rooting for her and hope that she does well and she does whatever she can do to move forward.
AE: Did you feel that towards the end, when the judges were beginning to tell you that you were too controlled, that it was something that they would continue to harp on because it fit better with television- like they carve out a niche for each girl? EI:There’s definitely some truth to that, but it didn’t come from a false place. There were definitely some things about me that they saw in terms of control. I like to present myself in a certain way and not look silly, so that was definitely true. But the magnitude of the situation was very exaggerated and it wasn’t reason enough to send me home, I don’t think.
AE: I guess if you have to be eliminated you’d rather it be for being too controlled than any other reason. EI: Totally, I’d rather it be that than be for some personal issue.
Marjorie & Elina in bottom two
AE: Are you planning on moving to New York or L.A. to continue modeling? EI: Definitely. I want to move to New York in the next year and this is the career that I’m definitely going to stick with. If not, then something in entertainment for the fashion industry.
AE: A few past Top Model contestants have went on to host television shows. Is that something you could see yourself doing? EI: It’s funny, in a previous interview I was told I’d be a good newscaster or someone who comments on entertainment or politics because I do have a lot of things to say. I like to argue, actually. So anything with open communication on important issues would be great.
AE: Usually Tyra uses her show to have a Top Model reunion. Is there anything like that coming up in the near future? EI: Not that I’m aware of, but a reunion would be great. I’d love to see Clark again. [Laughs.] I’d love to have a reunion and leave together.
AE: I’m sure a lot of people are curious what you’re going to do with your hair now. Are you keeping it how they styled it for you? EI: Oh no, I took it out the moment I got home. It’s just so painful to have it in. Now it’s just back to dark brown.
AE: Is there anything you think people would be surprised to find out about you? EI: Yeah, I maybe seemed uptight on the show, and I know I said a few comments that were unnecessary. I don’t want to bitch, but I didn’t seem like a very nice, warm person. Actually I’m not that tough of a girl; I’m actually very sensitive and very emotional.
AE: Have you been in touch with anyone who you didn’t get along with on the show, like Sheena? EI: No, the only person I talk to is Clark.
AE: She was eliminated kind of early on. I think a lot of people were kind of shocked she was eliminated when she was. EI: Yeah, I didn’t agree with that elimination at all!
AE: You looked very upset. EI: Well, you know, just speaking based on modeling potential, she was in the bottom two with Joselyn that week and I think, I mean, Clark is incredible. She looks like a supermodel. I don’t know why she got kicked off. That really pissed me off!
AE: I am really surprised Sam has lasted so long. I thought for sure she was going home when Jeremy Scott told her she looked like a stripper on the runway. EI: I know, I couldn’t believe that either.
AE: He basically wanted her out but the judges didn’t listen. EI: Not at all. He was pissed!
AE: What was your favorite challenge you participated in? EI: My favorite challenge was definitely the Red Light District. I know McKey and Sheena had a problem with it, so did Sam, but I thought it was great. I’ve always wanted to go to Amsterdam so that was just perfect.
AE: You were very outspoken about animal rights on the show. Is that something you thought about before you went on the show, that you wanted to make sure to mention since it’s such a huge platform? EI: Of course. That’s exactly what I went in there for. It’s something I believe in personally and my main goal is to communicate what’s important to me and I definitely wanted to mention animal rights. I said to myself, “As long as I’m here, as long as I explain what I care about, I’m OK if I get sent home. As long as I get my message across.” I definitely wanted to touch on that subject.
AE: Was it similar for your sexuality? Or was there a reason you wouldn’t want to bring it up versus a reason you would? EI: Yeah, I did want to bring it up. Seeing Isis, that inspired me to talk about it even more. Once I heard her talk about it, and anytime I really get to sit down with someone and talk about it and have that understanding with someone, I just want to talk about it even more and open minds, I guess. I want to explain my side and maybe change some views.
AE: Right, and since you’re so far along in the series, now it’s just like a side note to your being a good model. EI: Yeah, that’s great. It’s progress.
AE: Is there anything else you would want people to know about you and how you were portrayed on the show? EI: I pretty much said what I was about. I hope I said enough!
