After talking to Simone, I didn’t think she was ditzy at all. I do think the Lenexa, Kan., native has an unfortunate “valley girl” accent, but as we learned in the truly deep film "Legally Blonde,” the accent can mask a rather intelligent woman.
Right now, Simone is in the middle of her sophomore year at Duke University and says she’s not letting all this modeling stuff keep her from getting her degree. That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t consider taking some time off if the right opportunity comes along. Again, she’s not dumb.
I spoke to Simone after her elimination about the unfortunate makeover, her bloody last photo challenge and how she felt about the contestant drama.
I would’ve wished for something with more versatility. Like, I like the way it looked, but there were times like at the Rachel Roy show where the stylist wanted to put my hair back, but it wouldn’t stay and she had nothing to pin it to because they had shaved all my hair off.
How did you feel about Tyra trying to make you edgier with that haircut?
It’s difficult. My instinct with the haircut was to make it match me, and for me that worked. My thing was to straighten it out or add a few curls. But then I’d hit the panel and Tyra would say, "Girl, I want that sticking straight up. I want to see you edge that out.” For me, that was counterintuitive. It’s something I had to force myself into. It’s a pair of shoes that I wouldn’t wear naturally, but I have to put on when I’m modeling and I understand that. But, it doesn’t make it easy.
