(Long Island, N.Y.) I’m all about the 3 R’s: Reading, Relaxing and Reality TV. Yep, I’ll admit it, I’m a big-time reality show junkie. But when I heard that VH1 was airing a new show for their fall line-up titled: America’s Most Smartest Model, I thought the show sounded, well, DUMB.
I was curious though, so I tuned in to the first episode to see if the new show would make the cut in my fall reality line-up. (My TV card is quite full these days!) The show, hosted by Mary Alice Stephenson (fashion industry insider) and Ben Stein (anyone, anyone?) has models face off in funny competition to find the one whose got the total package: beauty and brains. Each week, one model is sent home or (this is good) “Purged” from the show.
My fear was, the show would just be downright silly and would waste an hour of my time when I could be watching, say, TiVo-ed episodes of The Hills. But America’s Most Smartest Model hooked me! It’s everything you want in reality show: funny, cringe-worth at times and entertaining. I must admit though, one of the reasons I did continue to watch was one of the models on the show: Mandy Lynn. If you watched the show from the beginning, you probably were intrigued by her, too. She’s stunning and has a bubbly, likeable personality that kind of draws you in. I was really rooting for her! It wasn’t until she was purged from the competition, did I realize she was from Long Island (born and raised).
I caught up with Mandy Lynn recently and we chatted about her time on the show. I somehow wasn’t surprised to find her super-sweet, upbeat and well-spoken.
I always wondered how people get on reality shows. How did you find out about this show?
Mandy Lynn: One of the casting directors emailed me. I guess he found me on MySpace. He thought I’d be good for the show. So, I went to NYC to audition (a few of them) and they ended up liking me and I got cast.
I watched some of the casting footage. That was hysterical. Was it a grueling process? I know from my audition days that it can take forever. What was your experience like?
Mandy Lynn: It wasn’t that bad. There were three separate times I had to go in. And each time I went in it was very quick and easy. They just asked me questions—they wanted to get a feel for my personality. And I guess they liked me– I was very funny—and I was cast on the show.
So how did you find out you were chosen? Did they tell you during each audition they might pick you? Did you get calls during the process?
Mandy Lynn: Yeah, I was getting phone calls. It was so exciting. They said “You passed the next round”. Actually, when I went to the casting for it, I wasn’t expecting to really be cast. I was thinking: I love reality shows, let’s see what it would be like going on a casting for one. After I was done, they called me back and said we like you—we’d like you to come in again. So I thought, here we go again. Then after the next time I thought, oh, shoot—this is for real!
That is exciting! What were your thoughts when you realized you made it and would be on the show? Were you freaking out?
Mandy Lynn: I was really nervous. And I was excited, of course. I was ready to go and see what it was all about.
Did they tell you the name of the show before it was taped: America’s Most Smartest Model?
Mandy Lynn: No, they didn’t. They were sneaky like that. All they said—see, that’s the part here…I fall into the Playboy lingerie type—and that’s not exactly what the judges wanted. It said: all types welcome. Bikini, lingerie models welcome. I thought, I qualify—let me go to the casting. So they cast me for the show, then I get there and the lady [Mary Alice] has some type of grudge against me for the type of modeling I do. So it was a little unfair. Also, I did not know that you had to be smart.
They didn’t tell us the name of the show until—I’m not kidding you—2-3 days before I had to fly out there and begin filming. I’m like: America’s Most Smartest Model?? What did I sign up to do? I called up and asked about the title and they said don’t worry, it’s going to be funny. And you’re just going to have to prove that models are smart. So I was already signed in—all done and ready. And when I got there they said everyone here think they are the smartest model and I thought, Oh my God!
I would have been so scared! I’m one to crack under pressure—even the simplest question!
Mandy Lynn: I know—I’m totally the same way and I did that on the show a few times. It’s very hot up there. The room becomes so quiet—they’re waiting for you to answer usually I’m not like that. I’m very cool, calm and collected but I was letting the pressure get to me.
Well, I think you are the “most” smartest model because your personality really came through on the show. After watching the first episode, many of the names I couldn’t remember, but you left a lasting impression.
Mandy Lynn: I am like that in my real life. A lot of people on the show want to be actors and it was a little bit fake but I’m on there—a girl from Long Island—very real. I’m not used to that superficial Hollywood stuff. It was a lot of me and on top of that being thrown into a house with strangers on the other side of the country with cameras. And I got this intimidating, tall, fashion guru telling me to take my make-up off. It was a lot to deal with.
I know they asked you to take the highlights out of your hair. (I’ve had highlights forever and I cringed when you had to dye your hair on the show.) Did you fix your hair when you got back home?
Mandy Lynn: Yes. FIXED is the right word. I liked my hair before. It did not look right after. Yuck. But for the show I wanted to stay so I thought if I did that and show her I was that dedicated…but it wasn’t enough.
You’re going to move on to bigger and better things, I’m sure. I was sad when you were sent home. But there was another model on the show that caught my eye: Andre. He’s still on the show. What was he like?
Mandy Lynn: Actually, I got along with him. I liked Andre a lot. Many times on the show they are showing him fighting with everyone but I shared a room with him. We had some really nice conversations and he would help me and give me advice on what to do to make Mary Alice happy. I liked him but he didn’t get along with everyone else in the house. He actually complimented me a couple of times on the show– during challenges—but they don’t show that either.
I’m curious about what you’ve accomplished before this VH1 show. You’ve done Playboy. How did you get started with that?
Mandy Lynn: They came to a casting in Farmingdale in 2002 and I went to it and was chosen. I modeled for their special edition and I was in over a dozen issues. Three were covers. I also wrote the advice column in Playboy’s Vixens and I was a “CyberGirl”.
So—what’s next for you? What would you like to do?
Mandy Lynn: I hope to do another show. Either on VH1 or another network. I want to continue with TV now, modeling, web design. Pretty much more of the same—just bigger and better!
Did you really design your website yourself? Wow—I’m impressed.
Mandy Lynn: I did. I taught myself web design because I’m so picky. It was necessary for me to do it myself. I can’t keep asking someone else to do it for me so I decided to learn how to do it and take care of it myself. That’s what I did and I’m very proud of that.
If you want to check out Mandy Lynn’s site visit: www.clubmandylynn.com
or check out her Myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/sexymandylynn
