April Wilkner: Okay, let me get out the pie chart! LOL. I am half-Japanese (my mother is full Japanese) and the other half is a mixture of European: German, Irish, Welsh…from my dad’s side.
AmpedAsia.com: Have you ever been to Japan?
April Wilkner: Oh my gosh of course! Ever since I was 3 years old, I have gone semi-annually for New Year’s and the summer breaks to visit family. I have gone 5 times already this year (2007) for work and to visit family. My entire family lives in Tokyo, my mom is the only one who lives in America.
AmpedAsia.com: Besides English can you speak any other languages?
April Wilkner: I speak conversational Japanese and French.
AmpedAsia.com: What are you up to lately?
April Wilkner: I have been working as a host for CBS hosting a variety of shows: Covergirl’s Talk Model, The Red Carpet Finale for ANTM 5, The Cadillac Countdown to the Superbowl and Match Points by Chrylser (U.S. Open 2007). I love hosting work! CBS has been a lot of fun to shoot with…I cover mostly the nightlife and social events. I am also modeling in New York and abroad in Asia. I spent 6 months in Hong Kong last year working in runway and print for Vivienne Westwood, Emporio Armani, Valentino, and shooting 2 editorials for COVER and Marie Claire. I still love modeling. I think because I started later than most girls, my honeymoon years are still going strong with the lens.
AmpedAsia.com: Do you still reside in Miami?
April Wilkner: No, although I do work there on occasion, I relocated back to NYC after we wrapped ANTM.
AmpedAsia.com: Can you tell me what Miami Vibe is and did you enjoy filming it?
April Wilkner: Sure. It was a segment that I shot for CBS during their coverage of the Superbowl XLII in SOBE this year. I covered the beaches, and Lincoln Road events in Miami during the Superbowl. I was hired as a guest correspondent on Spencer Tillman’s regular sports broadcast throughout the week of the game. It was awesome! I had just flown back from Hong Kong to shoot it. I was totally jet-lagged, and we shot for 24 hours straight into the night…..I was actually sleeping in between takes! I told my director, Ron Yoshida, to just wake me up right before we started rolling!
AmpedAsia.com: Was that your Cadillac XLR in Miami Vibe and if it is can I have it when you get tired of it?
April Wilkner: Yeah right! I wish….it was a nice car, very smooth ride, although I was a tad nervous for all of the driving shots, it had been a while since I had driven in Miami. I almost got into an accident driving across the causeway over the water…LOL. But, don’t tell Cadillac that!
AmpedAsia.com: What team were you rooting for during the Super Bowl?
April Wilkner: Well, being from R.I., I was raised a Patriots Fan, although my dad supports the Dolphins –he is from Miami. So, I was sort of mutual for the Bears and the Colts.
AmpedAsia.com: What agencies are you currently signed to?
April Wilkner: Starz People Ltd. in Asia. RACE Model Management in NYC.
AmpedAsia.com: What was your favorite part of the ANTM experience?
April Wilkner: The photo shoots were by far my favorite moments of filming ANTM. I was just always waiting to get back in front of the camera, and to shoot more, and learn more about modeling. The shoots were not stressful for me, I enjoyed them. The facing the panel of judges was much more stressful for me!
AmpedAsia.com: do you think you gained anything from the experience?
April Wilkner: Of course! My whole career path has changed. I never thought I would be modeling ever in my life! And, my dreams of hosting have come true. I studied journalism at NYU and I have always wanted to work in Television. ANTM opened lots of doors for me with CBS.
AmpedAsia.com: Did you really enjoy your stay in the ANTM house?
April Wilkner: I did. It was stressful at times, but more so because of the eliminations, and not the actual house life. I got along with most of the girls quite well.
AmpedAsia.com: Was there more tension in the house then what was shown on TV?
April Wilkner: No, not really. If there was drama, be sure, you saw it. They live for the drama in that editing room.
