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Babe Interview: April Wilkner
Written by Krazoom on October 24, 2007
AmpedAsia.com:
Who did you have the biggest problem with in the house?
April Wilkner: Nobody really. I kind of avoided all the girl drama, and just tried to focus on making friends. I wanted to feel supported not despised, and so I surrounded myself with like-minded girls.
AmpedAsia.com:
Who did you get along with the most in the house?
April Wilkner: Well, I would have to say Shandi and Mercedes towards the end.
AmpedAsia.com:
What was your favorite photo shooting?
April Wilkner: I liked the Garden of Eden one, because it was our first day, there was so much energy and excitement, and the set was gorgeous, and the photographer was gorgeous! I loved my body paint as well….I felt like I was dreaming! LOL. Oh, but the rollitos commercial we shot was my dream come true. I love adventure sports, and being strapped vertically on a wall and getting to do martial arts was kick ass!
AmpedAsia.com:
Did you notice how much you looked like Christina Aguilera instead of Catherine Zeta-Jones during the celebrity portrayal photo shoot?
April Wilkner: I did not really notice that until we saw the final pictures, but then yes, I did see the resemblance.
AmpedAsia.com:
How does it make you feel knowing that you were a fan favorite?
April Wilkner: It makes me teary eyed….it really makes me feel like there are a lot of people who must have understood what was really going on with me, and not just believing the editing or the story line that was fed to them. That makes me feel like my fans and I have a lot in common in our lives and our ways of thinking…..which is very heartwarming. I just want to hug them all and be like; THANK YOU FOR GETTING ME!
AmpedAsia.com:
Because of the fame you got out of this show have you encountered any weirdo’s in the streets?
April Wilkner: Um, sure. It’s New York City after all. But mostly, my experiences with fans are very pleasant and diverse! I have been approached by people from all over the world and all walks of life. Wall street traders in suits and little 6-year-old girls! My favorite was a dad who jogged with me 5 blocks looking for a pen to get an autograph as I was running late for an important client! He was a trooper.
AmpedAsia.com:
You asked Coryn a question on Talk Model and I want to ask you the same. What was your paper bag moment?
April Wilkner: Wow, how much time do we have? There are some lines where I am just like, DID I REALLY JUST TELL MERCEDES TO PRENTEND I AM A BUCK AND SHE IS A DOE? Or, did I just call a gym my “place of physical worship?” I just cover my ears when I hear those lines…and hummm.
AmpedAsia.com:
Is it OK to ask if Camille was really the monster she was portrayed to be on TV?
April Wilkner: Sure, but I won’t call her a monster, she is probably listening……somewhere in a dark room. Just kidding…
AmpedAsia.com:
Have you kept in contact with any of the girls from your season?
April Wilkner: Yes, Mercedes and I are close. We are lifelong friends…..we have the same sense of humor and she puts up with me talking to my stuffed animals! She just stayed with me this weekend, and we had a blast going out together!
AmpedAsia.com:
People have said many times how they thought you were great in the acting challenge. Have you ever considered becoming a professional actress?
April Wilkner: I adore acting, and film is my first love. I have been studying theater with Atlantic Theater here in NYC for the past 3 years. I hope to begin to audition for films and TV this year now that I am settled back in the U.S. for a while. I would love to work with other asian actors, directors, and producers to get some independent film work under my belt. We have to stick together in this industry and make our presence known! I think there is going to be an Asian explosion soon, just like the Latin explosion…..in Hollywood, and I am excited.
AmpedAsia.com:
While we’re on acting who is your favorite actor and actress?
April Wilkner: Too many to chose just one! I love Ken Watanabe, Robert Duvall, Johnny Depp, Russel Crowe, Jodie Foster, Meryl Streep, Diane Lane, Uma Thurman….Lucy Liu,
AmpedAsia.com:
Do you watch any foreign Asian movies or TV dramas? If so can you name any?
April Wilkner: Well I don’t watch too much TV when I am abroad, there is too much to see and experience so I like to get out of the house. In terms of film, of course, Seven Samurai is one of my all time respected films. There is this one show in Japan where contestants compete to make a panel of judges laugh under a time limit, I get a kick out of watching that show with my mom…and another where celebrities have to tell a truth and a lie, and the audience has to guess which is true.
AmpedAsia.com:
And what about Asian music? Can you name any Asian artists you enjoy listening to?
April Wilkner: I went to a Rain concert in Hong Kong, and fell in love with his music. I love working out to Rain’s World –it’s on my ipod. I also like that Japanese single hit ‘I Wanna Be A Pop Star’….
AmpedAsia.com:
What is a typical weekend like for you?
April Wilkner: Well, typically, I am traveling to visit my family or friends for some occasion. But, if I stay in New York, I will usually have a pretty relaxed weekend. I will go for a run on the Hudson River Park path, maybe catch a movie, do some house chores, go to brunch….maybe a puzzle. LOL. I am really an exciting girl I know! I just prefer to spend time with close friends and stay away from the “scene” of the city. But every once in a while, I will get all dressed up and go out in the meatpacking district.
AmpedAsia.com:
Is there anyone in particular you admire most?
April Wilkner: My mom. She was brave enough to leave her entire family at 16, and travel to America where she made a home for herself. It was always her dream to live in America, and she made it happen. I admire her for that greatly.
AmpedAsia.com:
What is your educational background?
April Wilkner: I graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, and Creative Arts. I was a total nerd, I had a 3.95 G.P.A. and was a Dean’s Scholar.
AmpedAsia.com:
You were an account executive before appearing on the show. Was that a difficult position?
April Wilkner: It was and it wasn’t. It was a pretty nice gig, seeing as how I had a company car, expense account, and was compensated well, but I just felt completely uncreative and uninspired and that started to wear me down.
AmpedAsia.com:
I heard you never modeled before you came to the house. Your boyfriend was the one who encouraged you. So tell me, what is it that you love about modeling now?
April Wilkner: My parents are both painters…so I was raised to appreciate art, film, all forms of beauty. I think modeling is just another way to create art….and I know that sounds cheesy….and that not all jobs are very “artistic” but for the most part I love photography, and the chance to do a good editorial or to work with a photographer that you admire is still really thrilling for me.
AmpedAsia.com:
Will you continue modeling for as long as it takes?
April Wilkner: I will continue to model for as long as it pays the bills yes. So far, other than hosting work, nothing pays more by the hour that I am qualified for!
AmpedAsia.com:
Well to wrap this up I want to ask if there are any websites you’d like to promote such as a myspace, your official website?
April Wilkner: My official website is
AprilWilkner.com. I am about to make some addition as well. I will add a bio, and update my demo reel this month.
AmpedAsia.com:
Thank you April for your time and we wish you the best. I'd also personally like to say you should have won Americas Next Top Model.
April Wilkner: THANK YOU! I am happy with 4th, I feel like it was incredible to be on the show, and to be working now, it’s really like a win – win for all of the girls that continue to pursue a career in modeling….and Top Model was such a great springboard!
