Wednesday, July 13, 2011

'I know it looked irrational, but I was so unhappy': Why Hannah stunned Elle Macpherson by quitting Britain's Next Top Model

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By Tamara Abraham

Not for her: Hannah, left, posing with Amelia in this week's lingerie shoot, quit Britain's Next Top Model last night in a dramatic finale


She was probably the most obvious beauty of the lot, but last night Hannah Goodeve was the first finalist to leave Britain's Next Top Model.

In a dramatic finale, the bubbly northerner stole the scene, announcing her decision to quit the show just as Elle Macpherson was about to announce the latest evictee.

The supermodel host, who had been revealing the name of each finalist by holding up their photograph, appeared confused as the 22-year-old interrupted her just as she was about to call the final name.

In a speech that shocked her fellow contestants, Hannah explained her reasons for abandoning her modelling dreams.

'I'm not sure what's on that card, but if it's me, I'd rather it be Delita,' she said.

'I've been thinking about this for a few days. I've not taken this lightly, but this isn't me.'

'I wish I could do it, because I'm sure out there they're all looking for a six-foot, leggy, big-boned model, but honest to God, I can't do it.'

Her decision to leave the show prompted fellow finalist Delita to burst into tears, but Hannah maintained her composure, leaving with a smile and a hug from Elle.

In an interview with MailOnline today, she explained how the things she had been asked to do just didn't make much sense to her.

'I know it looked irrational, but I was so unhappy.'

Behind-the-scenes footage (scroll down for an exclusive clip) also explained why the industry was such an odd fit for the girl who describes herself as a 'tomboy'.

'I'm not into my image,' she said. 'I've never really worn make up.


Picture perfect: Rachelle (left) and Charlotte (right) had a ball on the shoot, and both won praise from the judges


Split opinion: Nicola shed her mousy image for a playful shot - but Harleen, right, who is Sikh, felt degraded


'I didn't enjoy the photo shoot, I didn't enjoy the catwalk. I'm very aware that I should have been enjoying it, but I wasn't.

There's nothing wrong with the industry - but I wasn't willing to lose what I'm about. I was starting to doubt myself and I've never doubted myself before.

She added that she had decided to leave two days earlier, but producers had suggested she think it over - perhaps to make for a more dramatic end to the episode. But the fact that she had become close to Delita only cemented her decision.

'I just don't think it's fair to take somebody's place that wants it more than me,' she said.

It seems Elle wasn't in the loop though - after the cameras stopped rolling Hannah, 22, told how the host took her aside, asking why she hadn't voiced her worries.

'She took me aside afterwards saying: "Why didn't you say something earlier," because she had been through the same earlier in her career.'

'You don't expect her to be so nice because she looks so fabulous.'

She also revealed how, despite not wanting to know, or caring whose name was on the card, Elle had dropped it by accident, and all the girls gasped when they saw that she had been the 13th finalist.

But though her departure was dramatic, there has been clues throughout the show that she had been unhappy.

A lingerie shoot proved a challenge for the girls, not least Hannah, who, being slightly larger than the other girls, struggled with the flimsy designs from upmarket label Fred & Ginger.


Smouldering: Tiffany, left, was described as a 'Maltese sexpot' by judge Julien Macdonald, but Delita, right, struggled to take direction from the photographer


Promising: Susan's acting skills came into play, while judges praised Amba (right), who surprised in every shot


'It's not me,' she said in tears to her mother at the time. 'I feel ridiculous, but I can't do it. I feel exposed, I feel disgusting.'

She told us later that though she's never had any issues with her size 12, 6ft tall shape, 'you need to be really thick-skinned not to feel insecure around a bunch of of size sixes and eights.'

But Hannah wasn't the only one to have had difficulty with the shoot, which saw them work in pairs with a male model.

Amelia likened the experience to 'one big orgy'. She said: 'I felt that some shots were quite inappropriate, but that I had to do it because that's what I was expected to do.'

Harleen, who is Sikh, also had reservations, worrying constantly about what her mother and boyfriend would think.

'When we got onto set I was asked to take my kimono off, and it just made me feel really degraded,' she said. 'We just don't do things like that because I'm Sikh.'

But the judges has little sympathy for her situation. Stylist Grace Woodward said to her: 'If you want to get on in this industry, no matter the way you've been brought up, you have to do your job to the nth degree.


Ones to watch: Joy (centre) and Kirsty (right) were the first to strip off for the risqué shoot


Model behaviour: Judges were unconvinced by Olivia, but she and Alisha made for a strong team when paired together on their 'lady of the manor'-themed shoot


Guest judge, casting director Sarah Murray, echoed her sentiments: 'I think you just have to be professional about this and get on with it,' she said.

Delita also had a hard time, struggling with direction from the photographer - though the shoot did offer an opportunity for some girls to shine.

Charlotte, who disappointed last week, thrived in a pairing with Rachelle, who has become a good friend. Judges praised her posture, but questioned whether she could carry off a more serious look.

There were even more dramas with the other tasks - first a simple posing exercise with male model Charley Speed, then a catwalking masterclass with outspoken fashion designer Julien Macdonald and casting director Sarah Murray.

And Julien, true to form, was unabashed in his criticism of the girls, telling Harleen that she looked 'like she was coming out of a nightclub', and Alisha that she 'looked like a Curly Wurly' - though the one-liner was lost on the 18-year-old, who admitted that she hadn't heard of the candy bar.


But the catwalk task, which for some reason required the girls to wear clingy gold bodysuits, wasn't all bad - in fact Susan called it 'easy'.

'I always viewed catwalk as this sort of posey kind of vain thing,' she said.

'It was more just about being confident - but being normal, just walking normal. I didn't realise it was so easy actually.'

But it was Kirsty and Amelia who impressed the judges most, winning the chance to walk the catwalk later that day at London Fashion Weekend.

Susan and Nicola were invited as their guests, who were equally excited to have the chance to actually watch a fashion show.

It was up to Charley - a favourite with Hannah 'because he is so laid back' - to decide which of the girls were allowed to check out the models' house first.

The girls were asked to take it in turns to pose with props that included a banana, an umbrella and a bowler hat - though the lack of a camera confused a couple of them.

Several others mentioned how they were 'being editorial'. It's only week two - so one can only wonder if they even understand the words that they are using.

Charley then divided the girls into two groups, allowing the girls that had performed best to enter the models' house first.

The property, which looked like last year's X Factor house - a modern property complete with pool - had rooms that looked like glamorous dorms, and big photos of Elle Macpherson on the walls, lest they forget who their host is.

Hannah said the house 'felt like a show home - you almost don't want to touch anything.'

But for those that were hoping for some bitching and backstabbing, Hannah had little criticism of the other contestants, aside from the fact that many of them, at 18, felt much younger than her 22 years.

She said there was no-one she didn't like, and tipped Joy, Charlotte and Amelia as ones to watch for the title.

Elle is likely to have been disappointed by her shock exit - she explained in an interview with Tatler magazine this month how important personality and education were for aspiring models - something Hannah has in spades.

'Get an education,' she advised. 'It's much more interesting for girls to be educated and beautiful because there are a lot of simply pretty girls out there.

'The ones who get ahead are the ones who have a curiosity, a flexibility and a natural instinct with some cultural understanding, plus a willingness to learn.'

Hannah now plans to teach English in Vietnam, and is two months away from completing a course that will qualify her to do that.

While it's a loss to Elle and Britain's Next Top Model, it looks like many more will gain.










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