Interviews News

In our exclusive interview with Ashlie, just a couple days after her elimination on Stylista, the contestant remained upbeat and well-spoken.

Here's what she had to say about DyShaun's tactics, pressure in the house and more...

Stylista Fanatic: Did you see this week's elimination coming as soon as you and DyShaun lost the challenge:
Ashlie: It was frustrating because of the editing process. I actually just wrote the copy, while DyShaun was at fault for adding too many photos.
But I could tell he was setting it up so I'd receive the blame if we lost, but what could I do? I had a job to finish.

Stylista Fanatic: The Assistant's challenges have felt useless all season. What are your thoughts on them?
Ashlie: They weren't necessarily fashion-related, that was my main issue with them. They were great for entertainment, sure, but were sort of humiliating challenges. I think it's a budget issue and wouldn't be surprised to see them change in seasons two, three, etc.

Stylista Fanatic: Do you think there will be many more seasons of the show?
Ashlie: Definitely. The Rachel Zoe Project was just picked up for a second season and it averaged 688,000 viewers; we're at 1.97 million. Everyone involved is just so passionate about the show.

Stylista Fanatic: Who do you want to win? Who do you think should win?
Ashlie: Megan has the most aptitude and the best sense of fashion business. I think she has what it takes to win. I'd like to see DyShaun or Johanna win because they've been working so hard.

Stylista Fanatic: Describe the living situation. What was it like to be surrounded by so much drama?
Ashlie: Everyone is under lots of pressure and there's just so little sleep. So it was frustrating, but you get thrown in to this environment, and it can be difficult to cope with. We're under pressure people can't see.
I think some individuals acted in ways that were unlike their usual personality due to such extraordinary circumstances.

Stylista Fanatic: Any regrets?
Ashlie: Not at all. I made great contacts and great connections. I was happy with everything.

Stylista lost its star last night.

Controversial Kate was sent home, taking her large breasts, occasional crying tantrums, hatred of fellow contestants and overall resilience with her.

We were fortunate enough to speak with her soon after her elimination. And we could barely keep up with all the hilarious one-liners she tossed out to every question. Kate, we miss you already...

Stylista Fanatic: Was DyShaun always as much of a jerk as he was last night?
Kate: Absolutely. If the world wants to know why I was crying all the time, now they have their answer. These people treated me like that everyday. I was surprised I didn't physically hurt DyShaun, but I kept saying to myself: "Katie, you're gonna go to a New York prison if you do..."
By the way, I could totally take him.

Stylista Fanatic: What about Johanna?
Kate: She may say she was never involved in the drama, but it's just a mask of maturity. When you sit back and let other people say that stuff, you're just as responsible.

Stylista Fanatic: I guess you made this obvious last night, but who do you want to win?
Kate: Me! wanted to win! William should have won and now I hope Ashlie wins.

Stylista Fanatic: Did the show paint an accurate portrayal of yourself:
Kate: I'm a lot funnier than they showed. I say really funny things. I mean, I said them on the show, too, but then I was crying in every other clip and everyone forgot.
I didn't like how everyone made fun of me for liking Playboy. Oh, excuse me for thinking hot women are so cool! They always attacked me for acting like a normal person; I just don't have an elitist stick up my butt.

Continue Reading...

Last night's episode of Stylista focused largely on Danielle.

Unfortunately for fans of this contestant, that also included the ending of the show: she became the latest competitor to be sent home.

Below, Danielle talks about being portrayed unfairly on Stylista, along with who she wants to win it all...

Stylista Fanatic: Were you surprised when you were eliminaed?
Danielle: Absolutely. I had won three challenges in a row. I didn't see it coming at all.

Stylista Fanatic: Describe what it's like to wait for Anne to make her decision.
Danielle: It's torture. As the losing team stands there, the lighting guys and cameramen have to get set up. It feels like it takes forever.

Stylista Fanatic: Do you think the elimination was fair:
Danielle: No. It came down to this: I don't give good TV like Kate, and I don't look like Johanna. The world of fashion is about many things, including writing and communicating. Most of these people don't have these attributes. 

Stylista Fanatic: Do you regret anything from the show?
Danielle: No. I was myself. My mom can watch it and be proud of me. I'm not sure if the other contestants can say that.

Stylista Fanatic: Were you portrayed accurately on the show?
Danielle: Not really. They focused more on what I look like than on my personality. I'm really funny. I was hilarious in the house.

Stylista Fanatic: Who do you want to win?
Danielle: Choosing from lesser of all evil that remain, I'd pick Ashlie or DyShaun.

William and Devin were eliminated from Stylista last night.

We were fortunate enough to speak with William soon afterwards. The gracious former contestant harbors no resentment toward the show, while he also reveals who he wants to win it all in the following interview...

Stylista Fanatic: Were you surprised to be eliminated when you were?
William: Yeah I was. I had won the last two challenges, while those around me on the losing team last night couldn't say that.

Stylista Fanatic: Would you have done anything differently?
William: What can you do when you're outvoted 3-1 on ideas for the challenge? I could have yelled and made a scene - like Kate did last week, managing to stay on when Cologne when home - but that's not me. I wasn't gonna shout down my teammates.

Stylista Fanatic: Are you glad you did the show?
William: I'm bery glad i did it. I learned a lot and met a lot of great people. I still remain friends with contestant from the show and from those at ELLE.

Stylista Fanatic: Who do you think will win?
William: I'd like to see Ashlie to win. She has the biggest heart out of all of them and wants it more than anyone else. She's a great person, lovely, intelligent, fun. DyShaun is also awesome. Those would be my two picks.

Stylista Fanatic: Do you think the series has the staying power of shows such as Project Runway that have been around for years?
William: I really do. It's addictive television. Anne Slowey is a great TV character and Joe Zee is the nicest man on the face of the planet. People will wanna see more and more of him. I can't see the show going away any time soon.

In what was easily the biggest shocker of Stylista so far, Cologne was eliminated last night.

Then again, anyone that watches reality TV probably saw it coming: love Kate or hate her, the drama queen makes for better television.

Cologne agreed with that assessment in our interview with her. Here's what else the aspiring designer had to say:

Stylista Fanatic: You were far more composed and classy after being eliminated last night than we would have been. Do you wish you had defended yourself more?
Cologne: I forgot how angry that time was for me until I saw it again! It came back to me last night, but I'm okay with it all now. I just can't believe I got eliminated before some other people on the show.

Stylista Fanatic: Why is that?
Cologne: It's nothing against them. I just think I had the most potential. There was even a non-televised poll among the castmates about who they thought would win the competition. And I won! Then, I got voted out.

Stylista Fanatic: Your fatal mistake was giving up your team's top choice for the mother/daughter photo spread to another team. Was that incident portrayed fairly on the episode?
Cologne: I was shocked that was the basis for my elimination. It was clearly the most professional decision to make, as Kate was throwing a fit in front of all these adults. Afterwards, some ladies from Elle came over and thanked me for making everyone's life easier.

Stylista Fanatic: Do you think Kate was kept around more for dramatic purposes than anything else?
Cologne: Yes. If thats the way it's gonna be, I'm very happy to leave this reality TV world. Clearly, I wasn't dramatic on the show. It's just not who I am. There seemed to be a motivation to keep around whoever would bring in more ratings.

Stylista Fanatic: What are you up to now?
Cologne: I've moved to New York City and started my own fashion line, Oh De Cologne. You can go to the website and it's comprised of vintage dresses and a few necklaces.

Stylista Fanatic: Do you think the show has long-term prospects? Will we see many seasons of Stylista?
Cologne: Absolutely. What they could do with it are limitless. The challenges are entertaining to watch and what you can do in the fashion industry is just incredible.

Viewers that have tuned in for the first two episodes of Stylista so far have been treated to a glimpse inside the fashion world... and inside a brewing feud between Megan and, well, everyone else. Or so it seems.

But - shockingly! - reality television may not always tell the full truth. That's the gist of Megan's side of things.

Yes, we were the first site to speak to the controversial contestant. Here's what she had to say about life in the Stylista spotlight:

Stylista Fanatic: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Let's start with your portrayal on the show. Do you think it's accurate?
Megan: No. Not at all. The people who know me well, my friends and family, find it hysterical. I mean, is there really such a thing as "reality" TV? In my opinion, no.

Stylista Fanatic: Did you go into the show with a plan to be the villain?
Megan: I don't think anyone wants to be portrayed as a villain to the entire country. I knew what I signed up, but there is a lot of editing involved. Truth is, I'm a kind, compassionate person. I was just in a competitive environment and they chose to show certain sides to me. It's frustrating.

Stylista Fanatic: Do you think it's fair that the fashion industry has a reputation for being mean-spirited? Did the show reflect the true nature of the business?
Megan: Fashion is a business, like any other. People get passionate about the industry, sure, but every industry is cut-throat. At the end of the day, for me at least, it's just a job. I don't eat, sleep and breathe fashion.

Stylista Fanatic: How have things changed for you since the show ended?
Megan: Well, four days after being released to the world again, I was actually misdiagnosed with cancer. I had had a lump in my throat during shooting, so I knew something was wrong. But I had to focus on the show. I'm great now, though.

Continue Reading...

Sadly, last night's Stylista elimination lent credence to the saying that nice guys finish last.

Following a trying day - which included a hospitalization for hives - Jason was voted off the show after his team finished last in the Editorial Challenge. We just got off the phone with the aspiring designer - and we're happy to report that he's doing well...

Stylista Fanatic: Thanks for taking this time, Jason. First, we have to ask: how are you feeling?
Jason: I'm fine now, thank you. What happened was an accumulation of three days of sickness... and I didn't expect to have to go the hospital of course. But it all cleared up quickly and I'm doing great now.

Stylista Fanatic: Can you talk about the tension within the house? It seemed like Megan and Kate were at each other's throats every second. Did that make it difficult to focus on the tasks?
Jason: It did. You do the best you can in the surroundings, but I'll just say this: it's obvious some people are on the show just to be a model on Maxim or Playboy. They don't actually care about the fashion world. That might make for good television, but it definitely interferes with any focus on anything outside of constant drama.

Stylista Fanatic: Would you go on a show like this again?
Jason: Sure. So many people were just concerned with being dramatic and mean-spirited. But I'd do reality TV again if only to prove that you can be kind and generous and still be a success in the fashion world. The industry gets such a bad reputation sometimes.

Stylista Fanatic: Do you think Stylista will have the sort of long run as America's Next Top Model?
Jason: Not really. Not unless they make it less full of drama. There was only one Devil Wears Prada. You couldn't make that movie again and again. I think there will be only one Stylista, as well.

Stylista Fanatic: What are you up to now?
Jason: I moved to New York City. And I'm working on a fashion line for men and women. I also have a fragrance in the works and I'm involved in a number of charitable organizations. I actually attended an event for Haitichildren.com last night. Everything is great.

Ashlie, one of several contestants on the first-ever season of Stylista is a Production Assistant for Calvin Klein Dresses and holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Communications and Languages from Franklin College in Switzerland.

It's an impressive resume.

But it's not enough, as Ashlie hopes to conquer the competition and win this new reality show. Listen to her thoughts on it below: