Pawleys teen to compete on 'America's Next Top Model'
Last Updated on 12/1/2008
Published on 8/31/2008
By Clayton Stairs
cstairs@gtowntimes.com
Clark Gilmer has a message for all of her former peers at Waccamaw High School.
"Look at me now and check your yearbooks. I told you to save my signature -- it'd be useful one day!"
Chosen as a contestant on the 11th season of the CW Television show, "America's Next Top Model" (ANTM) hosted by Tyra Banks, Gilmer, 19, will compete for a modeling contract against 13 other girls from around the country. The first episode of season 11 will air on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 8 p.m.
That is just one day before her 20th birthday on Thursday.
She says that the first audition was a "piece of cake," although she made a spur-of-the-moment decision to travel from the University of South Carolina, where she is a fashion merchandising student, to Charleston, where she asked a friend to shoot a three-minute video that she sent in just in the nick of time.
"I am my hardest critic, always pushing myself to be better and stronger," Gilmer said. "So I was completely confident during auditions and knew I had it in the bag."
She adds that the excitement of receiving the news that she was a semifinalist for the show was overwhelming.
"No word in the English language can even begin to describe how absolutely ecstatic I was when I got that phone call," Gilmer said. "They wanted me to fly out to Los Angeles for casting week semifinals, which is covered in the first episode."
During that week, the producers cut the list of girls down from 33 to the final 14. Gilmer says she "freaked out" during her first one-on-one with Banks and the "two Jays" (makeup artist J. Alexander and catwalk coach Jay Manuels).
"I will always remember bawling my eyes out in front of Tyra and like 30 cameras," she said. "I was completely vulnerable and not in control, but it was good for me."
Michelle Mock, casting director for "ANTM," says that Gilmer has what it takes to compete on this long-running reality show that makes dreams come true.
"Clark Gilmer has great confidence and a good personality," Mock said. "She has a great overall look and a face that we had yet to see on 'ANTM'!"
Breaking the news
Gilmer says that her parents, Rick and Karen Gilmer of Pawleys Island, and some of her friends were not as shocked as she would have hoped when she told them the big news.
"My parents said, 'Well Clark, we always knew you could do it. It is very exciting, but it doesn't surprise us a bit,'" Gilmer said. "My friends were pretty much the same way, with a few of my girls being the exception and actually joining in on my screamfests."
She states that instead of "getting bent out of shape," she accepted the less-than-enthusiastic responses as compliments.
"I decided to take this the good way instead of getting bent out of shape that my family didn't join in on my countless random screams and jumps of excitement every time I really sat down and thought about my life and how amazingly perfect everything is going," she said.
"My parents have both molded me to be who I am today through the countless trials and tribulations modeling has brought into my life along with the great successes and excitement."
Role models
Gilmer says she does not have one person she strives to emulate, although she adores the energy and personality of Kelly Ripa because "we seem so much alike" and, of course, Jessica Simpson, her "separated twin at birth."
"I just simply strive to be the best me that I can be," she said.
She also credits her family with many of her best character traits.
"I try to be just as loving as my daddy, and have that almost motherly touch to care for people like my mom," Gilmer said. "I've taken up surfing and adopted a completely carefree attitude from my brother Ed. I'm more conscious about my eating habits now that my cat, Ariel, has decided to be bulimic, and (I want) to just enjoy every moment in life I have like my pug Daisy did before she was put to sleep in April WHILE I was away at casting week!"
For more information about this season of "America's Next Top Model," visit www.cwtv.com/shows/americas-next-top-model11.
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WOW! Bet her parents and brother are REALLY proud of her after last night. Way to kiss a girl on National TV! She probably did that to stand out so people would remember her... cause no one is going to remember her bad pictures! Oh yea, haha on the bronzer! Ever heard of less is more? Apparently not! Posted by jane on 9/11/2008
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Cheered with her, hardly ANYONE liked her. For those of you who think it is jelousy look on the Americas Next Top Model website. She is appauling people from all over the country that have never known her. People who love the other girls on the show!!!! After watching next weeks preview of her kissing another girl, I guess we never knew she was a closet lesbian. Posted by former WHS cheer on 9/6/2008
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Well I watched the show last night and I agree she comes across as a spoiled brat. Those of you who say that her self confidence is being mistaken for conceit must not have watched the show. Clark seemed to have an awful lot to say about the transvestite, who looked MUCH BETTER in her bikini than Clark by the way, who is on the show. At one point when Clark was talking about the trani, she stated that she is "from a small southern town". Is that why she has such a small mind?? Posted by Shanikwa on 9/4/2008
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As a mother and a southerner, I am sickened by Clark's comments towards a transgender person. Her comments go to show just how much of a sheltered life she has lived. Transgender male/females are alive and well in our part of the south and they deserve to live their lives just as we do. I can't believe Clark would even say that "someone like that would get shot". And I can't even believe that the producers at ANTM would even air such comments. I hope Clark looses. Posted by Emma on 9/4/2008
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It is hard to misunderstand when you hear the comments coming straight out of the horses mouth for the whole country to hear. Shame on you Clark! Posted by another warrior on 9/4/2008
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Please explain what your signature is useful for? You need to worry about your mouth and clean up your attitude. You will not get very far in life with the ego and conceit that you have. Posted by Not a fan on 9/4/2008
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I watched the show last night and was appalled at Clark's attitude and snide remarks about other contestants. She definitely needs an attitude adjustment. She is so into herself, she pushes people away from her. She is not that attractive and her attitude makes her that much more unattractive. She obviously does not pride herself in being a Southern Lady because her behavior does not represent such. Posted by Disappointed on 9/4/2008
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Well "another models mother", I hope you had a chance to watch the show. After seeing her talk bad about other girls, be katty, and kiss another girl while in the hot tub (preview for next week) do you now agree with the people who KNOW her on this page or do you still think she is Top Model material. She is a terrible role model!!!!!!!!!!!Model of any kind for that matter. Posted by another warrior on 9/3/2008
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Wow....I don't like these comments. Clark is one of my good friends I love her to death! She's a very sweet girl who some just misunderstand. Posted by Nick on 9/3/2008
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I remember Clark when she was signed wih Cory Dueger Models and Talent. She seemed like a nice girl then Posted by Another Models Mom on 9/3/2008
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Reading this article I was curious as to who this girl could be so I decided to watch the show..how disappointed I am. Not only is she not top model material, but even if she was cute her attitude makes her the ugliest person around. What a shame that she is representing our state. Her ugliness radiates through her bleached hair..touch up your roots girl before you put yourself on national television. Posted by r u serious?! on 9/3/2008
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She sounds very confident to me.......not egotistical. She is lovely and talented. I saw her in the shows at Charleston Fashion Week. She deserves to win.......good luck! Posted by another models mother on 9/3/2008
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The neg comments are not from jealousy. People could not stand her long before Top Model. Come on anyone who wears a shirt to church that says do I make you look fat! Posted by why on 9/3/2008
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Hey Clark! If you can't remember, I was number 57 in line at the casting call backs in Miami. You did so good on your interview that I was literally dumbfounded. I could not think of any way to stand out over you so I made a crack at your nose job. I wanted to apologize for that. I wish I could meet you again to do so in person but I can't. In all honesty...I completely understand why you would have altered your image. Modeling is your passion and maybe your image was holding you back. I would have done what I could do to fix everything on me so that I could go after my dream even if in meant plastic surgery!! I do not know how you looked before but it does not matter because this is you now. You are stunning. I will be watching cycle 11 every time it airs just to cheer you on. I know the winner knows who she is already....and I hope its you! You deserve it! You have the confidence, personality and looks for this title! Good luck Clark and I apologize from the bottom of my heart for what I said in my interview. I was simply jealous and blown away by you. I look up to you now. Get it girl! Congratulations on your success!!! Roxanne Yaist: Polk County, FL Posted by Roxanne Yaist on 9/2/2008
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Sounds like some people are jealous. I dont know the girl but I wish her good luck and hope she doesn't listen to any of these sour apples. Posted by LOL on 9/2/2008
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This young lady is there and the people making the negative comments are not. I hope you have a great time, enjoy the experience and be proud of yourself. In the modeling industry you will always have your critics. Be true to yourself and have a great time. Posted by The way I see it on 9/2/2008
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well, I think she needs to think before she speaks.She sure is stuck on her self. I hope the other girls don't think we are all that way. I've seen the way she dresses and she is a stick. She is really not that pretty. I think she should get some new role models in the life. Instead of Kelly Ripa and Jessica Simspon. Remember Tuna comes in the chicken of the sea can.Not chicken and I'm sure Nick was glad to see her go.She was really dumb on that show. Real people make something out of life.Instead of being on TV. Real People do good thing for other people without reading in the paper and bragging about it. Posted by carolina girl on 9/2/2008
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I know Clark and she never came across as a brat. And I think mixing up her self confidence with a big ego is completely unwarranted. She is a great girl, with a big future. We should all be wishing her luck instead of bombarding her with insults. Good luck girl! Posted by G'town friend on 9/2/2008
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We wish you the best of luck, Clark! Can't wait for tomorrow night! Posted by Waccamaw Warrior on 9/2/2008
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I dont even know why they are having the competition. Sounds like she's the winner.. Posted by Jack on 9/1/2008
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She needs to check herself...Tyra will put her butt in place... Typical spoiled brat...It sounds like. Posted by warrior on 9/1/2008
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Ray, I was thinking the same thing so I'm glad you said it first. I wonder if she really meant for her comments to sound this way.... Posted by Cheryl on 9/1/2008
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Her ego is so massive ther is no room for brains! Posted by ray on 9/1/2008
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