Quitters Can’t Be Supermodels: Cassandra Whitehead from “America’s Next Top Model 5”

It’s true, I never really did like Cassandra all that much to begin with. That being said, she took some pretty good photos – both of which I thought were the best in the group for the two shoots that she participated in. Yet, Cassandra still decided to quit America’s Next Top Model because she felt the show was trying to change her. Was that really the case? I think not! Let’s talk a little bit about Cassandra and figure out the real reason she quit on the show, and why she deserves to be in the Hall of Shame.

When the girls first arrived in L.A. for the semi-finals, Cassandra made it known right away that she is a beauty queen and is so pretty and basically, she is better than everyone. In fact, she even made a point to tell the camera that she was raised better than most of the other girls, and had a better upbringing, but she can’t hold that against them. Just a little pretentious, don’t you think?

The first time we saw Cassandra in front of the preliminary judges (Tyra, Jay Manuel, and Jay Alexander), she went on and on about how easy she would be to work with because she is a beauty queen and used to letting people do her hair and makeup, and that she takes direction very well. If that was the case, we saw none of it. Most of the time that Cassandra was on a set getting ready for a shoot, she was unbearable to work with and wanted nothing to do with anyone. She admitted that she didn’t really care for most of the other girls and kept her distance. Once again, when the judges were interviewing her, she knew what city/state/country every pageant winner at the time was from, but could not even name three supermodels of the present day. That’s sad, especially considering that she was there to be America’s next top model!

We know that Cassandra has watched the show in the past, since the girl’s apartment this year has pictures of all the girls from seasons past. Cassandra had no problems walking by the pictures and pointing out which girls she couldn’t stand. Knowing this, it is fairly obvious that she knew at some point in the competition, usually the second episode, the girls get makeovers. Tyra picks out a new style for each girl and is adamant on making them into the vision she expects them to be. In fact, she even told Cassandra in the semi-finals that her hair would be chopped off and Cassandra said, “I guess I’ll have to deal with it.”

Well, she lied. When it was time for makeovers, and Cassandra was told that she would be getting a Mia Farrow cut from Rosemary’s Baby, she immediately broke down into tears. It didn’t end for twelve hours. Ebony had to sit in a chair for ten hours getting braids put into her hair, yet we did not hear a peep out of her. All the other girls were colored, poked, prodded, glued, taped, and anything else you can think of – yet no crying. Cassandra just couldn’t bear to lose her hair – almost as if it would never grow back. Yes, it’s a change, but if you want to be a model, you better learn how to change, since you will be constantly changing your whole life. Cassandra just wanted to be the pageant queen with the long hair and petroleum jelly lathered teeth. This wasn’t the show for her.

Her hair was finally cut and by episode three, I knew she was having second thoughts, especially since her hair wasn’t short enough and Tyra said that she was going to cut it another inch or two before the next shoot. Sure enough, when it was time for the next photo shoot, and Jay told Cassandra her hair was getting cut off, she was hesitant and started crying again. Sort of reminded me of Catie from Season 2. The fact of the matter is that it was only going to be cut another inch or two. It was already short, and even her mom told her to just grin and bear it. Cassandra couldn’t take it, though, and refused for it to get any shorter. She told Jay that she would not be cutting her hair anymore, and Jay dismissed her from the set. Cassandra left, packed her bags, and went home – she quit the show.

If I were Ebony or Ashley, the first two girls cut, I would have been pissed. If I were any of the semi-finalists who weren’t picked, I would have been even more pissed. If I were even just a girl who applied for the show and didn’t get on, I would be pissed because Cassandra didn’t want to be there, and thousands of other girls would have gone though hell and back to be on the show. It’s simply not fair, but Cassandra said she would have no problem getting her hair cut, then cried and complained when it was time to happen. Essentially, she’s a liar.

Cassandra’s excuse was that they were not trying to just cut her hair, but they were trying to change her as a person as well. Oh, give me a break. You are who you are. Maybe the judges tell you to give a little more personality or take on a new persona, but they were not trying to change anyone. Sarah said the same thing when I interviewed her – they weren’t making the girls do anything degrading or inexcusable. Every model has to cut their hair – Cassandra was just too thick headed to understand that.

On her way out the door, Cassandra stated that she was going home to get hair extensions and would hopefully be a future Miss USA. I don’t think that is going to be the case, but at least she can be proud of winning the Miss Hall of Shame pageant. Her prize: A full induction into the Reality TV Hall of Shame. Congratulations, quitter!

Phil Kural is an office manager at a law firm, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. You can send feedback to him at pkural@gmail.com.

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