As For My Thoughts On What Aired...

1.Really Tia?? Really?! 1. you bring your dog (who is adorable) into the workroom, and let her run around all over the place. There are pins all over the floors, not to mention items that are worth a LOT to these designers lying all over the room.  2. That poop was gross.. I think the pup needs a trip to the Vet. and 3. YOU PICKED IT UP IN LEANNE’S DRESS!!!! I cant even FATHOM doing something like that! 

2.Yeah right JLo injured her foot. I’m glad it was so hurt that she could do a triathlon the next day! But, Yay! Tim!

3. Thank GOD they edited out Katarina tripping on the dress all they way down the runway!

4. How CUTE is Korto’s daughter? I want to be in that woman’s family. 

5. Kenley’s out of course. 

6. Of course Leanne Wins. 

....and tia....

:( Korto

In all seriousness, I am very happy for Leanne and her win. I knew all along that she had it in the bag, and that probably made my elimination as hard as it was. She is amazingly talented, and I can’t wait to see where this takes her!

Speaking of Leanne...Last week, she was in NYC doing a press tour, and we were FINALLY able to grab a quick drink together in SoHo before her flight took off! 

xoxo Karalyn

Thoughts Backstage at FW

New York Fashion Week began with a bang of course and while the gamouratti filled the tents at Bryant Park all week, we were stuck in BlueFly offices for the Bridal Challenge. 

The models were scheduled Sunday and Monday all day. Filming wrapped Monday evening, and then we were to come back Tuesday for our “casting call.” I put that in quotes because the producers told the four of us who were asked back for the Bridal episode (Polina, Alex, Shannone, and myself) that we were guaranteed a spot in the finalist’s show, and we just had to show up “for the cameras.” 

I go home that night and get a call from a PA asking if I am available to come in Wednesday and Thursday. I automatically assume that it’s for fittings before the show on Friday. I call Polina, Alex and Shannone to make sure they had times as well, but none of them had to be at Parsons in the morning, and just Shannone had a call time and it was Wednesday night. 

I am officially confused and scramble to call the PA to find out whats going on. Reluctantly she tells me that I am coming in Wednesday and Thursday morning for make-up and hair consultation.

“But that’s for the muse models,” I say. 

She replies, “Joe has asked for you to be his muse model. More like he fought for you to be hi muse model.”

“Oh... okay. Well, see ya tommorrow then.”

*Click*

So many different emotion began to fill my mind.. it went something like this: Should I be pissed at Leanne? Why am I not in her show, like she said I would be? Joe??? But now I won’t be on TV! Joe! Well I always did like him. And she did say he fought for me, thats kind of cool I guess. Woo! I get to walk in Bryant Park! Ah!!! I get to close out a show in BRYANT PARK!!

Turns out that the casting director told the designers to use “real models” and to forget about us. HA! The only designer who fought was Kenley (of course!). According to the decoy designers, who were sitting off to the side in the casting room as well, Kenley argued with the casting director until she had Shannone’s card in her stack. 

Okay enough about the drama-filled casting process! 

SHOWTIME!!!

All 60 models had a call time of 6am. This was probably one rare time that I didn’t complain about having to be in a makeup chair that early. Backstage there was plenty of commotion. Each designer had a team of hair and makeup people so we had to wait until our designer’s chairs were empty to get all done up. At least there was good coffee!

The stage director was yelling out time warnings, and everyone began to huddle in their designated curtains to get dressed. Joe’s curtain was unbelievably chill and calm. He was just glowing in pride and excitement; I don’t think his smile ever left his face. 

I was all ready to go in my Gucci shoes and gorgeous finale dress, and for the first time since I entered the tent, I took a moment to look around at the other designers. Suede was relaxed, Jerell was beaming, Kenley was running around like a crazy woman, Korto seemed stressed but ready, and Leanne- well Leanne was clearly having some kind of problem. At the time, all I knew was Tia was in tears, and undressed. 

When I watched the episode and saw how it played out it all made sense to me. Tia was originally supposed to be in Leanne’s opening design. Leanne put her in the premiere garment to compensate for putting Hollis in the wedding gown and final look. When the garment stretched from oversteaming, it hung off of Tia, and it didn’t look as good as it could so Leanne did some switching around to make sure her collection looked the best. The tears you saw??? Those weren’t for Leanne. They were streaming down her face because the spotlight was taken away from her. 

Enough of that though! It’s Show Time! 

Besides Katarina tripping and her undies peeking out of Korto’s final dress,  the collections went down the runway flawlessly.

As I said in my post right after Fashion Week, there are no words to describe how I felt when I stepped out on that runway. It was like a high that I never wanted to go away. My heart was thumping with the music, and the hundreds of cameras were flashing in front of me. If I didn’t know any better I would have thought I was dreaming! 

I could die tomorrow- but atleast I’ll have died after walking in Bryant Park for Fashion Week.

I just want to thank Joe. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have walked at all. He fought for Polina and me to be in his show, and I am forever grateful. Joe is an incredible man, and I wish him the best in the future. Midwest Represent! :) 

xoxo

Karalyn

Episode 13 In Pictures

On this episode, the Producers asked four of us models back: Alex, Shannone, Polina, and myself... who ironically are the girls who became really tight throughout the show's filming. Needless to say I was ecstatic to have been asked back for one more episode, and I could not wait to be back on set. The producers didn't tell us who we would be working with or what the challenge was; all I knew was I had to be at the Bluefly offices for a fitting the night before and then report back at 6am for the runway challenge. 

I know some of you call me a "hater" or say that I am jealous of Tia for being taken by Leanne, but the truth is, I got along with her fine the whole season, but after the model switch, she turned into a totally different person. She acted like she was better than me, and talked to me in a very condescending way. Needless to say, her actions made it very difficult for me to feel comfortable and film that episode. Leanne and I would be having a nice conversation and be catching up on our lives, and then Tia would come in the middle of it and start talking about herself. 

Say what you want, but Tia is just not a nice person.

Anyway- back to the episode!

I am so glad so many of us got together to watch it at Polina's apartment! Alex, Shannone, Polina, Nicole, Leslie and I all gathered to watch the Finale Part 1.

Killing time, watching ANTM, mocking their God-Awful posing skills

Nicole and her flowerpot backstage!

Yay! We're Back!

A little over-worked

Pre-show

This runway day was like any other... We arrived very early, sat around Bluefly- for fashion week, they moved the work room to Bluefly because classes at Parsons had already started, and the students would interfere with filming- for a good while, and all of the designers seemed to be scrambling. The one designer who seemed collected and calm was Jerell, and because the girls were rushing to finish their garments, Jerell volunteered, like the sweetheart he is, to take us models to Parsons for hair and makeup. 

Bluefly is at 39th street between 5th and 6th Aves... Parsons is at 41st and 7th Ave... they are a whopping 4-5blocks apart and we have to DRIVE. It would take the 6models, Jerell, and the PA 4minutes to walk from Bluefly to Parsons, and instead, we have to drive to "prevent exposure." What would have been a 4minute walk, took 20minutes just to drive 4blocks. My goodness, these producers are geniuses, but I guess to them what would normally be "time is money" in the industry doesnt pan out for this show since it has zero budget and they don't care about how long they keep us. 

As for the runway, the producers told us when we were to do the normal, one at a time, walk, but after they got through Korto and Kenley's designs, they changed their minds and wanted the bride and bridesmaid to cross on the runway. They gave us one take, and in front of the judges. Needless to say, it wasn't any of our best walks, and for me, I had to wear a pair of my strappy, ugly, old, and flimsy heels because Leanne's shoes hadn't arrived yet. 

As for the designs...

hey! It's you, Shannone!

Ohhhhh Kenley... her bridesmaids dress was adorable, but in my opinon, too short for a wedding. As for the "wedding gown," from the moment I saw it, I couldnt help but do the Swan Lake dance around Topaccio. It screammmeedd Alexander McQueen, from the head piece all the way to the shoes. Being a ballerina, however, I didn't make the McQueen reference until Kors said it, and couldn't stop prancing around Kenley and Topaccio in imaginary pointe shoes. 

Me, and Me

Surprise, Surprise, Leanne whips out an AMAZING dress. Her wedding gown was one of the most beautiful garments I have ever seen. I told Leanne that she should make the bottom detachable so it could turn into a cocktail dress for the reception :) The bridesmaid's dress that I wore was beautiful as well, not her best work, but for a last minute dress, she did an incredible job. But I mean, come on, of course she made it to BP..

"Wait, this dress sucked?"

I knew Korto was in trouble right away. I have never been married, and don't plan on it anytime soon, but I am pretty sure that no bride wants to blend in with her bridesmaids. The fabrics for the two dresses were too similar, and as the judges said, the brides dress was overworked. For those of you who noticed how Korto's model, Katarina, was the only muse model that did not wear the bridal dress, the wedding gown did not fit her at the initial fitting and it fit Polina better, so to prevent last minute sewing, Korto just put Polina in the brides dress and Katarina in the bridesmaid dress. I was very sad when I saw Korto's challenge dresses because her BPFW collection was AMAZING and I did not want her to go home for these dresses. 

Alex happy to be back...

Nicole sad to see herself for the last time :(

Pooor Jerell :( The producers really screwed him over with the garden challenge. They knew all along they wanted an all-girl finale, and couldn't get rid of him because his dress was the best, and so they made sure they axed him in this episode. Not that I am saying his dresses were fabulous... they were actually far from it. The wedding gown was pretty, but way too much, especially with the head piece. I don't even want to talk about the bridesmaids dress... it was a bridesmaid's nightmare. It looked sloppy, he chose horrible fabric, and although Alex looked great, Jerell was just off his game. 

Stay tuned for scoop on the Finale at BP :)

xoxo

Karalyn

Perfection

Words cannot express how perfect this picture is....

Tia, trying to be Leanne's BFF, all while knowing how awkward that makes me feel, and Leanne looking very uncomfortable with Tia groping her hand.

Tia: "OMG Leanne! We like made it to the finals! I am going to kiss you just to make Karalyn feel even more awkward than she already does working with me, the most fabulous walker in the world, after your swap-a-roo"

Leanne: "Okay, Tia, you can let go now, you are cutting off my circulation..."

Me: "As happy as I should be to be back for one more challenge and working with Leanne, I can't help but want to take this rock-solid bouquet I have hiding behind this fluffy dress and wack Tia over the head with it. Don't worry Leanne, there will be no blood, the dress will be in perfect condition for Hollis to close your show out in!"

I just had to get that off my chest... stay tuned for more :)

xoxo

Karalyn

Leanne & Karalyn... post model Elimination... and my weekend

Oh how the stories are floating out there! First of all, let me set one things straight: My Elimination happened over three months ago. My past two posts on this episode were based on my recollection on how it happened, when it happened. I “got over” and “moved on” from that soon after it occurred, and excelled greatly since then in my everyday life and my career. I do not wish anything negative upon Leanne, and I do not hold any grudges. As a matter of fact Leanne and I mended our relationship just a week after she switched up on me. The only thing that I wanted to know from her- not from anyone else, was why?

Right after PR wrapped filming in July, Leanne and I got in touch via MySpace (so lame I know, but we did not get a chance to swap numbers), and although it was just written words, she could not have sounded more genuinely sorry. What you see in her interview on ProjectRungay (http://projectrungaypagetwo.blogspot.com/), was basically what she told me.

According to Leanne, she had NO intentions of swapping models- I could tell by the way she was grinning at me the whole time. She not only shocked the other designers, models, and the entire production team, but she shocked herself. When I stepped out onto the runway, it had been over a week since I’d seen her, and she had completed two challenges without me. None of us models knew the outcome of either of those challenges and I just figured that she probably won both of them, because I’ve always seen her as the strongest and most talented designer. I wouldn’t have even considered that she struggled in the previous two challenges.

I think what a lot of viewers and readers misinterpreted was my reaction in my elimination video. I cannot stress enough how that interview was taped just moments after I was excused from the runway. I was in shock, naturally upset, and very emotional. Sure I could have taken several minutes to try to calm down or wait until my tears were no longer rolling down my cheeks, but I wanted to show all of you my REAL emotions- how I was really feeling just a few minutes after being aufed. I am not ashamed of my emotions nor do I regret anything I said- I even surprised myself with how well I spoke and handled the interview.

Leanne and I are both firm believers of forgiving and forgetting, and for all you who think that she should have swapped me out after I “threw her under the bus,” that was a prime example of our relationship. I messed up, (editing didn’t help matters), she forgave, and we forgot… leaving no reason for her to still hold that against me. I can’t even imagine being the type of person that would hold a grudge towards some one who was nothing but wonderful to me. It’s not who I am, or ever will be.

Since my elimination, I have progressed to bigger and better things, and do not plan on stopping. I am very happy with where I am in my life and am excited to see what else Life has in store for me. Project Runway was an amazing experience for me, and I am so grateful to have been apart of it. (although I don’t think I would ever do it again, if I was given the option… unless there was money involved ;) )

I speak to Leanne often and we banter back and forth during episodes via text messages saying things like, “ahhhh I can’t believe they edited it like that!” or “feeling a little nauseous… don’t know if I can watch this” or “crap, I knew they’d put me looking at you like that.”

We couldn’t be on better terms, and we are both going to spend way too much money on shoes together soon : ) (don’t worry, there will be pics!)

What I am trying to say is:
Leanne + Karalyn = : ) & <3>

Anyways- this was my weekend... :)

Shootin Cape Cod on my "Road Trip" :)

Like My Hat?

Tandem Bike Ride!

XOXO
Karalyn

Episode 13 Preview

I know i said I'd boycott.. but trust me when I say, you gotta watch this episode!!! ;)

I Have Fallen In Love...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I went back to Ohio last weekend to surprise my dad for his 50th birthday! A week before, I had gone on an audition for this “upcoming NBC show” and considering I hadn’t heard anything from my agent, I figured I didn’t get it and all was clear to go home. Filming was supposed to take place the Thursday I left for Ohio, as well as the Monday that I was booked to come back to New York.

The birthday festivities were going along smoothly- I was having a blast with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, when I receive a phone call from the casting director telling me I am booked and shooting starts Monday!

Ahh!!!

NBC’s new show Kings, which airs in January, is a modern-day take on the story of David and Goliath. The show stars Ian McShane as the city’s King and Sebastian Stan (Leighton Meester’s BF) as it’s Prince, and is directed by the amazing Francis Lawrence who directed the movies Constantine and I Am Legend.

I was initially cast as a (don’t laugh) Burlesque Dancer in a nightclub where the playboy prince takes his friends. The casting director warned me that I would be taking off articles of clothing- but tastefully since it is NBC!

A lot of stress and $400 in airline change-fees later, (I am officially boycotting air travel, and you should too! This is getting ridiculous!) I was back in New York City and ready, well as ready as I could be, for my 4:30am call time on my very first “real” television set!

Filming that day took place at The Box, a famous Burlesque Club. Ah! Just arriving and seeing all of the crew and trailers and cameras made me want to do more acting! Because it was a club scene, there were TONS of extras (I consider myself a Glorified Extra that day haha) so there was a lot of people to get ready and it took awhile for the filming to actually start- but when it did… *sigh* I was in heaven.

As it turns out, myself and the other “dancer” were made into girl-toys for the Prince’s friends, so our role was to get “rowdy” and dance on the guys (they had no idea what were going to do to them!). The cocktails were flowing (aka: gingerale and soda), and we were all (acting) belligerently drunk! (it was very challenging for me to “act drunk” because I have NO idea what it’s actually like… ;) ;) )

I will leave the rest to your imagination until you tune-in to watch the episode in January : ) Remember though, my 15minutes of fame might actually be just 10 (hell maybe .5) seconds, so have that DVR remote handy with your finger on the pause button ;)!

At 6:30pm we wrapped our scene and I was released to go home. Strangely enough, even though I had only gotten 2hrs of sleep the night before and worked 14 hours straight in high heels, I had no desire to leave set.

I fell in love that day, and my true loves name is Acting.


Armando was my "date"


See even my camera acts drunk!


the crew in the smoke-filled Box


Mid-fight scene, Director Francis Lawrence


XOXO
Karalyn