America's Next Top Model

Zimbio Exclusive: ANTM's CariDee English Sings!

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Last Friday was an auspicious night for Sacramento America's Next Top Model fans. The Capital Fashion Awards, an annual event honoring the city's designers and models, boasted not one, but two former winners among their many presenters: Naima Mora and CariDee English.

I was lucky enough to catch a few minutes with CariDee, the North Dakota stunner and fan favorite who swept Cycle 7. With her infectious laugh and down-to-earth perspective ("In this industry, there is no elevator - you have to take the stairs," she noted), English was even lovelier in person. It's no wonder the Oxygen network tapped her to host Pretty Wicked, a reality show that aimed to give self-proclaimed "Bad Girls" makeovers of the internal kind. Unfortunately, it isn't clear whether the show will return for second season - not even to CariDee.

Zimbio: So what's up with Pretty Wicked?
I signed on for five seasons, but I don't know if the network knows if it's going to pick it up or not. But I was really honored to go into the hosting realm, which was really fun. I actually have another opportunity to do something a little more hands-on, both hosting and executive producing, but I also have a commitment with Oxygen, who I love. So I'm waiting to see if they pick it up or not. I have a hold.

CariDee+English in Entertainment Weekly And Vavoom Host Upfront Party

CariDee+English in Entertainment Weekly And Vavoom Host Upfront Party

What was your favorite moment during the show's taping?
Probably towards the sixth episode, seeing them realize we weren't out to get them, that we were really there for their personal growth...seeing that wall break down and their accepting what we were trying to give them. That was really powerful.

Are you still in touch with any of your fellow ANTM castmates?
Megg [Morales] is one of my best friends. She was the 'rock and roll' girl!

With all the hair!
Yeah - she has short blonde hair now. She's in New York working, she's amazing. She just cut a deal with Matrix.

I saw a few pictures of you modeling some Christian Siriano...
Christian Siriano is a very, very close friend of mine. And his boyfriend Brad Walsh is a wonderful photographer. What's really great is he's actually into producing - he's an artist, a producer, he does everything. His album comes out October 20th, and I have a single with him that comes out then called "Boy Girl." And both of them together are such a powerhouse. They took me under their wing, and they've been a great support.

I didn't know you sing!
Yeah! I'm recording in November with the band Better Than Ezra.

They're one of my favorite bands! I saw them five times in high school. Kevin Griffin is so hot. [Discussion of Better Than Ezra ensues...]
Well Tom, he plays bass guitar, he's doing a separate project, and he asked me to be the singer for it. We've been talking about it for two years, but I'm actually recording - this is set in stone - November 9-14. I sing, I play guitar, drums…I'm really fully emerging into music. Going full into that.

Is there any chance you'll do some touring?
We're just starting recording with 4 or 5 days in the studio...all day long, recording, in the beginning, and we'll see what comes from there…I wouldn't want to give any promises, but definitely that's a vision that we're both interested in.

More pictures of CariDee English: