Jaslene Gonzalez is still in the running towards becoming America's next gay icon.
By Brandon Voss
After she won Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model in May, Chicago-raised "chacha diva" Jaslene Gonzalez signed with Elite Model Management and got a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics as promised, but the 21-year-old beauty soon nabbed numerous additional magazine spreads and became the face of Lot 29. Following a full day of castings for New York Fashion Week, the Puerto Rican princess spoke to us about her drooling gay disciples — and why she just might be the next J.Lo!
HX: Have Elite and CoverGirl made all your dreams come true?
Jaslene Gonzalez: Yes, and more. I'm so proud to be a part of such a beautiful family. They treat me well and I'm very happy here. They give me the chance to do what I want to do. I'm just working my ass off every day going to castings.
You must be exhausted, girl!
But it's all fun. At the end of the day you're exhausted, but I'm a trooper, I love doing this, so I'm happy.
Has Tyra kept in touch?
Yeah, I still have a relationship with her. I don't speak to her often, but if I want to, I have the chance. I'll be seeing her at Fashion Week.
Hopefully you'll be appearing on the new cycle of Top Model.
Yes, I will be. I'll actually be all over the new house because it will have all pictures of me!
Your fans were upset when Seventeen magazine made you share your cover, which was part of your Top Model prize, with Jessica Alba. How did you feel about it?
I was pretty shocked myself when I saw that. I felt it was unfair, too, like, That should've been just my magazine cover! But you know what? Jessica Alba's a Latina as well, so all I can do is support her and be positive. There's no point in me crying about it. And that was just one cover. I have plenty more coming out.
Now that you're on top, should we start to worry about you turning into Kate Moss?
Not at all. I do my partying, but I have class in everything I do. I do have an image that I want to portray that's sophisticated — a woman of integrity and excellence. That's how I carry myself.
How do you handle online rumors about your personal life?
I don't handle them. I don't acknowledge them. I stay true to myself. As long as my friends and family know who I am, that's all that matters.
Are you dating anyone? I want to hook you up.
Really? With who? Please do so! [Laughs] I'm just single and ready to mingle. I need a man with a sense of humor. Without a sense of humor, don't even look my way.
Is it true that you're representing Eve's Fetish line?
No, that was a rumor. I'm not a part of Fetish. I'm a part of Lot 29, and I have a billboard coming out September 4th in Times Square.
Do you want to act?
I've been approached already with a movie role, but I'm really focused on modeling. If the opportunity comes along, I'll take it. I don't mind seeing how far that would take me. I feel like I have a lot of talent, and if I can act, sing, dance, model, whatever, then I'll do it all!
Do gay boys come up and tell you how fierce you are?
All day. They gag! Seriously, they get nervous, they don't know how to act. They want to take pictures, like, "We love you! You're our queen sister!" There's a lot of love.
Even before ANTM?
Yeah, because I'm a drag queen myself. I'm funny and I can queen it out. I like to kiki!
If a drag queen wanted to do you, what advice would you give her?
She better be fiiiierce!
Do you have a gay bestie?
Actually, I have two roommates, and they're both gay. One's a makeup artist and the other one's a hairstylist. We live together, eat together, sleep together — oh, no, not like that! [Laughs] We go out together. I'm usually stuck in the gay clubs — imagine that. That's why it's hard for me to get a boyfriend because I'm always in the gay clubs.
Who's fiercer: you or Miss J Alexander?
Ooh! No comment. I just got back from a Baby Phat casting and Miss J was the one casting!
HX, September 2007; extended online version.