Julia Anderson

Lawanda Johnson: First, I would like to congratulate you on being the first "True Beauty" winner. How does that make you feel?

Julia Anderson: Thank you. I am pretty excited. Working on a reality TV show is pretty cool but the fact is that it is a reality TV show that is based on inner and outer beauty is really exciting. More than anything you just want to make your family proud. I feel really proud to have accomplished that.

　LJ: In the show, you were the last girl standing. You were representing girls across America. What were your final thoughts before they announced the winner?

JA: Well a lot actually was going through my mind throughout the entire competition. At that moment I wanted to be the last girl standing. I wanted to be the winner and I wanted to represent. It's good to be the winner. It was a lot of work… After I was standing there I really don't remember any final thoughts (laughing). I was thinking about the money, the prize, and the award and this title itself. That was all going through my mind; it was a life changing experience whether or not I won or lost.

LJ: That's wonderful. I'm glad that you won. Besides the "True Beauty" competition, what other things have you been doing?

JA: I'm the correspondent for "The Tyra Banks Show" now. It's really exciting. I just moved down to Hollywood! "The Tyra Banks Show" is based in New York but they needed a Hollywood correspondent. So I moved out here and I'm feeling good about that. I get paid to do what I love. It is nice.

LJ: I hear that Zonta Club of DFW, the international global service organization of executives and professional women, named you the 2009 Woman of Achievement-Outstanding Young Woman. That's great!

JA: Yes! You know what…it's actually crazy because honestly I never heard of the Zonta Club Organization. So I got a call from somebody saying that they were looking for someone for the award. She said that she rarely watches TV, but she saw me on TV and said that would be perfect. And they contacted me to let me know that I was in the running. It was absolutely amazing; I'm proud to be apart of a great organization for young women. It's very empowering and amazing. I am really honored to be the 2009 Woman of Achievement-Outstanding Young Woman.

LJ: Now, do you consider yourself a role model? What are the qualities that you believe makes a good role model?

JA: I do consider myself a role model but not always a good one (laughter). I am a role model! The role models that came from my small hometown were like your teachers, community leaders, and family members or whomever. So I always knew that I have to be a role model. And like I said I have things that I regret and I don't want people following in my footsteps, but I have made mistakes and I've learned from my mistakes and I think that's what makes a good role model. Therefore, being a role model is to be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe in.

LJ: I agree…So is there anything in the works for a season 2 on "True Beauty?" If so, would you want to be apart of the show?

JA: You know what, they haven't mentioned anything yet but there have been talk of a second season and I most definitely will be involved.

LJ: Is there anything else you would like to add or share about your experiences?

JA: Yes! I have been so overwhelmed with everything that has happened and I'm really lucky and happy that I've touched many people's lives. People say to me all the time that it was great to complete a reality TV show and it really did touch people's lives. People are actually realizing that the little things in life, the little things you can do can make a big difference. I am glad that I did that and made myself a role model.

LJ: Congratulations again on all of your success and all that you plan on doing in the future!

JA: Aww, thank you!