EW: What made you decide to enter America’s Next Top Model?

KS: It started as a joke with my college friends, but ended up being a more serious endeavour when I was actually on the show. You start living and breathing the whole thing. [Out] lesbians are really underrepresented in the modelling world.I [thought that] I could be a good role model for other girls in this situation.

EW: The judges often played your androgynous style against you, did that confuse you at all?

KS: I’m not someone who’s confused about my identity in any way, but I think the judges seemed to be. They didn’t like that I had a lack of convention in mylook, which I think is strange because I thought the modelling industry was all about capturing that – something unique and different.

EW: How did it feel being the only lesbian in the house?

KS: Ha! I wasn’t! (laughing) But I’m not at liberty to disclose any more information that that. It was definitely not the straightest house I’ve ever been in, I’ll tell you that much.

EW: You had quite a kissing session with fellow contestant Sarah Rhoades didn’t you?

KS: Yeah I had a thing with Sarah, but throughout the show I definitely remained emotionally loyal to my girlfriend.

EW: How did your girlfriend react to seeing you and Sarah together?

KS: When I went on the show we were in an open relationship, and we were just starting out dating. I think neither of us had any idea what it would entail really, or what would happen.

EW: Are you with the same girlfriend now?

KS: Yeah, we’ve actually been together for a year now.

EW: Do you think being cut from the show so near to the end had anything to do with your sexuality?

KS: I just think it’s a reality TV show. Having a lesbian involved is bound to increase ratings, right? But I also know that CoverGirl plays a huge part in making the decision of who wins. It’s a corporation that cares so much about it’s image and theysimply don’t want an out lesbian to be the new CoverGirl.

EW: Do you think lesbian women have a different style to straight women?

KS: I think whenever you’re part of a minority group, you strive to express yourself a little bit more enthusiastically. For me, and lots of lesbians I guess, our style is a significant part of what makes us who we are. I think some lesbians do have a fantastic sense of style, but then there are lesbian women who may be happy to not stand out so much just walking down the street. Your style has to do with what’s inside of you, but it’s not strictly tied to your sexuality.

EW: You met Jenny Shimizu on the show. How did her presence affect you?

KS: That was actually one of the best turning points for me during the show. She was definitely someone I could relate to and aspire to be like.

EW: Do you have any advice for women entering RoleModel?

KS: I think that it’s a very popular and tragic mistake to combine sexuality and gender so closely, as they are very different things, but this can affect you as a lesbian model. There are times when your personal life shouldn’t enter the workplace – with regards to your sexuality – and this can be one of them, but I also think that being a lesbian these days is quite an attribute. It’s kind of trendy. In terms of models, and lesbian women in general, it’s important to approach issues surrounding your sexuality in the right way from the outset. Dodging the issue in life and in your work gives people so much room to judge you.

EW: Do you have any regrets about getting into modelling?

KS: I don’t have any regrets at all. I do think the show was quite a big risk for me to take. I knew that I could have been portrayed really badly, but I like what they did for me on the show. Of course the lesbian thing was brought up all the time, but that was fine because it’s a part of myself that I really love.

EW: What have you been doing since the show ended?

KS: I’m still sort of under contract with America’s Next Top Model, but I can do other things. I’m about to sign with Elite Models which is really big step.