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Jaslene: I Was Abused

Posted May 28th 2007 1:29PM by TMZ Staff

Dealing with Tyra and the rest of the ANTM panel was nothing compared to what "America's Next Top Model" winner Jaslene Gozalez had to go through in a past abusive relationship. The Janice Dickinson look-a-like revealed to Seventeen magazine that an abusive relationship nearly tore her apart. "I wasn't having my rest or eating the food I want to eat" -- obviously. "Things went down little by little. It was such a dark moment in my life. It was horrible!"

Jaslene eventually got out of the relationship and credits "Top Model" with helping her rebuild her confidence – even though so much of the show is based around tearing contestants down. Jaslene recommends that girls in similar situations seek out help. "Talk to somebody...That's what it took for me to let go."

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46. She talks and acts like a drag queen. Nattlie should have won. She had a wonderful personalty and can take criticism well. I think she will make it further than Jaselens.

Posted at 12:15PM on May 29th 2007 by Chyna579

47. well well well, This girl, followed the rules, was judged by the experts, endured the travel, and all the hardships that come with being a nobody, and she won. She is beautiful, and obviously talented, yet you people on here act like you know something about her. You need to look within yourselves and get rid of whetever the hell is causing all of your anger. Tyra would be sad i think.

Posted at 9:37AM on May 29th 2007 by Hank

48. Most of you that posted on here have never even watched Jaslene on the show. She is a great person and she is definitely not anorexic or bulemic, she ate all the time. Eating disorders were not even brought up so most of you need to look in the mirror and find what it is you don't like about yourself before talking about others. Some people are just skinny, they have faster metabolisms than others; and thisis coming from a girl who is a size 12 (but completely comfortable and confident in herself). Jaslene is a great person.

Posted at 9:42AM on May 29th 2007 by jo0417

49. I am very happy that Jaslene won. She's such an awesome role model to all young woman out there. She truly shows the strength all women should have especially since she was abused and decided to get out of that relationship. She always kept it real which was one of the great things about her. Go Jaslene for being the first Latina to ever win ANTM!!! Keep on shining especially with all your haters. They're only making you more famous!!

Posted at 9:44AM on May 29th 2007 by stength

50. It is horrible that she was abused but I never liked her on the show because she was a bitch. And when your ugly on the inside it makes you ugly on the outside too.

Posted at 9:51AM on May 29th 2007 by Jenna

51. I can not believe she won! Not only in she annoying but she is not pretty at all, even the judges said she looked like a drag queen. Also she sounds like a deaf woman, her nasal voice always grated my nerves.

Posted at 10:06AM on May 29th 2007 by Never liked her

52. Well, gee. "Not getting my rest and not eating the foods I wanted to" was the only thing she had to say about it? That is classic of a model's life. Period. She mentioned no name calling, let downs, or physical abuse. Abuse is no joke, and no one should have to go through with some else's crap, but how easy is it to just say "I was abused" and make up some stupid scenario to go with it? Anyway, my respect for her has taken yet another fall from reading the comments. If she is Puerto Rican, and therefore an American citizen, then why would she say ON THE SHOW that she was working on US citizenship? Um, hello? You are one, sweetheart...

Posted at 1:58PM on May 29th 2007 by captivate

53. Jaslene is not an immigrant,she was born in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a U.S territory. So YA THINK, you are racist and xenophobic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 10:10AM on May 29th 2007 by Victor

54. Will you shut up about immigrants! after all 95% of Americans immigrated at some points in their life. If you dont know ask your grandparents! Jaslene is a beautiful girl and she deserves that title because she worked hard for it. So quit judging her uniqueness.

Posted at 10:08AM on May 29th 2007 by foxy

55. GOD SPEED JASLENE. I wish you all the best as you strive to be the best you can be. I cannot believe so many Women on here are attacking this Young Lady. I though she was excellent and she did keep it real. She probably told the story of abuse, because she knew someone would delve into her background because she is the first Latina to win the show. So she wanted to beat them to the punch. I love Hank's response and agree with him wholeheartedly. Its high time for people/WOMEN to stop putting other people/WOMEN down, thinking that it will build them up, when all they are doing is blocking blessings.

And for YA THINK, is obvious that YA DON"T.. Pray Girl.

PEACE AND BLESSINGS

Posted at 9:28AM on Jun 1st 2007 by EMPRESS

56. I DON'T KNOW WHY RACE CAME INTO THIS. THE TRUTH IS THAT JASLENE IS TOO, TOO, THIN AND TYRA IS ALWAYS SPEAKING ABOUT UNDER-WEIGHT MODELS. ALSO, I DON'T THINK THAT SHE IS ATTRACTIVE AT ALL. HER FACE AND HEAD ARE SO LONG. SHE SEEMS LIKE A VERY NICE PERSON, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE WON. ALSO, WHY DID TYRA AND THE JUDGES GET ON A COUPLE OF PAST MODEL CONTESTANTS ABOUT THEIR SPEECH, DANNIELE FOR ONE, ABOUT HER SOUTHERN ACCENT. NOTHING WAS EVER SAID TO THIS GIRL ABOUT HER BROKEN ENGLISH. I THINK THE SHOW TOOK A DIVE THIS SEASON.

Posted at 10:25AM on May 29th 2007 by gs

57. Jaslene, is a beautiful lady with a beautiful spirit and disposition. As women we are quick to tear one another down which results in separation. Jaslene won the Top Model event because of her beautiful spirit and genuineness. For those who have posted negative things about her in this section, I feel as though you should find more love within yourself so you do not have to attempt to tear another person down to make yourself look good. God Bless.

Posted at 11:13AM on May 29th 2007 by Eyecatcher27

58. I'm sorry about the abuse, but I agree she's not all that. Like so many of these models, she's way too skinny not to mention her Jay Leno chin.

Posted at 10:33AM on May 29th 2007 by KT

59. With all the hype over Tyra and body image lessons she is supposedly trying to teach young girls, she just took a step WAY back by choosing this anorexic looking girl as her top choice. When you have a voice, you're supposed to use it to speak out and with all of that speaking out, look who won.
There are many women who are naturally thin, and if you're that way then that's something you can't help, but when you look like your right in the midst of an eating disorder- that gave Top Model and Tyra a chance to address it with their audience. This girl looks very unhealthy - by whatever means. Her eyes look blank, she looks gaunt and is by far the thinnest I've seen on the show.
I'm sure Top Model will stand by her and come out with some statement saying that she doesn't have an eating disorder, but it will take more than that for me to believe it. I've lost a lot of respect for that show, Tyra and it's producers and I will view it- if I ever watch it again as just a shallow reality show.

Posted at 10:35AM on May 29th 2007 by angieb

60. She seems nice enough & I hope she makes good but Natasha should have won. I hope Natasha can still have the career she wants, but then, you NEVER see these girls after the show. Except on Tyra follow-ups, which are probably staged. I have never seen one of them in a magazine not even in a CG ad, & that includes the winners. Only Adrian Curry has made anything of her 15 minutes. Do what you must Jaslene, just don't do porn!

Posted at 10:39AM on May 29th 2007 by Melissa

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