April Showers bring May Flowers

April was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She attended New York University, Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She is of Japanese, German, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish descent.

April was a contestant on Cycle 2 of America’s Next Top Model. One of the fan favorites, April was in the top 4 along with Yoanna House, Shandi Sullivan, and Mercedes Scelba-Shorte before being eliminated on Episode 9. April was eliminated because she was too critical of herself.

April has come a long way since America’s Next Top Model, which she credits helping her springboard into various positions suitable for her…in front of the camera.

Today, you can see April at the Rangers’ games as she hosts ‘April’s Time Out with the Rangers’ Fans’ on MSG. Perhaps you’d like to check out what trends she’s spotting on the New York City streets for her “Macy’s Hot List” on Macys.com…or maybe you’d like to catch a glimpse of April, at bat, on her first softball team, playing for the Broadway Show League? Wherever you choose to see April, just know that she’s beautiful, fit, low maintenance and one of the smartest models you’ll ever meet.

ASIANCE: I remember you were on ANTM around the same time asiance was just getting started. I knew you were Asian.

April: I’m Japanese and German/Irish. My last name is German. When I first met my school roommate she was surprised I was Asian. I asked her what she thought I was and she said, “German!”

Remember April’s season? See her competition below

ASIANCE: Who do you keep in touch with from America’s Next Top Model? I see Yaya all over fashion week.

April: Yes. I just did a shoot with Yohanna for Nigel’s book. He’s releasing a book this fall on beauty. So he took a few of the girls from Top Model. All these girls are married with babies. I feel like I’m a kid.

For me, I didn’t intend to get into modeling, but I was intrigued by it. It introduced me to acting, which I wasn’t exposed to. Every job I’ve done in broadcasting, I can somehow relate to someone who I was introduced to at Top Model. For me, I knew I wanted to work in broadcasting and television and modeling. Nigel and his wife are great, they kind of took me under their wing when I came to New York. I did my first test with them. They help me with my go–sees.

ASIANCE: What about Tyra?

April: I feel like it’s easy to forget where you are. If she didn’t pick out my tape from all of the other girls, I wouldn’t be where I am today. She’s very professional, very smart. She’s helped all of us. She’s great at keeping in touch. She sends me cards for my birthday.

ASIANCE: Is Janice really that scary personality wise and/or plastic surgery wise?

April: Janice Dickinson is intimidating. When I saw her in person, she had gotten less done. She tells it like it is and I always appreciate that. I’ll take that over someone who is nice to your face, then talks behind your back.

ASIANCE: What about that Shandi/Walgreens rumor?

April: That was for a like a week. Reality is just because you on reality TV doesn’t mean you’re rich. I saw Shandi and she said she needed health insurance, so what are you going to do? She’s happy now. I‘ve run into her a few times.

ASIANCE: So you finished college and then got into modeling?

April: Yes, my mom forbid me to model when I was a teenager. She’s Japanese. She’s not very traditional. She knew it was a tough industry to be in for a teenager. I went to school, then went into modeling.

ASIANCE: Usually you hear that you’re too old to model after college

April: Yes the industry is changing. I had my best year modeling last year. (April is 30) It takes some time to build your book, your clients and finding the right agency. I’m with Wilhelmina. It requires patience. Now there are so many Asian girls in modeling now.

ASIANCE: Who do you follow?

April: I love Lindsay Price. I grew up watching her on 90210. I worked with her on Lipstick Jungle. She was an America’s Next Top Model watcher and when I met her both of us were just like,”Oh my god!” She is the sweetest. She sings as well as acts.

Lisa Ling is someone I look up to. She’s so beautiful and she challenges herself.

See April on Lipstick Jungle

I read many things on Lucy Liu. Rather than going out pitching yourself as a role model to Asian Americans, she just wants to do her work and do it well to people.

I love Maggie Q. We have the same manager/agency in Hong Kong. She’s had a lot of great roles. She should get more recognition for them. She’s on the cover of so many magazines.

Lisa Ling is such an idol of mine. When she left The View to work for National Geographic, that was like my dream job! Lisa was an award winning documentarian when she was a teenager and then Elisabeth steps in and all I knew about her was that she was on Survivor. I thought reality TV seemed to be a great way to break into broadcasting, so I’m just going to audition for every show out there. Top Model was the first one. Two weeks later I was filming in New York. It was really fast. It’s been very helpful

ASIANCE: Did you watch the whole Euna Lee and Laura Ling capture?

April: Yes, I have a sister. Just one sister. I don’t know what Lisa was going through but I could just imagine. No one knows what really went on. She was really quiet about it at first because I think she didn’t want the media to pick up on the fact that she was such a celebrity, then use that against them. It’s tricky but it ended well.

ASIANCE: What about Devon Aoki? She’s like you, Japanese and German.

April: When I was at NYU, she was tearing up the runways.

ASIANCE: Are you a fan of Rain?

April: When I was in Hong Kong, he was on his world tour. I bought his album and it’s like my workout anthem. I got so into it. I don’t speak Korean but I tried. I became a total groupie. One of my NYU friends was on tour with him.

ASIANCE: How do you keep in shape?

April: I just started training in martial arts. I was getting really bored with my workout. I work out right across the street at Equinox. I saw the Rock working out there. I went up to him and said, “Hi!”

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ASIANCE: What did he say?

April: He was like “Hi?” Then, I started turning into this girl who talks really fast and airheaded, I said, “I just want to say that I really admire your career because I think it’s great that you have transcended and started off as a wrestler”. He started out as a wrestler and transitioned into acting. I’m sure a lot of doors were slammed in his face. You go rock!

My trainer kicks my butt every day. He does a combination of Mixed Martial Arts training. I found my workout! I don’t want to be that stereotypical Asian role but it’s good to have!

ASIANCE: It’s great for self defense.

April: Yes. I was attacked in the subway once.

ASIANCE: Really?

April: Yes. He was clearly insane and not being very nice to me so I figured I have to get one in. I went after him. I don’t want to use my skills but if I have to I will.

ASIANCE: That’s so dangerous!

April: I don’t go out really late. I do some things for Madison Square Garden, so that runs late. I meet a lot of Rangers’ fans.

ASIANCE: Do they know you?

April: Yes. I received a thank you card recently. I don’t know how I ended up in sports between Sportsline and MSG Network. I love hockey. It’s fun! It’s like boxing on ice. I do interviews with the kids. I’m in the G rated section of programming. I do interviews on their website and do live segments where they’ll cut to the stands. I’ll interview alumnae.

I was interviewing Adam Graves last season and in the middle of the interview, I got hit in the head with a basketball. I was like, “Adam, you could have told me to duck”. He’s like, “Duck?”

I’m a true Rangers fan. It’s nice to have something steady. The industry (modeling) is so project based.

ASIANCE: What kind of modeling are you doing?

April: I do athletic jobs. It’s been my best agency because they have a fitness division. They have the right clients. My broadcasting agency is good too. I just started shooting fashion segments for Macy’s for their website…trend following and what’s new. We’re shooting the fall season one next week but the spring and summer ones are coming out now. That’s regular too.

Every once in a while I’ll do Maury Povich assignments and people will ask me if I’m trying to find my baby daddy. Once a month, he’ll bring special correspondents in and we’ll cover specific topics like the dangers of teens sexting. As far as Maury Povich goes, it’s a respectful segment.

ASIANCE: How did your parents meet?

April: My mom is full Japanese, my dad is American (mix). They met in college. I was raised to be colorblind. Race was a non issue for me growing up. It was never a source or issue or tension in my life. It was never turned into anything negative.

My mom always told me, don’t put yourself in a box. So when those census forms come, I check both because I’m 100% mixed. There’s no need to choose. I meet so many Asian girls who say they want to be a model but their parents push them into being a lawyer. I think everyone should do what they want..

My take on Japan is Disney meets New York City. I go very often. My mom’s family is still there. It’s so clean and fun. As hard working as the Japanese are, they have done a great job of not letting go of their kid side. There are so many things to do that is aimed at pure fun.

There is something about the air in Hong Kong and the lights that make you feel like you are on drugs at all times. I don’t do any drugs and I barely even drink but there is something about that city.

ASIANCE: What’s your beauty routine?

April: I’m pretty low maintenance. I don’t smoke, drink. I don’t tan. I do those things right. I try to avoid sodas. I drink a lot of water. I think I’ve had about 2 facials in my entire life.

I don’t have any pets. I feel it’s irresponsible of me because I’m not home and then I keep them inside. I have stuffed animals. Pink animals! I’m into hot pink. Hot pink blackberry. Hot pink pen. I don’t want to look at a boring pen.

ASIANCE: Do you have a boyfriend?

April: No.

ASIANCE: Who’s your dream man?

April: Because I love film and acting is my first love, I really respect and admire and bow down to Johnny Depp. He’s my straightforward crush. My shameless crush is The Rock. He has such a great smile. I don’t know.

ASIANCE: So no Christian Bale for you? Two of our other interviews mentioned him.

April: He’s adorable but I have severe issues with angry men. We can always be caught on a bad day though.

ASIANCE: Do you think it’s hard to date in NYC?

April: The greatest thing about New York is that you’re always exposed, in a good way. It’s not like LA or another city where you’re in a car a lot. Every day you can turn around and meet someone. I’m sort of in single mode. Let me hang out with my girlfriends. I play softball on the Broadway Show League so I play with all the Broadway show people. What I lack in talent, I make up for in gusto. I was in a relationship for 9 years.

Oh Eric Bana. I like the gentlemen. His voice.. oh and Hugh Jackman because he seems like a gentlemen.

ASIANCE: What about the Tiger situation? Did that surprise you?

April: It didn’t surprise me. Bottom line, I just don’t care. We’re at war people! The amount of coverage he’s getting is just ridiculous. Now I hear they’re shopping a reality show around for the mistresses. All it is getting entertainment from someone else’s pain. All of them are hurt.

ASIANCE: Who did you like on Top Model?

Mercedes. She is coming to visit me. She works with the Lupes Foundation. She’s a certified Yoga instructor. I like Elyse. I like Adrienne’s personality.

ASIANCE: What about non-Top Models?

April: I love Gabby Reece. She’s fresh and athletic. I like a lot of the Sports Illustrated girls. I think Naomi Campbell’s legs are amazing.

In this industry, I’m considered on the sportier/curvier side, which is interesting. I’m not a New York City runway model. Modeling isn’t my only source of income. Wilhelmina has me as a commercial, fitness model. And I’ll do runway, like I just did a show with Tim Gunn. The runway I do is very fun. I’ll do an Oakley show or a lingerie show.

ASIANCE: What modeling advice do you have for Asian American girls?

April: Make sure you keep up with your education so that you always have something to fall back on. And, always have other balls in the air career-wise because modeling work -while lucrative- can be unsteady at times and it’s always good to have a lot of things going on. I have always treated my modeling income as a bonus to my work as a host for MSG, CBS Sportsline, Covergirl, and Macys.com and my TV acting work -that way you are never caught unprepared if there is a slow period. AND, BE HEALTHY! I actually end up booking more work at a healthier, more fit weight than I ever did at a skinnier fashion weight….GO FIGURE!

ASIANCE: What’s in your iPod?

April: My iPod is all over the map! Let me just list the songs under my RECENTLY ADDED list for you…I make what I call EMOTIMIXES (Mixes based on my emotions)

For ROCKIN OUT IN THE GYM:
IMMA BE -Black Eyed Peas
TELEPHONE -Gaga and B

For this last RAINY SUNDAY VEGGIN’ DAY:
DRIFT AWAY -Dobie Gray
SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY -Ottis Redding
WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN -Percy Sledge

For my GIRL POWER:
WAIT TILL YOU SEE MY SMILE -Alicia Keys
PRETTY PLEASE -Estelle
IT’S RAINING MEN -Weather Girls

See more of April at www.aprilwilkner.com