Jael Strauss Gossip via Huffington Post (Sept 2012)

February 1, 2013, 12:44 pm

≫ Next: Caridee English Comments on Jael Strauss Meth Addiction via Huffington Post (Sept 2012)

On September 10, 2012, the Huffington Post posted an article regarding Cycle 8‘s Jael Strauss and a recent news story about her appearance on Dr. Phil for an intervention about her meth addiction. Here is the text from the article (Posted by HuffPo Staff):

Jael Strauss Battles Meth Addiction On Dr. Phil; Former ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Contestant’s Struggle (VIDEO)

Jael Strauss, a former contestant on “America’s Next Top Model,” has been struggling with an addiction to meth and now, Dr. Phil is trying to help.

Strauss’s family contacted “Dr. Phil” (weekdays, syndicated) to help stage an intervention for the 28-year-old woman, but in the below preview of the episode, which airs on Thursday, September 13, it doesn’t look like Strauss wants the help. The “full-blown meth addict,” as Dr. Phil refers to her, physically fights to resist coming to the set of “Dr. Phil.” After finally agreeing and heading to the show, she runs away from the set and Dr. Phil heads outside to talk to her on the Paramount lot.

The now-struggling Strauss starred on Cycle 8 of “Top Model” and had to deal with a friend’s death from an overdose while appearing on the show in 2007. The experience really shook her “America’s Next Top Model,” but apparently wasn’t enough to keep Strauss herself away from drugs.

Check out the episode description and preview below and tune in for “Dr. Phil” (syndicated, weekdays) on Thursday, September 13 to see what happens.

At 22, Jael was an aspiring model and finalist on the hit show “America’s Next Top Model.” But at 28, Jael’s family says she’s losing her battle with drug addiction. Don’t miss what happens minutes before she’s to appear on Dr. Phil’s stage. Can Dr. Phil convince her to stop running and commit to getting well?

CLICK HERE TO SEE CLIP OF JAEL ON DR. PHIL.

To learn more about Cycle 8’s Jael Strauss, visit her bio page here.

Source: Huffington Post
Source: Dr. Phil

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Caridee English Comments on Jael Strauss Meth Addiction via Huffington Post (Sept 2012)

February 1, 2013, 1:17 pm

≫ Next: Jael Strauss Gossip via Scallywag & Vagabond (Sept 2012)

≪ Previous: Jael Strauss Gossip via Huffington Post (Sept 2012)

In September of 2012, The Huffington Post posted an article regarding Cycle 7‘s winner CariDee English commenting (via Gawker) on the recent discovery that Cycle 8′s Jael Strauss is addicted to meth. Here is the text from the post (written and posted by HuffPo Staff):

Jael Strauss Meth Addiction: CariDee English Sounds Off On Model, Tyra Banks In Gawker Comments

After the tragic news broke of former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Jael Strauss’ meth addiction, we figured someone from the show’s camp would adress the issue. First up? Fellow aspiring model and former contestant CariDee English proclaiming, “Tyra won’t do anything.”

Gawker covered the chilling trailer for Jael’s forthcoming drug-addiction intervention on “Dr. Phil,” and CariDee used the comment section to voice her opinion on what she considers reckless behavior by the “Top Model” big whigs in choosing visibly fragile Jael to compete in the first place:

“They should have evaluated her a lot more before letting her on the show. All they saw was a personality good for television. Well, this hopefully will save at least her life and someone watching. Everything happens for a reason.”

It’s no secret that reality television shows frequently opt for wild, attention-seeking personalities — that’s the backbone of the entire institution, right? But Jael’s meth addiction brings into question how much responsibility shows like this should have regarding contestants once they’re off the air. CariDee also addresses this particular issue in regards to the models’ tough professional careers after they leave the show with their “Top Model” titles:

“I love love what I have made for myself since my win, but mentally, its horrific. And any girl who has been on ANTM can back me up. No one wants to take us serious as models… The fashion industry had NO idea how to market us. Our agents, our managers….. because we become a instant celeb…. but had a protforlio [sic] of a rookie model. Even though we just were named ‘TOP’ our place in line at Fashion World was at the bottom. The industry many times didn’t care about our name, but did turn a snobby cheek to the name ANTM.”

Come to think of it, “Top Model” contestants do fall off the radar once they’re off the show. When was the last time you saw one of them strut a major fashion week runway or grace the pages of a significant editorial post-filming? Obviously, Tyra can’t guarantee successful careers once models leave the show, but do you think she should have a responsibility to keep tabs on former contestants to ensure that they’re doing OK?

Here is the full transcription of Caridee’s comment on Gawker:

Tyra won’t do anything. She provided a wonderful platform for girls to have a chance at their dream, but, after there is no “Tyra Mail”. I had to guide myself, and even though I won a model competition I still had no idea what the modeling BUSINESS was like. I had no idea what the industry was really like. I was famous, but no one wanted to take my picture. And critics and industry love to give us all shit for not being the next big supermodel. We all have done well, and we all had to do it on our own. I am not complaining, I am simply defending. I love love what I have made for myself since my win, but mentally, its horrific. And any girl who has been on ANTM can back me up. No one wants to take us serious as models. I am sure the show lost its credibility in producing a top model somewhere btwn making 3 cycles a year and posing on roller coasters. Tyra wasn’t there when the cameras stopped rolling, nor did she reach out. I got reached out by her “camp” asking if I would do a “All Star” cycle… I said “Whats the prize? Because last time the only thing I didn’t win was being taken seriously as a top model…” ( I declined after no consideration) The only person that has reached out to me directly is Nigel Barker. He even hired me.
Now this isn’t Tyra’s fault.. we are all capable of becoming anything… I am saying it would have been a good call to have some after show support…
When it boils down to it, there is just not a place for ANTM girls to fit post show. We just needed some guidance.. Are we “Reality Star” ? (ARRRGG I feel deeply that I have contributed more, and have more to offer professionally in The Arts than someone being taped from the shore of Jersey) I truly did the show because I am a model…. and a damn good one given the shot.. (pun intended)

I can’t say what made Jael though.

The fashion industry had NO idea how to market us. Our agents, our managers….. because we become a instant celeb…. but had a protforlio of a rookie model. Even though we just were named “TOP” our place in line at Fashion World was at the bottom. The industry many times didn’t care about our name, but did turn a snobby cheek to the name ANTM.

It’s not a curse, not even close. I chose to be on the show, and so did all the girls before me and after me like Jael. I do not regret anything I am so thankful I followed through with my decision to take that track to my dreams. Am I at the top? Yes.. and for anyone who can’t see this, look up instead of looking down at me, at us.

I am again only defending and providing insight.

I have had many wonderful clients. I love my work. I feel accomplished, and I have turned the business of “CariDee” into one I am proud of and love. I love to inspire people out there to go after what they want, let nothing hold them back.

Now, do I feel like a respected model on the other hand…

Poor girl. Having problems and then getting a hint of fame only make an addiction rise. They should have evaluated her a lot more before letting her on the show. All they saw was a personality good for television. Well, this hopefully will save at least her life and someone watching. Everything happens for a reason.

Not to worry, non of us make it out alive.

But heres to making it

CD

To learn more about Cycle 7 winner CariDee English, visit her bio page here.

To learn more about Cycle 8’s Jael Strauss, visit her bio page here.

Source: Gawker
Source: Huffington Post
Photo Source: Getty

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Jael Strauss Gossip via Scallywag & Vagabond (Sept 2012)

February 1, 2013, 1:36 pm

≫ Next: Jael Strauss for Seventeen Magazine

≪ Previous: Caridee English Comments on Jael Strauss Meth Addiction via Huffington Post (Sept 2012)

On September of 2012, Scallywag & Vagabond posted an article regarding Cycle 8‘s Jael Strauss and a recent news story about her appearance on Dr. Phil for an intervention about her meth addiction. Here is the text from the article (Posted by Scallywag):

Jael Strauss, a former America’s Next Top Model contestant on cycle 8 of the show once had a dream of making it as a model but that dream may have already been tampered with from the age of 15 when her own parents introduced her to narcotics (cocaine), and it is from there we learned on yesterday’s Dr Phil show that the former young beauty had begun her descent into self neglect and self abuse.

According to the girl’s parents their daughter acted out the pressures of trying to make it as a model but sadly the more she displayed signs of the real nitty gritty of her life it was time for her to be evicted from the show. Such are the bitter realities of reality tv that only take the time to showcase preferred realities.

Once off the show it is discovered the young woman begins a plethora of drug addiction, including crack cocaine which she openly boasted about on her myspace page. From there Jael Strauss leaves her family house to begin a full on commitment to drug abuse and self abandonment working as a stripper to support her habit and living in a cheap motel.

Then there is this remarkable comment from Jael’s father Larry:

“I’ve had the opportunity to help many people get off drugs and get back to their lives, but I never had the objectivity to help my own daughter.”

And here is when the bombshell is dropped. Asked by Dr Phil whether Larry ever did drugs with his daughter Larry retorts ‘that he isn’t here to share details of his personal life.’ Never mind that details of Jael’s personal life are smothered all over the screen who is loathe to have the cameras turned off as she is cornered by her family who have come to rescue her. Or have they come to rescue themselves and their own guilty conscious….?

Once on the show we see Jael run off stage and into a parking lot chased by our collective hero Dr Phil (some things are too ridiculous) but at least the man acknowledges the leverage he has as he attempts to find out what it is about this girl that has so deeply wounded her. It is true, no one ever wakes up one day wishing to be a drug addict, it is almost certain a disparaging state of mind that leads one to seek an alternative reality.

It is here that the girl gives in (some what) and relents about an incident when she was ten years old, about something that happened that her parents refused to believe her (was she abused, sexually molested and by whom?). From there our hero Dr Phil brings her back to stage and the audience goes into a fantastic standing ovation. Someone once again is cheering for Jael Strauss, that thing that she always wanted has finally returned. At least for a moment.

One has to wonder what will happen to Jael Strauss and the thousands of individuals like her who turn their back on society because in their mind society turned their back on them, whether their parents, an uncaring supposed mentor (in Jael’s case, Tyra Banks, but can we really blame Ms Banks?) or just everyday passerbys who sneer at the junkie ruining their life….but by extension reminding them of their own life’s frailty.

Will Jael Strauss get a grip and move on? Let’s hope so but then there are thousands of other individuals who need the help that Jael has been offered. Will Dr Phil now go to every besieged parking lot looking for them too? What about you…?