Posted at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27

Who do you want to win "Make Me A Supermodel"? Vote here.

There might be some cattiness when “Make Me A Supermodel” airs its reunion special at 9 p.m. Thursday, but don’t let that fool you.

Chicago native Ronnie Kroell told me that he and the other Final 4 contestants—that's Ben, Perry and Holly—are friends.

“There were some situations that arose out of misunderstandings and stress on everyone’s part, but that is part of being human,” he wrote in an e-mail. “I can proudly say that the final four have become the best of friends despite any comments we have made in prior episodes to negate that perception.”

Bravo's keeping the finalists locked away until next week's finale, but I was able to ask Ronnie a few questions via e-mail. His greatest friend, as fans already know, is roomie Ben. Their bromance is so well-known, they’re now being called Bronnie.

“Ben and I became close at callbacks back in October and continued to build upon our relationship in the house,” Ronnie wrote. “I genuinely did develop feelings for Ben because he is a good looking, smart, and enjoyable guy. Obviously, those feelings could never really go anywhere, but I think we have all desired something that we cannot have at some point or another.

“I attribute much of our closeness to the fact that we share the same zodiac sign and I have never met another Aquarian that I did not like.”

Hmm, I’m an Aquarian too ...

Anyway, Ronnie wrote that their bromance created a strong alliance. “We knew that together we could remain strong against the competition if we remained focused, kept a positive outlook and stayed out of drama.”

They didn’t stay out of all the drama. Remember their time in the snow when Ben talked trash about gays? Ronnie says they’ve worked through it.

“The truth of the matter is, we are all prejudice in some way,” he wrote. “Some prejudice though is rooted so deep that we are unaware of its presence, and it takes those that genuinely care about us to expose it and help us to grow.

“I learned after speaking with Ben that he meant no harm by his comments, but it was still hurtful and something that needed to be discussed. Having the ‘tough talk’ with Ben only strengthened our friendship, but when it was time to compete we knew that business was business.”

Read the entire interview on the jump. And to see what Ronnie told Metromix, click here.

Tyson, Nikki and the other judges have called you “very Chicago” and “beefy.” You don’t seem hugely “beefy”? What’s up with their descriptions? Is this coming from some crazy, size-zero-is-too-big-for-a-model scale?

Ha ha! Well, personally I’m proud to be Chicago beefy, but in the high fashion world of modeling even a few pounds “overweight” can make you undesirable. A model is essentially a clothes hanger and the clients are looking for models that will make their clothes look the very best. For example, if someone becomes too “beefy” or muscular they may not be able to fit into the samples. That is why the treadmill needs to be my best friend!!

When the judges call me “very Chicago” they aren’t trying to be mean, but I have a very outgoing, speak to anyone, and smile at strangers on the street mentality. NYC is a bit edgier than Chicago and so is the fashion world. The panel didn’t want me to lose who I was, but at the same time they were trying to get me to be a little bit stronger, harder, and rough around the edges.

Why did Holly (and before her ouster, Shannon) turn so anti-Ronnie in the latest episodes? Is there something we are not seeing on the broadcasts?

The tension in the house certainly grew as eliminations went on and the competition became more difficult. With that being said, I certainly was not Mr. Friendly like I normally would be, but I was in no way disrespectful to Holly or anyone in the house for that matter.

There were some situations that arose out of misunderstandings and stress on everyone’s part, but that is part of being human. I can proudly say that the final four have become the best of friends despite any comments we have made in prior episodes to negate that perception.

Who do you think America voted for to win? Actually, who will come in second behind you? Who in your opinion is the best model material—besides yourself?

I cannot answer this question, because I already know the outcome and do not wish to compromise the integrity of the show.

Which contestants do you think were sent home too soon? Who do you think stayed too long?

America made the decisions and called the shots based on performance and personality. There are models that I personally thought had potential to grow that left far too soon, but I am OK with that. “Make Me a Supermodel” was a competition at the end of the day. When America sent home models that posed a bigger threat to me I was happy.

Was “MMAS” and working at modeling harder or easier than you expected?

“MMAS” was certainly harder in some ways that the “real modeling world.” The modeling industry is one of the most competitive worlds to break into, but with the added stress of living in a house with 13 other contestants that want the same thing? What a perfect equation for drama and great television.

You and Ben have made headlines beyond RedEye. Was the bromance a put-on to get votes (if so, it worked) or did you have genuine feelings for him beyond being best buds? How did his anti-gay comments in the snow affect the relationship? How has it changed as the competition got tougher?

Being that we have not had access to media outlets for the past three months it is flattering to know that we all have received so much support as we follow our dreams of becoming supermodels. The bromance was more or less, in reality, a very strong alliance between two great friends.

Ben and I became close at callbacks back in October and continued to build upon our relationship in the house. We knew that together we could remain strong against the competition if we remained focused, kept a positive outlook, and stayed out of drama. Above all else we had trust and that made all the difference between us and the rest of the models in the house.

I genuinely did develop feelings for Ben because he is a good looking, smart, and enjoyable guy. Obviously, those feelings could never really go anywhere, but I think we have all desired something that we cannot have at some point or another. I attribute much of our closeness to the fact that we share the same zodiac sign and I have never met another Aquarian that I did not like.

I respect and enjoy the friendship Ben and I have developed and it is one that will last a lifetime. Like any meaningful relationship there will be difficult times, for example Ben’s anti-gay comments. The truth of the matter is, we are all prejudice in some way. Some prejudice though is rooted so deep that we are unaware of its presence, and it takes those that genuinely care about us to expose it and help us to grow.

I learned after speaking with Ben that he meant no harm by his comments, but it was still hurtful and something that needed to be discussed. Having the “tough talk” with Ben only strengthened our friendship, but when it was time to compete we knew that business was business.

Some folks call you and Ben’s friendship a bro-momance instead of a bromance because, they say, only heterosexual men can be involved in a bromance. How do you characterize the Ronnie-Ben relationship?

Our relationship is one that I hope that others will see in a positive light. Many times I get the impression that straight men believe that associating themselves with someone that is gay makes them less of a “man”, but that is just not the case.

Ben and I share a deep respect and brotherly love for one another that in no way detracts from the fact that we are both men. What year are we in, 2008? Come on America, as Oprah says, lets “Get with the program.”

Even if you don’t win “MMAS,” what will you do after the show?

Even if I do not win the show I will continue to pursue my dream of becoming a supermodel. I am committed to leading an extraordinary life and working hard every day to make that dream a reality. Being on “MMAS” has been one of the best experiences of my life and I am thankful to Bravo and all of its affiliates for seeing and investing in my potential.

If you could date any reality star from any Bravo show, who would it be?

I would probably stay away from dating other reality stars, and dating in general. The love of my life right now is my career and that has to come first, but I’m keeping my eyes open and if the right person comes along my heart is certainly available.

Perry had to deal with some tabloid news this season. What skeletons are lurking in your closet—beside that old Ragstock commercial I found on YouTube?

Honestly, what fun is it if I simply give you all the skeletons?

What are some of your favorite bars and clubs in Chicago?

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Thanks for posting this interview with Ronnie.

I've been a fan of his since the very first episode. I don't think that he's going to win this first year's MMASM, but I do hope that he does get picked up by a modeling agency in NYC. He definitely has the looks and talent to be more than just "catalogue".

Curt's reply: You never know about Ronnie winning. Fans do seem to love the guy. It may not be a matter of who is best. Thanks for writing.

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