Rachel Hargrove Shares the Incredible Story of How She Ended Up on America's Next Top Model

Below Deck isn't Rachel Hargrove's first time on TV. The Season 8 chef actually appeared in Cycle 4 of America's Next Top Model.

Rachel opened up about her experience in the reality competition series hosted by Tyra Banks during an interview with the Below Deck After Show (clip above). 

"I was on America's Next Top Model, and it's actually kind of funny how that happened, too. I was bartending at the time, and a lady came over to me for casting and was like, 'Have you ever thought about being a model?' And I was like, 'No, have you met me?'" Rachel recalled. "She was just like, 'No, we're serious. Do you want to come and be on America's Next Top Model?' And I was like, 'Does a bear s--t in the woods?' I was like, let me put this bottle of Jager down at my bar. They can wait on their shots. Where do I sign?"

So, Rachel was flown from Florida to Los Angeles for the opening audition round of the season, which aired in 2005. Rachel can be seen in the first few minutes of Season 4, Episode 1 after Jay Manuel, ANTM's creative director of photo shoots, asks the group of 35 aspiring models, "So what do you think Tyra's looking for?" A then-blonde Rachel responds, "Somebody that can bring something new."

When it came time to audition in front of Tyra, Jay, and ANTM's runway coach J. Alexander, Rachel showed that hilarious sense of humor and confidence we have come to know and love her for this season of Below Deck. When Tyra asked Rachel, "Why are you here," she enthusiastically replied, "Why am I here? Why not!"

Rachel rocked it in a lingerie walk-off against some of her fellow competitors. The ANTM hopefuls also got to have some fun during their time in L.A., with activities such as hanging by the pool at their hotel and exploring Griffith Park. "I got to meet Tyra and everybody," Rachel said during the Below Deck After Show. "It was a lot of fun."

When the field got narrowed down to 20 semi-finalists, Rachel unfortunately didn't make the cut. "It wasn't like I lasted for ages," Rachel reflected on her ANTM experience, "Because I got told I didn't take it too seriously."

ANTM ended up being Rachel's final foray into the modeling world as she instead decided to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. "I'm a kitchen creature, bartender," Rachel said. "I'm happy with that."

Rachel isn't Bravo's only connection to ANTM. Cycle 3 winner Eva Marcille appeared in Seasons 10 through 12 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Whitney Thompson, the winner of Cycle 10 of ANTM, appeared as a charter guest in Season 1 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

Want more Below Deck? New episodes air every Monday at 9/8c or catch up on every episode ever through the Bravo app.

See what's coming up for Rachel on Below Deck, below.

Chef Rachel Hargrove Says Chief Stew Francesca Rubi Needs to “Get [Her] Sh** Together”