The 26-year-old, of Shadwell, Leeds, was the first housemate to be voted out in the latest series of the Channel 4 reality show.
Reflecting on the experience she told the Yorkshire Evening Post she had no regrets of her month-long stint in the Big Brother house.
"It was just a fantastic experience from start to finish," said Vanessa.
"It was difficult getting used to all the cameras following your every move – I like peace and quiet. But with all those big personalities in there it was a very intense environment and challenging at times to say the least. I feel I have become a lot stronger person and thicker skinned."
Audition
She added: "When I see them having a good time there are days I wish I was back in there. I do miss it. It was just great fun, which was the main reason I auditioned for the show."
Vanessa poured cold water on any future relationship with fellow contestant Jason Cowen after romance blossomed between the pair while in the house.
"Jason is a great guy who looked after me and protected me in the house," she said. "I am going to have a party to celebrate my birthday next month and I am hoping he will come along like the rest of the housemates. But we will just be good friends."
She also lifted the lid on her romance with former Leeds United star Alan Smith.
"We went to the movies and out for dinner a few times. He is a nice guy but not the one for me. I am too picky."
Vanessa said she was planning to return to her business studies degree course at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Property
"I want to buy some property and try and get into TV presenting," she said. "There are a few things in the pipeline but we shall have to wait and see what happens."
She is tipping Daniel Bryan, from Hull, to win this series of Big Brother. "He's a mediator which makes him popular and he's also intelligent. My money is on him."
• Big Brother fans will be able to meet Vanessa when she makes a guest appearance at The Carphone Warehouse store on Briggate in Leeds on Tuesday (noon-2pm)
andrew.hutchinson
@ypn.co.uk