Hundreds line mall hoping to be next top model

by Larry Austin Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 29, 2007 Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 31, 2007 Hundreds of young women lined the Fashion Outlets Mall Saturday, each hoping to take the first step towards becoming America's Next Top Model. The television show of the same name held an open casting call at the mall on Military Road and drew approximately 1,000 aspiring models. The show, the No. 1 reality show on The CW, WNLO 23, narrows down a group of 13 women to one winner, who earns a modeling contract. The models live together in a house and are shown taking part in photo shoots critiqued by model Tyra Banks and a panel of experts. "It's very entertaining. Lots of drama," said Teresa Rozanski, 18, from Lewiston, in describing the show. "It's hard work, and it shows that it is. It's not all glamour." Jessica Caprioli, 23, of Philadelphia attends the University at Buffalo. Her parents live in Wheatfield. "It's funny. It's more comical than anything,” she said of the show. "Most importantly, they're looking for people that are non-models and they're just trying to make a show out of it,” she said. “So I figured that I'm tall, I think I have the looks, I'd like to say, and hopefully we'll see what happens."

Morgan Tiernan, above right, is interviewed on the runway during the America’s Next Top Model search at the Fashion Outlets Mall in Military Road in the Town of Niagara. Tiernan and approximately 1,000 hopefuls showed up for a casting call for the show, hosted by Tyra Banks and shown locally on The CW, WNLO 23. (photo by Larry Austin)

"It's a show that gives girls who are pursuing their dream a chance, an opportunity, to learn about the industry," said Raelean Rush, a college student, after her walk on the runway.

"It's a perfect matchup between the fashion trends and the modeling industry," said Julie Clark, marketing director for the mall, of the casting call. She said the event blended well with the mall's lineup of stores carrying designer name brands. Clark said CostCutters in the mall provided what she called a "primping table" for the aspiring models. Many other stores provided gifts for the women.

"Even Ben and Jerry's gave out free ice cream cones, too," Clark said.

To qualify, a model had to be between the ages of 18 and 27 and at least 5-feet, 7-inches in height. Only about 250 actually made it to the front of the line and onto the runway, where they were photographed and answered questions.

Brittany Mennes-Canzoneri, 19, of Wheatfield also works in the mall and made it to the runway.

"This is really, really good for the mall, I think," she said. "It’s really good publicity for the city, and it's pretty exciting."

"Everyone said that this was a great attraction. When I talked other different venues that have had this, they said that they had a great turnout, but this is beyond my expectations, definitely," Clark said.

"We had women lined up at 8 o'clock," she said, when the mall opened.

Each woman had her own reasons for wanting to be on the show.

"I have the desire to be a model, and the determination, the dedication. It's something I've always had a passion for," Rozanski said.

Like Rozanski, Katherine Klemann of Amherst, a 6-foot redhead, had modeled before, but Klemann said she lost her modeling contract with a high-profile agency when her measurements didn't fit the mold. Constantly measured when she modeled in New York City at age 16, Klemann said she would have to lose 30 pounds to get down to 35-inch hips.

"I want to prove that someone can be a top model without having exact, perfect measurements," Klemann said.

Tanya Brady of Buffalo, 19, was there with her mother, Carol. She said she wanted to prove that it's okay to be 5-11, and to be confident with your height. The world looks at tall women differently.

"Yeah, every time I go somewhere, everyone is like, 'Oh, you're so tall.' Or you're considered goony."

"I can never wear heels. Whenever I go on a date, I always have to wear flats because usually I can't find somebody tall," she said.

Carol Brady admitted she was very nervous for her daughter. "I thought she looked good, though. She looked confident. I thought her walk was good and she seemed confident in herself."

"Oh, my goodness! My knees were shaking the whole time," said Rush after her walk on the runway. She's considered a career in modeling, but she works and attends Niagara University full-time.

Rush drew applause from the mall patrons when she walked the runway in a one-piece swimsuit.

"I came here in a regular outfit," she said. "I looked at all the girls. I had a cute outfit on, and everyone had cute outfits on. So what am I going to do to set myself apart from these other girls? I brought a bathing suit, and I just picked up this coat and I went with it."

Many women brought along friends, family and a beau to support them in what many said was a nerve-wracking event.

Alisha Gaston of Buffalo, 21, said she has "a passion for fashion," adding that the experience would help her the rest of her life in her career, fashion design.

She was supported by her boyfriend, Derrick Owens.

"I was nervous, definitely nervous," Owens said. "I was nervous that she was nervous."

"She's into modeling and fashion," he added. "It's something that's one of her goals, to possibly be a designer and possibly be a model. I just support her in her dream."

Gabriella Monte from North Tonawanda works at a salon on Niagara Falls Boulevard. She nearly made the final cut to appear on the program last year during the model search. She was among 40 girls whose video was seen by Tyra Banks, but didn't make the cut down to 20.

"That's why I'm here because I'm going to keep trying. Things happen for a reason,” she said. "This is my second chance."

"You always dream about being someone and something, and I always wanted to be a model,” the 5-foot, 10-inch Monte said. “I was always the outcast because I was the tall, gangly, skinny one, and I finally found my niche. I love fashion, and it made me feel comfortable," Monte said.

Vanessa Henry came all the way from Johnstown, N.Y., near Albany.

"I want to be America's Next Top Model because I can come off as a really sweet person and friendly, but I am very serious, and when I want something bad enough, I'm going to take it," Henry said.

"You need to have the drive to actually want to do this," she explained. “You're trying out amongst millions of girls. If you don't want it, then you won't get there."

The line of women wrapped around the mall. (photo by Larry Austin)