Every time America’s Top Model hosts an audition, thousands of model hopefuls make their ways to the set. This year’s try outs in New York proved to be more prolific than ever. Since successful models are nearly always tall and statuesque, ATM producers previously banned women under 5’7 from trying out. However, Tyra Banks urged them to start considering shorter contestants in an effort to make all women feel accepted. The result was a huge turn out, with some contestants resorting to sleeping in line overnight.
Before the drama unfolded, lots of mini wars broke out. Two male contestants resorted to fisticuffs after slowly going stir crazy. Unfortunately, that was not the end of it. One of the male contestants came back with a pistol after swearing to make the other sorry. NYPD responded quickly, helping to defuse a potentially deadly situation.
After that, a black car slowly crept up to the Park Central Hotel, where the auditions were being held. Several women panicked, thinking that the smoking car was carrying a bomb. Many of the contestants that had been patiently waiting in line for over a dozen hours suddenly became frantic. A mob of models began running and stampeding over one another. In the end, more than five contestants became injured. Several witnesses recounted their stories to reporters while others swore that they were staying to try out.
Hopefuls from all over the tri-state area came to NYC in order to receive the chance of a lifetime, but sadly, many were forced to quit early. Many have criticized the production company for failing to take adequate safety measures. It is likely that security will be tightened during next year’s New York City auditions. In total, three people were arrested for disorderly conduct and inciting a riot by the NYPD.
