"Top Model" Melee: TV Audition Fuels Chaos

(CBS/AP)  Three people were arrested and six others hurt Saturday after bedlam broke out while they waited to audition for "America's Next Top Model," police said.

Police didn't know what prompted the chaos involving hundreds of people outside the Park Central New York hotel in Manhattan. The panic left the street outside the hotel littered with shoes and clothing, according to news reports.

"It was pretty scary," Jessica Paravati told WNYW-TV. She said she was caught up in a stampede after waiting on line overnight, hoping for a shot at stardom on the reality show.

Two women and a man were arrested on disorderly conduct charges, police said. Authorities also shut down the audition, saying it wasn't properly organized.

Four injured people declined treatment, while two others were taken to a hospital, the fire department said. Their conditions weren't immediately available.

"We got trampled over," Bronx resident Lisa Johnson told CBS 2 in New York. "Do you know how many people lost their purses, got hurt tonight?"

The hotel's phone rang unanswered. Representatives for The CW Network, which airs the show, released a statement saying it was working with authorities investigating the incident.

The model competition is hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, who also serves as its executive producer. The current season began March 4.

Her agent and publicist didn't immediately return telephone calls.

Banks has said she created the show to counter stereotypes about beauty, and Saturday's auditions were open only to women no taller than 5-foot-7, which is shorter than the industry's conventions.

Tryouts also were being held this month around the country, including in Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles.

At least one would-be contestant in the New York throng said the tumult wouldn't stop her from trying again.

"This is my dream, so I'm not going to give up," Gifty Asika told WNBC-TV.

[NancyLou9]

I guess the contestant wannbes are only attractive on the outside...

[otiswestfall]

Their is nothing more volatile than a large compressed crowd of women who think they are better than each other.
Posted by ianlou
**********************
Thats funny. And to think it was all for such a noble cause.

[colt8881]

The fight started when Somebody told Somebody else that YOU HAVE SOME PRETTY NASTY PICK-A-NINNY hair and not even an AMBUSH MAKE OVER CAN FIX YOUR UGLY.

[mdalerwill]

Tyra Banks is a successful woman who had capitalized on good looks and business savy, and all you people can do is make comments about how ugly you think she is? She's not green, that's your eyes.

[honestabe8]

I've seen better looking rodents than Tyra Banks
Posted by harpoot

Well, pull it out of your arse and get on with your life

[ianlou]

Their is nothing more volitile than a large compressed crowd of women who all thinking they are better than each other.

The Next Top Model, skinned knees and all...

[airboatboy]

Without all that make-up she's GREEN! SHE"S AN ALIEN!!!

[harpoot]

I've seen better looking rodents than Tyra Banks

[DoubleHappiness88]

Reminds me of the movie about Depression Era desperation, "THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? Sad.