Published: March 25, 2007 12:50 am      

TV: Locals want to become America's Next Top Model

TOWN OF NIAGARA — .Tonawanda resident Jennifer Askey didn’t have any special plans for Saturday afternoon until she received a call from her aunt.

“She said, ‘I got you a job,’ ” the 21-year old recalled.

That job was a chance to become “America’s Next Top Model.” Askey participated in taped auditions at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls in the hopes of being selected for the popular reality television show’s ninth season.

And she wasn’t alone.

Close to 1,000 women — between the ages of 18 and 25 and at least 5-feet-7 — visited the Town of Niagara mall Saturday afternoon to strut their stuff for the cameras and audience for a chance of a lifetime. Created by supermodel Tyra Banks, “America’s Next Top Model,” airs on the CW23 and is considered one of the channel’s most watched shows.

About a dozen participants nationwide are selected for the show and are tested as they strive to master the runway and fashion photo shoots, perfect publicity skills and learn the business aspects of becoming a supermodel, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the show’s cameras.

A panel of judges evaluate their progress to narrow the field each week until a “top model” is crowned. Before any of that happens, however, those in attendance Saturday had to get past the auditions.

“I’m nervous, there are a lot of pretty girls here,” said Askey, who was wearing a camouflage top, blue jeans and brown cowboy boots. “I tried to pick out something nobody else would wear.”

Askey believes she’s not the stereotypical model — she says the freckles on her face are a dead giveaway — but has the inner qualifications needed.

“You need to have a good attitude and be original,” she said.

Each contestant auditioning had the opportunity to walk down one of two runways on a stage put up in the mall’s main concourse. They then introduced themselves and were asked a series of questions, ranging from, “Why do you feel you are America’s next top model?” to “What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?”

The entire audition was taped by videographers from CW23 and will be sent to the show’s producers for review.

Amanda Arbatosky, a 21-year-old from Niagara Falls, said becoming a model has always been her dream. Luckily, at 5-foot-10, she’s taller than the average woman, she added.

“I really think I have what it takes, I think I can pull it off,” she said after her audition.

Arbatosky was dressed in a black shirt with straps, blue jeans and knee-high black leather boots.

“I just wore something very simple,” she said. “I didn’t want to over do it and make it look like I was trying too hard.”

The line of participants stretched several hundred feet through the mall’s corridors. Marketing Director Julie Clark said the early arrivals were there at 8 a.m. for the noon auditions.

“This is beyond our expectations,” Clark said, adding the Fashion Outlets and its numerous designer stores were excited to host the event. “It’s a perfect match-up.”

Niagara Falls resident Cara Simonian, 21, arrived at 9:15 a.m. for the auditions. She said her walk down the runway and interview were nerve-wracking, but fun.

“I thought it would be a good experience,” she said about participating. “(To be a model) you need to have confidence and just work on yourself.”

Nakeea Stevens of Buffalo was one of the unlucky contestants to arrive later and be near the back of the line. However, that didn’t stop the 23-year old from being excited about her chances.

“I have the look and the personality, and personality is the key,” she said. “This is worth the wait. I’d wait two days if I had to.”

Because of the large turnout, those unable to audition within the four-hour time frame Saturday were given information on an alternative opportunity being offered soon in the area, Clark said.

Contact reporter Rick Forgione at (716) 282-2311, Ext. 2257