Scene from video outside of Americas next top model auditions where rampaging crowd spilled into street, causing a number of injuries. (Photo: Tim Fagan/NYDN)
(UPDATE) A stampede erupted on the casting call of CW’s reality TV show “America’s Next Top Model” Saturday afternoon caused by an overheating car, the Daily News reported. Wannabe models ran for their lives after several people started yelling, “There’s a bomb!”
The authorities reported that six women were injured while two women and one man were arrested for inciting a riot.
On the other hand, planning errors committed by the “America’s Next Top Model” producers are being blamed by the Manhattan police to be the cause of the Saturday afternoon stampede.
“The producer of the show didn’t notify the NYPD, so there were no cops specifically assigned there,” a police official told the New York Daily News about the lack of police presence at the event. “They needed to alert the police before the event.”
On the other hand, host and executive producer of the show, Tyra Banks has reacted on the issue.
“To all the ‘Top Model’ hopefuls who were affected by the New York casting, we are doing everything we can to make sure that ALL the girls who weren’t seen, get an opportunity to audition — we’ll update you on our plans very soon. It is so important to me to redefine beauty, and make sure that everyone gets a fair chance to pursue their dream. I am beyond excited for Cycle 13; for the first time ever, young women 5’7″ and under have a shot at becoming ‘America’s Next Top Model’! I encourage each girl to come out ready to rock the runway and show off their fiercest pose. I’m rooting for all of you.” the host and executive producer of America’s Next Top Model said in a statement.
For the show’s 13th cycle, producers announced that they’re looking for candidates not taller than 5-feet-7. This would be the first time in history of the show that women under 5-feet-7 are allowed to audition. The casting call was canceled after the incident.
