Hopeful models try for chance at stardom

BARBOURSVILLE -- Hundreds of area women flocked to the Huntington Mall on Saturday for three minutes that they hope will launch them on the CW Network reality show "America's Next Top Model."

"This is my dream," Marshall University senior biology major Candace Radford said. "Modeling is my passion."

The 21-year-old said modeling is all that she has ever wanted to do, and it would be a dream come true to represent Huntington and her hometown of Proctorville in the spring for Cycle 12.

"I'm a hard-working, focused girl who is very passionate," said Radford, who has done a runway show at Marshall as well as some photo shoots.

The Tri-State's CW organized the shoot Saturday, which started at 10 a.m. and lasted into the evening. Dennie Large, who works in the creative services and marketing department, said each woman got three minutes to walk across the stage and talk about why she should be the next Top Model.

Each tape will be viewed by the show's producers, who will determine which women are invited onto the show.

Women had to be between the ages of 18 and 27, at least 5 feet 7 inches tall with no weight limitations, Large said. He said local CW Networks across the country were doing the casting calls for spring season. He also said they are planning a spring casting call in which judges will decide who goes on to meet the producers.

Shatika Trent, a 2007 graduate of Chesapeake High School, hopes she doesn't have to wait until the spring. The 19-year-old Marshall freshman said she has modeled clothing for various stores in the mall and is ready for the next step. But with all the women vying for a position, she knows the competition is fierce.

"It's very intimidating," she said. "I hope they find something in me that they don't find in someone else."

The show is hosted by model Tyra Banks and airs at 8 p.m. every Wednesday.