JOLENE WILLIAMS | 14th June 2010

Skinny jeans, short skirts, heels, heels, heels. The fashion on display in Ahuriri on Saturday could only mean one thing: New Zealand"s Next Top Model was in town.Aspiring models of all shapes, styles, ethnicities and genders descended on The Crown Hotel to audition for season two of the hit television series.

A panel of judges have been scouring the country over the last week to find a cast of 12 or so young women who will vie for the honour of New Zealand"s Next Top Model.The judges" overnight stopover in Napier enticed 42 hopefuls, guys included, from all over the region, determined to show off their modelling potential.While other centres were characterised by a certain look - red heads in the South Island, brunettes in Wellington - Hawke"s Bay girls were characterised by polite manners and a shared interest in working with children and animals.

"That"s a really nice reflection that they"ve been talking about it with their friends at work," head judge and show presenter Sara Tetro said.Each model-hopeful had about three minutes to impress the panel of judges who said being pretty was not enough."We"ve seen thousands of pretty girls," Ms Tetro said. "We have to see something different.

We"re looking for someone who comes across well on TV, we need personality. We need someone who can take direction, listen, and is happy to be outrageous if they have to be," Seven locals were given the nod by the judges and went on to the next round where they were photographed and interviewed by the show"s executive producer, John McDonald.

Haleigh Pert from Havelock North was one to make it through to the next round. The 21-year-old was excited to get through but cautious about her chances."It"s a short-list of 120 or 130, and then [about] 33 are chosen from there," she said. "It"s still a bit of a long shot so I"m not going to hold my breath."Miss Pert will need to work hard if she wants to win. At 1.70m tall, she only just met the minimum height.The judges have seen thousands of model hopefuls in their eight-centre tour.

Publicist Jade Rook, who has been working behind the scenes at all auditions, said New Zealand had great talent."I"m blown away by the girls. Some are just breathtaking."

Source


http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/local/news/lead-story-bay-hopefuls-line-up-for-top-model/3915702/