Posted on: 01/02/2013

"America"s Next Model" coming to Patriot Center


"Americas Next Top Model" is coming to central Wisconsin. Supermodel Tyra Banks hosts The CWs popular reality show, which features 10 to 20 aspiring models competing for a chance to break into the modeling industry. For the first time in the shows history, the casting call is open to male models. The open casting call for the shows 20th season will take place Thursday and Friday at The Patriot Center in Rothschild, and is the only casting in Wisconsin, according to The CWs website. To be a contestant on the show, applicants have to apply through a local casting call, which consists of a photoshoot, 60-foot runway test walk and short interview. Trine Spindler, marketing specialist for The CW Central Wisconsin, said the local TV crew will shoot and edit the required three-minute video interview and send it to "Americas Next Top Model" producers along with the required photos: a full-body shot from the front and back, one from the waist up, and a few profile photos. Spindler said the decision to host a casting call is up to each individual station. "It takes a lot of time to make sure stations can set everything up and be available," she said. "We looked at it as a great opportunity for our area to bring something like this in and available to our viewers." In addition to the Wausau-area casting, 22 other locations across America held calls, according to The CWs website. Most castings took place in bigger metropolitan areas, including San Diego, Miami and Washington, D.C. The closest locations to Wausau were in Detroit and Ottawa, Ill. Spindler said she hopes to see about 20 to 40 models each day of the casting call. Tanya Volm, events coordinator for The Patriot Center, said employees always are looking for new and different events to bring to the Wausau area. Volm said she hopes the model casting will allow the convention center to host similar events in the future. "(Americas Next Top Model) is a nationally known TV show, so thats great," she said. "Just having that relationship with the show is something were looking forward to, and knowing weve hosted such an event here can bring other promoters to the area." In addition to the "Americas Next Top Model" casting call, The CW Central Wisconsin will host its own modeling competition. The CW Central Wisconsin crew will post to its Facebook page photos of each model, and the male and female with the most "likes" on their photo by Jan. 14 will win the title of Central Wisconsins Top Model. The winner will be announced on The CW Central Wisconsin during the premiere of "The Carrie Diaries," and will go on to shoot a short video to promote "Americas Next Top Model," Spindler said. Contestants chosen from the "Americas Next Top Model" casting calls nationwide will be flown to Los Angeles for the shows final selection. Filming will take place in February and March, and the show will debut summer 2013.