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Stampede at US reality show's auditions

Source: Agencies | March 16, 2009, Monday | Print Edition

THREE people were arrested and six others hurt on Saturday after bedlam broke out while they waited to audition for the television show "America's Next Top Model," police said.

Police didn't know what prompted the chaos involving hundreds of people outside the Park Central New York hotel in Manhattan.

The panic left the street outside the hotel littered with shoes and clothing, according to news reports.

"It was pretty scary," Jessica Paravati told TV reporters. She said she was caught up in a stampede after waiting in line overnight, hoping for a shot at stardom on the reality show.

Two women and a man were arrested on disorderly conduct charges, police said. Authorities also shut down the audition, saying that it wasn't properly organized.

Four injured people declined treatment, while two others were taken to a hospital, the fire department said. Their conditions weren't immediately available.

The hotel's phone rang unanswered. Representatives for The CW Network, which screens the show, released a statement saying that it was working with the authorities investigating the incident.

The model competition is hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, who also serves as its executive producer.

Her agent and publicist didn't immediately return telephone calls.

The current season of the show began on March 4.

Banks has said that she created the show to counter stereotypes about beauty, and Saturday's auditions were open only to women no taller than 170 centimeters, which is shorter than the industry's conventions.

Tryouts also were being held this month around the United States, including in Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles.

At least one would-be contestant in the New York throng said the tumult wouldn't stop her from trying again.

"This is my dream, so I'm not going to give up," she said.

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