Women flock to 'America's Next Top Model' tryouts in Champaign

Hundreds of women lined up in the Market Place Mall food court, each one primping her hair or nervously waiting to hand in their paper applications. Some drove for over two hours simply for the opportunity to model on the catwalk. No matter where they were from or what they were wearing, their goal was the same.

They want to be America's Next Top Model.

On Saturday, March 31, the television show "America's Next Top Model" held tryouts for next season's cast. The contestants answered questions about why they wanted to be America's Next Top Model, and the women with the 10 best responses earned the opportunity to walk the catwalk. The judges then chose the model that would advance to the semifinal round of tryouts for the show.

Some aspiring models took the contest more seriously than others. For 18-year-old Melissa Gross of Chicago, modeling has been her dream since she was a little girl.

"I would model in front of the mirror," Gross said. "I even modeled the outfit I'm wearing for my parents."

Other women do not plan on making modeling their career. Jillian Hohenadel, 21 and graphic design major at Eastern Illinois University, came to Market Place Mall after hearing about the tryout from her friends.

"My roommates told me about this and they said that since I'm tall and skinny, I should give it a try," Hohenadel said.

Many friends and family members came to watch the event and wish the contestants good luck. Josh McCullough was a spectator and is also a fan of the show.

"I like how they get to try out different styles and colors and dresses," McCullough said.

McCullough also had a friend trying out, and he came to cheer her on and wish her the best.

"There's a lot of hot chicks here, but I think she will do OK," McCullough said.

Many women may dream of becoming a model, but few earn the opportunity. Whether or not contestants succeed at this tryout, many of them will not give up and will continue to pursue their dream.

"There's a lot of pretty girls, but everyone is different," Gross said. "You gotta find your own way."