Women vie for spot on 'America's Next Top Model'

During the "America's Next Top Model" audition at Potomac Mills mall Friday afternoon, Myriah Newman could only remember one of the questions asked of her.

"It was so nerve wracking, it just came in and came out," laughed the 20-year-old aspiring model from Baltimore.

Chances are plenty of women felt that way as they snaked through the line awaiting their shot at fame and glory. For the second straight year, the television show came to Potomac Mills as part of a nationwide search for the nation's next beauty.

After filling out a detailed application on line, many had to wait three hours for a five-minute demonstration of their talent. Contestants grinned for a photo before showing off their runway walk and picking up a microphone for a brief on-camera interview.

Good looks were in abundance Friday as were spunky personalities and a wide array of fashion experience. Emily Hull, 20, of Stafford is a huge fan of the show and wants a career in the fashion industry.

Dressed in a blue tank top and jeans, Hull said she was in the drama club in high school and her only experience in the industry was fashion sketching in her spare time.

"I might be a little short, being 5-[foot]-2 and all, but I thought I would give it a try," Hull said, who was sporting a red streak in her brown hair.

According to the application, contestants must be at least 5-7 but producers "reserve the right to make case-by-case exceptions."

Rockville, Md., resident Michelle Augustin, 24, on the other hand participated in the Miss Maryland pageant a few years ago and modeled occasionally in her late teens.

Dressed in a print dress, the striking blond with a tattoo of a butterfly on her right shoulder blade thinks it will take someone with a unique look to make it out of the throng of women trying out Friday.

A dabbler in photography, Newman was convinced by her friends to make the 70-mile drive to Woodbridge after seeing her self portrait online.

"I took this one profile picture on Facebook and everybody sent me information [on the tryout] and said, 'if you don't go down there, we're going to beat you up,'" Newman said.

Manassas resident Keyo Rucker, 22, believes her personality will give her a leg up on the competition, which promises to be fierce.

"I think I have a really good chance like any of the other girls," Rucker said. "They are all beautiful people."

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.