More than 8,000 young women auditioned for season 9 of "America's Next Top Model" in New York City.
"I've been primping since 3 a.m.," said Pearl, 19, a hairdresser who drove from Wilmington, Del., during the night. "I haven't gone to bed yet."
"There are girls who get on their hands and knees and cry, cry, cry," said casting director Michelle Mock-Falcon. "Some girls say they have 'it,' but they don't know what 'it' is."
The show, which is hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, only accepts potential models that are at least 5' 7" tall.
"Some will say, 'So what if I've got curves. So what if I'm 5-foot-6,'" Mock-Falcon said. "(But) you need to be at least 5' 7."Once inside the hotel, the 18 to 27-year-old candidates took part in group interviews, gave their measurements and explained why they should be the next top model.
