More than 600 turn out for local "America's Next Top Model" audition

There is perhaps nothing like the sight of hordes of tall, skinny model-types to quickly curb one's appetite. Which made the Alderwood mall food court a curious choice for auditions for The CW's reality hit "America's Next Top Model": All those girls, standing around the food, not eating. (Step away from the Cinnabon.)

Indeed, the unnatural tallness and thinness of the population represented at yesterday's open call in Lynnwood would suggest they hadn't eaten in days. After all, they were there to film a short audition tape for supermodel Tyra Banks on an unsympathetic camera: Here, have 10 pounds.

"We never realized there were so many tall, slender girls in the Pacific Northwest," marveled Judy Pearson, of Bothell, who drove daughter Elise to the mall at 5 a.m. By 10 a.m., when auditions began, girls were already crying in the bathroom, Elise said.

The Seattle area has produced three local contestants — sassy Jenascia Chakos, sultry Sara Racey-Tabrizi and serene Cassandra Watson — in eight seasons of "Top Model." A casting team had returned here looking for contenders for season 10; the ninth edition of the show premieres on Seattle's Channel 11 (CW) on Sept. 19.

"Seattle's been really good for us. If we keep finding girls, we'll keep coming back," said Michelle Mock-Falcon, lead casting director. "What Tyra always wants is girls who look the part and are credible as models. She wants girls who stand up for themselves and aren't afraid to say no to something they don't want to do.

"In the end, she only picks the best."

Meanwhile, Tyra's wannabes were doing some picking — and nitpicking — of their own.

"You can tell everyone is being sized up, like, 'Oh, she's so much taller than me,' " said Sarai Montez, of Marysville, who arrived at 6 a.m. and did her makeup hours later in the mall restroom. "It's nerve-wracking. If you could feel my heart right now, it's pumping out of my neck."

Others were there providing moral support — and enjoying the view. Chike and D.D. Acholonu, seated at a table in the food court, amiably minded their sister's belongings but stopped short of admitting to being "Top Model" fans.

"Not, like, all in a row," said Chike Acholonu, somewhat defensively, when asked if he had seen the show. "But we've seen some episodes."

The brothers said there were some "good-looking girls" at the tryouts but didn't plan on pressing their luck: "It'd be a little too obvious here," Chike said.

More than 600 hopefuls attended the all-day tryouts. Among them was Juliana Wright, of Kenmore, who was recruited via her MySpace page by a casting director who told her she has an "interesting look." The Brazilian beauty-school student wasted no time getting herself to the open call.

"I got pulled over on the way for speeding," she said, flashing a cover-girl smile. "But I got let off."

Pamela Sitt: 206-464-2376 or psitt@seattletimes.com