Top Model Misbehavior: Arrests and Injuries at Casting Call
Top Model host and producer Tyra Banks
Three people were arrested and at least six others suffered minor injuries during a bit of mayhem at a Saturday afternoon casting call for America's Next Top Model.
Though the exact cause of the fracas has yet to be determined, witnesses blame a general lack of organization at the Season 13 tryout, as well as a panic that erupted when someone screamed that a smoking car was about to explode.
Tempers were as likely to flare up as any car, as thousands gathered — some arriving on Friday night — to put in their bid for the first cycle to admit women 5-foot-7 and shorter.
"People were pushing, screaming, yelling at each other," one Top Model hopeful told the New York Times. "It was chaos."
Among the scores who were pushed down during the panicked crush, two were taken to the hospital with minor injures, while four other injured parties refused medical attention.
Police ultimately shut down the casting call, and arrested two women and one man on charges of disorderly conduct and inciting to riot.
The CW told the Times it was "working and cooperating with local authorities" to look into what went wrong.
Executive producer-host Tyra Banks and executive producer Ken Monk released the following statement: "We are concerned by the events that occurred Saturday afternoon in the vicinity of the New York City casting call for the next cycle of America's Next Top Model. At this time, we still don't know all the details of what happened or what triggered the incident. We appreciate the efforts of the NYPD and will assist them in any way possible in this matter."
Watch the madness ensue in the video below: