An embattled Tyra Banks broke her silence Monday, vowing to give every girl affected by Saturday’s catwalk calamity another crack at a tryout. “We are doing everything we can to make sure that ALL the girls who weren’t seen get an opportunity to audition,” she said. “We’ll update you on our plans very soon,” the “America’s Next Top Model” host added. “It is so important to me to redefine beauty, and make sure that everyone gets a fair chance to pursue their dream.”
Banks’ attempt at redemption came two days after a casting call for women under 5-foot-7 - models are usually taller - was cut short by a panic-induced riot, which sent six girls to the hospital. One of them was Amanda Almeida, who gathered with thousands of other girls along W. 55th St. for the tryout. When the ruckus started, Almeida was pushed onto a police barricade, which fell over, and four girls fell on top of her.
“I’m really hurting,” the 18-year-old said.”My whole leg and back and hip are all bruised and cut. It makes me feel a little better that I’ll have another chance, but honestly I’m scared to go back,” the traumatized Plainfield, N.J., teen told the Daily News. Police rushed over to the bloodied beauty and her mother after she fell and called an ambulance for help. Almeida spent several hours at Roosevelt Hospital getting X-rayed and examined.
“I thought my daughter was going to get killed,” said Amanda’s spooked mother, Karen Almeida, who’s now stuck with a pile of hospital bills. “I want Tyra and the show to help with the bills,” she said. “It was terrible and they should have been better prepared.” Another hopeful, Dehea Abraham, flew to New York from Georgia for the audition.
“I spent $240 on the flight and $184 per night for the hotel, and it only took a matter of seconds for my dream to slip away from me,” she said through tears. “It’s nice for girls in New York to get another chance, but for the people who already spent the money to fly there, it’s not like I can afford to do it again,” she said.
Banks kept yesterday’s statement upbeat - and didn’t apologize for what cops and Mayor Bloomberg said was an event that demanded more security. “I encourage each girl to come out ready to rock the runway and show off their fiercest pose. I’m rooting for all of you!” the supermodel turned mogul declared.