Scores of model wannabes who missed out on their chance of becoming America's Next Top Model after a "high heel stampede" have begged to be given another chance.
The women had lined up to audition for the show in an orderly manner on Sunday, but when a smoking car was mistaken for a bomb, the foundation-clad beauties went berserk.
Three people were arrested over the incident and six others were injured.
But some of the women haven't given up, pleading with host Tyra Banks for a second chance.
"I want Tyra to realise that we were cheated, and it wasn't fair," Top Model hopeful Babyann Hernandez was quoted in the New York Daily News as saying.
"I'm tired, angry, hurt, confused, and I didn't even get to try out."
Another woman, Hayley Ayala, 20, spent eight hours in line.
"At least let me submit an audition tape after all of this," Ms Ayala said.
Others said Banks risked becoming America's "next top villain" if she refused to let them audition again.
One mother whose daughter spent the night in hospital after suffering a concussion said the auditions were doomed.
"There was no organisation," the mother said.
Banks, a former model, issued a statement over the incident, saying she was "concerned" by the sudden stampede.
The New York Daily News reports that stray high heels and resumes were still littered on the footpath outside the audition hall.
The bedlam began when a BMW broke down and started smoking as its owner looked for a parking spot. Some of those lining up believed it to be a bomb and started yelling "fire" and "bomb".
The 21-year-old driver said people were "really freaking out". "There was pandemonium, and the cops got really upset about my car," he said.
His mother, Violette Myrtil, said she was also upset after believing her son was in school and not in the city driving.
Front page
Entertainment home
RSS Feed