Kiwi show looks for model pupils
Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 30 November 2008EXPERT PANEL: New Zealand's Next Top Model host Sara Tetro, with judges Chris Sisarich, left, and Colin Mathura-Jeffree.
This weekend, Sara Tetro will spend 13 hours on her couch watching television.
Forget the popcorn, and pass the eye candy she's researching her new job with television show New Zealand's Next Top Model.
Nationwide auditions for the TV3 produced version of the American phenomena begin in Queenstown on December 15.
Tetro, an Auckland-based model and celebrity manager, will fill the presenter's spot made famous by supermodel Tyra Banks.
"At no point am I trying to be Tyra," says Tetro. "She comes straight from a photo session. I come from a boardroom."
Tetro, 39, is a former model who started her own business 14 years ago. She is married to former All Black Craig Innes and manages Kiwi stars such as All Black Dan Carter and Dancing with the Stars contestant and snowboarder Hayley Holt (girlfriend of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw).
Tetro believes New Zealand has a talent pool to rival the United States.
"Half the problem is making the talent themselves realise they fall into that category.
"Often the people we want are blissfully unaware. That, in itself, is actually really nice."
But can Kiwi catfights match the show's northern counterpart?
"We don't need to wind anyone up," says Tetro.
"We're certainly not going out on a bitch hunt... [but] no matter what type of girl you get, you stick a bunch of girls together in a house, and you're going to get TV."
Tetro says she'll be looking for personality, along with a "great face, great bone structure, and a great smile. It's fairly self explanatory: we're looking for the next top model, the elusive X-factor".
Tetro's judging panel will include actor and model Colin Mathura-Jeffree and photographer and former model Chris Sisarich.
"What I want to see is absolutely everybody who would like to be on the show for any reason whatsoever... we're looking for a great cross section."
She said successful models "just jump out".
"Sometimes you can have a concept of what you think you're looking for and the girl from Whitianga will show up and blow you away. And she'll probably be standing in the corner with her eyes down, thinking `Why did I have to come here with my friend, how long is she going to be?"'
Applicants for the show must be between 16 and 25 years old as of February 1 next year, and at least 170cm tall.
* Download application forms at: www.tv3.co.nz or www.theedge.co.nz
• Arrest made over Hudson family murders
• Boy George admitted handcuffing escort
• Ivana Trump, fourth husband split
• Rockers Creed in talks to reunite
• Britney leaves UK 'in disgrace' (+video)
• Amy Winehouse begins divorce proceedings
• Gig review: Kanye West in Auckland (+pics)
• What the Kiwi gossip mags say
• 'I don't regret a thing'
• Sienna, Balthazar back together - report
• The best films on the box: December 2-8
• Top 10 TV picks: December 2-8
• Big pay day for Ashlee's baby Mowgli
• Kanye breaks his own rules at conference (+pics, video)