“The Glamizons of the student organization Fashion and Professionals United are looking for eager women who think they have what it takes to become Akron’s Next Top Model. President Rosalyn Bishop and her fellow board members have put out a model call to all university females who wish to audition for the competition.”
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The Glamizons of the student organization Fashion and Professionals United are looking for eager women who think they have what it takes to become Akron’s Next Top Model.

President Rosalyn Bishop and her fellow board members have put out a model call to all university females who wish to audition for the competition.

It’s an open call, so whoever wants to try out can try out, Bishop said. One of our finalists last year was a plus-size model, so we’re looking for all types.

Auditions will be held on Sept. 12 in the Student Union ballrooms. The judges are looking for originality and genuine passion, rather than someone who is just looking to take a few photos to get recognition.

We look for passion, Bishop said. We don’t want you to do it just to have something to do. We want you to do it because you want to do it.

The winner of the competition will not only be featured in the FAPU spring fashion show, but will also take home a complete portfolio of photos taken by the organization’s photographers, as well as valuable industry experience.

I’m thinking there will be more of a cash prize this year, Bishop said. Also, the portfolio, which is probably more valuable than the cash. These kids have thousands of pictures that they could choose from.

This year’s competition will be more like America’s Next Top Model, she said. Several professional hair salons as well as Make-up Art Cosmetics from makeup artists have agreed to prep the women for their photo shoots as well as provide their initial hair and makeup makeovers.

We have a few hair salons that said they’d work for us free of charge, Bishop said. They’re going to do the full makeovers; the cutting and coloring. We need girls who are not afraid to get their hair cut, dyed and styled.

Bishop and last year’s winner Bianisha Tolbert want to give advice to women looking to try out, but feel as though they are not what FAPU is looking for in terms of talent.

My advice for the up and coming hopefuls of the next Akron’s Top Model competition is to be confident in all that you pursue to do, Tolbert said. It’s tough aspiring towards an industry that has so much scrutiny that it would discourage even the strongest person alive.

The first thing Bishop encourages the contestants to do is to step out of their shell and be open to trying new things.

Our winner last year didn’t think she was going to make it as far as she did, Bishop said. None of them thought they’d be where they were. I encourage everyone to try out because you’ll never know where it might take you.

Last year’s runner-up, Krissy DeAngelis has been talking to various model agencies since her modeling interest was piqued in the competition, Bishop added. Tolbert also feels as though Akron’s Next Top Model has been the starting point for what could become her career ambition.

Since the show and competition, I have been more inspired and driven to pursue a modeling career, she admitted. The unfailing support of my biggest fans, my family and friends only confirms that desire even more.

Secondly, Bishop stresses that the women must be real; artificial personalities are not acceptable.

We look for girls who basically are real and are themselves, Bishop said. We don’t want you to be fake and put on a show, because we’re people and we’re not putting on a show.

This competition is not Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model and FAPU is looking for sensible, real-looking college women. She calls them the more realistic beauties.

Also, she asks that Akron’s Next Top Model hopefuls keep an open mind when participating in photo shoots.

Another thing we look for is open-mindedness, Bishop said. It makes it a lot easier and we don’t have to coach or con anyone into doing things. It makes it a lot more fun when they’re a lot more open.

She hopes to make the photo shoots a little more outlandish than last year and take the competition to a whole new level in terms of artistry and creativity.

For this year’s photo shoots we’re going to step out of our box, Bishop said. Last year, we were restricted because of time and finances and things of that matter. This year, they are very feasible.

The last bit of advice Tolbert and Bishop have for Akron’s Next Top Model hopefuls is simply to stand out and not be discouraged by their own self-perception.

I just want the girls to come out; don’t be discouraged, she said. We’re not going to shoot you down and tear you apart. We just want you to come out and have fun with us.

That’s what it’s all about, we just want you to have fun.

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” #1.1361929:988115266.JPG:DSC03937.JPG:Models from last year’s competition prepare for a photo shoot.:PHOTOS COURTESY OF FASHION AND PROFESSIONALS UNITED”
“#1.1361928:2707541905.JPG:IMG_2939.JPG:Bianisha Tolbert is last year’s Top Model Contest winner.:PHOTOS COURTESY OF FASHION AND PROFESSIONALS UNITED”