The First Cut

If the streets of Las Vegas lost a bit of their luster last Wednesday night, we know why. All the beautiful people were at Planet Hollywood Resort to compete for the Third Annual image Model Search.

Twenty women and men each -- clad in black T-shirts bearing the image logo -- strutted across a runway in the mezzanine of the recently renovated hotel-casino. Each contestant stopped at the mic, where a panel of seven judges stared back at them. One-by-one they stated their names, ages, areas of residence in Las Vegas and why they deserved the winning title. Some treated the task with a Miss America formality. A few clammed up and whispered into the microphone. Others turned on the charm.

"I promise to use my position to lobby the U.S. government," said Maria Radeva, inspiring several eyes to roll, "to get maps for everyone who doesn't own one." The dead ringer for '80s model Paulina Porizkova garnered the biggest laugh of the night with her jab at Miss Teen South Carolina's now infamous pageant answer.

Catherine Kluthe, a kindergarten teacher at Will Beckley Elementary School, used the opportunity to sell herself to judge Ken Henderson, Best Agency owner. Addressing Henderson about the importance of promptness, Kluthe said, "I come from a military background so I'm never late. And, if I am, I run damn fast!"

Perhaps stretching the cool factor too far, Justin Layton took the stage with an empty cocktail glass in hand and skipped the introductions. "I'm here to bring sexy back," he told the judges, before jumping into a pose with a posterior view. As he attempted an exit, judge Clint Holmes, leaned into the mic. "What's your name?" he asked.

Each contestant is competing for a shot at a multitude of prizes including a photo spread in image, a contract with Best Agency, a ZED card with pictures taken by Jerry Metellus, $1,500 cash and gift certificates from the Review-Journal, Amp Salon, Dillard's and Michael E. Minden Diamond Jewelry.

While the judges' votes were tabulated, Hans Klok rounded out the entertainment with a magic show complete with disappearances, speedy reappearances and splitting scantily clad women into seven pieces. Klok's famous sidekick with locks almost as blonde and bouncy as his, Pamela Anderson, didn't make a cameo.

As the 15 names of women and men who staved off elimination were announced, family and friends listened intently. Three contestants who entered the competition last year returned for another shot at the title. Lorenzo Aranda, Herbert Brown and Tetyana Akinshyna all made it through the first round. Akinshyna has been working all year long on improving her odds. She started by lightening her hair and taking her glasses off for good. "Two days after I lost last year at Fashion Show mall I had Lasik (surgery)," she said. "This year is going to be different."

With eight cuts left, the suspense heightens each week. Before voting goes online and readers join the process, judges Clint Holmes, Ken Henderson, Bryan Scofield (Channel 13), Michael Boychuck (celebrity stylist), Jerry Metellus (fashion photographer), Melanie and Michael (Sunny 106.5) and Susan Stapleton (image editor) determine contestants' fate.

Scofield says his voting process has little to do with character and more to do with look. "You're never going to hear them on a runway or in photos," he said.

That might be a good thing, considering several couldn't properly identify the model search. Contestants called it everything from "R-J's Next Top Model" to "2000 Review-Journal Model Contest."

According to Henderson, however, a pretty face alone won't ensure success. "Personality is huge," he said. "It shows in whatever they do."

Last year's female winner, Amanda Latona, illustrated his point earlier in the night with a comical saunter down the runway to an improved beat box, courtesy of Clint Holmes. Since her win, the sculpted brunette has appeared in a full page advertisement for Flamingo Las Vegas and a Las Vegas Athletic Club commercial. "Oh, the image cover and the pictures from Jerry (Metellus) have been great for my book," she said of her run as an image Model Search winner. "Exposure is always good."