‘Top Model’ open casting seeks coed compe­titors

Want to be on “Top?” Well, now is your chance — to be on America’s Next Top Model, that is.

America’s Next Top Model is holding open casting calls and — for the first time — will be asking potential male models to compete in a co-ed edition.

That’s right. Male. Models.

Now is your chance to live out those dreams of becoming a world-class model. You know, when you used to wear your mother’s heels as a kid and strut down the hallway? Girls, this applies to you too.

Casting directors are looking for men and women ages 18 to 27 of all shapes and sizes — except for the minimum height requirement of 5-foot-7 for women and 5-foot-10 for men. Those of us who are vertically challenged may have to kiss those dreams goodbye.

The lucky chosen few will move in a house with their fellow male and female competitors to compete on the show. The winner will take home a prize sure to launch their modeling careers.

This upcoming cycle — the show’s 20th — introduces men into the picture. Last cycle was dubbed the “college edition” in which collegiate women lived in a sorority-style house during the competition.

So start practicing Tyra Banks’ signature smizing — smiling with your eyes — and get to work on that cat walk. Speaking of Tyra, she almost left the show before deciding that the show was “her baby” and decided to stay. Smizing, saved.

An open casting call will be held Friday Jan. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Metro PCS store at 900 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. A second casting will be in San Jose at the Digicom Wireless store on 1698 Story Road on Jan. 5.