Sophomore auditioned for “America’s Next Top Model”

Charles Gageby’s idea of fun doesn’t include filling out a 14-page application, but that’s what it took to audition for “America’s Next Top Model.”

Although he didn’t make it onto the show, Gageby said the experience was still exciting.

“Modeling is a good way to make a lot of money and a way to get your face out to America,” he said. “There are two agencies around the area that I’ve talked to – there are some in Sioux Falls, Minneapolis and Fargo. It would have been a fun experience to be on the show, but it was fun.”

But the fun came with one catch: filming a three-minute video application and then filling out a lengthy application.

“I had to talk about myself and why I was interested in modeling, what made me a ‘Top Model’ and I had to do my runway walk,” Gageby said. “There were about 30 questions on each page, and they were really random questions like ‘Have you ever been to a nude beach?’ There were so many questions that had nothing to do with the show at all, but I think they were looking for different personalities to put on the show.”

Although Gageby made it to the video audition stage, he was ultimately not chosen to participate on the show. Gageby said even though he didn’t make it onto TV, the experience taught him a lot.

With “America’s Next Top Model” in its 20th season, the producers decided to open the applications to boys this year, too. There are currently seven boys and seven girls on the show, and although Gageby said he probably won’t try out for the show again, he is still looking forward to working toward a modeling opportunity.

“I’ll probably send out pictures to Sioux Falls or Minneapolis to talk to them more,” he said. “It would be a fun side job, but I don’t think it would necessarily be a career; I just want to do it on the side and for fun sometimes or in my free time as a hobby.”

Gageby also said he received support throughout the whole process.

“When I first did it I just thought, ‘OK, boys season. I’ll try out,’” he said. “Everyone was positive about it. Once I went to Fargo where they interviewed me, I had a few friends who went with me and they were all very supportive. They all thought it was really cool.”

And from the experience, Gageby said he learned the importance of perseverance.

“It just shows that even if you’re from a small town, you can still have what it takes to make it to the bigger cities and the bigger areas to do what you want,” he said. “You can still persevere through everything and get what you want from life if you work for it.”