NEWS

Madison Hosts Auditions for Beauty and the Geek

Reporting By: Aixa Velez

Videography By: Lindsey Ramon

The next reality TV star could be from the Madison area.

Casting directors from the TV show Beauty and the Geek came to the University Bookstore this Saturday seeking fifth season contestants.

Some may be wondering why the show decided to have open auditions in Madison, “Obviously it takes a lot to get into the university so they want very smart people for both beauties and geeks. So they thought it would be a fun atmosphere too with the college town,” said Emmy Fink, CW’s on-air personality.

The CW show pairs up socially awkward brainy men and drop dead gorgeous women who compete against one another for a large cash prize and fifteen minutes of fame.  It airs Tuesdays at 7pm on the CW Network. 

Postings for auditions were all over campus buildings.  For beauties, the casting directors specifically reached out to UW-Madison sorority sisters to play the part.  One UW-Madison sorority sister got a call back for round two of auditions the next day.

“I felt a little uncomfortable. I felt it was a little vain to come here and say I’m the beauty and wanting to try out for this but it was fun and I’m glad I did it,” said Elise Waispren, UW-Madison sorority member.

While the first big snow fall of the season may have kept many beauties at home, that didn’t stop the geeks from going to the UW bookstore to audition for a spot on the reality TV show to win $250,000.

Some of the guys auditioned on their own will while some were encouraged by friends, but one thing they all had in common was their pride in being a geek.

“I have a lot of energy. I like to be out there,” said Andrew Powell, a Madison resident who came to audition for one of the geek roles.

Although the audition turn out was low, Beauty and the Geek casting directors were still happy with who showed up.

“I’m determined, we’re determined, not to leave this city without someone from Madison being on the show.  So that’s the deal and we’re sticking around until we can pull that off,” said Barbara Wulf, the casting director for Beauty and the Geek.

Madison Beauty and the Geek hopefuls will find out next week if they made it to the third round of auditions in LA as a semi-finalist.