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Walk This Way, And Don't Trip Over the Plinko

"Price Is Right" model auditions come to Tampa.

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Germaine Gibbs shows off a product while auditioning for "The Price Is Right" on Wednesday at The Landy Center for Plastic Surgery.

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

TAMPA - Germaine Gibbs faced the challenge: Walk forward. Walk backward. Never stop smiling. And point to the wall, pretending it's a Winnebago being given away on "The Price is Right."

Gibbs, a svelte 33-year-old south Tampa spa owner, also had to pick up a tray of make-up and hold it for a close-up.

In less than 5 minutes, she had auditioned to be one of "Carey's Cuties," the unofficial nickname fans have given the models on television's longest-running game show, now hosted by Drew Carey.

Gibbs, a transplant from the island of Curacao who earned an MBA at the University of South Florida, has been watching the show since she was six years old.

"I remembered when the models were called 'Barker's Beauties' and I just loved host Bob Barker; but Drew Carey is good, too," she said following her audition Wednesday at a south Tampa cosmetic surgery clinic.

"I've done some modeling before but this would be such a thrill to be on that show," said Gibbs, who was the 12th person to try out.

Up to 75 women were expected to audition Wednesday at The Landy Center for Plastic Surgery, 2835 W. De Leon St., which was turned into a mini-studio for the auditions.

"I'm not getting much work done today because of all this," said Jennifer S. Landy, who opened the clinic in April and signed up to sponsor the auditions for the exposure.

More than a dozen CBS affiliates, including WTSP, Channel 10, are holding auditions as a promotion for "The Price is Right." In other cities, auditions have been held at furniture stores, malls and restaurants.

Debbie Peterson, marketing director for Landy, said some people chuckle at the idea of models auditioning at a cosmetic surgery center, but so far the publicity has been positive. "These women don't need any cosmetic work, but maybe in 10 years they'll be back," she said.

Every audition is taped for review by the "Price" producers. They will pick one woman from the Tampa audition will be flown to Los Angeles to try out again. Five finalists from throughout the country will then appear on the show and viewers will pick one to be a guest model for a week.

"I would love to be on the show but just a trip to Los Angeles would be fun," said Tiffany Ross, 21, a Clearwater bar manager who tried out.

Nicole Salce, an aspiring actress, model and former Miss Wesley Chapel, said the audition was really easy. "I know I can do this, I just hope I get the chance," she added.

"I just wanted to see what it would be like to try out, because I wanted to do something out of the ordinary," said Jacquelyn Facey, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy who said she is in her 40s.

"I know some of the original models on the show also were in their 40s and so I thought I could have a chance," she said, referring to best-known former "Price" model, Janice Pennington, who was 58 years old when she left the show in 2000.

WTSP producer Lorraine Apperson said applicants range in age from 18 to nearly 50 ("That woman said she wants to prove Baby Boomers still have it," she said).

In addition to professional models, there are secretaries, doctor's assistants, college students and bartenders on the tryout list, Apperson said.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813 259-7654 or wbelcher@tampatrib.com.

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