Tyra Banks Responds to America's Next Top Melee

In the face of adversity, even the most beautiful of us must soldier on. Despite the mini-riot that hit the America's Next Top Model auditions in New York City on Saturday, host and exec producer Tyra Banks has issued a statement renewing her commitment to cycle 13 and has vowed to make sure every aspiring model that was turned away by police gets a fair shake at a proper casting session.

Says Tyra:

To all the Top Model hopefuls who were affected by the New York casting, we are doing everything we can to make sure that ALL the girls who weren't seen, get an opportunity to audition – we'll update you on our plans very soon. It is so important to me to redefine beauty, and make sure that everyone gets a fair chance to pursue their dream. I am beyond excited for Cycle 13; for the first time ever, young women 5'7" and under have a shot at becoming America's Next Top Model! I encourage each girl to come out ready to rock the runway and show off their fiercest pose. I'm rooting for all of you!

No word yet on how the show producers plan on handling the logistics of managing the large crowd a second time around. In the meantime, see the photos from the casting before the chaos took hold.