MARIETTA - The 14th season of "America's Next Top Model" kicks off at 8 p.m. March 10 on The CW network and one of the top 13 participants on the popular modeling reality TV show is from Cobb County.

Alasia Ballard, an 18-year-old Wheeler High School student, admitted that she is anxious about the upcoming season premiere.

The show was created by supermodel and talk show host Tyra Banks, who's also its host and a judge. A participant is eliminated each week after all are judged on how well they completed modeling assignments. Between eliminations, the participants are taped living together, which is where much of the show's drama happens.

"I am extremely nervous about what my family and friends will think," Ballard said. "But I know at the same time those people know me better then anyone else, so they are going to love me regardless of what goes down."

The show is famous for the heated arguments that often arise between participants, who are aiming to win a professional modeling contract. Ballard said she made friends with a few other women on the show, though she sometimes felt "different" from them.

"I guess one would say I don't act like the 'typical girl.' "I'm not very interested in girl drama or gossip. I consider the ability to see other peoples' points of view a blessing," Ballard said.

"If I could do anything differently I would probably choose not to curse so much. I kind of had a pottymouth while I was there."

The 5-foot-10 Ballard said she had an interest in modeling and was a fan of "America's Next Top Model" before auditioning for the first time and making the cut. She said a schoolmate suggested she go to the Atlanta casting call.

"I had never had an opportunity to go to a casting call for ANTM so I was kind of like, 'What the hay. What's the worst that could happen?'" Ballard said. "I never really thought twice about the situation. I told my mom and she was like, 'OK.'

Ballard's secret weapon for getting cast on the show actually began as a school prank, she said. A short, pixie cut wig that she wore to school in order to give the impression she had cut her hair stunned the judges when she yanked it off in the middle of an interview with them.

"The executives' mouths dropped to the floor along with the mouths of all the other girls in the room," Ballard recollected.

"The whole audition was basically about standing out and showing the executives from the show that you have enough personality to be on TV."

About a month later, Ballard said she received a phone call at home from the show while she was in her room. She said she repeatedly jumped and screamed when she was informed she would need to sign a thick contract, get a passport, and send other personal information before going on to the next round in California.

According to the show, potential participants must submit three photographs of themselves, including a full-length shot in a swimsuit. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, live in the U.S., be between ages 18 and 27, and over 5-foot-7 in height.

Producers are looking for a variety of models including plus size models, according to a source close to the show.

It takes roughly three months to film one season of "America's Next Top Model," according to the show. The contestants lived together in New York City during the taping of the program. This season, fashion industry icon Andre Leon Talley will be the third panel judge.

The most difficult part of the experience, said Ballard, was being away from her large extended family, which includes her mother, Barbara Brown, a licensed message therapist, and a younger brother. They advised her not to forget her faith and not let the other women get to her, she said.

"My most enjoyable experience is probably the travel," said Ballard. "I had never been on an airplane before the show nor had I ever thought I would visit New York. It's way different than what I'm used to and I loved it."

When she isn't on one of the nation's most popular shows, Ballard said she enjoys reading, writing poetry, watching cartoons, eating spicy food and listening to music. At Wheeler, she said she's a member of the advanced women's choir, scholars club, and track and field team.

Her long-term goals include continuing to model and to someday own a business - after completing high school and college.

"I plan on going to Spelman College. I really want to attend an HBCU (historically black college and university). Watching Tyra has helped me realize I want to have a career I can always fall back on," Ballard said. "I feel this show is going to take me exactly where God wants me to go. I can't say exactly where that is yet, so I'm kind of going with the flow until then."