Bainbridge woman has the look' for TV series

During her first audition for the reality TV show "She's Got the Look" Shelly Marks burst out into tears.

It was a difficult time in her life -- she was going through a divorce -- and hearing one of the judges call her beautiful sent her over the edge.

"I was so fragile I would cry at the drop of a hat," she said.

But the producers must have liked her. They cast Marks, 40, a Bainbridge resident, as one of 20 finalists on the TV Land series, which premieres at 9 p.m. June 11.

The show, hosted by supermodel Kim Alexis, is a collaboration with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. to find the next supermodel who is 35 or older.

The winner will receive a $100,000 check, a contract with Wilhelmina Models and a photo spread in SELF magazine.

Marks -- who contractually could not discuss the outcome of the show -- said taping the series was a good learning experience. During the challenges she got to work with professional makeup artists, hairstylists and photographers.

"I really loved some of the stuff that I did," she said. "I really felt like a supermodel when I was there. I felt like a star the whole time."

Marks said she is nervous about how she will be portrayed on the show, but hopes she will make Cleveland proud.

"I definitely portrayed myself as the nice girl from Ohio," she said. "I'm all about northeast Ohio and I really want to bring some light to Cleveland and make people see that we have talented people here."

She said she tried not to get caught up in the traditional cattiness that comes along with some reality shows, and tried to stay true to her Midwestern roots.

"You don't have to be a horrible person to succeed in this world," Marks said....