TV PROJECT'S LOOKING FOR HOT MAMA.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- To stake a claim in reality TV-dom, some people eat worms or put up with withering critiques of their dance moves.

A proposed show could anoint the hottest mama with minutes of fame simply for being herself.

Contestants for the ``Hottest Mom in America'' show will be winnowed from winners of qualifying contests nationwide. The contest in Los Angeles is set for next weekend.

``This is not a beauty contest at all,'' said Jeff Greenfield, the show's executive producer and principal in Buzznation, a TV production company. ``A hot mom doesn't necessarily look like a model. (She) is about taking care of business.''

A contest winner will be crowned regardless of whether the TV show is picked up by a network.

A pretty face and attractive shape will grab the judges' attention at auditions, but to snag the crown, entrants must project an aura of femininity and an outgoing personality, display talent and demonstrate close ties with kin and community service credentials, according to the contest's rules. Proof of motherhood is taken on trust at first, but a boot camp will weed out pretenders as the competition heats up.

A film crew will follow each of the women during a typical day, meeting the kids, talking Both birth and adoptive mothers from 18 to 60 are eligible to compete, as are those who are permanent legal guardians.

The judges may want to consider how some local mothers define ``hot.''

``We usually have a hot mom when our kids are in the sandbox,'' said Tina Perez, founder and vice president of the Blue Star Mothers of America's Santa Clarita chapter.

Perez is not talking about a play area at the neighborhood park. She means Iraq or Afghanistan. The nonprofit support group is for women whose children are serving in the military or have served.

Debbie Quick, executive director of Single Mothers Outreach, a group that helps clients find jobs and housing, provides counseling and referrals for legal counsel and services, and furthers education for moms and kids, said the term means more than just a ``pretty, skinny little miniskirt mom.''

``It's somebody who encompasses everything, somebody who does her share to make the household work ... somebody that's interested in everything their family does ... that steps out of their own self-centeredness and does something for the community, volunteering at the library, making a meal for somebody who's sick,'' she said, without forgetting the package wrapping. ``I think it's really important to always look attractive, first (for) you yourself and then for those that you care about.''

No prior TV or contest experience is needed and head shots are not required, just two forms of identification. Competing moms will answer questions on camera and have their picture taken.

The top 10 women chosen in each of four cities so far -- Miami, Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta -- faced off against up to 500 others. After the event is held in New York this weekend and Los Angeles next week, the 60 semifinalists will be pared to the top five in each city, then the top one. One woman chosen in a wild-card online round will compete against the six finalists for the crown.

The contest winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship for her child, $25,000 cash, an interview with a modeling agency and a year's worth of a cosmetic treatment from the company sponsoring the event.

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., which is sponsoring the project, has spent millions up front, Greenfield said. The company manufactures Restylane, a treatment that diminishes the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Medicis is scouting for the ``face'' of the product, who would become its spokeswoman.

Contestants will be considered for that role, but prior use of the product is not a qualifying criteria and Greenfield said the project is not an infomercial. The show could be packaged into episodes that would feature the entire process, culminating in the crowning of the hottest mom.

Auditions will be held at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, beginning at 8 a.m.

For more information, visit www.hottestmominamerica.com.

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

[phone]