After 12 years of "smizing," finding the light and elongating the neck, The CW reality television series America's Next Top Model (ANTM) is coming to an end. Host and executive producer Tyra Banks shared the news mid-last week on Twitter, sending long-time fans into a frenzy.
Each season, ANTM featured anywhere between 10 and 16 contestants, all competing for the title of "America's Next Top Model" and a boost for the start of their modeling career. With the start of Cycle 20, the show began featuring both male and female contestants rather than only females—as the series had done for the past 19 cycles. Normally, one contestant was eliminated each week on the basis of how well they performed during challenges, photoshoots and their overall self-presentation.
Originally featured on UPN, the show transferred to The CW in 2006 and remained the highest-rated show on The CW from 2007 till 2010. According to Variety, the cancellation of ANTM is due to The CW's movement away from their current target audience of teen and young women to a slightly older age range.
With the show first airing in May of 2003, numerous changes, especially the changing of judges, have occurred throughout the entirety of the series' running. Cycle 1 featured supermodels Janice Dickinson and Kimora Lee Simmons, and fashion editor Beau Quillian as judges alongside Banks, but only Dickinson lasted on the panel longer than the first cycle.
However, some of the most memorable judges to have graced the ANTM judging table have been, "runway coach, Miss J. Alexander," "fashion icon, and living legend, Twiggy," and "Nigel Barker—noted fashion photographer." (If you didn't hear that in the voice of Tyra Bank's, go catch up on your ANTM.) Other judges have included Paulina Porizkova, André Leon Talley, and Nolé Marin, as well as Jay Manuel as creative director for Cycles 1-18—the longest someone other than Banks was consecutively involved with the series, on-screen.
Having watched the majority of Cycles 4-19, there have definitely been some unforgettable moments that will stay with me long past the December 4 finale of ANTM.
When Tyra let Tiffany have it during Cycle 4.
That strange naked telephone-booth shoot from Cycle 5.
When Lisa decided to pee in a diaper during the Wild Boyz photoshoot.
Lisa in general during all of Cycle 5. (She was fantastic during Cycle 17 though.)
Crying throughout Cycle 6 because Danielle was just too perfect.
When you didn't want to like Jade, but her pictures were stunning.
The creepy/amazing Cycle 7 finale runway featuring Victorio & Lucchino gowns.
Watching Allison become runner-up of both Cycle 12 and Cycle 17.
When Tyra started the "booty tooch" and it made you turn off the TV.
Wondering how Victoria lasted till the bottom five of Cycle 19.
