Tyra Banks Says Cycle 22 Will Be the Last Cycle of ANTM, and It Is a Tragedy
After 22 seasons – excuse us, cycles – of smizing and booty tooching, America’s Next Top Model is saying goodbye. Tyra Banks announced today that Cycle 22 will be the show’s last.
“Wow, I am SO proud of what Top Model has done. #ANTM brought the intimidating modeling world to the masses,” Banks wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “We were the first reality show based in the fashion world. I never thought my little idea would have people everywhere thinking differently about how they take photos.”
The last promotional poster for the best reality modeling competition EVER. Photo: @Tyrabanks
No one is sadder to hear this than I am. I am not ashamed to admit that I was completely obsessed with ANTM through my high school and college years. I tuned in every week to see all the fierce (and sometimes, no-so-fierce) posing, the fights, the blubbering during the judging panel from girls with “alllllll the potential in the world,” hoping to God that their runway dreams would not be dashed on national television. I lived for Miss Jay’s walking lessons and the stream of tears that came with every makeover session. When my roommate and I bought a bong together our sophomore year in college, we named it Tyra Mail. I give Tyra Banks full credit for the fact that I can smize like a beast and have perfected couture pose. And no, I am not ashamed to brag about that, because Tyra would want me to fully embrace my fierceness, mmkay?
ANTM changed the way I take photos and also inspired some of the most ridiculous/amazing pictures of me and my friends, to which I tie so many wonderful and hilarious memories. The below image comes from a photoshoot I did with a friend in college after she found out her mother was sick. After an hour of posing around our dorm with crazy hair and styling, we were sure we’d just produced editorial gold.
The author, serving Pebbles au courant realness
The world is losing a reality television gem and I would be remiss not to give one of my favorite shows of all time a proper sendoff. Below, five moments from ANTM’s history that will forever remain etched upon my breaking heart.
Jade’s Cover Girl commercial:
In which beautiful biracial butterfly Jade Cole shows us all how to make an entrance.
Kathleen really hates fur:
Start at 6:53 to see Kathleen explain her brilliant ideas on how to ethically source fur.
The Aswirl twins:
I was spinning around my dorm room for a whole week after this aired. I was very dizzy, but I can flawlessly execute the aswirl now.
The greatest modeling tip Tyra’s ever given:
Tyra gives a quick lesson in serving highbrow hoochie. “Most modeling is kind of acting like a ho, but making it fashion,” she told the contestants.
Jade Cole’s spoken word:
Jade Cole made a hell of an exit when she was finally eliminated during Cycle 6.
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