It’s happened.
Tyra Banks has confirmed that after this season, America’s Next Top Model will end, after 12 years and 22 seasons.
Former supermodel Banks, 41, is the host, executive producer and creator of the show, which aimed to launch the careers of hopeful young models.
She took to Instagram to announce the decision with a picture of the number 22.
“TYRA MAIL!” she wrote.
“Thinking #ANTM #cycle22 should be our last cycle. Yeah, I truly believe it’s time.
“Our diehard fans know we’ve expanded the definition of beauty, presented what Flawsome is, tooched and booched and boom boom boomed, shown the world how to show their neck, rocked couture/catalogue/commercial poses, have found our (and your) light, strutted countless runways, gone on tons of go-sees, added guys to the girls mix, and have traveled around the globe and back again. Yeah, it’s time. It really is.”
President of the CW Network that screens the show Mark Pedowitz called the series “a global pop culture phenomenon”.
ANTM also spawned 40 popular international versions, including our own Australia’s Next Top Model with Jennifer Hawkins, Didier Cohen and Alex Perry.
It never really achieved its goal of finding the next supermodel — but many of its winners and former winners have gone on to careers in TV, films, and fashion.
Over the last few years, the show has resorted to increasingly arbitrary themes for each season (British Invasion; College) and fans were brought in to decide who won and who lost, Idol-style.
Viewer figures steadily dropped.
Last month, Banks launched the lifestyle syndicated talk show FabLife with Disney/ABC.
“I set out to create a show where Perfect is Boring. So I hope you continue to love your freckles, your moles, your big forehead, your big eyes, your small eyes, your pointy chin, your tiny boobs, your full chest, your ivory or ebony skin (or every color in between) – the stuff about you that makes you well…you,” she wrote.
Read the full post below.
TYRA MAIL!
Thinking #ANTM #cycle22 should be our last cycle. Yeah, I truly believe it’s time. Our diehard fans know we’ve expanded the definition of beauty, presented what Flawsome is, tooched and booched and boom boom boomed, shown the world how to show their neck, rocked couture/catalogue/commercial poses, have found our (and your) light, strutted countless runways, gone on tons of go-sees, added guys to the girls mix, and have traveled around the globe and back again. Yeah, it’s time. It really is. Wow, I am SO proud of what Top Model has done.
#ANTM brought the intimidating modeling world to the masses. 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. And I never thought we’d do 22 cycles. Whoa! So many!!! And what rhymes with 22? You. And you and you and you and you! YOU made Top Model what it is. We are a global force that has so many international versions around the world because of YOU! That’s amazing and beyond anything that I ever dreamed.
I set out to create a show where Perfect is Boring. So I hope you continue to love your freckles, your moles, your big forehead, your big eyes, your small eyes, your pointy chin, your tiny boobs, your full chest, your ivory or ebony skin (or every color in between) – the stuff about you that makes you well…you. And I hope you’ve learned a heck of a lot from watching. I have an inkling you have. May your photos (and selfies) be forever fierce. May you always find your light. And may you werk hallways like runways. Always remember, you are beautiful & BOOTYful. And please, keep on Smizing each and every day for TyTy.
Fierce & Love,
Tyra
