America's Next Top Model
American reality competition created and hosted by Tyra Banks that popularized modeling contests on television; known for photo shoots, eliminations, and influence on fashion and reality TV.
Overview
America's Next Top Model is a competitive reality television series created and originally hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks. The program brought aspiring models together to compete for modeling contracts, magazine features and other industry opportunities. It combined elements of makeover shows, talent contests and fashion editorial production into an accessible prime-time format that reached a broad audience during the 2000s and 2010s. For an official listing and episode guide see the show's series page.
Image gallery
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Format and key elements
The show typically followed a weekly cycle: contestants faced a challenge, participated in a themed photoshoot or runway task, and then attended a judging panel where one or more participants were eliminated. Episodes emphasized visual transformation, presentation, and the development of a professional portfolio. Common show elements included:
- Creative photoshoots and styling challenges
- Runway practice and public appearances
- Critique sessions by a rotating panel of judges and guest mentors
- Makeovers intended to reflect industry trends
History and broadcast
The series premiered in 2003 and originally aired on the UPN network; when UPN merged into The CW, the program continued on that network. Over many seasons it adjusted formats, expanded contestant demographics and experimented with international locations. The program's original CW run concluded after multiple cycles in the mid-2010s; later years included revivals and adaptations. Historical summaries and network details can be found via legacy listings on UPN and The CW reference pages.
Impact and cultural significance
America's Next Top Model played a notable role in bringing aspects of fashion and modeling into popular culture. It launched conversations about beauty standards, diversity and the commercial side of modeling. The show's format was widely licensed, inspiring international versions and franchised editions in many countries. Many viewers credit it with giving visibility to new talent and demystifying editorial photography for a mass audience.
Criticism and notable debates
The program also attracted criticism over its editing choices, portrayal of contestants, and the pressures it placed on participants. Industry observers and former contestants discussed concerns about realism, mental health support and the long-term career benefits of reality-TV exposure. These critiques became part of broader conversations about ethics in competitive reality television and celebrity culture; for further commentary see assorted interviews and retrospective coverage at related profiles.
Legacy and distinctions
While opinions vary about its artistic and professional merits, the series is widely recognized for popularizing the televised modeling contest format and influencing subsequent reality and fashion programming. Its combination of challenge-based elimination, makeover narratives and photographic storytelling remains a recognizable template for many entertainment formats. For fan resources, episode lists and updates about past contestants consult archival and network resources such as network archives.
Critique
The fashion magazine Allure already criticized in October 2006 that the show had not yet produced a supermodel.
Ken Mok and Tyra Banks noted the heavy smoking in season eight. Mok said he was aware of the show's influence on young viewers. In the next, ninth cycle, the contestants were banned from smoking and the photo shoots dealt more with health and environmental issues.
After the tenth season ended, the show's producers received a lawsuit from Michael Marvisi, the owner of this season's modeling house. The contestants and production crew allegedly left behind damage of about $500,000. In addition to leftover food, holes were reportedly found in the walls; $90,000 worth of water and electronic damage was also caused. The production team had damaged the ceilings of the rooms in order to install spotlights and cameras.
The 19-year-old winner of the Relay 15 in 2010, Ann Ward, is only 45 kg at a height of 1.88 metres. This corresponds to a body mass index (BMI) of 12.7. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, a BMI below 16 is classified as severe underweight. This level is considered to be very concerning from a health perspective, and in photos Ann Ward appears anorexic. In some episodes, Ward was seen preparing very greasy dishes, such as deep-fried Oreo cookies. Despite continued fierce protests in the run-up, Ann was declared the winner.
Squadron Overview
First placed
Runner-up
Third place
| Cycle | First broadcast | Jury Members | Finalists | Remaining candidates | Destination of this season |
| 1 | United States | Janice Dickinson, | Adrianne Curry Shannon Stewart Elyse Sewell | Tessa Carlson, Katie Cleary, Nicole Panattoni, Ebony Haith, Giselle Samson, Kesse Wallace, Robin Manning | Paris, France |
| 2 | United States | Janice Dickinson, | Yoanna House Mercedes Scelba shorts Shandi Sullivan | Anna Bradfield, Bethany Harrison, Heather Blumberg, Jenascia Chakos, Xiomara Frans, Catie Anderson, Sara Racey-Tabrizi, Camille McDonald, April Wilkner | |
| 3 | United States September 22, 2004 | Janice Dickinson, | Eva Pigford Yaya DaCosta Amanda Swafford | Magdalena Rivas, Leah Darrow, Julie Titus, Kristi Gromment, Jennipher Frost, Kelle Jacob, Cassie Grisham, Toccara Jones, Nicole Borud, Norelle Van Herk, Ann Markley | |
| 4 | United States | Janice Dickinson, | Naima Mora bald rondot Keenyah Hill | Brita Petersons, Sarah Dankelman, Brandy Rusher, Noelle Staggers, Lluvy Gomez, Tiffany Richardson & Rebecca Epley, Tatiana Dante, Michelle Deighton, Christina Murphy, Brittany Brower | |
| 5 | United States September 21, 2005 | Twiggy, | Nicole Linkletter Nik Pace Bre Scullark | Ashley Black, Ebony Taylor, Cassandra Whitehead (eliminated by choice), Sarah Rhoades, Diane Hernández, Coryn Woitel, Kyle Kavanaugh, Lisa D'Amato, Kim Stolz, Jayla Rubinelli | |
| 6 | United States | Twiggy, | Danielle Evans Joanie Dodds Jade Cole | Kathy Hoxit, Wendy Wiltz, Kari Schmidt, Gina Choe, Mollie Sue Steenis, Leslie Mancia, Brooke Staricha, Nnenna Agba, Furonda Brasfield, Sara Albert | |
| 7 | United States September 20, 2006 | Twiggy, | CariDee English Melrose Bickerstaff Eugena Washington | Christian Evans, Megan Morris, Monique Calhoun, Megg Morales, AJ Stewart, Brooke Miller, Anchal Joseph, Jaeda Young, Michelle Babin, Amanda Babin | |
| 8 | United States February 28, | Twiggy, | Jaslene Gonzalez Natasha Galkina Renee DeWitt | Kathleen DuJour, Samantha Francis, Cassandra Watson, Felicia Provost, Diana Zalewski, Sarah VonderHaar, Whitney Cunningham, Jael Strauss, Brittany Hatch, Dionne Walters | |
| 9 | United States | Twiggy, | Saleisha Stowers Chantal Jones Jenah Doucette | Mila Bouzinova, Kimberly Leemans, Victoria Marshman, Janet Mills, Ebony Morgan (dropped out voluntarily), Sarah Hartshorne, Ambreal Williams, Lisa Jackson, Heather Kuzmich, Bianca Golden | |
| 10 | United States | Paulina Porizkova, | Whitney Thompson Anya Kop Fatima Siad | Kimberly Rydzewski (eliminated by choice), Atalya Slater, Allison Kuehn, Amis Jenkins, Marvita Washington, Aimee Wright, Claire Unabia, Stacy Ann Fequiere, Lauren Utter, Katarzyna Dolińska, Dominique Reighard | Rome, Italy |
| 11 | United States September 3, 2008 | Paulina Porizkova, | McKey Sullivan Samantha Potter Analeigh Tipton | ShaRaun Brown, Nikeysha Clarke, Brittany Rubalcaba, Hannah White, Isis King, Clark Gilmer, Lauren Brie Harding, Joslyn Pennywell, Sheena Sakai, Elina Ivanova, Marjorie Conrad | |
| 12 | United States | Paulina Porizkova, | Teyona Anderson Allison Harvard Aminat Ayinde | Isabella Falk, Jessica Santiago, Nijah Harris, Kortnie Coles, Sandra Nyanchoka, Tahlia Brookins, London Levi, Natalie Pack, Fo Porter, Celia Ammerman | |
| 13 | United States September 9, 2009 | Paulina Porizkova, | Nicole Arianna Fox Laura Kirkpatrick | Lisa Ramos, Rachel Echelberger, Courtney Davies, Lulu Braithwaite, Bianca Richardson, Ashley Howard, Kara Vincent, Rae Weisz, Brittany Markert, Sundai Love, Jennifer An & Erin Wagner | |
| 14 | United States | Nigel Barker, | Krista White Raina Hein | Gabrielle Kniery, Naduah Rugely, Ren Vokes, Simone Lewis, Tatianna Kern, Brenda Arens, Anslee Payne-Franklin, Alasia Ballard, Jessica Serfaty, Angelea Preston & Alexandra Underwood | |
| 15 | United States September 8, 2010 | Nigel Barker, | Ann Ward Chelsey Hersley | Anamaria Mirdita, Terra White, Sara Blackamore, Rhianna Atwood, Lexie Tomchek, Kacey Leggett, Kendal Brown, Esther Petrack, Liz Williams, Chris White, Kayla Ferrel & Jane Randall | Venice/Milan/Verona/Como |
| 16 | United States | Nigel Barker, | Brittani Kline Molly O'Connell Hannah Jones | Angelia Alvarez, Ondrei Edwards (retired voluntarily), Nicole Lucas, Dominique Waldrup, Sara Longoria, Dalya Morrow, Monique Weignart, Mikaela Schipani, Jaclyn Poole, Kasia Pilewicz, Alexandria Everett | |
| 17 | United States | Nigel Barker, | Lisa D'Amato Allison Harvard Angelea Preston (disqualified) | Brittany Brower, Sheena Sakai, Isis King, Camille McDonald, Bre Scullark, Kayla Ferrel & Bianca Golden, Alexandria Everett, Shannon Ratliff, Dominique Reighard, Laura Kirkpatrick | |
| 18 | United States | Nigel Barker, | Sophie Sumner Laura LaFrate Annaliese Dayes | Jasmia Robinson, Mariah Watchman, Louise Watts (eliminated voluntarily), Candace Smith, Ashley Brown, AzMarie Livingston, Kyle Gober, Seymone Cohen-Fobish, Catherine Thomas, Eboni Davis, Alisha White (eliminated voluntarily). | |
| 19 | United States | Kelly Cutrone, | Laura James Kiara Belen Leila Goldkuhl | Jessie Rabideau, Maria Tucker (eliminated voluntarily), Darian Ellis, Destiny Strudwick, Yvonne Powless, Allyssa Vuelma, Brittany Brown, Victoria Henley, Kristin Kagay, Nastasia Scott | Ocho Rios/Montego Bay, Jamaica |
| 20 | United States | Kelly Cutrone, | Jourdan Miller Marvin Cortes Cory Hindorff | Bianca Alexa, Chris Schellenger, Chlea Ramirez, Mike Scocozza, Kanani Andaluz, Jiana Davis, Phil Sullivan, Alexandra Agro, Don Benjamin, Nina Burns, Jeremy Rohmer, Renee Bhagwandeen, Chris Hernandez | Bali |
| 21 | United States | Kelly Cutrone, | Keith Carlos Will Jardell Adam Smith | Ivy Timlin, Romeo Tostado (disqualified) , Ben Shreen, Kari Calhoun, Matthew Smith, Denzel Wells, Mirjana Puhar, Raelia Lewis, Chantelle Young, Andrea "Shei" Phan, Lenox Tillman | |
| 22 | United States | Kelly Cutrone, J. Alexander | Nyle DiMarco Mamé Adjei | Delanie Dischert, Stefano Churchill, Ava Capra, Ashley Molina, Courtney DuPerow, Bello Sanchez, Justin Kim, Dustin McNeer, Hadassah Richardson, Devin Clark, Mikey Heverly & Lacey Rogers | |
| 23 | United States | Rita Ora, Ashley Graham, Drew Elliott, Law Roach | India Gants Tatiana Price Cory Anne Roberts | Justine Biticon, Cherish Waters, Giah Hardeman, Krislian Rodriguez, Kyle McCoy, Binta Dibba, Marissa Hopkins, Paige Mobley, Tash Wells, Cody Wells, Courtney Nelson | none |
- From seasons 13 to 15, there were two third-place finishers; Jennifer An and Erin Wagner (season 13), Angelea Preston and Alexandra Underwood (season 14), and Kayla Ferrel and Jane Randall (season 15). They were all eliminated one episode before the finale.
Questions and answers
Q: What is America's Next Top Model?
A: America's Next Top Model is a reality television series hosted by Tyra Banks, where aspiring models compete for the title of America's Next Top Model.
Q: When did America's Next Top Model begin airing?
A: America's Next Top Model began airing in 2003 on UPN.
Q: Which network replaced UPN to air America's Next Top Model in its seventh cycle?
A: The CW replaced UPN to air America's Next Top Model in its seventh cycle in 2006.
Q: How many cycles of America's Next Top Model were produced?
A: After 22 cycles, the show has been canceled with the last episode to be aired on December 4, 2015.
Q: Who created America's Next Top Model?
A: America's Next Top Model was created by Tyra Banks.
Q: What do aspiring models compete for in America's Next Top Model?
A: Aspiring models compete for the title of America's Next Top Model in the reality television series, hosted by Tyra Banks.
Q: When is the last episode of America's Next Top Model going to be aired?
A: The last episode of America's Next Top Model is going to be aired on December 4, 2015.
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AlegsaOnline.com America's Next Top Model Leandro Alegsa
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