America's Next Top Model

America’s Next Top Model is a popular reality series hosted by Tyra Banks in which a group of young women compete to win a modeling contract and the title of “America’s Next Top Model.” Originally airing on UPN, the series has completed fourteen “cycles” and now airs on the CW network. Each season, 10-14 girls are selected from a pool of thousands to share an apartment and compete against each other in the hopes of making it to the top. On each episode, the contestants participate in a challenge to test their modeling skills, as well as a photo shoot directed by Jay Manuel. At the end of the episode, the girls appear before the panel of judges, where they are individually evaluated, and one girl is eliminated and sent home. While Tyra Banks always heads the judges’ table, the panel has included famous ex-models Janice Dickinson, Twiggy, and Pauline Porízkova, as well as fashion editor, Andre Leon Talley, stylist Nole Marin, and runway coach J. Alexander. The show was originally set in New York City, but moved to Los Angeles for Cycle 4. Cycle 10 marked the show’s return to NYC, and the following cycles have since alternated between the two locations. Each cycle additionally includes a trip to a “secret” abroad location for those contestants who make it to the top five or six. In these exotic locations (which have included Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and Barcelona), the girls participate in “go-sees” and get to know the local fashions and customs. Often, the girls must shoot a commercial for Cover Girl or another product in the local language! The final two girls compete in a runway show to help the judges determine who will become America’s Next Top Model. Notable winners of the show include Adrianne Curry, Yoanna House, Naima Mora, and Caridee English. Many of the ANTM models go on to appear in both print and video ad campaigns, fashion shows, and of course, the Tyra Show. MORE