- Tyra Banks’ “America’s Next Top Model” is losing three of the show’s longtime personalities.
“Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander have been an integral part of the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ brand and they helped turn this show into the household name it is today. They have been amazing assets to the show and will always be a part of the ‘Top Model’ family. We will continue to actively work with each of them on future projects,” Tyra Banks and Ken Mok, Executive Producers of “ANTM,” said in a statement to Access Hollywood after news broke that the trio had been axed from the long-running reality competition.”
A Post source said the decision was a “production decision” and “major changes planned for [Cycle] 19.” The show will reportedly incorporate a new social media element next season and has reportedly reached out to street-style blogger Bryan Boy.
Current judge Kelly Cutrone, who replaced Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley this season, is expected to remain on the series.
-Cycle 19 will be the “College Edition” of America’s Next Top Model, where casting directors are looking everywhere from Ivy League campuses to party schools, from pre-med to pre-beautician, and from Big Ten to Pac Ten for girls from all walks of life, all parts of the nation, and all types of continuing education who will be invited to show their school spirit — and their modeling chops — to Tyra and the judges. The girls will vie for a prize package that will launch their modeling careers as well as help them continue to earn their degree.
