America's Next Top Model

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America's Next Top Model
Genre	Reality television
Running time	42 minutes (60 with commercials)
Creator(s)	Tyra Banks
Starring	Tyra Banks J. Alexander Jay Manuel Nigel Barker Twiggy
Country of origin	United States
Original channel	UPN (2003-2006) The CW (2006-)
Original run	May 20, 2003–present
No. of episodes	86
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

America’s Next Top Model is a competitive reality television show created by supermodel Tyra Banks. The first "cycle" premiered in May 2003 and was one of UPN's highest rated shows. The show's seventh cycle was the first of the shows among regular programming on UPN's successor network, The CW, and thus far is the fledgling network's highest rated series[1]. The opening theme is sung by Tyra Banks and is produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.

It has been the most watched primetime show on The CW since it premiered [2].

Contents 1 About the show 2 Format 2.1 Janice Dickinson Feud with Kimora Lee Simmons 2.2 ANTM crossovers 2.3 ANTM with The CW 2.4 ANTM Writers' Labor Dispute 2.5 Criticism 3 Cycle summary 4 Show statistics 5 International versions 6 References 7 External links

[edit] About the show

America's Next Top Model puts contestants against each other in a variety of competitions to determine who will win a $100,000 modeling contract with makeup manufacturer CoverGirl. Most cycles' prizes have also included a photo spread in Elle, and representation by Ford Models; the seventh cycle prize includes coverage in Seventeen and representation by Elite Models.

For the premiere season, the show was hosted by Tyra Banks, who also served as one of the four judges with Kimora Lee Simmons, Beau Quillian, and Janice Dickinson, who often proclaimed herself as one of the world's first supermodels. By the second season, only Tyra and Janice remained judges. Subsequent seasons' judges have included former fashion model and fashion photographer Nigel Barker and fashion editor and stylist Nole Marin. After season four, Janice (amid rumors of personality conflicts with some other judges) and Marin were replaced by Twiggy, who had attained modeling fame in the 1960s, and Miss J. Alexander, who had been the show's runway coach since the first cycle; Dickinson has continued to make intermittent guest appearances on the show after leaving the judging panel, giving advice to the contestants. The contestants are also coached through photo-shoots by Jay Manuel, a photo stylist. Jay is known as the Mr. J to J. Alexander's Miss J.

[edit] Format

Each season of America's Next Top Model has from ten to fourteen episodes and starts with ten to fourteen contestants. Generally, one contestant is eliminated per episode (though there have been cases of a double elimination or no elimination) by consensus of the judging panel. Makeovers are administered to contestants early in the season (usually after the first elimination in finals), and a trip to an international destination is scheduled at about two-thirds' way through the season.

Each episode of Top Model, covering the events of roughly a week of real time, features a fashion challenge, photoshoot or commercial, judging, and critique of each contestant and her performance by the panel led by Tyra Banks, and the elimination of one or more contestants. Each episode is usually associated with a theme in the world of modeling, such as dealing with the press in interviews, selling a commercial product, or appearing in a runway show.

An episode usually begins with the contestants receiving training in an area concurrent with the week's theme. For example, contestants may get coached in runway walking, improvisational acting, or applying make-up to suit various occasions. A related challenge soon follows, such as a mock runway show or interview, and a winner is chosen by a judge. She receives some prize, such as clothing, a night out, or an advantage at the next photoshoot, and she is usually allowed to share the benefits with a certain number of other contestants of her choice.

The next segment is a photoshoot, and each contestant's performance will reflect heavily on her judging for that week. Each season features photoshoots such as bikini or lingerie shots, beauty shots, posing nude or semi-nude, posing with a male model, and posing with an animal. Usually one photoshoot per season is replaced with a commercial shoot, though in one episode of Cycle 2, the remaining contestants appeared in Tyra's music video for "Shake Ya Body" in lieu of a photoshoot.

The final segment of each episode is judging. During judging, contestants are often given a challenge in some area such as posing, selling a product, runway walking, or choosing a representative outfit or make-up look to satisfy a given prompt. Then each contestant's photo is shown and evaluated by the judging panel. After all photos have been evaluated, the contestants leave the room as the judges deliberate. The elimination process is ceremonious, as Tyra reveals and hands out the photos of the contestants that have not been eliminated one-by-one, each time saying, "You are still in the running towards becoming America's Next Top Model." The last two contestants who have not received their photos are brought up as "the bottom two," and Tyra critiques each one before revealing which of the two has been eliminated. However, there have been two exceptions, as Cycle 4 had a double elimination, and in Cycle 5, both of the bottom two were spared.

The format varies slightly when only three contestants remain. In the series finale, the three remaining aspiring models compete in one last photoshoot or commercial, followed by a judging session in which the judges eliminate the contestant they feel to be the weakest. The final two then compete in a runway show in front of the judges, and both their performance there and during the entire competition is considered when the judges declare a winner.

Tyra Co-Executive Produces the show with Ken Mok.

[edit] Janice Dickinson Feud with Kimora Lee Simmons

Janice Dickinson famously feuded with Kimora Lee Simmons during Cycle 1. On camera, Janice derided Kimora's opinions of the contestants. In her book Everything About Me Is Fake... And I'm Perfect, Janice had this to say about Kimora:

• "During one episode, I looked at Kimora's hideously long nails. [I said] 'Hey, Miss Thing, trim those hooker nails. Mine are fakes but at least they're good fakes.'" (By the next episode, Kimora's nails were noticeably shorter.)

• "Kimmy, I love your hair weave. But did you intend for it to look like the cheap fake fur they sell at Wal-Mart? Can't you pawn one of those rings and go to a real salon?"

• "Mrs. Kimora Lee Simmons made the rest of us judges wait around on the set forever for her to pull up in her brand-new Bentley."

[edit] ANTM crossovers

Cycle 3, Cycle 4, Cycle 5, Cycle 6 and Cycle 7 have provided guest starring opportunities for contestants winning acting challenges and for the champions.

In Cycle 3, Yaya Da Costa was the acting challenge winner. Her prize was to be in first class while the remaining girl flew to Tokyo. But it was Eva Pigford who got to guest star on Kevin Hill. She got this privilege because she won America's Next Top Model, Cycle 3.^{[citation needed]}

The series served as the lead-in to Veronica Mars, on which three ANTM contestants — Naima Mora (Cycle 4), Kim Stolz (Cycle 5) and Furonda Brasfield (Cycle 6) — had guest roles. Naima, who won the acting challenge in Cycle 4, Episode 7, was entitled to pick out $10,000 worth of diamonds (which she got to share with two friends) instead of a role on Kevin Hill which she declined for some personal reasons.^{[citation needed]} Naima eventually got a small guest-starring role on the second season premiere episode of Veronica Mars — a privilege given to her after winning.

CariDee English (Cycle 7), who won the acting challenge in Cycle 7, Episode 9, guest starred in an episode of the series immediately following ANTM — One Tree Hill, since UPN's merge into The CW. Unlike past challenge winners, it is known that CariDee had a big part in that episode which she had to complete filming for a couple of hours right before rushing to the airport, leaving for Barcelona, Spain.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] ANTM with The CW

It was announced on January 24, 2006, that Top Model would be part of the new The CW network, a merger between UPN and The WB, when the next cycle started. Prior to the announcement of merging with The CW, UPN had committed to renewing the series through its ninth cycle on January 20, 2006. ^[1], for which casting was conducted throughout mid-2006.

[edit] ANTM Writers' Labor Dispute

On July 21, 2006, the writers of America's Next Top Model went on strike while working on Cycle 7, set to premiere on the new CW Network in September 2006. The writers sought representation through the Writers Guild of America, west, which would allow them regulated wages, access to portable health insurance, and pension benefits. These benefits would be similar to those given to writers on scripted shows. The strike was the focus of a large rally of Hollywood writers coinciding with the premier of the new network on September 20, 2006. ^[2] The dispute was chronicled in a July 24 interview on the website Television Without Pity with former TWoP recapper and current ANTM show producer Daniel J. Blau. ^[3] As of November 2006, the dispute has not been resolved.

[edit] Criticism

America's Next Top Model is criticized because of the contestant choices and their lack of modeling potential. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld comments on ANTM and rival Project Runway in the September 2006 issue of Harper's Bazaar. Lagerfeld says, "Trash that is funny for five minutes if you're with other people. If you're alone, it's not funny. Those girls will NEVER be the next Gemma Ward. There is no justice in the fashion business." ^[4]

America's Next Top Model also is criticised by Allure magazine in the October 2006 issue. The magazine says ANTM "hasn't exactly produced any actual supermodels". It also states that the real supermodel of today is Gemma Ward. ^[5]

[edit] Cycle summary

Cycle/Main article	Began airing	Judges	Winner	Runner-up	Other contestants (in order of elimination)	Number of contestants	International destination
Cycle 1	May 20, 2003	Tyra Banks, Janice Dickinson, Kimora Lee Simmons, Beau Quillian	Adrianne Curry	Shannon Stewart	Tessa Carlson, Katie Cleary, Nicole Panattoni, Ebony Haith, Giselle Samson, Kesse Wallace, Robin Manning, Elyse Sewell	10	Paris, France
Cycle 2	January 13, 2004	Tyra Banks, Janice Dickinson, Nigel Barker, Eric Nicholson	Yoanna House	Mercedes Scelba-Shorte	Anna Bradfield, Bethany Harrison, Heather Blumberg, Jenascia Chakos, Xiomara Frans, Catie Anderson, Sara Racey-Tabrizi, Camille McDonald, April Wilkner, Shandi Sullivan	12	Milan, Italy
Cycle 3	September 22, 2004	Tyra Banks, Janice Dickinson, Nigel Barker, Nolé Marin	Eva Pigford	Yaya Da Costa	Magdalena Rivas, Leah Darrow, Julie Titus, Kristi Grommet, Jennipher Frost, Kelle Jacob, Cassie Grisham, Toccara Jones, Nicole Borud, Norelle Van Herk, Ann Markley, Amanda Swafford	14	Tokyo, Japan
Cycle 4	March 2, 2005	Tyra Banks, Janice Dickinson, Nigel Barker, Nolé Marin	Naima Mora	Kahlen Rondot	Brita Petersons, Sarah Dankleman, Brandy Rusher, Noelle Staggers, Lluvy Gomez, Tiffany Richardson & Rebecca Epley, Tatiana Dante, Michelle Deighton, Christina Murphy, Brittany Brower, Keenyah Hill	14	Cape Town, South Africa
Cycle 5	September 21, 2005	Tyra Banks, Twiggy, Nigel Barker, J. Alexander	Nicole Linkletter	Nik Pace	Ashley Black, Ebony Taylor, Cassandra Whitehead, Sarah Rhoades, Diane Hernández, Coryn Woitel, Kyle Kavanagh, Lisa D'Amato, Kim Stolz, Jayla Rubinelli, Bre Scullark	13	London, UK
Cycle 6	March 8, 2006	Tyra Banks, Twiggy, Nigel Barker, J. Alexander	Danielle Evans	Joanie Dodds	Kathy Hoxit, Wendy Wiltz, Kari Schmidt, Gina Choe, Mollie Sue Steenis-Gondi, Leslie Mancia, Brooke Staricha, Nnenna Agba, Furonda Brasfield, Sara Albert, Jade Cole	13	Bangkok, Thailand
Cycle 7	September 20, 2006	Tyra Banks, Twiggy, Nigel Barker, J. Alexander	CariDee English	Melrose Bickerstaff	Christian Evans, Megan Morris, Monique Calhoun, Megg Turano, AJ Stewart, Brooke Miller, Anchal Joseph, Jaeda Young, Michelle Babin, Amanda Babin, Eugena Washington	13	Barcelona, Spain
Cycle 8	Spring 2007	Tyra Banks, Twiggy, Nigel Barker, J. Alexander	NA	NA	NA	13	Sydney, Australia [3]

[edit] Show statistics

• Total number of contestants as of Cycle 7: 89
• Oldest champion: Yoanna House (Cycle 2), 23 years old
• Youngest champion: Nicole Linkletter (Cycle 5), 19 years 9 months
• Oldest contestant(s): Robin Manning (Cycle 1) & Jade Cole (Cycle 6), both 26 years old
• Tallest contestant(s): Sara Albert (Cycle 6), 6'1"
• Tallest champion(s): Yoanna House (Cycle 2), Danielle Evans (Cycle 6), CariDee English (Cycle 7), 5'11"
• Shortest contestant(s): Eva Pigford (Cycle 3), 5'6.5
• Shortest champion(s): Eva Pigford (Cycle 3), 5' 6.5"
• Heaviest contestant(s): Toccara Jones (Cycle 3), 180 lbs
• Lightest contestant(s): Melrose Bickerstaff (Cycle 7), 107 lbs
• Champion(s) with most challenge wins: Naima Mora (Cycle 4), 4 wins
• Champion(s) with fewest challenge wins: Nicole Linkletter (Cycle 5) & Danielle Evans (Cycle 6), 0 wins
• Contestant(s) with most collective challenge wins: Yaya Da Costa (Cycle 3), 5 wins
• Contestant(s) with most consecutive challenge wins: Yaya Da Costa (Cycle 3), 5 wins
• Champion(s) with the most collective first call-outs: CariDee English (Cycle 7), 3 times
• Contestant(s) with the most collective first call-outs: Joanie Dodds (Cycle 6), 5 times
• Champion(s) with the most consecutive first call-outs: Eva Pigford (Cycle 3), 2 times
• Contestant(s) with the most consecutive first call-outs: Joanie Dodds (Cycle 6), 3 times
• Contestant(s) with no appearance in bottom two: Joanie Dodds (Cycle 6)
• Contestant(s) with the most collective appearances in bottom two: Ann Markley (Cycle 3), Bre Scullark (Cycle 5) & Jade Cole (Cycle 6), all 5 times before eliminated
• Contestant(s) with most consecutive appearances in bottom two: Lluvy Gomez (Cycle 4) and Bre Scullark (Cycle 5), both 3 times
• Contestant(s) who won CoverGirl of the Week and got eliminated in the same episode: AJ Stewart (Cycle 7)
• Contestant(s) who won the week's challenge and got eliminated in the same episode: Camille McDonald (Cycle 2) & Nnenna Agba (Cycle 6)

[edit] International versions

Australia

Australia's Next Top Model — airing of FOX8 and the first two series previously hosted by Erika Heynatz. It will begin auditions for its third cycle in November 2006. This series is hosted by Jodhi Meares.

Brazil

is under development.

Canada

Canada's Next Top Model — Aired on Citytv and is hosted by Canadian supermodel and star of Battlestar Galactica Tricia Helfer. A second season is expected sometime in 2007, but will be hosted by America's Next Top Model's own Jay Manuel.

China

First season to air in January 2007.

France

First season aired 2005. Season 2 will air in 2006.

Germany

Germany's Next Top Model — finished its first season; hosted by Heidi Klum, Season 2 is announced for March 2007.

Hungary

First season is currently airing. Hosted by Hungarian supermodel Viktória Vámosi.

Netherlands

Holland's Next Top Model has announced a second season. First champion was Sanne Nijhof. The show is hosted by Yfke Sturm.

Norway

Norway's Next Top Model Norway used to be in Scandinavia's Next Top Model but aired their very first own season in 2006.

Philippines

Philippines' Next Top Model — to be aired on RPN 9 and to be hosted by Ruffa Gutierrez-Bektas.The jugdes are Melanie Marquez, John Lapuz and Kris Aquino.

Scandinavia

Scandinavia's Next Top Model — with contestants from Norway, Denmark and Sweden. It is broadcast on TV3 and is hosted by Kathrine Sørland, Anne P, and Mini Anden (Cycle 1 & 2) and Malin Persson (Cycle 3), each from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden respectively. Due to 3 countries being involved, the format differs somewhat from the original. So far it has completed three seasons.

Thailand

First season aired mid-2005 hosted by Sonia Couling.

Turkey

Turkey's Next Top Model or "Top Model Turkiye's" first season finished airing, with winner Selda Car. Hosted by Turkish supermodel Deniz Akkaya.

United Kingdom

Britain's Next Top Model — airs on LIVINGtv and hosted by Lisa Snowdon. The second season premiered on July 24, 2006. The first by Lisa Butcher but was fired due to her "wooden" performance. The winners of the two series, Lucy Ratcliffe and Lianna Fowler, both have successful careers. They are now auditioning for the third series. On December 13 and 20, 2006, The CW will air highlights from both seasons of this program, thus giving Americans their first look at a foreign "Top Model" series.

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/calendar.aspx?view=renewals
2. ^ Strikers on the Catwalk. TIME Magazine Online. Retrieved on September 16, 2006.
3. ^ The DJB Interview. Television Without Pity. Retrieved on September 16, 2006.
4. ^ "Harper's Bazaar September 2006 retrieved August 24, 2006
5. ^ "Allure magazine October 2006 retrieved August 25, 2006

6. ^ http://www.abcmedianet.com/pressrel/dispDNR.html?id=112806_09

[edit] External links

• Official site from The CW
• APPLY NOW FOR CYCLE 9
• America's Next Top Model at the Internet Movie Database

America's Next Top Model
Judges and personnel
Janice Dickinson | Twiggy | Tyra Banks | Nigel Barker | J. Alexander | Jay Manuel | Beau Quillian
Cycles and winners
Please see individual cycle articles for additional contestants 1: Adrianne Curry | 2: Yoanna House | 3: Eva Pigford | 4: Naima Mora 5: Nicole Linkletter | 6: Danielle Evans | 7: CariDee English