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Tyra Banks Talks Return To "America's Next Top Model"
Wanna be on top?
For 24 straight seasons (sorry, cycles) hundreds of thousands of runway rookies very much did. Leggy natives of Joliet, Illinois and Grand Forks, North Dakota turned up to the America's Next Top Model set to the learn the art of the smize and the booty touch and, most importantly, how to build a career in fashion á la host Tyra Banks, who very much dominated the field from 1996 (the year she first appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue) onward.
Yes, as longtime creative director Jay Manuel has since highlighted, some of the critiques and challenges certainly feel off-putting now—and were every bit as questionable in the early 2000s. (Blackface in any iteration is simply not okay, a sentiment Banks no doubt agrees with, having tweeted, "Looking back, those were some really off choices.")
And though it's been more than six years since Tyra was last holding just one photo in her hands, the 51-year-old is hopeful she hasn't delivered her last critique.
"We have tried, so it's not us," she told E! News in May of her efforts to get her brainchild back on the air. "It's the powers that be. I'm not the biggest boss in the room, so it's not my doing. Maybe one day."
When the reality series premiered 21-plus years ago in May 2003, first on the now-defunct UPN, then The CW and, finally, VH1, it dominated, at one point netting upwards of 6 million viewers eager to watch wannabe cover girls sob through their pixie cut "Ty-over" and attempt to nail the perfect commercial for LashBlast Mascara.
"I didn't realize that Top Model would be one of the most successful television shows in the history of television," Tyra admitted to E! when asked about the legacy. "Never. I thought it would be two seasons and that it. So big, big surprise."
And while one of the harshest critiques of the series is whether the winning models really landed on top, Tyra remains proud of how they moved the needle within the modeling industry.
The CW
"I think it's legendary because it opened the door for so much before diversity was a thing that people had to do because of the pressure of social media," she explained. "We were doing things that people would poo-poo, or go, 'Why are you doing that?' And, 'That person is not traditionally beautiful.' So we got a lot of backlash, a lot, for breaking down those doors. But sometimes when you're early in first, you get the bumps and bruises and you open the door for other people to come."
And to be clear: A six-figure CoverGirl contract and featured placement in a women's monthly was nothing to sneeze at.
And, for the most part, each winner did go on to have a relatively fruitful career, whether that meant posing for brands such as Burberry and Guess, walking Off-White runways or finding their way in front of other TV cameras.
Let's take a look into where the victors landed after they claimed their spot on top.
Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage / Instagram
Adrianne Curry-Rhode, Cycle 1
Though she would go on to pose for Ed Hardy and Von Dutch, the series' inaugural winner is, perhaps, most famous for the waaaaay she became a Brady wife. Marrying Christopher Knight after they met on VH1's Surreal Life, she and the Brady Bunch alum would go on to star on the network's spinoff My Fair Brady before ending their five-year union in 2011. Now remarried to voiceover actor Matthew Rhode, she defected from L.A. to Montana were she runs her blog and sells Avon products.
"I felt that I was on a cusp," Adrianne told People in July 2024. "I was 32 years old and I got offered a job for face fillers, and it was a huge payday with free face fillers and one up to my contract and all this stuff. And I remember sitting there, and that money was so good that I considered it. Then I thought, I am willing to deface, to mutilate myself for money?"
She could envision what came next as well.
"I saw a future on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with my face full of filler and me clinging to youth that is gone," she admitted. "I just felt like there was something more out there than just relevancy and money, and I made that decision to leave.”
John P. Filo/CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images; Instagram
Yoanna House, Cycle 2
Having gleaned a thing or two about hustling from Banks, the trained vocalist from Florida is juggling modeling (she walked in New York Fashion Week in 2015) an HSN gig and hosting work. But her "proudest achievement", as she put it on Instagram, is parenting son Alastair with attorney Gregory Lineberry, the man she's called her "best friend."
Hyungwon Ryoo/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images; Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Eva Marcille, Cycle 3
Then known as Eva Pigford, the 5-foot-6 L.A. native confidently claimed her throne atop the ANTM empire, then assuredly pivoted from modeling (having landed numerous shoots and runway shows) into acting with a 2007 arc on House of Payne. A two-year stint on The Young and the Restless and parts in films such as Sistercode and Busted followed. And, up until announcing her departure in June 2020, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show host and mother of three (single since her 2023 split from attorney Michael Sterling) was Gone With the Wind fabulous on Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta.
For now she's focused on acting, starring as Marilyn “Madam” DeVille in the Tyler Perry-produced BET+ series All the Queen’s Men.
Jim De Yonker/CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images / Thomas Concordia/Getty Images for Style360
Naima Mora, Cycle 4
Since her 2005 win, the student has become the teacher. In between modeling gigs (the former Detroit resident is represented by EMG and MMG), she's offered advice on the 'gram, in her 2012 book Model Behavior and on her Model Tips Live podcast. One standout guest: fellow cycle 4 alum, Keenyah Hill. She also recently appeared in two episodes of BET+'s Diarra from Detroit.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images / Instagram
Nicole Linkletter Nathanson, Cycle 5
The student from Grand Forks, North Dakota (a hometown she affectionally refers to as "the tundra") walked away from the fifth round with a cool prize: a $100,000 CoverGirl contract and a career that saw her posing for the likes of Burberry and Bebe. Now living on the west coast with husband Adam Nathanson, she's signed with HRI Talent, but also works as a court appointed special advocate and on her blog, No Way Mama, named for her son Theo's first words. She welcomed her second child, daughter Olive, in November 2019.
CW/Instagram
Danielle Evans, Cycle 6
So determined to leave her hometown of Little Rock in the rearview, ("I wasn't even hungry, I was starved to get out,") the 5-foot-11 beauty acquiesced slightly when informed host Tyra Banks wanted her to eliminate the space between her front teeth, agreeing to close the gap every so slightly.
"I was not going to allow something that is physical on my face to stop me from getting out to make a better life for myself," she explained in 2020, responding to the resurfaced video. Still, she stressed to her "young queens" she fully believes that beauty is on the inside—and her grace has propelled her to endless bookings and a second job as founder and designer of hat line, Monrowe.
CW/Instagram
CariDee English, Cycle 7
Post-win, the Fargo native turned her biggest liability—a bold personality that had her teasing judge Nigel Barker about the "stick up his ass"—into her greatest asset. Along with ad campaigns (she became the face of Ray Ban in 2013) and runways, she scored work as a host (MTV's Scarred, Oxygen's Pretty Wicked) an advocate (with the National Psoriasis Foundation) and as a singer and drummer. She also returned to her photography roots, sharing her work on Instagram @carideephotos.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images / Steve Granitz/WireImage
Jaslene Gonzalez, Cycle 8
The physical embodiment of not giving up on your dreams, she became the eighth winner after getting passed over for cycle 7. No doubt that perseverance is a message the L.A. resident, who starred in short film An Outfit, espouses in workshops through her company On Set With Jaslene. Well, that and mastering six signature poses that make you stand out.
Charles Sykes/Shutterstock / Instagram
Sal Stowers, Cycle 9
Making the transition to acting after a handful of fashion weeks, the California native (who'd modeled previously on The Tyra Banks Show) stuck to what she knew, scoring a guest role on The Exes in 2012 as a supermodel. Parts on New Girl and All My Children followed, eventually leading the World Vision ambassador to her regular gig as Lani on Days of Our Lives. In April 2023, the Sistas actress announced her engagement to actor John-Michael Carlton.
Randy Brooke/WireImage / Instagram
Whitney Thompson Forrester, Cycle 10
A 10-season drought was broken when the Floridian was named the first full-figured victor thanks to her size six(!) garb. She now shares the experiences she gained traveling the world for various jobs on her Whitney's Wanders blog and her love of vegan eats at Pink Pelican, the Panama City Beach ice cream and fudge shop she owns. Her other major projects: Sons Winston and Tristan with husband Ian Forrester.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images / Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
McKey Sullivan Alvey, Cycle 11
Nearly 12 years after she came out on top, the 6-foot Renaissance faire enthusiast is still fighting. Wed to professional MMA fighter Sam Alvey since 2013, she is also a mixed martial arts enthusiast, Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, chef and mom of six.
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage The CW Network / Instagram
Teyona Anderson, Cycle 12
After collecting her prize in the Brazilian finale, the New Jersey native (now working professionally as Teyona Asia Anderson) headed further south, walking some 30 shows in Cape Town's fashion week. But in her personal life, she's more likely to be found behind the camera, capturing photos of son Anderson Nash.
The CW / Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Nicole Fox Abuhamada, Cycle 13
Proving good things come in slightly smaller packages, the winner of the petite season (at 5-foot-7, she's actually an inch taller than Marcille) went on to book major ad campaigns for Forever 21 and Steve Madden along with parts on The Bold and the Beautiful and in 2016 films Hero of the Underworld and Paradise Club.
These days, though, she describes herself as a former model and actress, instead working as an interdisciplinary literary and visual artist with specialization in poetry and oil painting. The author and illustrator of Lipton Loves lives in Maryland with husband Jacob Abuhamada and their son Idris.
Graham Denholm/Getty Images / Instagram
Krista White, Cycle 14
The twelfth(!) time auditioning was the charm for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff beauty, who nabbed the crown in 2010. Though she's since worked runways in NYC, Los Angeles and Milan, according to her website, she's now focused on TV hosting gigs to follow up her two-season stint as a judge and student mentor on TLC's Global Beauty Masters, while also serving as fashion director for DLXVRSN Magazine.
The CW / Instagram
Ann Ward, Cycle 15
Though the lanky 6-foot-2 Texan (runway specialist J. Alexander infamously wrapped his hands around her tiny waist) spent time working as a model, gracing covers of both Velvet Magazine and ENE Magazine, her Instagram feed is dedicated to her other passion: illustrations from her work as a concept artist, character designer and animator.
The CW / Instagram
Brittani Kline, Cycle 16
Despite five years in the industry and a portfolio filled with impressive titles (Vogue Italia! Vogue Mexico! Interview!), the Lock Haven University grad's Insta profile describes herself as a former model and "current human raising a tiny human." Along with bringing up 6-year-old son Rowan, she earned her Master of Professional Studies degree in Strategic Communications from Penn State in 2022.
Bill Inoshita/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images; Instagram
Lisa D'Amato, Cycle 17
Placing just sixth during cycle 5, she was nonetheless unforgettable for attention-grabbing antics that saw her using a diaper while on set and having lengthy chats with a pampas grass plant she named Cousin It. Nabbing the title in the all-star round, she translated that notoriety into further screen time on Celebrity Rehab, Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars and Shark Tank. (Her pitch for Dare-U-Go!, part bib, part storage container earned her $350,000.)
She and former husband Adam Friedman welcomed their first son Daxel in September 2013 and second son Venice nearly three years later. Naturally, his arrival was streamed live on Facebook. In September 2023, she revealed she had moved to Portugal.
The CW / Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Sophie Sumner, Cycle 18
The Oxford native came for Top Model honors in the series' British Invasion round. After edging out American runner-up Laura LaFrate, she released her single "Aiming For You" on iTunes, then served as host of a TRL-esque weekend countdown show on Music Choice. These days, the New York City resident juggles a handful of gigs including Amazon Live host, Daily Front Row contributing editor and actress, starring in 2023's Killington.
David Livingston/Getty Images / Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Laura James Ecker, Cycle 19
Having schooled the competition in the College Edition round, the New Yorker graduated to the big leagues. Not only did the daughter of Dynasty actor John James and Miss World contestant Denise Coward shoot campaigns for Guess, she built up the quite the acting resume thanks to guest spots on Grandfathered and The Young and the Restless and a recurring gig on S.W.A.T. Married to actor Jon-Michael Ecker in 2022, they welcomed daughter Ellie in July 2023.
She announced her second pregnancy in September 2024, writing on Instagram, "We are so so melty with joy, and can’t wait to see our baby girl become a big sister."
The CW / Instagram
Jourdan Miller, Cycle 20
In the first battle of the sexes, the 6-foot Oregon teen dominated, besting male finalists Marvin Cortes and Cory Hindorff. So no surprise she's been working steadily ever since. Among the jobs she's featured on her Instagram: the cover of Desnudo Magazine Italia and an ad for Gucci.
Thomas Concordia/WireImage / Earl Gibson III/Getty Images
Keith Carlos, Cycle 21
Once the former NFL wide receiver got in the game, he quickly proved to be a winner. The series' first male victor, he's posed for the likes of Macy's, Diesel, Guess and Nike. From there, the cofounder of multimedia company Dream Katchers Enterprise, "made a natural transition into acting," as his bio on the company website explains. Among the standout roles for the father of Keith Jr.: Cardi B's "Be Careful" music video, the 2017 drama Chocolate City: Vegas and a recurring role on The Bold and the Beautiful.
The CW; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Nyle DiMarco, Cycle 22
A clear winner: After smizing his way to the top of the ANTM heap in 2015, the show's second male winner (and first deaf victor) shimmied to mirrorball gold on Dancing With the Stars the following year. Then he made his next move into producing and acting (credits include Difficult People, Switched at Birth and Dan + Shay's "Tequila" music video) while continuing his work as an activist for the hearing impaired with his Nyle DiMarco Foundation.
In 2022, he published a book titled Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — and a Love Letter to a Way of Life.
The CW / David Livingston/Getty Images
India Gants, Cycle 23
With the constant comparisons to Gigi Hadid, plus the skills to avoid the dreaded bottom two, the Seattle native's 2017 victory wasn't all that shocking. Nor is the fact that she's been steadily working in the years since, a job for Las Vegas' Ambra Italian Kitchen + Bar earning her a massive billboard on the side of the MGM Grand. "I have been modeling for over 8 years and have done everything from magazines to look books to TV to web campaigns to commercials, and more," she shared in a November 2019 post. "But never have I EVER had a big campaign like this."
Still, she noted in an April 2024 Instagram video, posing was never enough to pay the bills. "Even since the very early days of my modeling career, I have never worked just as a model," she said of her various side gigs, like working at a golf course or a bar.
Her current 9 to 5 is as a social media manager for a beauty brand. "I create content for them," she explained. "I book their influencers to do brand collaborations. I post to their page, write the captions." But she's still hustling. "I'm ramping up my podcast soon," she revealed. "I’m going to be interviewing America’s Next Top Model contestants from the past."
The CW / Instagram
Kyla Coleman, Cycle 24
A quick scan through her Instagram feed proves she's made the most of her 2018 victory. In between posting for brands such as Ivy Park, Calvin Klein, Wrangler and Alexander Wang, she's cementing her spot on the runway. "first szn in paris & i debuted with @off____white," she raved in 2020, "so mf major - i'm truly living a dream."
(This story was originally published on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 8 a.m. PT)
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