America’s Next Top Model, the competition show which introduced the term “smize” to the world and humanized the once-silent, stoic mannequins of runways and magazines, will not be returning to television after its 22nd season.
Host Tyra Banks broke the news her show is coming to an end on Twitter Wednesday, saying she believes “it’s time.”
TYRA MAIL!
Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. I truly believe it's time. May your pics be forever fierce. Keep on Smizing!
?Tyra— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) October 14, 2015
On Instagram, Banks elaborated on her many years as the show’s host, describing the ways ANTM has changed the modeling world. “Our diehard fans know we’ve expanded the definition of beauty, presented what Flawsome is, tooched and booched and boom boom boomed,” Banks wrote.
“#ANTM brought the intimidating modeling world to the masses. We were the first reality show based in the fashion world. I never thought my little idea would have people everywhere thinking differently about how they take photos. And I never thought we’d do 22 cycles. Whoa!”
The announcement came to a shock for not only fans, but those participating in the competition’s 22nd season. Contestants Ava Capra, Nyle DiMarco, Lacey Rogers and other shared their surprise on social media, expressing gratitude for being among the competition’s last group of models.
I am in a complete daze. The fact that I am a part of #cycle22 the last cycle of #ANTM, blows my mind. God handles timing perfectly.
— Lacey Claire Rogers (@thelaceyclaire) October 14, 2015
The fashion-centric reality show first premiered in 2003 on UPN, featuring traditional tall, slender fashion models. Later, the influential program brought in shorter models, plus-size women and more recently, male models. ANTM made the jump from UPN to The CW in 2006 and was the first show to air on the new channel.
“America’s Next Top Model was a successful franchise for two networks, first at UPN and then The CW, and it became not just a ratings hit, but a global pop culture phenomenon,” CW President Mark Pedowitz said in a statement to media outlets. “I want to thank Tyra and Ken [Mok] for all their years of success in establishing a show that was not just popular in the U.S., but all across the world.”
The show’s final episode and season finale will air on The CW Dec. 4. Entertainment Weekly reports the channel is negotiating a ANTM retrospective special which could air sometime in 2016.
By Marilyn Malara