INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Tyra Banks Pulls The Plug On ‘America’s Next Top Model’ After 22 Cycles

By Sandra Johnson
Published on: 08:52 PST, Oct 14, 2015

After 12 years of working with America’s Next Top Model, creator Tyra Banks has announced that cycle 22 will be the last for the iconic modeling show.

Banks shared the announcement Wednesday when she posted the following photo on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/p/81IdmRKQFJ

The cancellation was confirmed in a statement by reps from The CW, where ANTM aired. Mark Pedowitz, the president of The CW, said in the statement, “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. 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 final episode is scheduled to air on Dec. 4, 2015. The first episode aired on May 20, 2003.

America’s Next Top Model, which is both hosted and produced by Tyra Banks, was a pioneer where contestant fashion shows are concerned, and the show saw years of unprecedented success. From 2003 to 2006 the show had the highest ratings on UPN, where it originally aired, and from 2007 to 2010 America’s Next Top Model was the second-highest rated show on The CW.

During its reign as the premier fashion show, ANTM spawned clothing, accessory, and make-up lines, which can still be found in stores today. The show also was the feature of an E! True Hollywood Story episode, and several documentaries have been made in an effort to follow up with contestants from the show.

Throughout the years, ANTM has featured high-profile icons and experts from the fashion industry, including Janice Dickinson, Kimora Lee Simmons, J. Alexander, and Nigel Barker. The show is also responsible for the success of many current-day models, including Analeight Tipton, Adrianne Curry, CariDee English, and Dani Evans.

ANTM 2004
‘America’s Next Top Model’ participants Yoanna House, Tyra Banks, Shandi Sullivan and Mercedes Scelba-Shorte at a 2004 ‘ANTM’ finale. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The cancellation of America’s Next Top Model comes as a surprise to some, as the show is still pulling in a healthy number of viewers. The show, which airs on Friday nights, has a 0.6 rating among 18-49-year-old adults and rakes in about 1.7 million viewers. As noted by the Hollywood Reporter, America’s Next Top Model also is The CW’s only hour-long reality TV show. The media outlet notes that, as of late, The CW has tended toward comedic shows.

Could it be that Tyra Banks has more than enough work to do elsewhere, and she’s simply ready to move on from the television franchise? Banks also hosts a daytime talk show, called FABLife, which debuted on Sept. 15.

The show, which is a lifestyle panel-style show using a format similar to The View, features food writer Chriss Teigen, fashionista Joe Zee, interior designer Lauren Makk, and YouTube star Leah Ashley. Tyra’s show, which airs on ABC, was called the “top syndicated newcomer in all categories” by Variety.

Regardless of the reason behind the cancellation of America’s Next Top Model, it can be said that many fans will be sad to see the show go. In fact, less than an hour after the announcement, those fans were already taking to social media to share their disappointment.

Will you be sad to see America’s Next Top Model go? Are you still a fan of the show?

For more information about how Tyra Banks came up with the idea for America’s Next Top Model, check out the video below:

[Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images Entertainment]

Share this article: Tyra Banks Pulls The Plug On ‘America’s Next Top Model’ After 22 Cycles
tyra banks america's next top model
More from Inquisitr