‘America’s Next Top Model’ Ends With Cycle 22 On Supermodel Tyra Banks’ Birthday: ‘ANTM’ Most Bootyful Moments [Video]


America’s Next Top Model changed the lives of aspiring young women (and some men) for years, thanks to its supermodel host and mentor Tyra Banks. But now, following the finale of Cycle 22, America’s Next Top Model will go off the air, reported ABC News.

The 41-year-old supermodel revealed why she had made the decision on social media. Tyra explained that it was the right time to end the show. Banks boasted that America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) made the world of modeling attainable and understandable for its viewers.

“#ANTM brought the intimidating modeling world to the masses. We were the first reality show based in the fashion world….I never thought we’d do 22 cycles.”

America’s Next Top Model debuted in 2003 and now is broadcast on the CW. Tyra will be sharing her birthday with the ANTM finale on December 4. But Banks won’t be off the air, because her new daytime talk show, just premiered in September, called FABLife.

"America's Next Top Model" ends with season 22, said Tyra Banks.
“America’s Next Top Model” ends with season 22, said Tyra Banks. [Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for NATAS]

Banks also used Twitter to spread the news that America’s Next Top Model would end with the 22nd cycle, which will mark 12 years of air dates, reported Business Insider.

“Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. I truly believe it’s time. May your pics be forever fierce. Keep on Smizing!”

ANTM was produced by The Tyra Banks Co., which began as Bankable Productions. Among those actresses and supermodels who got their start on America’s Next Top Model are Adrianne Curry, YaYa DaCosta, and Analeigh Tipton.

But although the reality TV show launched stars, America’s Next Top Model also offered some truly bizarre moments, pointed out the New York Daily News.

When would-be supermodel Rebecca Epley fainted just as Tyra was lecturing her about her lack of presence, even the usually vocal Banks was temporarily speechless. Rebecca later explained that she had an already diagnosed condition, and the judges didn’t hesitate to criticize her upon her return from a hospital.

One of the most popular episodes every season is the makeover episode.

https://youtu.be/3l-hP0VwQ0A

But at least one contestant always collapses into tears and wails at having her beloved tresses tossed onto the floor. And during cycle five, Cassandra Jean took her displeasure beyond the usual by stopping the planned pixie cut.

“It was the last straw in them completely trying to change who I was,” wailed the would-be model as she exited stage left.

Catty fighting and bickering among the models in their close quarters always take place, but sometimes it goes too far, and Tyra has to step in. That happened in Cycle 12 after Tahlia Brookins said she wasn’t sure about staying on to fight for her right to become America’s Next Top Model winner.

So when the judges didn’t eliminate Tahlia but choose to discard a different contestant, one of Brookins’ frenemies spoke up. Celia Ammerman ratted out Tahlia and told the judges she felt it wasn’t fair to send another girl home when Brookins had said she didn’t want to continue.

“Tahlia did express that she did not want to be here and that this was not a wise career move,” sniped Celia.

Tyra responded by challenging Celia and telling her to avoid such maneuvers in the future.

But the biggest brouhaha came from Banks during Cycle 4.

Tyra Banks proves she's not just the host of ANTM: She's a supermodel star.
Tyra Banks proves she’s not just the host of ANTM: She’s a supermodel star. [Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images]

Aspiring model Tiffany Richardson seemed way too upbeat and perky when she was cut from the show, and Tyra accused Tiffany of regarding America’s Next Top Model as a joke. Cutting off Tiffany’s attempt to explain her seemingly chirpy outlook at being eliminated, Banks blew up.

“Stop it! I have never in my life yelled at anybody like this… We were all rooting for you. How dare you?” demanded Tyra.

[Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images]

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