Saying goodbye to ‘America’s Next Top Model’ after 12 Years

Courtesy of The CW

“America’s Next Top Model” ends after 12 years on TV and 22 cycles. 

Ricky Lewis
October 21, 2015

After 12 years of photo shoots, model eliminations and the opening line “Want to be on top?” said by Tyra Banks, the show has reached its end.

Tyra Banks announced on Instagram last Wednesday that “America’s Next Top Model” would be ending after 22 seasons. The show first aired May 20, 2003.

The former supermodel has hosted and been the executive producer since the show started, along with Ken Mok.

On Twitter Banks wrote, “Guess what? The series finale of #ANTM #cycle22 & final Top Model show ever will air on Friday, December 4th. My birthday. #ironic.”

Top Model was all about giving undiscovered talent an opportunity to break into the fast paced world of high fashion modeling. 

Millions of people all around the world auditioned in person and by video to have a chance at winning the popular model competition.

Banks has been able to jumpstart careers in the fashion industry. Here is a list of the top 10 most successful models from “America’s Next Top Model”.

10. CariDee English (Winner of Cycle 7): Other than continuing a career in modeling, English is an advocate for the National Psoriasis Foundation (her commercial is currently airing on TV).

9. Don Benjamin (8th Place, Cycle 20): Benjamin has been seen modeling for brands like Forever 21. He is now pursuing a music career. 

8. Whitney Thompson (Winner of Cycle 10): Thompson has been modeling for brands such as CoverGirl. She now has started a dating website called “The Big and the Beautiful.” She is also a spokeswoman for the National Eating Disorder Association. 

7. Toccara Jones (7th Place, Cycle 3): Jones has been seen gracing the covers of magazines and modeling for brands like Torrid and Target. 

6. Adrianne Curry (Winner of Cycle 1): Curry was the very first winner of Top Model and has appeared on “The Surreal Life” and “My Fair Brady”.

5. Fatima Siad (3rd Place, Cycle 10): Siad has a strong modeling career. She is still seen walking in New York Fashion Week.

4. Lisa D’Amato (6th Place, Cycle 5; Winner of Cycle 17): D’Amato is pursuing a music career and is still modeling in runway shows. 

3. Eva Marcille (Winner of Cycle 3): Since her win she has been modeling for many top brands such as ‘DKNY’ and had her own reality TV show “Girlfriend Confidential: LA”.

2. YaYa DaCosta (2nd Place, Cycle 3): DaCosta has been seen in many ad campaigns for Target and other magazines. She has began acting and made appearances on “Ugly Betty”.

1. Analeigh Tipton (3rd Place, Cycle 11): Tipton signed with Ford Models and has been seen guest starring on “The Big Bang Theory”.

“America’s Next Top Model was a successful franchise for two networks,” said CW president Mark Pedowitz. “First at UPN and then The CW, and it became not just a ratings hit, but a global pop culture phenomenon.”

Currently, the 22nd season of America’s Next Top Model is averaging 1.7 million viewers who range from the ages of 18 to 49 years old. 

Catch the remainder of Cycle 22 Friday nights at 8 p.m. on the CW.