‘America’s Next Top Model’ ends with Cycle 22

MANILA, Philippines – If you’ve been following America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) for the past few years, we’ve got sad news: Tyra Banks announced that Cycle 22 will be the show’s last season.

The host, judge, and top model herself made the announcement on Twitter on October 15:

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

— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) October 14, 2015

She posted a longer message on Instagram later that day, about how proud she was of what ANTM has become. “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,” she wrote.

She also expressed gratitude to the viewers and supporters of the show around the world: “YOU made Top Model what it is. We are a global force that has so many international versions around the world because of YOU! That’s amazing and beyond anything that I ever dreamed.”

TYRA MAIL! Thinking #ANTM #cycle22 should be our last cycle. Yeah, I truly believe it’s time. Our diehard fans know we’ve expanded the definition of beauty, presented what Flawsome is, tooched and booched and boom boom boomed, shown the world how to show their neck, rocked couture/catalogue/commercial poses, have found our (and your) light, strutted countless runways, gone on tons of go-sees, added guys to the girls mix, and have traveled around the globe and back again. Yeah, it’s time. It really is. Wow, I am SO proud of what Top Model has done. #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! So many!!! And what rhymes with 22? You. And you and you and you and you! YOU made Top Model what it is. We are a global force that has so many international versions around the world because of YOU! That’s amazing and beyond anything that I ever dreamed. I set out to create a show where Perfect is Boring. So I hope you continue to love your freckles, your moles, your big forehead, your big eyes, your small eyes, your pointy chin, your tiny boobs, your full chest, your ivory or ebony skin (or every color in between) – the stuff about you that makes you well…you. And I hope you’ve learned a heck of a lot from watching. I have an inkling you have. May your photos (and selfies) be forever fierce. May you always find your light. And may you werk hallways like runways. Always remember, you are beautiful & BOOTYful. And please, keep on Smizing each and every day for TyTy. Fierce & Love,Tyra

A photo posted by Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:44pm PDT

It was after those two posts that she revealed that the last episode of Cycle 22 will air on her birthday, December 4.

Guess what. The series finale of #ANTM #cycle22 & final Top Model show ever will air on Friday, December 4th. My birthday. #ironic

— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) October 14, 2015

CW, the network that runs ANTM confirmed the news, with CW President Mark Pedowitz saying that the show wasn’t just a hit, but a 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.”

Ken produced the show along with Tyra.

ANTM first aired in 2003 on UPN before airing on the CW in 2006, after UPN and the CW’s merger. The show branched out to have international versions and to include plus-size and male models in the following seasons. 

Aside from Tyra, models Janice Dickinson and Twiggy, and fashion photographer Nigel Barker were some of judges throughout the seasons. – Rappler.com