You can’t keep a top model down.
Confidenti@l has learned that long-running reality show “America’s Next Top Model” — which the CW canceled after an astonishing 22 seasons — is heading to VH1.
It’s not yet clear whether supermodel Tyra Banks, who hosted the campy
competition since it debuted in 2003, or any of the other cast members
will return.
But insiders said the move may have been inspired by one of two things:
either Banks’ exit from the show slashed the salary expenses enough for
it to be viable with a new host; or the collapse of her follow-up show
“FAB Life” means that she’s available to helm “Top Model” once again.
“The CW canceled (“ANTM”)
even though it was their most downloaded show,” said our insider, “but
the speculation was that it’s because Tyra’s salary is so high. It's an
expensive show to make because she gets a s---load of money.”
Banks announced that the show had reached the end of the runway in
October on Twitter, saying “Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. I
truly believe it’s time.”
She launched syndicated talk show “FAB Life”
in September 2015 as its host and an executive producer, but quit just
two months later, saying in a statement that she planned to spend more
time on her cosmetics company.
“She said it was time for ‘Top Model’ to end but her show bombed and now it (‘ANTM’) is getting picked up again,” noted the source, with some suspicion.
Also no word yet on whether or not J. Alexander, the show’s veteran
judge who had returned for its final two seasons after an absence, or People's Revolution founder Kelly Cutrone — who was a judge for the last five seasons — will return.
We’re told that executive producer Ken Mok — who has run the show since
its first season and recently produced Jennifer Lawrence movie “Joy” —
negotiated the VH1 deal.
The show had suffered a steady ratings slide until its final episode on Dec. 4, 2015, but had continued to perform well online.
It had featured something of revolving door for fashion stars, with
models Janice Dickinson, Kimora Lee Simmons, Twiggy and Vogue editor
Andre Leon Tally serving as judges at various points in its long run.
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