The Ultimate Re-Evaluation: Where Is 'America's Next Top Model' Now? (2025 Updates)

Despite concluding its 24-cycle run in 2018, the cultural behemoth that is *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM) continues to dominate fashion and reality television discourse, especially as of late 2024 and early 2025. The show, created and hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, fundamentally changed how the world viewed fashion modeling, but its legacy is now undergoing a critical re-evaluation, forcing Banks herself to address the intense backlash regarding some of the show's past production choices and controversial photo shoots. While fans are clamoring for an official *ANTM* Cycle 25, the latest updates suggest a potential revival is still in development, possibly finding a new home on VH1. The most significant news surrounding the franchise comes not from a new cycle, but from the continued, high-profile success of its most memorable contestants and the surprising return of its creator to the runway. Just in October 2024, Tyra Banks made a triumphant, highly-publicized comeback to close the revamped Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, nearly two decades after her retirement from the brand, proving that the 'Smize' still reigns supreme. This moment re-ignited interest in the *Top Model* franchise, prompting a deeper look into the careers that truly launched from the show's platform.

The Tyra Banks Legacy: From Fierce to Re-Evaluation

The journey of *America's Next Top Model* is inseparable from the career and persona of its creator, Tyra Banks. Banks served as the charismatic, often polarizing, host and head judge for 23 of the show's 24 cycles, transforming modeling terminology like "Smize" (smiling with your eyes) and "Fierce" into global catchphrases. Her vision was groundbreaking: to provide a platform for aspiring models who might otherwise be overlooked by the traditional, often Eurocentric, high-fashion industry.

Tyra Banks: A Brief Biography & Current Projects

• Full Name: Tyra Lynne Banks
• Born: December 4, 1973 (Age 52 as of December 2025)
• Hometown: Inglewood, California, U.S.
• Career Highlights: First African-American woman on the cover of the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue* (1996); co-creator of *America's Next Top Model* (2003); host of *The Tyra Banks Show* (2005–2010); host of *Dancing with the Stars* (2020–2022).
• Recent Updates (Late 2024–2025): Closed the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in October 2024; continues to speak publicly about the evolving legacy and controversies of *ANTM*, emphasizing its role in promoting diversity and being "ahead of our time."

In recent years, the show has faced intense scrutiny, primarily from former contestants and retrospective analyses, criticizing its handling of sensitive topics, body-shaming, and controversial makeovers. Banks has publicly addressed this backlash, acknowledging the show's "past mistakes" but maintaining pride in its progressive elements, such as featuring plus-size models, models with vitiligo, and transgender contestants long before many other mainstream shows.

The Most Successful ANTM Alums: Who Actually Became a Supermodel?

While the show's winners often struggled to achieve the "supermodel" status promised by the grand prize, several contestants who did not win their respective cycles went on to forge immensely successful and diverse careers, proving that the exposure was often more valuable than the title. These women are the true testament to the show's long-term impact on the industry, with their careers flourishing in the 2020s.

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Winnie Harlow (Cycle 21)

Undoubtedly the most globally recognizable name to emerge from the franchise, Winnie Harlow (Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young) has transcended reality TV to become a high-fashion icon. Despite only placing sixth in her cycle, her career is a massive success story. Harlow, who has vitiligo, has used her platform to become a powerful advocate for the condition. Her recent ventures include founding her own successful sun protection-focused skincare brand, Cay Skin, and walking major runways globally, including a prominent appearance in 2024.

Eva Marcille (Cycle 3 Winner)

Eva Marcille (formerly Eva Pigford) is the quintessential example of an ANTM winner who leveraged the platform into a multifaceted career in entertainment. After winning Cycle 3, she transitioned seamlessly into acting and television hosting. Her career remains highly relevant, notably through her role as a cast member on the hit reality series *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* and her continuous work as a television personality and host, including the 2024 Essence Fashion House.

Other Notable & Active Alums

• Yaya DaCosta (Cycle 3 Runner-up): A highly respected actress with roles in major films and television series, including *Chicago Med* and the lead role in the Whitney Houston biopic.
• Lio Tipton (Cycle 11): Formerly known as Analeigh Tipton, Lio has built a strong acting career with roles in films like *Crazy, Stupid, Love* and *Warm Bodies*.
• Allison Harvard (Cycles 12 & 17): Known for her distinctive, doll-like features, Harvard remains a popular figure in the modeling and art world, particularly in Asia.
• Leila Goldkuhl (Cycle 19): Goldkuhl has achieved significant success in high-fashion modeling, walking for major designers and appearing in international fashion campaigns, cementing her as a top contender in the editorial world.

The Future of the Franchise: Will We Ever See ANTM Cycle 25?

Since the last season, *America's Next Top Model: All Stars 2* (Cycle 24), concluded in 2018, the question of a Cycle 25 has been a constant source of speculation among fans. As of December 2025, there has been no official renewal or confirmation from Tyra Banks or the network.

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The show's last few cycles were aired on VH1, and industry chatter suggests that if a revival were to happen, it would likely be with that network or a major streaming platform, aiming to step into a "more modern era of fashion" that further embraces diversity and contemporary social issues. The appetite for a new season remains high, with fan-driven concepts for an "All-Star" cycle featuring models from Cycles 18-24 frequently circulating online.

Key Figures and Entities That Defined the ANTM Era

The show's success wasn't solely dependent on the contestants; the revolving door of judges and creative directors were central to its drama and instructional elements. These entities form the core of the show’s topical authority and legacy:

• Miss J. Alexander (J. Alexander): The "Queen of the Catwalk," known for his iconic, dramatic runway coaching.
• Nigel Barker: The beloved fashion photographer who served as a judge for 17 cycles.
• Janice Dickinson: The original "world's first supermodel" and a notoriously harsh judge during the early cycles.
• André Leon Talley: The late, great fashion journalist and former *Vogue* editor who brought high-fashion gravitas to the panel.
• Ashley Graham: The supermodel who joined the panel during the VH1 era, championing body positivity and inclusivity.
• Jay Manuel: The show's original Creative Director, whose makeovers and photo shoot critiques were legendary.
• Kimora Lee Simmons: Model and fashion executive who served on the judging panel in the first cycle.
• The Prizes: The recurring prize package elements, including contracts with modeling agencies like Elite Model Management and Wilhelmina Models, and spreads in magazines such as *Seventeen* and *Vogue Italia*.

Ultimately, *America's Next Top Model* remains a critical part of reality television history. While the industry is still grappling with the complexities of its cultural impact—balancing its role in promoting diversity with its sometimes harsh approach to beauty standards—the careers it launched, and the discussions it inspired, prove that its influence is far from over. The global fashion world continues to watch for any sign of "Tyra Mail" confirming a new cycle, but for now, the enduring success of its alumni and the continued relevancy of its creator are the real stories of the *ANTM* legacy.

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