The Fierce Legacy: 7 Shocking Truths About America's Next Top Model’s Controversial Past And Cycle 25’s Future

Despite the final episode of America's Next Top Model (ANTM) airing years ago, the cultural phenomenon created by supermodel Tyra Banks continues to dominate online discussions, particularly regarding its controversial legacy and the persistent question of a reboot. As of December 2025, the show remains officially off the air, with no Cycle 25 confirmed, yet the conversation around its impact—both positive and problematic—is fresher than ever, driven by Tyra Banks herself recently addressing the show's past and the incredible post-show careers of its most memorable contestants.

The groundbreaking reality television series, which ran for 24 cycles across UPN, The CW, and VH1, was a masterclass in blending high fashion with high drama. However, in the current media landscape, a critical re-evaluation of its most shocking moments has brought the show's history back into the spotlight, forcing a new look at what it truly meant to "smize" your way to the top.

The ANTM Timeline: From UPN Debut to VH1 Finale

To truly understand the show's current status, one must look at its long and complex history. America’s Next Top Model was more than just a competition; it was a global franchise that launched the careers of numerous models and television personalities, while simultaneously creating moments that are now viewed as deeply problematic.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

• Creator & Host: Tyra Banks (Cycles 1–22, 24), Rita Ora (Cycle 23)
• Original Network: UPN (Cycles 1–6)
• Primary Network: The CW (Cycles 7–22)
• Final Network: VH1 (Cycles 23–24)
• Final Cycle Aired: Cycle 24 (2018)
• Total Cycles: 24
• Final Winner: Kyla Coleman (Cycle 24)
• Notable Judges/Panelists: Janice Dickinson, Nigel Barker, J. Alexander (Miss J), Jay Manuel, Paulina Porizkova, André Leon Talley.

The Current Status: Is America's Next Top Model Cycle 25 Happening?

The question of an America's Next Top Model reboot is one of the most frequently searched queries, especially as reality TV revivals continue to dominate streaming platforms. The short answer, as of late 2025, is a definitive "No current plans," but the context is far more intriguing.

Tyra Banks' Desire vs. Reality

Supermodel and executive producer Tyra Banks has repeatedly expressed her openness and desire to bring back the show. The concept of a modern, more inclusive ANTM remains appealing to her. However, a source familiar with the situation recently clarified that Tyra Banks has "no current plans" to bring the reality series back for a new cycle, effectively putting a pause on the Cycle 25 rumors for now.

The show's last iteration on VH1, which saw pop star Rita Ora briefly take over hosting duties for Cycle 23 before Tyra Banks returned for Cycle 24, demonstrated the franchise's enduring, albeit shifting, appeal. Any potential reboot would likely need a fresh format, a new network partner, and a clear strategy to address the show's contentious past.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

The Controversial Legacy: Tyra Banks Addresses the Backlash

In 2024, the conversation around ANTM shifted dramatically when Tyra Banks herself publicly addressed the years of internet criticism and backlash the show has received. While accepting the Luminary Spotlight Award at an Essence event, Banks admitted to the show's flaws, stating, "I said some dumb s--- on Top Model."

This admission highlighted the tension between the show's stated goal of promoting diversity and its often-insensitive execution. The show is now frequently re-examined through a modern lens, with critics pointing out several shocking moments that would never air today.

The 3 Most Problematic ANTM Moments Under Scrutiny

The backlash primarily centers on instances where the pursuit of drama or a "fierce" photo concept overshadowed the welfare and dignity of the contestants. These specific moments are often cited in current discussions:

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

1. The Race-Switching Photoshoots: Cycles 4 and 13 featured photoshoots where models were styled and made up to represent different ethnicities or races, a practice now universally condemned as blackface and racially insensitive. Hulu notably removed the controversial Cycle 13 "caste system" episode from its streaming service due to the problematic nature of the concept.
2. Insensitive Makeovers: The show was notorious for its dramatic, often non-consensual makeovers. One particularly memorable instance involved a contestant being pressured to close the gap in her teeth, a feature that later became a signature for other successful models.
3. Pressure on LGBTQ+ Contestants: In earlier cycles, gay contestants reported feeling pressure to "tone down" their sexuality or were forced to participate in intimate photoshoots with models of the opposite gender, which raised serious ethical concerns about the show's handling of sexual orientation.

Banks' 2024 comments emphasized that the team "fought to bring the diversity to that television show at a time when nobody was doing it," acknowledging the groundbreaking work while also admitting the execution was often flawed.

Where Are They Now? The ANTM Winners Who Defined High Fashion in 2025

The true legacy of America's Next Top Model is not in the controversy, but in the models who used the platform to launch legitimate, long-lasting careers. Many of the show's alumnae have achieved significant success in high fashion, acting, and activism, proving that the show, for all its flaws, did produce real talent.

The Powerhouse Alumnae

The show's most successful models have transcended the "reality TV" label to become true entities in the fashion world:

• Winnie Harlow (Cycle 21): Arguably the most successful alumna, Harlow has become a global supermodel, walking for major fashion houses, appearing on international magazine covers, and serving as a brand ambassador for numerous luxury brands. She is a powerful advocate for vitiligo awareness.
• Eva Marcille (Cycle 3): Winner of the third cycle, Eva Marcille Pigford (now Eva Marcille) successfully pivoted from modeling to acting and reality television, notably starring on *The Real Housewives of Atlanta*.
• YaYa DaCosta (Cycle 3 Runner-Up): DaCosta has built a highly respected acting career, starring in films like *The Butler* and various television series, including a lead role in *Chicago Med*.

The Most Recent Success Stories (Cycle 24)

The final cycle produced two highly successful models who are still active in the industry as of 2024/2025:

Kyla Coleman (Cycle 24 Winner)
The last official winner, Kyla Coleman, has maintained a strong presence in the high-fashion world. Her 2024/2025 portfolio includes major campaigns with brands like Jaded London and editorial work for prestigious publications, including a feature in *Vogue Hong Kong*. She is recognized for her legitimate and consistent international modeling career, proving the final cycle's prize was more than just a fleeting moment of reality fame.

Khrystyana Kazakova (Cycle 24 Contestant)
Though she placed third, Khrystyana Kazakova has become a major figure in the body positivity and self-love movement. In 2024, she was featured in the Maxim Hot 100 list, a testament to her ongoing relevance and influence beyond the show. She actively uses her platform to promote diversity and mental health awareness, embodying a modern, activist model entity.

The legacy of America's Next Top Model is a complex tapestry of revolutionary diversity and cringeworthy television. While a new cycle (Cycle 25) is not on the immediate horizon, the show's impact lives on through the careers of its alumnae and the ongoing, necessary critical discussion about its place in reality TV history. The show taught a generation to "smize" and "Pot Ledom" (Top Model spelled backward), but its ultimate lesson may be about accountability and evolution in the cutthroat world of fashion.