While I was initially embarrassed to admit it, I loved watching America’s Next Top Model.

But in its early years the more you watched the show the more you fell in love with it, its cast members, and yes, Tyra Banks herself. After a while, though, the show, like most good things on TV, started to get a little stale…and sometimes annoying.

Evidently, I’m not the only one who’s no longer a faithful watcher given the show has reportedly experienced its lowest ratings since its exception.

But not one to give up on her most popular franchise just yet, Tyra is bringing new blood to give a much needed jolt to the series.

The New York Daily News reports that Tyra is bringing back Kimora Lee Simmons as a judge.

It was rumored that the original Top Model judge was fired after not getting along with the show creator. If you recall, both Janice Dickson and Paulina Porizkova spoke ill of Tyra once they left the show.

Now Tyra’s ready to prove she plays nice with others.

Via Gatecrasher:

“So Tyra called Kimora to prove the notion [that she doesn't work well with others] wrong,” the source adds. A CWspokesman would say only: “Not true.”

Kimora, who will fill the seat occupied by celebrity guest judges like Kim Kardashian, Chanel Iman and Jessica White, won’t be the only Type A personality on the bench: Word is that fan favorite J. Alexander is getting bounced back to his original role as runway coach and will be replaced by Vogue editor at large Andre Leon Talley.

Kimora will be great for laughs, but the addition of Andre Leon Talley adds a bit of credibility to a show that seems to have produced more actors and reality TV stars than bona fide top models.

That definitely makes me more inclined to check out the upcoming seasons. What about you?

Source

America’s Next Top Model semi-finalist Brittany Scullark might want to switch to decaf if she hopes to stay out of trouble.

Known as “Bre” on the reality series, the third place earning contestant from Cycle 5 was arrested on Monday in New York for disorderly conduct.

TMZ reports that Bre got into it with a woman at an area Starbuck then allegedly snatched her laptop away and wouldn’t give it back.

‘Round my way we call that stealing.

But in Bre’s defense, she apparently thought the laptop belonged to a family member. When the owner of the coffee shop asked for it back, Bre cursed the owner out.

Classy.

The model was taken into police custody and issued a court summons.

She’ll appear before a judge at a later date.

If I were her I’d smile with my eyes the entire time.

Source

I haven’t paid America’s Next Top Model any mind since the girl with the Tootie haircut won and then went on to do…exactly.

But, Tyra Banks’ top money maker keeps up churning out the new seasons, and I’ll admit my interests was piqued a little when it was revealed that the upcoming season would be dedicated to the short ladies of the world.

Now that we’re one month away from the premiere of Cycle 13 of Top Model, producers have unveiled the new cast members.

Here they are:

Erin
Age: 18
Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin (currently Spring Grove, Illinois)
Occupation: Student
Height: 5′6″

Sundai
Age: 18
Hometown: Bakersfield, California
Occupation: Student
Height: 5′3″

Read the rest of this entry »

Tyra Banks fired fellow supermodel Paula Porizkova from America’s Next Top Model on her birthday over Porizkova’s apparent ego problem.

Speaking with Access Hollywood, the now jobless Porizkova talked about some of the problems she incurred on set.

“I must admit I was having a little bit of an issue with Tyra being late for every judging. It’s six hours later and I feel like I am being told my time is not as valuable as hers. They pointed out that I should shut up and be grateful for the job and that Tyra is really busy.”

Silly Paula for pushing punctuality at her job…is she crazy?

Speaking of which, some have speculated that Tyra’s inability to keep a fellow female judge on the panel (I do not count Miss Jay) is rooted in Tyra not getting along with other women.

What does Paula have to say on the matter?

“I don’t think that in Tyra’s universe that’s even a consideration. I don’t think she cares. I’m not even sure she was aware that I existed way out there in Siberia, much like I am not sure she knew Twiggy existed.”

Wow, that’s a bit harsh, right? I wonder what Tyra could have possibly said to her to make her feel that way?

“I wouldn’t know [what kind of person Tyra is] because all I know of her is literally when we are on set talking to each other in front of the cameras,” the supermodel said. “That is the only time she would speak to me.”

Oh not a thing. That explains it. The producers of Top Model haven’t commented, but I’m guessing since Tyra’s got like 18 jobs now she could still care less.

Good luck, Paula. It’s a recession and you just missed out on a recommendation on your resume.

Photo by Jim DeYonker/Pottie Productions Inc.

Twenty-year-old Teyona Anderson proved to be the fiercest diva on last night’s finale of America’s Next Top Model (cycle 12), beating her bug-eyed rival Allison Harvard on the catwalk. The final episode was the typical fare. The top three shot their CoverGirl commercials and photoshoots until the last two remained. I wanted to see a Teyona vs. Aminat showdown but in the end, the judges didn’t feel like Aminat delivered, and I agree.

When it came down to Teyona and Allison, competition was really close. Neither out-shined the other, as they both obviously wanted the title badly and clawed their way through the rest of the competition. While on the catwalk, the models did the Brazilian stomp, a samba and finally, writhed around in an oil slick on the floor.  As per the usual, judges also used photos of each girl from the entire season to help weigh their decision.

As a result of her triumphant win, Teyona will be managed by Elite Model Management and will receive a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, as well as appear on the cover and a six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine.

Congratulations Teyona, hopefully you’ll join the ranks of the more successful top models like Eva Pigford, Toccara Jones and Yaya DaCosta.

In other news, the dramatic season finale also marked judge Paulina Porizkova’s final appearance on the show. Paulina announced that she was fired from the show on last night’s The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. I wonder who will take her place in cycle 100 13, or if the recession will be an excuse for them not to replace her.