Last week, Tyra Banks dropped a bombshell when she announced that the 22nd Season of America’s Next Top Model will be the show’s last.
https://twitter.com/tyrabanks/status/654382259852738560
For most people, the bombshell was actually that ANTM was still running, but that is beside the point. Despite plummeting ratings over the last few seasons, there’s no question that ANTM changed the landscape of reality television, expanded upon conventional definitions of beauty, and gave visibility to many women of color who are often overlooked in the fashion industry.
Although a lot of us wouldn’t care to admit it these days, back in the mid-2000s, America’s Next Top Model used to be lit. A huge segment of the general population knew nothing about the fashion industry and we had no idea how intense it was, or what great TV it made. We watched in awe when Miss J educated (nearly) every woman there on how to rip a runway and we damn near threw our television sets out the window when our favorite model lost to a random basic.
Dozens of reality shows — from MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen to Project Runway and (unfortunately) Flavor of Love — can attribute their format to America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks truly deserves credit for creating some entertaining and special primetime moments. Here are just a few of ANTM’s most memorable moments.
1. That time when everyone fell in love with MERCEDES — and then she lost
2. When TOCCARA told us she was “all about that Bass” 10 years before Megan Trainor
3. When we all learned the importance of three square meals a day
4. When BRE made it clear that she will cut a chick over her granola bars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lob00ySip4g
5. When Tiffany learned that under no circumstance do you try to clap back at Tyra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53sOpQQWOOA
These .gifs remain iconic today.
6. When EVA stole our hearts and became a STAR
7. When YAYA stole our hearts and BECAME WHITNEY HOUSTON.
No, seriously. She actually played Whitney Houston in that wretched Lifetime biopic.
8. That time when Robin stood by her conservative principles and refused to get nude for a photoshoot.
9. That one time when Tyra literally tricked uS into watching her music video by sneaking it into an episode
Bonus: Here are some of the best moments of ANTM captured in .gif form:
We’re going to miss you, ANTM!
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