America's Next Top Model
News (Page 2)

Casting for the 13th season - sorry, 13th cycle - of America's Next Top Model is underway.

Here's the long and (mostly) short of it:

In a complete turnaround from the casting requirements of its first 12 cycles, the reality competition is requiring contestants to be 5'7" or under. Tell us why, self-serving host Tyra Banks:

"There have been top supermodels in the past that weren't as tall as the industry demands, like fashion icon Kate Moss. So we are changing up Top Model for cycle 13 and making it a year for the shorter model!"

In addition to the height requirement, those interested in applying for the series must be between the ages of 18 and 27; and be of "diverse backgrounds, shapes and sizes," according to The CW.

American Idol is about to meet America's Next Top Model.

A representative for the latter show has confirmed to Us Weekly that Clay Aiken will be featured on the competition's April 8 installment. The former Idol runner-up will work with the aspiring models in an acting challenge.

From there, Aiken will critique the contestants’ performances, along with regular judge and executive producer Tyra Banks, during the panel session when one model is sent home.

America’s Next Top Model’s twelfth cycle premieres February 25.

The twelfth season of America's Next Top Model premieres on February 25.

The competition will include 13 contestants, as show creator Tyra Banks returns as a judge.

She'll be joined by former supermodel and Dancing with the Stars participant Paulina Porizkova; runway expert J. "Ms. J" Alexander; and photographer Nigel Barker.

Here's a look at the aspiring models that will be competing on the program:

• Allison, 20, artist; New Orleans
• Aminat, 21, student; Union, N.J.
• Celia, 25, designer fashion sales; Cynthiana, Ky.
• Fo, 19, student; Albuquerque, N.M.
• Isabella, 19, aspiring model; Barboursville, Va.
• Jessica, 18, student; Bradenton, Fla.
• Kortnie, 24, nonprofit organizer; Houston
• London, 18, student; Arlington, Texas
• Natalie, 19, student; Palos Verdes, Calif.
• Nijah, 18, aspiring model; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
• Sandra, 19, student; Rockville, Md.
• Tahlia, 18, student; Phoenix
• Teyona, 20, loss prevention representative; Woodstown, N.J.

When can you next see Nigel Barker judging America's Next Top Model?

“We just finished shooting our last season, and it will be on air again in March or April,” Nigel said at the Hunger and Hope art exhibition in New York City last week. “We start shooting season 13 in May and season 14 in September. It’s never-ending! I hope you’re not bored of my face. I’m not going anywhere.”

Not only isn't Barker leaving the popular reality show, he may even appear on another series: Gossip Girl.

“If there’s a reason for it. I’ve done a few cameos before,” he said. “I’m not an actor. That’s one of the things about being on a reality show – I can be myself. But Gossip Girl is fun. There are some pretty girls there. It wouldn’t be hard to shoot them.”

Congratulations are in order for McKey Sullivan. The newly-crowned top model of America will soon see her life change dramatically.

Before she does, however, Sullivan answered a few questions from TV Guide. Here are highlights from the interview:

What was one of the hardest things to deal with throughout the experience?
McKey: I had a really hard time letting the girls get to know me at first. I was guarded and very controlling as to what I showing to them. I guess I just shelled up because I was afraid they'd see what a weirdo I am and stay away from me!

We started getting in sync with each other the second week, and the longer we were the there, the more comfortable everyone got with each other. That's why the fights started, because everyone was more comfortable fighting with each other [laughs]. There were little disagreements over everything from what color looks better to who the president shouldn't be.

What are you hoping for with your upcoming career?
McKey: Ideally, what happens is they send me to Europe — hopefully Paris. I think that's where my look fits in the best, and I've been told I have very European features. And my mother did the sweetest thing and bought me a Papillion dog, which is what I really wanted to travel with me. She's going to come with me wherever I go so I can take a little bit of home with me. But, if I can work in New York, I'll go to New York — wherever I can get work I'll go!

McKey Sullivan beat out Samantha Potter and Analeigh Tipton last night to be named the latest winner of America's Next Top Model.

"Oh my God, I just won America's Next Top Model and I can't believe it!" McKey said after the champion was announced.

Last season's top model, Whitney Thompson, made an appearance on the finale, which ended with Brittany being awarded with a management deal with Elite Model Management, a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, and a cover story and six-page fashion spread in an issue of Seventeen.

"I was not the little girl who said 'I wanna grow up and be a model.' I was very much the tomboy. I was hardcore into soccer, so I got started in modeling when I was 15-years-old and I put all my energy, all my competitiveness into modeling and it's something I've wanted so bad and it just didn't happen," McKey said.

"This was the last thing for me. I was gonna try out for America's Next Top Model and that was going to be it. I made the show and it was the best thing for me. It made me realize that maybe this was something that really can happen."

On last night's episode of America's Next Top Model, Halloween came early.

Forget ghosts and goblins, when one of the girls needed to be rescued from her awful "suburban mom" wardrobe choice, Miss J. Alexander provided viewers with the scariest thing they'll see this week: Her with no pants on!

Sadly, Isis King won't be America's Next Top Model. This transgener contestant was eliminated from the show last week.

But the aspiring beauty did speak with E! Online afterwards. Here are highlights from that interview:

On Sexual Reassignment Surgery: "There's still obviously the finances. I'm not working right now, but hopefully I get a lot of gigs from me being on the show. Once I save my money - hopefully within the next two years, that's my goal - I will have it done as soon as possible, so I can just get it out of the way."

On her gender's role on the show: "I just try not to really think about me being born special or a little different than other girls. I really try not to dwell on it, because the more and more I start to dwell on it, the more and more it starts to consume my shoots, or my personality, or my ability to perform...[but] I guess it was inevitable."

Ever had a question for Paulina Porizkova?

In the video below, the America's Next Top Model judge answers numerous inquiries from fans of the show. Maybe one of them will be yours!

Tonight's episode of America's Next Top Model is always a fan favorite.

How will each contestant look after a complete makeover? And is there any chance Tyra Banks can be made over from self-serving annoyance to competent, caring judge?

We won't hold our breath.

Here are two clips from tonight's America's Next Top Model: