Paulina Porizkova
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Teyona Anderson was named the 12th winner of America's Next Top Model last week.

But that news was almost overshadowed by the firing of Paulina Porizkova as a judge on the show, a decision that caused the model to blast series creator Tyra Banks in a number of interview.

Earlier today, Banks and executive producer Ken Mok released a joint statement in which they explained the reason behind letting Porizkova go.

"The current state of the economy has forced shows to make major budget cuts industry wide. America's Next Top Model is not immune to these financially challenging times. We've had to make significant cuts in every area of the production and, unfortunately, Paulina was a casualty of these cuts... We really enjoyed working with Paulina, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors."

Porizkova has taken Banks to task for being rude to her on set, a statement we have no doubt is true, regardless of whether or not Paula is simply bitter for being fired.

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!

Paulina Porizkova, a new judge on America's Next Top Model, recently spoke with our friends at Buddy TV. Here are excerpts from the interview:

Did you feel any pressure stepping in for Twiggy? She's so popular with the fans of the show.
Really? See, I had no idea. If you had told me that before I probably would have had a lot more pressure. No, I didn't pay any attention. I watch the show because I think it's great fun, and I really liked it. But no, I didn't think anything of it actually.

If anything I thought, "God, she's such a lady, she's such a nice, nice woman." She's ridiculously nice. I thought, you know, sometimes I wanted her to speak up a little more.

I heard you're a person who voices her opinions and says how she feels. Do you do that in judges' panel on Top Model?
Well, why do you think they hired me? Yeah, I think they decided maybe Top Model had gotten too nice I guess, so they turned to the mega bitch -- me. I say that in jest. But, you know, painfully honest to the point of tactlessness I guess.

Read the full interview now.

So long, Twiggy.

Hello, Paulina Porizkova.

That's the message sent out by the producers of Amerca's Next Top Model, as a change to the judging panel has been made due to scheduling conflicts. Twiggy will be vacating her post next year.

"We are thrilled to have Paulina as a part of this cycle's judging panel," America's Next Top Model executive producer Ken Mok said in a statement. "The show and participants will benefit a great deal from her vast modeling knowledge and expertise."

Don't worry, fans: Miss J. Alexander and photographer Nigel Barker will be sitting on either side of Tyra Banks at the judges' table next year, as usual.

"We would like to thank Twiggy for her great contributions to the show," Mok said. "Having an icon like Twiggy lend us her considerable expertise has elevated our show to a whole new level. We wish her well in her endeavors and hope to collaborate with her in future Cycles of America's Next Top Model as well as other projects."

Porizkova appeared on Dancing with the Stars last season, but was voted out early.