America’s Next Top Model (commonly abbreviated as ANTM) is an American reality competition series created by Tyra Banks and developed by Ken Mok and Kenya Barris. It premiered on UPN in May 2003 and ran for 24 cycles over 15 years, concluding on VH1 in 2018. The series was among the highest-rated shows on both UPN and The CW, attracting a global audience of over 100 million viewers at its peak.
Each cycle began with a pool of aspiring models — typically 10 to 16 contestants — competing through weekly photo shoots and challenges judged on their overall look, versatility, and performance. At the end of each episode, the panel deliberated and eliminated one contestant. The penultimate episode traditionally featured a trip to an international destination, culminating in a finale that crowned the winner. Prizes evolved over the years but typically included a modelling contract, a magazine spread, and a cosmetics deal.
Tyra Banks hosted the first 22 seasons of the series. Rita Ora took over for season 23, with a fully revamped judging panel consisting of Ashley Graham, Paper magazine chief creative officer Drew Elliott, and celebrity stylist Law Roach. Banks returned to host season 24 — the show’s final season, which aired in early 2018.
Tyra Banks remains a defining figure of the franchise, which now includes several international adaptations. A former supermodel and the first black woman to appear solo on the covers of both GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Banks created the show to open doors for models who didn’t fit the industry’s traditionally narrow standards. The series launched the careers of several notable names, including Eva Marcille, Yaya DaCosta, Analeigh Tipton, and Winnie Harlow.
