“America’s Next Top Model” ends with cycle 22

The famous long-running American reality television series and interactive competition, “America’s Next Top Model” will end its 12-year run with cycle 22 as the finale season!

Tyra Banks, who is the host and executive producer of the show, announced the shocking news on her Twitter, saying, “Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. Yeah, I truly believe it's time.”

TYRA MAIL! Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. I truly believe it's time. May your pics be forever fierce. Keep on Smizing! 💛Tyra

— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) October 14, 2015

TYRA MAIL! Thinking #ANTM #cycle22 should be our last cycle. Yeah, I truly believe it's time. Our diehard fans know we've expanded the definition of beauty, presented what Flawsome is, tooched and booched and boom boom boomed, shown the world how to show their neck, rocked couture/catalogue/commercial poses, have found our (and your) light, strutted countless runways, gone on tons of go-sees, added guys to the girls mix, and have traveled around the globe and back again. Yeah, it's time. It really is. Wow, I am SO proud of what Top Model has done. #ANTM brought the intimidating modeling world to the masses. We were the first reality show based in the fashion world. I never thought my little idea would have people everywhere thinking differently about how they take photos. And I never thought we'd do 22 cycles. Whoa! So many!!! And what rhymes with 22? You. And you and you and you and you! YOU made Top Model what it is. We are a global force that has so many international versions around the world because of YOU! That's amazing and beyond anything that I ever dreamed. I set out to create a show where Perfect is Boring. So I hope you continue to love your freckles, your moles, your big forehead, your big eyes, your small eyes, your pointy chin, your tiny boobs, your full chest, your ivory or ebony skin (or every color in between) - the stuff about you that makes you well...you. And I hope you've learned a heck of a lot from watching. I have an inkling you have. May your photos (and selfies) be forever fierce. May you always find your light. And may you werk hallways like runways. Always remember, you are beautiful & BOOTYful. And please, keep on Smizing each and every day for TyTy. Fierce & Love, 💛Tyra

A photo posted by Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:44pm PDT

The show started in 2003 and has spawned numerous national and regional versions throughout the world.

It first began as a competition between skinny female models but then as the series developed, petite women, plus-size women, and in recent seasons, men are welcomed to join the competition.

“America’s Next Top Model was a successful franchise for two networks, first at UPN and then The CW, and it became not just a ratings hit, but a global pop culture phenomenon,” CW President Mark Pedowitz said in a statement obtained by Variety.

“I want to thank Tyra and Ken for all their years of success in establishing a show that was not just popular in the U.S., but all across the world,” he added.

The finale episode of “America's Next Top Model” cycle 22 is scheduled to air 4 December 2015, which coincidentally happens to be Tyra Banks’ birthday.

(Photo source: pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com)

With the original series coming to an end, it is not known whether it will affect the other “Top Model” series around the world.

“America’s Next Top Model” is the first reality show that revolves in the fashion industry, and it has inspired countless of other fashion-themed reality shows like “Project Runway”, “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency”, “Make Me a Supermodel” and “The Fashion Show”.

(Main photo source: dekhnews.com)