ANTM TURNS 20!

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL TURNS 20!

By Teryl Warren

Super model turned super-mogul Tyra Banks recently celebrated cycle 20 of her hit reality show and Wiles was there to mark the occasion. Hosted at Hollywood hotspot the Supper Club, the night featured signature cocktails from Vita Coco, the VIPs of L.A.’s fashion scene and a sneak preview of the 3rd episode from the current season.

Long before she hit the halls of Harvard Business School, Tyra showed the world that she was much more than just a pretty face. After having established herself as one of the most famous and popular models to ever rock the runway, Tyra’s forays beyond modeling included a successful talk show and her historic reality series that, as she said at the party, almost never was.

Executive Producer Ken Mok was on-hand and introduced Ms. Banks, who wowed the crowd in a stunning black dress. In typical Tyra fashion, she shared some of her personal reflections on the occasion – including how she overcame naysayers early on to see her vision for Top Model realized.

“I wanted to do a show like American Idol, where the contestants would live together, only featuring models. But my agent at the time said it wouldn’t work – and that models are stupid and no one would ever be interested,” Tyra said. ”So, I went and found another partner – my longtime friend Kenya Barris –  and now, 10 years later, the show airs in more than 160 countries!”

 

While cast members and judges have changed over the years, the core elements of ANTM that fans love – the fashion, the drama and, of course, Tyra – remain well intact. Fans will enjoy another key to the show’s longevity – it’s substantive and relevant weekly fashion challenges – which take on topical issues like the marriage equality in week 3’s episode.  Familiar prize packages for cycle 20 include a spread in Nylon Magazine, $100,000 and a modeling contract.

Flixel Photo from Episode 3 wedding photo shoot

For the first time in the show’s history, male and female models will live in the model house and compete against one another.  As we saw from our sneak preview of episode 3, sparks will definitely fly this season across gender lines and hook-ups in the house are already on the horizon.

Technology takes center stage this cycle as a new moving photo innovation from Flixel will capture images from each photo shoot. A new social media component facilitated by panelist Bryan Boy also enables fans at home to chime in on contestant performances and act as a 4th judge.

The star-studded crowd included reality show stars like The Apprentice’s Omorosa Maingualt and cast members from Shahs of Sunset, past America’s Next Top Model contestants like Keenyah Hill and hip hop star The Game.

Shahs of Sunset star

ANTM Alum Keenyah Hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening ended on the catwalk, of course, with a brief runway show featuring all of the models from cycle 20.

Models from Cycle 20 pose at launch party

 

Sponsors for the launch party included:

Deliciously Diablo,Nylon Magazine, Kashmir, Colour Couture, Murad, Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water, Flixel and more.

For the latest news on America’s Next Top Model, please visit: www.cwtv.com/shows/americasnexttopmodel

 

 

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