The twenty-fourth and final cycle of America's Next Top Model premiered on January 9, 2018 and was the second season to air on VH1. Continuing from cycle 23, this cycle featured an all-female cast. However, in a first for the series, the maximum age limit was removed, allowing contestants of all ages (lowest age limit still being 18) to enter the contest.[1] Although this cycle aired in 2018, it was filmed from May through June 2017.
Top Model franchise creator Tyra Banks returned as the show's host after being replaced for one cycle by singer Rita Ora. The judging panel, consisting of model Ashley Graham, Paper magazine chief creative officer Drew Elliott, and celebrity stylist Law Roach, remained otherwise unchanged.
The prizes for this cycle included a contract with Next Model Management, fashion spread in Paper magazine, a cash prize of US$100,000 from Pantene, and a featured avatar in the new America's Next Top Model Mobile Game.
The winner of the competition was 20 year-old Kyla Coleman from Lacey, Washington with Jeana Turner placing as the runner-up.[2]
The semi-finalists were introduced to the judges for the first time, and were made aware of the new casting process in which any of them could be eliminated at any point during casting week (as opposed to the mass-eliminations in previous cycles), to gradually reduce the pool of contestants. The models then had one-on-one auditions with the judges, which saw several semi-finalists leave the competition.
The surviving models later met with judge Drew Elliot and fashion director Nicola Formichetti for an Avant-garde photo shoot and runway challenge. The remaining 18 contestants moved into the model house, and at the end of the week, host Tyra Banks selected the finalized cast of 14 contestants. Immediately afterwards, Banks announced that one of the semifinalists who'd missed the final cut, Erin Green, would also be allowed to move on to the main competition, bringing the final number of contestants to 15.[4][5]
The finalists moved into the model home. They later met runway coach Stacey McKenzie for a catwalk lesson. Coura, Khrystyana, Sandra and Kyla was appreciated for their walk while Shanice, Ivanna and Liz was deemed the worst by Stacey. Then Stacey revealed that the lesson was for preparation for an upcoming runway challenge at Venice Beach skate park, where the contestants had to model designs from Baja East and avoid skateboarders as they navigated across a skating ramp. As the winner of the challenge, Khrystyana was chosen to walk in a show for the label during New York fashion week. On set, the models had a bohemian pregnancy photo shoot with photographer Charlotte Rutherford, inspired by Hollywood's latest baby boom fashion trends. Erin became emotionally unbalanced at shoot remembering her 4 kids and Liberty criticised her. At panel, Rio, Jeana, Coura and Khrystyana was appreciated for their photos. Liz was appreciated for portraying her own personality in her photo. Erin despite she cried at shoot was appreciated by the judges for her good shot. While, Brendi for not showing her bold personality in her photo, Shanice for being overconfident in her photo, Sandra for not giving a good shot despite her strong looks and Maggie for being a homegirl were criticised by the judges. At elimination, Coura received best picture. Brendi K and Maggie landed in the bottom two. Brendi K was allowed to stay because of her bold personality and Tyra told Maggie that it was better for her to stay in her home. Maggie became the first girl to leave the competition.[7]
The models arrived back at the house and immediately received a Tyra Mail alluding to the fact that makeovers would be taking place soon. Most of the models liked their makeovers but Liberty disliked her hair being dyed red, Shanice refused to get a weave because of her psoriasis, Jeana became emotional after her wig was removed and Ivanna did not like her long hair being shortened. After the makeovers were administered, the models met Director X for a video shoot meant to showcase their new trademark looks in a room full of mirrors. At panel, Brendi, Kyla and Jeana was appreciated for their performance, Liberty was appreciated for being confident and highlighting her makeover though she first told she disliked her makeover and Liz as her bubbly personality matched with her bubble gum pink hair. Liberty was deemed to be the best performer and was described as a "chameleon" by Tyra. Shanice and Ivanna landed in the bottom two as Shanice appeared confident but her looks was not good and Ivanna for not being confident. Ivana was eliminated from the competition and Shanice was saved.[9]
The remaining models received scripts for a screen test challenge with actor Kevin Phillips, which was judged by director Anthony Hemingway and Stacey McKenzie. Khrystyana was ultimately chosen as the challenge winner. Later on, the models were taken to a mansion for a photo shoot inspired by American Horror Story. Liz became emotionally unstable after Brendi and the rest of the girls did not allow her to sleep and made fun of her. After a heart to heart conversation with Tyra, Liz decided to quit the competition due to health issues despite giving a strong photo during shoot. At elimination, Khrystyana received best photo. Coura and Rhiyan landed in the bottom two, and Rhiyan was eliminated from the competition.[11]
Featured photographer: Ekaterina Belinskaya
Special guests: B. Akerlund, Anthony Hemingway, Stacey McKenzie, Kevin Phillips
The remaining 11 models had to work with renowned YouTuber Patrick Starr to shoot a beauty vlog which required them to use unconventional items as beauty tools. Sandra was chosen as the challenge winner, and was rewarded with a guest appearance on Starr's channel. On set, the models were stacked on top of one another to have their beauty shots taken. As winner of challenge, Sandra was chosen to shoot with Ashley Graham and was allowed to choose one more girl. Sandra chose Kyla, her best friend and ally. At panel, Sandra's, Rio's and Khyrstyana's photo got unanimous praise. Shanice was appreciated for her great improvement. Kyla also was appreciated for her embracing her cheerful personality in her photo. While the rest girls were declared as average and below average by the judges. At elimination, Rio received best picture. Christina and Coura landed in the bottom two, and Coura was eliminated from the competition.[13]
The remaining 10 contestants celebrated pride week at Micky's Bar, and took part in a self styled popup runway challenge for designer Christian Cowan which was won by Khrystyana. The models later had a photo shoot posing alongside former Drag Race contestants Manila Luzon, Valentina and Katya Zamolodchikova. Khrystyana's photo was said to be one of the best pictures in the season by the judges at panel. Jeana's and Sandra's photo also was appreciated. Shanice's improvements and good shot got unanimous praise. Erin, Christina and Rio was appreciated for their photos. Kyla's flower-girl shot and Liberty's inconsistency was criticized by the judges. Brendi's photo was determined as "average" by the judges. Khrystyana won best picture at elimination. Kyla and Liberty landed in the bottom two, and Liberty was eliminated from the competition as the judges saw more potential in Kyla.[15]
Featured photographer: Katie Levine
Special guests: Valentina, Christian Cowan, Manila Luzon, Stacey McKenzie, Katya Zamolodchikova
The remaining nine contestants were challenged with the task of creating an anti-bullying PSA for the National Crime Prevention Council under the direction of Director X. As the winners of the challenge, Khrystyana, Kyla, and Sandra were chosen to have their video used as part of a national digital campaign for NCPC. On set, the models were stripped to their barest essentials and had their photographs taken by Tyra. Khrystyana got emotionally unstable being stripped to her barest essentials. At panel Kyla, Sandra, Brendi, Jeana and Rio was appreciated for their good shots. Khrystyana despite being emotionally unstable at set got a good shot. At elimination Brendi K, Jeana, Khrystyana, Kyla, Rio, Sandra, and Shanice received a joint first call-out as a group. Christina and Erin landed in the bottom two, and Christina was eliminated from the competition.[17]
Featured photographer: Tyra Banks
Special guests: Yoko Sakakura, Shigeko Taylor, Director X, Stacey McKenzie
The remaining models received a visit from Tyra, and learned about effective techniques for taking a selfie. They were later introduced to model Jourdan Dunn in time for a selfie challenge in which they had to advertise Jourdan's clothing brand, LonDunn. Jeana was chosen as the winner of the challenge. On set the contestants were photographed by Tyra in a photo shoot where they had to pose with plus-sized male models covered in gold body paint. At elimination, Kyla received best photo. Khrystyana and Sandra landed in bottom two, and Sandra was eliminated from the competition.[19]
Featured photographer: Tyra Banks
Special guests: Jourdan Dunn, Zach Miko, Miles Dausuel, Kevin Rivers, Michael
The seven remaining models met with Ashley Graham and movement coach Jermaine Browne for a motion shoot challenge, which was won by Jeana. They later had a couture photo shoot in the desert while posing with a parachute. Brendi K decided to quit the competition at panel. This marks the second time in America's Next Top Model history that more than one contestant decided to quit during the same season. Shanice received best photo during elimination, while Jeana and Kyla landed in the bottom two. As a result of Brendi K's departure earlier in the episode, both of them were allowed to stay.[21]
The six remaining contestants attended castings in Los Angeles for Chris Mena and Maggie Barry. Kyla and Rio were chosen as the winners of the challenge, and were given the opportunity to walk in a runway show for the designers as part of their reward. On set, the models had a cover try photo shoot for Paper magazine. At elimination, Rio received best photo. Erin and Shanice landed in the bottom two, and Erin was eliminated from the competition.[23]
Featured photographer: Pieter Henket
Special guests: Chris Mena, Barbara Strasmore, Maggie Barry
The remaining finalists had a challenge in which they had to create personalized avatars for the new America's Next Top Model mobile game. Khrystyana was chosen as the winner, and received an assortment of clothes styled by Law Roach. The models were later taken to a mansion in order to shoot a music video with Maejor and Tyra Banks under the direction of Director X. At elimination, Khrystyana received best performance. Jeana and Rio landed in the bottom two, and Jeana was eliminated from the competition.[25]
The final four took part in a throwback America's Next Top Model challenge inspired by the bubble runway from cycle 16. It was revealed that the models would be walking alongside the formerly eliminated contestants (except Liz and Brendi K.), one of whom would be replacing that week's eliminee at panel. Erin was chosen as the challenge winner, and along with Liberty, Christina, and Jeana, they moved back into the model house for the opportunity to possibly return. On set, the contestants had a photo shoot in pairs with cycle 3 winner Eva Marcille covered in tarantulas, shot by former judge Nigel Barker. At elimination, Kyla received best picture. Rio and Shanice landed in the bottom two, and Rio was eliminated from the competition. Out of the four comeback contestants, Jeana was chosen to return.[27]
The remaining four models took part in a challenge for Pantene in which they had to style their own hair and makeup. Khrystyana was chosen as the winner. On set, the contestants had to shoot an advertising campaign for Pantene, which required them to embody several different products from the brand. At elimination, Kyla won best photo. Jeana and Shanice landed in the bottom two, and Jeana was eliminated from the competition. In a shocking turn of events, she was saved from elimination by guest judge Philipp Plein, joining the other three models in the finale.[29]
Featured photographer: Torkil Gudnason
Special guests: Kelly Vanasse, Danilo, Philipp Plein
The finalists attended a fitting for Philipp Plein after which Shanice was eliminated from the competition. The remaining three contestants took part in a photo shoot for the winner's spread to be published in Paper magazine. They later reunited with the formerly eliminated contestants (except Brendi K. and Liz) for the final runway show. Immediately following the runway show, Khrystyana was eliminated based on the results from the photo shoot that had taken place earlier that week. The judges deliberated over the body of work of the remaining two finalists, and at the end of the night, Kyla was crowned as the winner.[31]
Brendi K – Buzz cut and dyed black; later, shaved on the sides
Erin – Long and wavy black weave
Rio – Cut short and dyed platinum blonde with split eyebrow
Shanice – Originally, Serena Williams inspired long curly weave; later, no makeover due to skin issues.
Khrystyana – Dyed platinum blonde
Jeana – Wig removed
Kyla – Straightened and dyed dark brown
Critical reception
The season received mixed reviews from critics, with several praising the return of Banks to her hosting position while describing the season overall as paling in comparison to earlier seasons. Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, writing for Vulture, ranked the finale one star out of a possible five and remarked, "We had admittedly hopped off this show’s bandwagon years ago, only to be lured back in with the promise that Tyra’s return would set its course anew."[33] Yang and Rogers concluded, "This is not a good reality show. Its characterizations of the contestants jumped all over the place as it went, it lost more than one contestant who felt emotionally unsafe, its judges (save Ashley Graham) were cartoonishly self-aggrandizing, and you could strongly argue that the best contestant, on paper and in our hearts, lost for no good reason at all." Joey Guerra of HoustonChronicle.com compared the season finale to a "limp balloon,"[34] while Scaachi Koul of Buzzfeed News noted, "ANTM lives and dies by Tyra Banks’s energy," but remarked that "there’s clear callousness in the show’s attempt to become political."[35]
Notes
^In episode 1, the pool of 26 girls was reduced to 14. However, immediately afterwards, Tyra announced that the fifteenth girl–Erin–would also be part of the cast.
^In episode 4, Liz quit the competition before that week's judging panel and elimination.
^In episode 7, Brendi K., Jeana, Khrystyana, Kyla, Rio, Sandra and Shanice were part of the first ever septuple first call-out.
^In episode 9, Brendi K. quit the competition during the judging panel. As a result, no one was eliminated, as Jeana and Kyla were part of a non-elimination bottom two.
^In episode 13, four previously eliminated contestants–Christina, Erin, Jeana and Liberty–were chosen for the possibility to return to the competition. After Rio’s elimination, Jeana was chosen to be brought back to the competition.
^In episode 14, Jeana was originally eliminated once again when she landed in the bottom two with Shanice, but was saved by guest judge Philipp Plein.
^In episode 15, Shanice was eliminated outside of judging panel after attending a fitting for Philipp Plein.
