Tyra Banks To ANTM Judges: “Smize! You’re Fired!”

America’s Next Top Model woke up with no judges, that’s because decided to fire Nigel Barker (fashion photographer and judge), Jay Manuel (photoshoot director) and Miss J. Alexander (runway coach extraordinaire) from the show.

Banks and Ken Mok, executive producers of ANTM, released the following statement shortly after news broke that the trio had been axed:

“Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander have been an integral part of the America’s Next Top Model brand and they helped turn this show into the household name it is today. They have been amazing assets to the show and will always be a part of the Top Model family. We will continue to actively work with each of them on future projects.”

Tyra futhered addressed the firings on her Facebook account:

“To my Nigel Barker, Miss J and Mr Jay: Thank you for all of our years together on America’s Next Top Model! Working with you is always an absolute pleasure. Excited for what the future holds for us. XOXO, TyTy.”

Flippant panelist Kelly Cutrone, formerly of MTV’s The City, will retain her place as a Top Model judge.

This isn’t the first time Tyra has sent ANTM judges packing. Vogue magazine’s Andre Leon Talley and former supermodels Janice Dickinson and Paulina Porizkova were previously ousted from the show.

Comments
Anne Craven

This does it for me!. The three people who make this show interesting, gone! After last seasons joke, choosiing the vulger, loud, obnoxious Lisa over Allison Harvard (a real TOP MODEL), we now are faced with a judge, Kelly Cultrone, who is the cruelest judge ANTM has ever had. This new season with the Brit’s (nothing against them, in fact they are better then the Americans)the whole premise of the show has changed and it is no longer the show it set out to be. I’ve whatch from the beginning, have not always agreed with the choices, but it was always enjoyable. Not any longer. Tyra, you have ruined what was a good show. You’ve lost one viewer and will probably lose many more. Good luck to Nigel, Ms. Jay and Mr. Jay. You deserved better.