If you’ve been following America’s Next Top Model from the very beginning, expect a big change for next season.
According to Page Six, Tyra Banks has fired key (and veteran) cast members Nigel Barker, J. Alexander and Jay Manuel, who were informed on Thursday that for Cycle 18, they would not be returning.
The confirmation was then made later by Tyra herself, who posted on Facebook that the America’s Next Top Model cast would be taking a cut: “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 has been an absolute pleasure. Excited for what the future holds for us.”
(Well, for them, we can assume that their future held going back to the apartment, packing up their belongings and leaving the set.) (Get it? Just like the show!)
The producers then issued a statement saying that America’s Next Top Model will continue to use Nigel Barker, J. Alexander and Jay Manuel in future projects, and made no mention of new cast members or creative direction.
We can only hope the show’s and the former cast’s paths cross again – and that Tyra didn’t let them go by just not holding their pictures.
