When Tyra Banks looks back at her time helming America's Next Top Modelshe can't help but smize.
Make no mistakethe supermodel understands not everyone was rooting for her throughout all 24 seasons (sorrycycles) of the competition series that saw her teach the art of the smizethe booty touch andmost importantlyhow to build a career in fashion akin to hers.
"Over 20 years ago I created a show called America’s Next Top Model," the three-time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model detailed while accepting the Luminary Spotlight honor at February's ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards. "And you guys have no idea how hard we fought to bring the diversity to that television show at a time when it didn’t exist."
The challengecontinued the 52-year-oldwas "to show different beauties at a time when the world was like'What? You casting that?'" she recounted. "I was like'Why can the girl from the trailer park become a supermodel but the girl that's chillin' in the park in the hood can't?' And we fought and we struggled and we made it happen."
That being said"Did we get it right?" she questioned. "Hell no. I said some dumb s--t."
Among her regrets was the famed race-switching challenge that saw some models pose with darkened skin. "Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you," Banks tweeted in 2020. "Looking backthose were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs."
Though she also has her own observations.
Despite the missteps—and the hard-to-shake criticism that most of her champs didn't reach the upper echelons of the industry—"I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked together on the internet when there were 24 cycles of changing the world," Bankswho handed out the photos for 23 out of 24 seasons as hostexplained in February. "And I am so excited that Iand so many of ushave opened that door for others to follow."
And though it's been more than seven years since she was last holding just one photo in her handsBanks is hopeful she hasn't delivered her last critique.
"We have triedso it's not us," she told E! News in 2024 of her efforts to get her brainchild back on the air. "It's the powers that be. I'm not the biggest boss in the roomso it's not my doing. Maybe one day."
When the reality series premiered 22-plus years ago in May 2003first on the now-defunct UPNthen The CW andfinallyVH1it dominatedat one point netting upwards of 6 million viewers eager to watch wannabe cover girls sob through their pixie cut "Ty-over" and attempt to nail the perfect commercial for Covergirl's LashBlast Mascara.
"I didn't realize that Top Model would be one of the most successful television shows in the history of television," Banks admitted to E! "Never. I thought it would be two seasons and that it. So bigbig surprise."
And she remains proud of how they moved the needle within the modeling industry.
"I think it's legendary because it opened the door for so much before diversity was a thing that people had to do because of the pressure of social media," she explained. "We were doing things that people would poo-pooor go'Why are you doing that?' And'That person is not traditionally beautiful.' So we got a lot of backlasha lotfor breaking down those doors. But sometimes when you're early in firstyou get the bumps and bruises and you open the door for other people to come."
Andfor the most parteach winner did go on to have a relatively fruitful careerwhether that meant posing for brands such as Burberry and Guesswalking Off-White runways or finding their way in front of other TV cameras.
Let's take a look into where the victors landed after they claimed their spot on top.
Adrianne Curry-RhodeCycle 1
Though she would go on to pose for Ed Hardy and Von Dutchthe series' inaugural winner isperhapsmost famous for the waaaaay she became a Brady wife. Marrying Christopher Knight after they met on VH1's Surreal Life, she and the Brady Bunch alum would go on to star on the network's spinoff My Fair Brady before ending their five-year union in 2011. Now remarried to voiceover actor Matthew Rhodeshe defected from L.A. to Montana were she runs her blog and sells Avon products.
"I felt that I was on a cusp," Adrianne told People in July 2024. "I was 32 years old and I got offered a job for face fillersand it was a huge payday with free face fillers and one up to my contract and all this stuff. And I remember sitting thereand that money was so good that I considered it. Then I thoughtI am willing to defaceto mutilate myself for money?"
She could envision what came next as well.
"I saw a future on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with my face full of filler and me clinging to youth that is gone," she admitted. "I just felt like there was something more out there than just relevancy and moneyand I made that decision to leave.”
Yoanna HouseCycle 2
Having gleaned a thing or two about hustling from Banksthe trained vocalist from Florida is juggling modeling (she walked in New York Fashion Week in 2015) an HSN gig and hosting work. But her "proudest achievement"as she put it on Instagramis parenting son Alastair with attorney Gregory Lineberrythe man she's called her "best friend."
Eva MarcilleCycle 3
Then known as Eva Pigfordthe 5-foot-6 L.A. native confidently claimed her throne atop the ANTM empirethen assuredly pivoted from modeling (having landed numerous shoots and runway shows) into acting with a 2007 arc on House of Payne. A two-year stint on The Young and the Restless and parts in films such as Sistercode and Busted followed. Andup until announcing her departure in June 2020the Rickey Smiley Morning Show host and mother of three (single since her 2023 split from attorney Michael Sterling) was Gone With the Wind fabulous on Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta.
For now she's focused on actingstarring as Marilyn “Madam” DeVille in the Tyler Perry-produced BET+ series All the Queen’s Men.
Naima MoraCycle 4
Since her 2005 winthe student has become the teacher. In between modeling gigs (the former Detroit resident is represented by EMG and MMG)she's offered advice on the 'gram, in her 2012 book Model Behavior and on her Model Tips Live podcast. One standout guest: fellow cycle 4 alumKeenyah Hill.
She also recently appeared in two episodes of BET+'s Diarra from Detroit and dropped her directorial debut in October with documentary Elizabeth Speaks. Meant to explore "the transformative powers of ancestral connection," as detailed on her Instagramthe flick features a conversation between her and political artist grandmother Elizabeth Catlett.
Nicole Linkletter NathansonCycle 5
The student from Grand ForksNorth Dakota (a hometown she affectionally refers to as "the tundra") walked away from the fifth round with a cool prize: a $100,000 CoverGirl contract and a career that saw her posing for the likes of Burberry and Bebe. Now living on the west coast with husband Adam Nathansonshe signed with HRI Talentbut also worked as a court appointed special advocate. Her other major role is parenting son Theo and daughter Olive.
Danielle EvansCycle 6
So determined to leave her hometown of Little Rock in the rearview("I wasn't even hungryI was starved to get out,") the 5-foot-11 beauty acquiesced slightly when informed host Tyra Banks wanted her to eliminate the space between her front teeth, agreeing to close the gap every so slightly.
"I was not going to allow something that is physical on my face to stop me from getting out to make a better life for myself," she explained in 2020responding to the resurfaced video. Stillshe stressed to her "young queens" she fully believes that beauty is on the inside—and her grace has propelled her to endless bookings and a second job as founder and designer of hat line, Monrowe.
CariDee EnglishCycle 7
Post-winthe Fargo native turned her biggest liability—a bold personality that had her teasing judge Nigel Barker about the "stick up his ass"—into her greatest asset. Along with ad campaigns (she became the face of Ray Ban in 2013) and runwaysshe scored work as a host (MTV's ScarredOxygen's Pretty Wicked) an advocate (with the National Psoriasis Foundation) and as a singersongwriter and drummer. She also returned to her photography rootssharing her work on Instagram @carideephotos.
Jaslene GonzalezCycle 8
The physical embodiment of not giving up on your dreamsshe became the eighth winner after getting passed over for cycle 7. No doubt that perseverance is a message the L.A. residentwho starred in short film An Outfitespouses in workshops through her company On Set With Jaslene. Wellthat and mastering six signature poses that make you stand out. It's advice she uses as a working model under Wallflower Management.
Sal StowersCycle 9
Making the transition to acting after a handful of fashion weeksthe California native (who'd modeled previously on The Tyra Banks Show) stuck to what she knewscoring a guest role on The Exes in 2012 as a supermodel. Parts on New Girl and All My Children followedeventually leading the World Vision ambassador to her regular gig as Lani on Days of Our Lives. In April 2023the Sistas actress announced her engagement to actor John-Michael Carlton.
Whitney Thompson ForresterCycle 10
A 10-season drought was broken when the Floridian was named the first full-figured victor thanks to her size six(!) garb. She now shares the experiences she gained traveling the world for various jobs on her Whitney's Wanders blog and her love of vegan eats at Pink Pelicanthe Panama City Beach ice cream and fudge shop she owns. Her other major projects: Sons Winston and Tristan with husband Ian Forrester.
McKey Sullivan AlveyCycle 11
Nearly 12 years after she came out on topthe 6-foot Renaissance faire enthusiast is still fighting. Wed to professional MMA fighter Sam Alvey since 2013she is also a mixed martial arts enthusiastBrazilian jiu-jitsu practitionerchefmidwifery student and mom of six.
Teyona AndersonCycle 12
After collecting her prize in the Brazilian finalethe New Jersey native (now working professionally as Teyona Asia Anderson) headed further southwalking some 30 shows in Cape Town's fashion week. But in her personal lifeshe's more likely to be found behind the cameracapturing photos of son Anderson Nash.
Nicole Fox AbuhamadaCycle 13
Proving good things come in slightly smaller packagesthe winner of the petite season (at 5-foot-7she's actually an inch taller than Marcille) went on to book major ad campaigns for Forever 21 and Steve Madden along with parts on The Bold and the Beautiful and in 2016 films Hero of the Underworld and Paradise Club.
These daysthoughshe describes herself as a former model and actressinstead working as an interdisciplinary literary and visual artist with specialization in poetry and oil painting. The author and illustrator of Lipton Loves lives in Maryland with husband Jacob Abuhamada and their son Idris.
Krista WhiteCycle 14
The twelfth(!) time auditioning was the charm for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff beautywho nabbed the crown in 2010. Though she's since worked runways in NYCLos Angeles and Milanaccording to her websiteshe's now focused on TV hosting gigs to follow up her two-season stint as a judge and student mentor on TLC's Global Beauty Masterswhile also serving as fashion director for DLXVRSN Magazine.
Ann WardCycle 15
Though the lanky 6-foot-2 Texan (runway specialist J. Alexander infamously wrapped his hands around her tiny waist) spent time working as a modelgracing covers of both Velvet Magazine and ENE Magazine, her Instagram feed is dedicated to her other passion: illustrations from her work as a concept artistcharacter designer and animator.
Brittani KlineCycle 16
Despite five years in the industry and a portfolio filled with impressive titles (Vogue Italia! Vogue Mexico! Interview!)the Lock Haven University grad's Insta profile describes herself as a former model and "current human raising tiny humans." Along with bringing up son Rowan—and her September 2025 arrival—she earned her Master of Professional Studies degree in Strategic Communications from Penn State in 2022.
Lisa D'AmatoCycle 17
Placing just sixth during cycle 5she was nonetheless unforgettable for attention-grabbing antics that saw her using a diaper while on set and having lengthy chats with a pampas grass plant she named Cousin It. Nabbing the title in the all-star roundshe translated that notoriety into further screen time on Celebrity Rehab, Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars and Shark Tank. (Her pitch for Dare-U-Go!part bibpart storage container earned her $350,000.)
She and former husband Adam Friedman welcomed their first son Daxel in September 2013 and second son Venice nearly three years later. Now living in PortugalD'Amato continues to share her ongoing fight to regain custody of her boys.
Sophie SumnerCycle 18
The Oxford native came for Top Model honors in the series' British Invasion round. After edging out American runner-up Laura LaFrateshe released her single "Aiming For You" on iTunesthen served as host of a TRL-esque weekend countdown show on Music Choice. These daysthe New York City resident juggles a handful of gigs including Amazon Live hostDaily Front Row contributing editor and actressstarring in 2023's Killington.
Laura James EckerCycle 19
She announced her second pregnancy in September 2024writing on Instagram"We are so so melty with joyand can’t wait to see our baby girl become a big sister."
Though that two under two life was a challenge"This is the absolute most fun I’ve ever had in my life and I really think I was meant to create and raise life," she wrote in an October 2025 post. "I wake up every day splitting in half with gratitude and with a love I didn’t know could exist.
Jourdan MillerCycle 20
In the first battle of the sexesthe 6-foot Oregon teen dominatedbesting male finalists Marvin Cortes and Cory Hindorff. So no surprise she's been working steadily ever since. Among the jobs she's featured on her Instagram: the cover of Desnudo Magazine Italia and an ad for Gucci.
Keith CarlosCycle 21
Once the former NFL wide receiver got in the gamehe quickly proved to be a winner. The series' first male victorhe's posed for the likes of Macy'sDieselGuess and Nike. From therethe cofounder of multimedia company Dream Katchers Enterprise"made a natural transition into acting," as his bio on the company website explains. Among the standout roles for the father of Keith Jr.: Cardi B's "Be Careful" music videothe 2017 drama Chocolate City: Vegas and a recurring role on The Bold and the Beautiful.
Nyle DiMarcoCycle 22
A clear winner: After smizing his way to the top of the ANTM heap in 2015the show's second male winner (and first deaf victor) shimmied to mirrorball gold on Dancing With the Stars the following year. Then he made his next move into producing and acting (credits include Difficult People, Switched at Birth and Dan + Shay's "Tequila" music video) while continuing his work as an activist for the hearing impaired with his Nyle DiMarco Foundation.
After producing the 2020 Netflix reality series Deaf Utrailing a group of students at his alma materGallaudet Universitya school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in WashingtonD.C.and the 2021 Oscar-nominated documentary short AudibleDiMarco teamed with Davis Guggenheim for his directorial debut2025's Deaf President Now.
In 2022he published a book titled Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — and a Love Letter to a Way of Life.
India GantsCycle 23
With the constant comparisons to Gigi Hadidplus the skills to avoid the dreaded bottom twothe Seattle native's 2017 victory wasn't all that shocking. Nor is the fact that she's been steadily working in the years sincea job for Las Vegas' Ambra Italian Kitchen + Bar earning her a massive billboard on the side of the MGM Grand. "I have been modeling for over 8 years and have done everything from magazines to look books to TV to web campaigns to commercialsand more," she shared in a November 2019 post. "But never have I EVER had a big campaign like this."
Stillshe noted in an April 2024 Instagram videoposing was never enough to pay the bills. "Even since the very early days of my modeling careerI have never worked just as a model," she said of her various side gigslike working at a golf course or a bar.
She also shares her wellness journey on her Instagram and discusses her ongoing sobriety on The Sober Scoop podcast.
Kyla ColemanCycle 24
A quick scan through her Instagram feed proves she's made the most of her 2018 victory. In between posting for brands such as Ivy ParkCalvin KleinWrangler and Alexander Wang (and appearing in Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now" music video)she's cementing her spot on the runway. "first szn in paris & i debuted with @off____white," she raved in 2020"so mf major - i'm truly living a dream."