End of ANTM! Tyra Banks Announces the Reality TV Show’s End after 22 Cycles

It’s been an amazing 22 Cycles abut America’s Next Top Model has come to an end.

The show’s creator, Tyra Banks, posted the official announcement on her Instagram page a few hours ago, saying she had decided it was time for the show to end. Tyra posted…

TYRA MAIL! Thinking #ANTM #cycle22 should be our last cycle. Yeah, I truly believe it’s time. Our diehard fans know we’ve expanded the definition of beauty, presented what Flawsome is, tooched and booched and boom boom boomed, shown the world how to show their neck, rocked couture/catalogue/commercial poses, have found our (and your) light, strutted countless runways, gone on tons of go-sees, added guys to the girls mix, and have traveled around the globe and back again. Yeah, it’s time. It really is. Wow, I am SO proud of what Top Model has done. #ANTM brought the intimidating modeling world to the masses. We were the first reality show based in the fashion world. I never thought my little idea would have people everywhere thinking differently about how they take photos. And I never thought we’d do 22 cycles. Whoa! So many!!! And what rhymes with 22? You. And you and you and you and you! YOU made Top Model what it is. We are a global force that has so many international versions around the world because of YOU! That’s amazing and beyond anything that I ever dreamed. I set out to create a show where Perfect is Boring. So I hope you continue to love your freckles, your moles, your big forehead, your big eyes, your small eyes, your pointy chin, your tiny boobs, your full chest, your ivory or ebony skin (or every color in between) – the stuff about you that makes you well…you. And I hope you’ve learned a heck of a lot from watching. I have an inkling you have. May your photos (and selfies) be forever fierce. May you always find your light. And may you werk hallways like runways. Always remember, you are beautiful & BOOTYful. And please, keep on Smizing each and every day for TyTy. Fierce & Love, Tyra

A photo posted by Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:44pm PDT

Speaking on the shows end, Mark Pedowitz (President, The CW) said: “America’s Next Top Model was a successful franchise for two networks, first at UPN and then The CW, and it became not just a ratings hit, but a global pop culture phenomenon.” “I want to thank Tyra and [producer] Ken Mok for all their years of success in establishing a show that was not just popular in the U.S., but all across the world.“

The show first premiered in May in 2003, and has run 22 shows on 2 different networks – The CW and UPN. ANTM has had many successful versions in other parts of the world such as Asia, Australia, Colombia and most recently Africa, created by Oluchi Orlandi in 2013.