Tyra Banks ditches America’s Next Top Model age limit and opens competition up to all ages
All you need to be able to do is 'smize' and "learn how to work the runway"
TYRA Banks is ripping up the rules of her own model talent show by saying anyone of any age can try to become a catwalk sensation on America’s Next Top Model.
Since the show began in 2003 (and after an impressive 23 series) the age restriction for those hoping to become celebrated for their good looks was capped at 27.
But now 43-year-old Tyra says the show will be open to all ages when it returns for a twenty-fourth season with the Top Model herself back in command.
"You know what I hear all the time? 'Tyra, come on, why have an age limit?' So you know what? I'm taking that age limit off," Tyra said in a Twitter video posted on Saturday.
"You wanna audition for America's Next Top Model? I don't care how old you are, honey. You just need to know how to smize and be open to learning how to work the runway like a supermodel," she added.
Tyra is returning to her hit modelling show following a one season absence in the judging chair.
She passed over hosting duties to Rita Ora for the 23rd series – but the Hot Right Now singer was given the boot after just one series as Ty returned.
America’s Next Top Model had been axed back in 2015 as Tyra quit the show to launch flop daytime show FABLife – which she walked away from after just weeks of the show airing in America to disastrously low ratings.
And indeed Ty herself sounds like she’s having a ball being given wide scope for how to present the popular talent show.
“[Producer] Nigel [Caaro] said, ‘You be you, darling. If they give you any lines that don’t feel natural, just throw it out and be you. That’s why I have you here’,” she told Billboard last month.
She also said she’s getting along well with AGT judges Mel B and Klum, describing them as: “girls' girls. There’s no catty crap going on. It’s all love here.”
And the star says her experience on the show could lead to future series of America’s Next Top Model getting wild.
“Maybe I'll have my models do crazy stuff! I want to see them do a backflip while juggling and yodeling!” she said.
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