Overview: Tyra Banks and the succession of hosts
Tyra Banks created and hosted America’s Next Top Model from cycle 1 in 2003 through cycle 23 in 2016, establishing the show’s format of competitive modeling challenges, photo shoots, and runway critiques. When she stepped away, the series continued with rotating hosts and evolving judging panels, shifting between celebrity hosts, modeling professionals, and hybrid formats. The replacements span reality veterans, established models, photographers, and media personalities, each influencing the show’s direction in different cycles. Below is a profile of every main host and recurring panelist who replaced Tyra Banks, their seasons, and how their backgrounds shaped the series.
Cycle 24 (2018): Rita Ora and Ashley Graham
For cycle 24, the show moved to VH1 and introduced a duo hosting format. British singer and TV personality Rita Ora served as the main host, bringing pop-culture visibility and live-performance experience. American plus-size model Ashley Graham joined as a prominent figure in the judging panel, emphasizing body inclusivity and industry experience. This marked the first time the show paired a mainstream celebrity host with a working model in a permanent judging role, signaling a broader push toward diversity in front of and behind the camera.
Rita Ora: celebrity host perspective
Rita Ora’s hosting brought a familiar face from music and red carpets, leaning into entertainment and interviews rather than solely modeling expertise. Her presence aimed to attract viewers beyond traditional ANTM audiences, though some critics noted less runway coaching compared to Banks’ modeling background.
Ashley Graham: panelist and advocate
Ashley Graham, a leading plus-size model and advocate, brought substantive critique around fit, professionalism, and industry standards. Her judging tenure highlighted how body-positive representation could coexist with high-pressure competition, influencing later cycles to continue inclusive casting.
| Role | Name | Cycles | Primary Background | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host | Rita Ora | 24 | Singer, TV personality | Main host; pop-culture focus |
| Judge/Host | Ashley Graham | 24 | Plus-size model, advocate | Emphasized inclusivity and fit |
| Judge | Rob Evans | 24 | Male model, photographer | Brought editorial insight |
| Judge | Law Roach | 24–25 | Stylist, celebrity wardrobe expert | Sharp critique, cultural relevance |
Cycle 25 (2018–2019): The final VH1 cycle
Cycle 25 retained Rita Ora and Ashley Graham while refreshing the judging roster. Law Roach, a stylist with deep celebrity connections, joined to provide trend-focused feedback. The cycle underscored the contrast between Ora’s entertainment-first style and the modeling rigor Ashley and Roach applied, setting the stage for a reset when the series moved back to The CW in 2022.
Cycle 26 (2022): Ann Ward and Devyn Andersen
When the show returned on The CW, the format shifted again. Actress and model Ann Ward, known for winning cycle 15, returned as the host, bringing credibility as both a winner and working model. Devyn Andersen, a model and social-media-savvy personality, joined as a main judge, infusing digital-native perspectives and a focus on modern casting. This pairing reflected an attempt to bridge legacy modeling credibility with contemporary audience engagement.
Ann Ward: winner-turned-host
Having succeeded supermodel Kendall Jenner a decade earlier, Ward’s return offered continuity and an understanding of the show’s evolution. She balanced mentorship with competition, often drawing from her own early-career experiences.
Devyn Andersen: new-media judge
Andersen’s presence signaled attention to social influence and brandability, aligning the judging criteria with how models build careers in the digital era. Her viewpoints complemented traditional modeling metrics with contemporary relevance.
Cycle 27 (2024): Imaan Hammam and rumored shifts
For cycle 27, the show introduced Dutch-Moroccan model Imaan Hammam as host alongside returning judge Ashley Graham. Hammam’s international runway presence and visibility as a woman of color marked a further step in diversifying the show’s front office. Industry rumors suggest ongoing evaluations of format and casting, as producers weigh streaming-era attention spans against the structured challenges that defined Banks’ era.
Imaan Hammam: host vision and impact
Hammam brings global perspective and an established editorial resume, having worked with top brands and appeared in international campaigns. Her hosting style emphasizes clarity in feedback and aspirational storytelling, aiming to attract a new generation of contestants and viewers.
Comparison of hosts and judging evolutions
The table below summarizes who replaced Tyra Banks across the major cycles and highlights how roles shifted from a single celebrity host to mixed host–judge lineups, then toward hybrid professional panels.
| Cycle | Host | Main Judges (not exhaustive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (2018) | Rita Ora | Ashley Graham, Rob Evans, Law Roach | VH1 reset; celebrity host + modeling professionals |
| 25 (2018–2019) | Rita Ora | Ashley Graham, Law Roach | Stability; focus on fit and commercial appeal |
| 26 (2022) | Ann Ward | Devyn Andersen, Ashley Graham | Return to The CW; winner-turned-host plus new-media judge |
| 27 (2024) | Imaan Hammam | Ashley Graham | Emphasis on global visibility and digital fluency |
Judging roles and what replaced Tyra’s panel
Tyra Banks’ judging panel combined fashion veterans and emerging voices. After her departure, the show cycled through stylists, photographers, and industry professionals, each redefining what contestants were evaluated on:
- Rob Evans (cycle 24) — brought a male perspective and high-fashion editorial insight.
- Law Roach (cycles 24–25) — emphasized styling coherence and cultural relevance.
- Ashley Graham (cycles 24–27) — consistent advocate for plus-size representation and professionalism.
- Devyn Andersen (cycle 26) — offered digital-native criteria like platform and relatability.
- Imaan Hammam (cycle 27) — global model perspective, prioritizing runway command and diversity.
Format shifts tied to host changes
The host replacements coincided with structural changes: moving from The CW to VH1 for cycle 24–25, then back to The CW for cycle 26–27. These moves influenced casting, music, and camera work, with each host adapting the show to different audience expectations. Rita Ora’s cycles leaned into entertainment, while model-led judging reinforced technical rigor. The return to The CW paired legacy winners with modern social sensibilities, attempting to balance nostalgia and novelty.
Evergreen takeaways
Understanding who replaced Tyra Banks clarifies how America’s Next Top Model evolved from a singular visionary to a collaborative, multi-voice format. Hosts and judges have alternated between entertainment and modeling expertise, reflecting shifts in the fashion industry and viewer preferences. In every cycle, the goal remained identifying marketable talent capable of thriving across runways, campaigns, and editorials, ensuring the show’s longevity long after its original creator stepped back.