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Catwalks, cat fights and learning to smize: Reliving joys of ANTM

Sunderland Echo

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December 01, 2025

America's Next Top Model was filmed in an era that seems light years ago; back in the days when constructive criticism was welcome and not an excuse to go running off in tears to the nearest solicitor. It also created a whole new skill - the ability to smize.

- Kate Wobschall on America's Next Top Model

Catwalks, cat fights and learning to smize: Reliving joys of ANTM

That is, to smile with your eyes, as host and creator Tyra Banks would urge contestants to do at just about every photo shoot.

The supermodel transitioned as creator, producer and host of ANTM when it started in 2003, fronting 23 of the 24 seasons it was on our screens. (Singer Rita Ora presented season 23.)

For anyone who loves indulging in a bit of early Noughties nostalgia, it's currently showing on E4 and it's terrifyingly easy to reawaken any obsession you might once have held.

Back in the day, our newsroom was transfixed by the show - and its UK spin-off Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model.

Rarely had there been such excitement as the day we found out not one but two contestants were from our patchand they were happy to come into the office for an interview.

We even ran our own version of the model competition in the paper with the girls - Saffron and Emma - invited as guest judges.

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