Tyra Banks has fired even more people, who can now spend the rest of their careers badmouthing her crazy and exposing the show’s contrived, rigged fakery as did Janice Dickinson who revealed the winner was picked by Cover Girl ahead of time and the elimination rounds and judge’s deliberations were theater.
Other such firings have included André Leon Talley, Nole Marin, and Paulina Porizkova, the latter of whom was very vocal about her displeasure and her dislike of Banks.
And now, reports Page Six, as confirmed by Banks on her Facebook, stalwarts since the show’s inception Nigel Barker, J. Alexander, Jay Manuel have all been fired. Of which they were informed Thursday morning.
Banks posted with the photo below: “To my Nigel Barker, Miss J, and Mr Jay: Thank you for all of our years together on America’s Next Top Model! Working with you is always an absolute pleasure. Excited for what the future holds for us. XOXO, TyTy.” Yeah, a cutesy sign-off makes being fired after eighteen seasons (cycles) and nine years much better.
Sources tell Page Six that the three mentors were informed yesterday morning that their contracts would not be renewed for the next season. Barker is a photographer and a judge on the program, while Alexander helped contestants work the catwalk as the runway trainer. Manuel served as the show’s creative director. All have been with the program since its inception, in 2003.
A show insider told us the departures were a “production decision” and that there are “major changes planned for [season] 19.”
We hear producers are looking to add a social media slant to the show, and they’ve already reached out to bloggers and fashion insiders with a strong Web presence. - via Page Six.
Executive producer Ken Mok said in a statement: “Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander have been an integral part of the America’s Next Top Model brand and they helped turn this show into the household name it is today. They have been amazing assets to the show and will always be a part of the Top Model family. We will continue to actively work with each of them on future projects.”
