Remember the good old days when America's Next Top Model was full of surprises, especially in the finale episode?  The show has gotten pretty predictable in the last three cycles, including the one premiering next month, and we can blame that on one person.  Tyra Banks.  Tyra has brought in models in the last few cycle who she has a personal connection to, whether because they were a former contestant or someone Tyra has previously known.  ANTM fans aren't stupid and don't like that predictable models are winning recent cycles.  Here's a look at cycles 8-10 as we see the personal connections that Tyra has made which affect the outcome each time. 

Jaslene Gonzalez was originally a cycle 7 contestant, the season that CariDee English won.  She was eliminated in the first episode after making it to the semi-final round.  I was pretty surprised that she was sent home, especially after seeing what she was capable of in cycle 8.  She came back the following season and won the whole thing.  Fans were pretty forgiving of the situation but there was much more Tyra-model connections to come.

In cycle 9, Saleisha Stowers ended up being the last model standing.  She attended T-Zone, Tyra's self-esteem camp for young girls.  In the first episode, Tyra mentioned for the audience's sake that she had previously known Saleisha.  In her post-ANTM interviews, Saleisha downplayed her relationship with Tyra, saying the camp she attended had nothing to do with modeling.  However, just last year, Saleisha appeared on Tyra's talk show as a model for current Project Runway contestant Rami Kashou's fashion line.  Many fans called right off the bat in cycle 9 that Tyra would pick Saleisha and the backlash was swift and harsh once their predictions came true.

Now, as we prepare to gear up for cycle 10, there is another previous contestant returning for her second chance.  Marvita was featured on the first episode on cycle 9, as a semi-finalist hand picked by Tyra to come to the Carribbean and compete for a chance in the top 13.  Marvita arrived with a sad story.  She was abused as a child and passed around from family member to family member.  Ultimately, her work wasn't strong enough to get her into cycle 9's top 13 but she was invited back for cycle 10 and is now a finalist who can compete for the title of America's Next Top Model.

Is it fair for models to be invited back after being eliminated in the semi-final round?  Should Tyra be allowed to hand pick her contestants when she is the one who ultimately makes the final decision?  Post your thoughts below and vote in our poll to let your voice be heard!


- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CW)