America’s Next Top Model boss Tyra Banks has reportedly signed on two new advisors to help her critique her incoming cycle 14 models: model and reality star Kimora Lee Simmons, and Vogue editor-at-large and fashion show staple Andre Leon Talley.
As you might recall, Kimora was a panel judge during ANTM cycle 1, but in later years has been rumored a Tyra “frenemy.” It’s just that rumor, in fact, that some sources are saying led to Simmons’ new assignment at the judging table.
New York Magazine sums it up nicely:
The Daily News reports Andre Leon Talley will replace Miss J on the judging panel for America’s Next Top Model. This seems like the last thing Vogue would have him do, but then again he judged Miss Universe, so who knows. A more likely rumor is that Kimora Lee Simmons will also judge the next season, filling the seat that has been filled this season by a rotating pool of judges, including Chanel Iman and Kim Kardashian. According to sources, this is Tyra’s way of showing the world she’s an understanding, easygoing person. Tyra’s previous judges — Janice Dickinson and Paulina Porizkova — have accused her of being difficult to work with.
The Daily News followed up on the rumor that Tyra was recruiting Kimora “to prove the notion [that she doesn’t work well with others] wrong” (according to their source), to which one CW spokesperson would say only: “Not true.”
While Kimora is set to take over this cycle’s “rotating” judging spot, rumors say Talley will take over at the table for Miss J. Alexander, who will stay on with the show as runway coach.
Do you approve of these panel shifts, or did you prefer Miss J and the revolving chair of short models (and Seventeen editor Ann Shoket) as our judges this cycle?
-Meghan Carlson, BuddyTV Staff Writer
[Sources: NY Daily News, NY Mag]
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
Meghan hails from Walla Walla, WA, the proud home of the world’s best sweet onions and Adam West, the original Batman. An avid grammarian and over-analyzer, you can usually find her thinking too hard about plot devices in favorites like The Office, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and How I Met Your Mother. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys drawing, shopping, trying to be funny (and often failing), and not understanding the whole Twilight thing. She’s got a BA in English and Studio Art from Whitman College, which makes her a professional arguer, daydreamer, and doodler.
