They wanna be on top! America’s Next Top Model cycle 23 premiered on VH1 on Monday, December 12, and the gloves were off from the beginning! New judges wasted no time sending the girls on go-sees, and the hopeful models wasted no time creating tension. Read on to learn about the judges and more from our top five moments.
Judgment Call
“I’m not looking for a traditional model, and I’m not looking for a social media model. I’m looking for both!” announced executive producer Tyra Banks as she appeared on stage to welcome the newest cast of 28 modeling hopefuls to the season, which she said was about “beauty, business and badassery.” She revealed she wouldn’t be hosting or sticking around, but would always be watching.
So, who would be hosting and judging? The girls found out almost right away…
Rita Ora was revealed as the host, and model Ashley Graham, Paper magazine’s Drew Elliott and stylist Law Roach were unveiled as the judges.
Different by Design
The girls got split into two groups right away and sent on go-sees to meet two different celeb designers: LaQuan Smith and Philipp Plein. Plein was delightfully nasty and had no issue telling the girls when their walks or looks were bad. “It’s called Top Model, not Flop Model!” he said to one.
Smith, on the other hand, was super warm and encouraging, so he and Plein offered perfect contrasts of how designers and casting agents will treat the models in the real world.
America’s Next Top Love Affair
Two of the ladies, Kyle and Starr, started a little romance!
Kyle is an androgynous model, and girly-girl Starr was described by Smith as being a good fit for social media. Could the two polar opposites find love on the show?
Unfortunately, they couldn’t; Starr didn’t make it through to the top 14. As she was told she didn’t make it, she cried, not only because she wanted to be on the show, but because she wanted to be on the other side with Kyle.
Tough Love
Some girls got off on the wrong foot, throwing insults back and forth. They finally had a sit-down in between judging sessions where they went over the importance of being straightforward without being “a bitch.”
Soon, they were acting like old friends…for now.
Quei, one of the girls at the center of the drama, didn’t get into the top 14, but she seemed to learn from the conversation about being kinder because she comforted Starr while the other girls went into the party for the top 14.
Party Time!
The top 14 did their first runway walk at an exclusive party thrown just to show them off.
They were all smiling, laughing and serving major looks, but we know that the carefree fun won’t last long for them. Soon, they’ll be undertaking challenges, starting fights and getting eliminated.
Tell Us: Do you think Starr and Kyle are a good match?
America’s Next Top Model airs on VH1 Mondays at 10 p.m. ET.
