Rita Ora replaces Tyra Banks as host of ‘America’s Next Top Model’: yay or nope?

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Sometimes I feel sort of bad for Rita Ora. It’s like she’s never really been able to find her niche, so she’s still hustling for increasingly random jobs. In addition to her singing career (she’s put out one full album), Rita has also picked up gigs on reality competitions. She’s been a coach on the British version of The Voice, she’s been a judge on the British X-Factor, and now she’s got a new reality show gig: she will be the new host of the revamped America’s Next Top Model. ANTM is being rebooted and it’s moving to VH1. Tyra Banks is still the executive producer, and I’m assuming Tyra had a big hand in naming her successor as host. But… Rita Ora? She’s not really a model. She’s not even known for a particularly strong “look” or her editorial work. It just seems like a random choice.

America’s Next Top Model’s VH1 revival is shaping up. Tyra Banks revealed the new judging panel for the show’s 23rd cycle, headed by new host Rita Ora. Banks will remain behind the scenes as executive producer for the new season, which will feature model Ashley Graham, stylist Law Roach, and Paper magazine chief creative officer Drew Elliott on the revamped judging panel.

Banks unveiled the new judging panel to USA Today and teased the new season, saying, “It’s no longer just about having the highest cheekbones and best pout and the best hair. My goal is to really get into these girls’ heads that I’m not looking for some successful model and I’m not looking for some social media star. I’m looking for both. I’m looking for a hybrid, because that’s where the world is.”

The 23rd cycle will return to its original format of featuring all female contestants after having co-ed contestants since cycle 20. Deaf male model Nyle DiMarco won cycle 22 (as well as season 22 of Dancing with the Stars), the last season to air on The CW before VH1 acquired the franchise. America’s Next Top Model’s new season debuts later this year on VH1.

[From People]

Ashley Graham-as-ANTM-judge is a thing of beauty. I LOVE THAT. They should have let Ashley host the damn thing, because I truly fear that Rita is going to be A) a charisma vacuum, and B) ridiculous as host. As for what Tyra Banks wants from the reboot of ANTM… that is where the industry is, honestly. Models are expected to have a social media presence these days, and “Insta-modeling” is the thing. Ashley Graham will understand that. But will Rita Ora?

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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27 Responses to “Rita Ora replaces Tyra Banks as host of ‘America’s Next Top Model’: yay or nope?”

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  1. Erinn says:

    I kind of hope she does well? I don’t really have any feelings formed about her. I don’t think I’ve even heard any of her music.

    But – this is a show with a pre-established fan base. It’s repetitive. It’s campy. I kind of love and hate it – it’s definitely a guilty pleasure show. And really – I think this COULD be a good gig for her. It’ll get her some more exposure in the US, and if she can pull it off, it could open up some more doors.

    • Bridget says:

      But a huge part of that pre-existing fan base was for Tyra. Like her or not, she WAS America’s Next Top Model. It was definitely repetitive and increasingly ridiculous, but there was no doubt that Tyra was the star. I really wonder what will happen with Rita Ora in that center role.

      • Erinn says:

        This is 100% true… but I kind of wonder how ANYONE would do, taking this role. Even knowing Tyra isn’t in it – when I think Top Model, I think of Tyra. She’s the one constant on the show. Personally, I have a giant soft spot for Tyra.

        I think Rita not being AS well known in the US could either help or harm her with this one. Where she’s not super well known for being a certain way, she might be able to do a good job as a clean slate for the show. On the other hand… she’s also not the kind of draw Tyra was, so it might not bring in ratings.

    • Bread and Circuses says:

      Yeah, my reaction is, “Eh. Wait and see how she does. No opinions yet.”

      I mean, no one can replace Tyra; she had too big a personality. The next host can succeed only by being good in a different way. And Rita might prove to be adorable or completely meh. We’ll have to see her first before anyone can say.

  2. Neelyo says:

    That make-up!!!

    Random choice but as much as the general public knows about her, maybe to them she was a model at one point.

  3. burnsie says:

    I don’t know much about Rita, but is she qualified to host a modeling show? At least Tyra had experience and connections

    • HH says:

      Tyra had A LOT of experience and fully developed career. I’m sorry, but Rita’s career isn’t that much further along than the models she’ll be judging. Tyra was a household name. Hell, with the exposure of the show, if those models are good with Instagram and Twitter, they could potentially be on the same level as Rita by the end of the season.

    • perplexed says:

      I don’t get her as a choice for judging modelling either.

  4. Mia V. says:

    Being judged on your performance by someone who a) isn’t a model b) isn’t successful in her own work.

  5. MissMerry says:

    “a coach on the British version of The Voice, she’s been a judge on the British X-Factor, and now she’s got a new reality show gig: she will be the new host of the revamped America’s Next Top Model. ”

    somebody coaching singers with only 1 album out doesn’t seem like a good deal for those singers…same with being a judge of anything, why should she be able to judge people when she doesn’t even have that great of a career?

    also, shes not even a model, what sort of growth are other models going to get out of having her at the helm judging their modeling and photos?

    lol.

  6. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    Wow, I had no idea that show was still on. Beating a dead horse.

    • Erinn says:

      It was cancelled, and for whatever reason they’re bringing it back, I guess. I watch the occasional season, after it’s aired via streaming. It’s one of those shows that I’ll put on when I’m in a bad mood and need to watch something that involves very little attention span, and very little thought haha.

    • Stacy says:

      +1

  7. The Eternal Side-Eye says:

    Haha, NOPE!

    I mean come on…if I was a potential model and I walked into a room and saw Rita Ora from the above photos judging me I think I’d have to tape my eyelids from rolling my eyes out of my head.

    Also the problem isn’t the clothes themselves looking at the picture again, it’s that like Kaiser said everything she does/wears feels ultimately disingenuous. She’s not wearing that outfit because that’s her style and she loves it. She’s wearing it to fit her newest job title and hope it’s kinda high fashion and modely.

  8. mila says:

    oh dear… disaster. from a supermodel to a barely singer with no fashion sense.

  9. HH says:

    OR they could just officially come out with a statement that says: “This show is on it’s last thing and we’re trying to salvage it in any way possible and Rita is the only one that agreed who we could afford to pay.”

    Also, is she still singing? Like, she’s just been “around” for a long a** time. I know people get upset with the Kardashian’s, but at least they don’t pretend to have another career that’s constantly “in the works.”

  10. kimbers says:

    How does rita make sense? Seriously. Her style is budget Rhianna clone and she’s hasnt had success is anything she’s attempted in the US.

    Fail!

  11. Denise says:

    Someone who wears a t-shirt with C*NT in large block letters is an interesting choice to judge fashion! That show became unwatchable after a few seasons and winning was probably the greatest hindrance to having a legitimate career in fashion. The show’s name is a total misnomer.

  12. Julie says:

    I like her. I wish her well. There is something about her that grabs your attention, she just needs to find herself. I think she was a little immature when she first came out, and maybe she still is, but I think she has “it”.

  13. Pegacorn says:

    Well. CAA is really trying to make her happen in America.

  14. Kate says:

    Meh. The show won’t do well but it won’t completely because of Rita. This show is over and they should have just left it cancelled.

  15. Christine says:

    Who did Rita have to sleep with to get this job? Totally random.

  16. Nancy says:

    The show ran its course. It doesn’t need the guys or the Brits or new judges….it needs Tyra, the two Mr. Jays, Nigel and the batty girls. For the newer audience who never watched the old, Ora should be okay. Chris Brown’s ex Karruche was talked about being a judge and fortunately got cut. The very first show with Adriane Curry as Top Model was my favorite.

  17. Ferdinand says:

    Not to defend Rita or anything but, yes, she’s released only one album. And it was a somewhat hit in the uk. She had album number 2 ready and produced by Calvin Harris. But they broke up, Calvin sued and forbade Rita from releasing it. Her career hasn’t taken off since.

    But yeah, Stop trying Rita Ora happen!