As avid viewers of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), many of the models and booking agents at Talent Management were shocked by Friday’s news that some of the show’s biggest stars have just been dropped from the series.

Catwalk coach J. Alexander, photographer Nigel Barker and creative director Jay
Manuel recently discovered that their contracts will not be renewed. The move marks a shake up that’s left us wondering what host and executive producer Tyra Banks has in store for the next series of the show that follows unknown hopefuls on their quests to become a model.

It’s no secret that the most recent cycle of America’s Next Top Model suffered disappointing ratings but this does seem to be a dramatic reaction to the situation. Alexander and Manuel have been with the show since it first aired in 2003 with Barker becoming involved just a year later. Without them ANTM will certainly have a very different feel.

Barker made the following comments on his blog last week in response to the news: “I will miss the cast, the crew and ANTM will always have a special place in my heart, having made life-long friendships with countless fond memories.”

In an interview with E! News the British photographer expanded on that statement by saying: “It wasn’t a shock. I’m friends with Tyra and the producers. There had been a discussion that ratings were down and that something like this would happen.

“There had been previous years where discussions about me being eliminated from the show had happened and I had actually survived the chopping block before. We had an incredible run. This isn’t a Tyra thing. This is a network thing.”

Barker is now rumoured to be considering the creation of his own show, focused around his passion for photography – rumours that may well be true given his additional comment: “My contract was so exclusive that it was holding me back from other projects.”

So far there has been no statement from either J. Alexander or Jay Manuel, but modelling mentor Banks did comment on her Facebook page last week: “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.”

Whatever the truth behind the ANTM shake up, one thing is for sure… if Banks was hoping to stir up some media interest in relation to the next cycle of the show she has certainly been successful.