Top 10 Greatest America's Next Top Model Judges
#10: Twiggy
Having this English cultural icon on the show added a massive boost of credibility to the panel. After being a significant part of the fashion world for decades, Twiggy had the industry knowledge necessary, and kept things professional for the most part - although she could call a girl out when she felt it necessary to do so. Some may have felt that she was a little bit bland, but at the end of the day, the show is about cultivating the next great model. Sometimes you need an easygoing judge to balance out the more critical and dramatic members of the panel.
#9: Drew Elliot
Drew might be a recent addition to the panel, but he’s a seasoned professional within the fashion industry. As the former Chief Creative Officer of Paper Magazine, it goes without saying that Drew has extensive knowledge of high fashion and knows what it takes for a model to create a memorable photo. It seems like he has a good grasp on what’s in right now, and has a keen eye for discerning which girls have the look and talent necessary to make it. We’re excited to see what he’ll bring to the panel in upcoming cycles.
#8: Kelly Cutrone
Kelly remains a controversial judge amongst viewers. Many questioned what business a publicist had doing on a fashion-centric show, but modelling has a lot to do with one’s public image, which Kelly sure knows a thing or two about. Granted, there were some times when Kelly was brutally blunt to a fault and borderline rude, like when she needlessly argued with Louise in cycle 18. However, Kelly also had her moments. We don’t always want a judge to tip-toe around the subject and Kelly’s bluntness could be refreshing, not to mention hilarious.
#7: Ashley Graham
Out of the new cohort of judges, Ashley seems to be the fan favorite. The newer seasons devote less time to deliberation, and we don’t get as much commentary from the judges overall, but from what we’ve seen, Ashley’s background as a top model has prepared her well. Ashley’s able to relate to the girls and their experiences, which means that her advice is usually pretty spot on and relevant. Her comforting and supportive presence also makes her more approachable to the girls and as a result, we get to see a different side to a lot of the contestants.
#6: Nigel Barker
As a noted fashion photographer with a background behind the camera lens, Nigel really brought a different perspective to the judges’ panel. He was often the much needed middle ground and always remained level-headed. He might not have been as entertaining or wild as his colleagues, but he gave out a lot of constructive criticism - and at the end of the day, isn’t that what being a judge is all about? His long tenure on “America’s Next Top Model” made it feel as though he was pretty much a permanent fixture on the panel and to this day, he remains synonymous with the show.
#5: Janice Dickinson
The self-proclaimed “first supermodel” was loud, opinionated, and not afraid to let it all out. It seemed that Janice was practically made for reality television. Although her comments were often needlessly blunt and her tastes only accepted a very narrow beauty standard, they also, unfortunately, seemed to reflect the critical nature of the fashion industry at the time. Overall, Janice perfectly encompassed the essence of early “America’s Next Top Model” in that she was a bit rough around the edges and messy, but incredibly raw and entertaining.
#4: Paulina Porizkova
Paulina’s time on “America’s Next Top Model” came after both Twiggy’s and Janice’s and she managed to capture the best of both their judging styles. Paulina was deadpan, funny, and blunt like Janice, while still maintaining some of Twiggy’s professionalism. She also had a good rapport with the other judges and it was always entertaining to watch her reactions to certain shots. Unfortunately, we only got to see her for cycles 10 to 12 so, compared to more seasoned panelists , we never got to experience the full extent of her skills as a judge.
#3: André Leon Talley
As “America’s Next Top Model” entered its later seasons, many viewers felt that the show was going downhill. Enter André Leon Talley, whose high fashion background, sparkling personality, and memorable quirks, gave the series a much-needed breath of fresh air. He knew what he was talking about, and had no qualms about being direct with the girls. But it never felt like he was out to critique the girls just for the sake of being mean; his comments always seemed to come from a place of sincerity, like he was genuinely trying to help the models improve.
#2: Tyra Banks
Where would the show be without Tyra? Although her past actions on the show have stirred up controversy recently for good reason, she's been with “America’s Next Top Model” since the beginning - and arguably, it just wouldn't have been the same without her. She was one of the original supermodels, and her credentials speak for themselves, so it's no wonder she was well equipped to cultivate the next great model. Sometimes her ego and flair for the dramatics got in the way, but there's no doubt she knows what it takes to be on top.
#1: J. Alexander
Most of the judges on the show were either hyper-critical or too bland and easygoing, but Miss J was the perfect mix of the two. With an extensive background in the field, Miss J was truly the runway master and always had something to say about the girls. He knew when to be serious and when to turn on the charm. He never shied away from poking fun, but it was always lighthearted and never rude. At the end of the day, Miss J knew how to push the girls to reach their full potential and he did it all while being an utterly fabulous comedic icon.
