ANTM judge Nigel Barker has shared his thoughts for any future judges and hopeful contestants after Tyra Banks teased a potential Cycle 25 during Netflix’s documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.
In the explosive three-part series, Tyra — who served as both host and executive producer — hinted that the modelling competition could return, eight years after it last aired.
Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the franchise, she made it clear something may be in the works, telling viewers: “You have no idea what we have planned for Cycle 25.”
It’s important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV & Celebrity news to share with our community of loyal readers.
Click here and tick Entertainmentdaily.com
Would Nigel Barker return to ANTM?
After Cycle 18, Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and Miss J. Alexander were let go from the series, despite having played a major role in shaping its identity.
In the documentary, Tyra explained that the decision came from executives above her. The trio had agreed to release a joint press statement, each including their own quote, allowing them to say goodbye in their own words.
However, before that could happen, a report appeared in Page Six claiming they had been fired. Nigel previously described the episode as the “lowest point for me”.
Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Daily, Nigel revealed whether he would ever consider returning if Cycle 25 became reality.
“The answer is probably no,” he admitted. “People ask me that all the time, and I say ‘probably’ because I’m old enough to never say never. But it really depends on the how and the why. What would it be about? What are we trying to do? If it could be done right, maybe — but the world has completely changed. The industry isn’t what it was.”
Nigel pointed out there are now “a lot of differences and nuances in the industry” that didn’t exist during Top Model’s original run, stressing that “models aren’t discovered the same way anymore”.
He continued: “Now, if you don’t have a strong social media following, it’s hard to get booked, regardless of how you look. Designers and magazines choose models with big numbers behind them because they bring a built-in audience that helps sell clothes or magazines. It’s not just about how great someone looks in the garments — it’s also about reach. How do you tap into that model’s audience? How newsworthy are they?”
‘There were certain unspoken rules’
Nigel also had a clear message for anyone thinking about signing up if the show returns.
“It’s hard for me to tell anyone else what to do, but you have to be able to say no. To say, ‘I’m done,’ or ‘Stop,’ or ‘That’s not okay.’ That’s a big part of it,” he said.
“It’s about being able to draw a line and decide what you’re willing to accept. When we were younger and filming the show, there were certain unspoken rules. A lot of people were afraid to step out of line or refuse something because they thought they’d be blacklisted or lose work. You were told that if you didn’t comply, your career would suffer.”
In the documentary, Jay Manuel spoke about how wanting to leave after Cycle 8 left him worried his career could be sabotaged.
Nigel added: “But the industry has shifted. Between the Me Too movement and broader cultural changes, people’s understanding of what’s acceptable has changed dramatically. There’s more awareness about boundaries and accountability. Even things that feel obvious now — like having parents on set for younger talent — weren’t always standard practice. The biggest thing is knowing you have the right to protect yourself and to speak up.”
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model documentary is streaming on Netflix now
Let us know your thoughts on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.