'America’s Next Top Model' delivers 'huge' blow to Tyra Banks

It is being reported that Tyra Banks can be ditched from the upcoming reboot of America’s Next Top Model.

Radar Online reported that Banks, who is the main reason behind the success of the reality contest, might not be picked in the reboot.

The insider told the outlet that the television executives and the show’s creators “needs a softer, more modern face to lead it” even though they “love the name recognition.”

Per the source, the high-ranking officials want a new face to lead the new version of the series after years of criticism over resurfaced videos showing brutal criticism and controversial challenges.

"The brand still has huge value. But internally the feeling is that the next version should be more empowering – and less intimidating,” they noted.

It is pertinent to mention that when the show started in May 2003, Banks served as an executive producer, host, and creator, while Kenya Barris and Ken Mok developed it.

America’s Next Top Model ended in 2018 after 24 seasons, becoming a major pop culture phenomenon.

Since the reality show came to an end, the Hannah Montana star hosted Dancing with the Stars for three seasons before relocating to Sydney, Australia, with her long-time partner, Canadian businessman Louis Bélanger-Martin.

She is also the mother to son York Banks Asla, whom she welcomed in January 2016 via a gestational surrogate after experiencing a difficult fertility journey.

York’s father is Erk Asla, a Norwegian photographer, with whom Tyra Banks was in a relationship for almost five years before their separation in 2017.