“You want to be on top?”
Like a true early 2000s teenager I was absolutely obsessed with reality TV and in particular America’s Next Top Model.
During the first lockdown I went on a mad one re-watching America’s Next Top Model from season one to somewhere around when they didn’t the US versus UK one.
It seems that I am far from the only one either as ANTM suddenly started trending on social media again both for good and very problematic reasons (we’ll be here all day if we start listing them off).
Because of this there have been numerous podcasts, Instagram lives and of course YouTube videos dedicated to all things ANTM with everything from behind the scenes goss to judging some of the most questionable makeovers.
This time around I’m just going to focus on six ANTM YouTube series (there are a lot more) that I’ve been watching alongside the series and if you were ever obsessed with Tyra and her wannabe models in the making then I highly recommend giving these a try.
1. Oliver Twixt
I put Oliver Twixt first because out of all of these his videos are my absolute Oliver.
Over the last year Oliver has been getting in touch with former ANTM contestants from each cycle and getting the real behind the scenes gossip about what really went down in the house.
Honestly these interviews will not just change how you view ANTM but how you view reality TV in general.
2. Jays Chats
Jays Chat started out during the first lockdown last year and originally featured both of the famous Jays (Manuel and Miss J) but Miss J left after a few videos and since then Jay Manuel has had a different co-host each video.
There isn’t as much scandal in these as there are in Oliver’s videos as I feel like the Jays were trying real hard not to get sued but they do reveal some information that we didn’t know, tell us which girls they are still in touch with and give the scoop on working as part of the ANTM team.
Also there’s a whole thing about the Season 3 girls being deported from Japan, it’s wild.
3. Brad Mondo
I think most of us know Brad Mondo as his videos are all over social media but my hands down favourite are his Top Model reaction videos.
Hair stylist Mondo reacts to the makeovers from different seasons and it really does feel like he’s saying what we’re thinking.
Stop giving white girls with thin hair sewn in extensions Tyra, please.
4. Throwback Thursday with April and Mercedes
If you were a big fan of cycle 2 of America’s Next Top Model then you will be really familiar with April and Mercedes.
While neither of these two stunning models one (although Mercedes made it to the top 2) they’ve both had great careers and now are back together with their YouTube interview series Throwback Thursday in which they interview past contestants and judges of ANTM.
We also finally find out what all that flirting between Nigel and April was about too.
5. Annaliese Dayes
America’s Next Top Model British Invasion was actually the last season I watch the show as I began to feel like it was jumping the shark.
It went from mostly being about modelling to suddenly being far more geared towards shock reveals and gimmicks.
Saying that there were a lot of very likable contestants on the US versus UK edition of the show including Anneliese Dayes who has since set up a YouTube dedicated to reacting to episodes of ANTM and given us a little bit of goss to boot.
6. Dionne James
Dionne James was one of the Cycle 8 contestants and recently started a YouTube channel spilling all the tea of her experience on the show.
Cycle 8 was probably one of the most interesting cycles of the show with some of the biggest characters and most well remembered contestants and Dionne’s videos as definitely a must watch for any true ANTM fan.
