America’s Next Top Model Series Finale Recap: And the Winner Is…
This recap will in no way acknowledge that America’s Next Top Model is over. OK, sure, the Cycle 22 finale doubled as the series finale for The CW‘s reality staple, but as long as there’s booching and tooching, until innocent young children stop looking into the mirror and smiling with their eyes, then Tyra Banks’ contributions to the world of modeling and the pop-cultural pantheon will never die. (Oh, also, there’s this.)
In addition to the crowning of ANTM‘s final champ, we also got plenty of the usual Tyr-rificness, along with corresponding burning questions: What was the deal with our host/exec producer’s hideous sheer pants — combined with baffling front-seam granny panties? Is there an American Sign Language word for “sexified” (seeing how Tyra dropped it in her final critique of deaf contestant Nyle)? Will every person on camera this season (whose name isn’t Tyra) be folding sweaters at The Gap by this time next week?
Anyhow, let’s briefly recap how Cycle 22 ended, shall we?
The Final 4 — Lacey, Mamé, Mikey and Nyle — gave presentations about how they’d position themselves as models, spokespeople and humanitarian business moguls… and if I’m being honest, their mid-90s graphics and poorly polished monologues didn’t impress me much. Nevertheless, the two competitors who rocked their Zappos Couture photo shoots (Mikey and Lacey) got the boot, while Mamé and Nyle (who gave the same expression in each Zappos pic) advanced to the final challenge.
You pretty much knew Mamé was toast when she excitedly/bitchily described Nyle’s failure to move to the music on his first runway pass. Oh, sure, her strut was more ferocious-sexy-cool, and Nyle’s tended more toward “bulls of Pamplona,” but when he got the far better outfit (one not emblazoned with the number “22”) for final judgment, all suspense was over.
The winner of Cycle 22: Nyle! The one weeping into the arms of the mother she kept saying had never been there for her: Mamé!
Apparently, The CW slashed the show’s confetti budget, as only a few strands of rainbow-colored paper flitted down on Nyle’s head after his name got called. Then again, it’s not about the accessories, but the model’s ability to work ’em, right?
What did you think of Nyle’s Cycle 22 win? Was the finale a fitting end to the series? Was this the right time to end ANTM or do you hope it comes back in some capacity? Grade the hour below, then hit the comments with your thoughts!
Would so much have preferred a finale with Lacey and Nyle.
Me too, but I wanted Nyle to win either way.
Me too. Lacey was my favorite. But Nyle was my second favorite and I was happy he won. Mame was awful. Why was she there?
Glad that Nyle and Mame were top 2! Also thrilled that we did not have to see much of annoying Devin and desperate attention whore Bello. Congrats Nyle! I miss the old ANTM, without all the unprofessional drama. But, thanks for the memories, Tyra. Keep smizing everyone!
Lacey and nyle should have been the final two
So glad this show is over, tonight proved it’s definitely time to hang up the “crown” ~Adios, Tyra!
Sort of sad to see it go, but I don’t mind. I lost interest this season and I haven’t really been happy since two of the original judges left. Be nice to see someone else do a modeling show and bring something to the idea.
*new
Glad Nyle won b/w. He does look like a model.
Tyra’s been the original judge left after everyone from the first judging panel (Janice, Kimora, Beau) left.
Ah yeah forgot about them, but I meant Nigel Barker and Mr. J/Jay Manuel with the silver hair. I remember J was part of the panel at times. Anyway I felt like the show lost it spark after that .
Sometimes change is necessary to prevent stagnancy. There’s a lot of times that I find Mr. Jay unlikeable, especially that one shoot back in Cycle 15.
Although I understand how he and Ms Jay became a huge draw for the show, I felt that we could do a little less of him and more of the other Jay which we were fortunate to have for C21 and C22.
Mikey should have won. He was the most versatile and will be the face of Zappos.
What real fashion brand would associate with that backwoods scum… All season he acted like he should win just because he isn’t in jail, like he deserved praise for that.
ew
Mikey did not turn my crank at all. Nyle, in addition to those gorgeous eyes, stayed decent through the entire cycle.
So upset, Mame should’ve won. Like nyle is cool and all, but the way they were comparing them Mame had it in the bag. Perfect walk. She booked all of go sees, even though she was late. She can do commercial or sexy. She’s perfect! I’m sorry but the only thing he has going is being sexy or professional.
Me too! But let’s try to make sense of this. Mame did all the right moves. She’s so perfect I can see Tyra Banks in her. Nyle on the other hand brought something fresh and unique. And the judges can try to resist it but his deafness backstory is just too tempting. Plus the show has been going on for so long. Overall, Nyle shines brighter. That said I wish Mame all the best…there’s so much more to learn, grow and explore…it’s not the end of the world as her mother says.
I thought the top four were the strongest of any ANTM season–they all should be very successful in the future. But Nyle is a male model you can see working for years because his look is so strong, so I’m very happy for him! The best model won!!
This. Exactly.
I agree–strongest top 4 ever!
Mame was bit better then Nyle but congrats… Nyle is actually a bit older so his modeling days will be short when factor in that he is deaf…. Not a good choice but last season so really who cares lol
Mame should have won. She killed the run way hands down. Lacey didnt have a chance. Mamema to lyle was like a pea.to a goant. She looks, walks, act like a model and very personable. This looks fixed. I loved the show but I an still in shock for Mame not winning. Ugh!!!!!
fixed because experts in the industry didn’t agree with your non-expert opinion? Your favorite might not have won but that doesn’t make it fixed. All the models in the top 4 were strong contenders and if they pursue model have the potential to have great careers.
It’s NoT about the walk on the runway. It’s about the WHOLE ENTIRE SEASON!!! And Mame’ was too worried about Justin … & then Mikey …. & then Justin finding out about her & Mikey. I KNEW IT. I remember tweeting her at the VERY BEGiNNiNG saying … DON’T LET A GUY DISTRACT YOU!!! FOCUS ON YOU ONLY!!! I think that really hurt her. NYLE …OVERALL … THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE SEASON … PROVIDED FASINATING PICS & HE WAS CHALLENGED WAYYYY MORE WITH HIM BEING DEAF. AND …. HE DELIVERED!! Every time NYLE was in front that camera … DEAF or NOT … He DELIVERED!!! FiERCE. So I think that was Mame’s problem … She “thought” she had it because NYLE is DEAF. NYLE wasn’t Mr. AMERICA but HE IS AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.
YOU WANNA BE ON TOP? 😃
I’m agree. Mame haves everything!.
But i’m not mad for Nyle victory ’cause i like his personality and that gergeous “one face” that he deliever everytime. But been realistic… this victory feels more like a statement… a statement that in this PC era may have success for years (currently the cold and shallow fashion industry is forced to make the extra effort to work with him beyond his 5 min of fame regardless of his “limitations” and lack of versatility in comparison to “regular” models like Mame).
Mikey is still nasty.
Im very happy Nyle won!! I really liked all of them.Lacey looks most like a super model. I hope they all work, and hope this isn’t the last top model. I love the show!!
Lacey’s antiquated haircut was really not flattering and anything but edgy.
The finale would/could have been better if I had not been so distracted by Tyra’s outfit! I spent the evening trying to figure out if she had camel toe or it was a design flaw!
I’m soo happy Nyle won.MaMe & Lacey were good models too though.
I’m glad Nyle won cause he was one if the strongest contestants all cycle and also cause I think up its great/important to have a deaf Top Model
I thought for sure it was gonna be Mikey and Mame after their emotional “why you should pick me” presentations. I preferred Nyle and Lacey. Nyle is so fine and he was very nice in the competition. I’m glad he won.
And I would have signed with him
Didn’t even know the show was still on but he’s cute…but its always weird when the winner of a competition reality show was recruited by casting directors in advance
Glad the final two were Mame’ and Nyle and I’m glad Nyle won. Lacey was a waste of space I don’t even understand how she made it on the show.
Mame shouldve won hands down! The judges were always praising her and Kyle just did not get the praise that she got or the could perform like Name. It just sounds like they were trying to make a “message” that people with disabilities. Can win too. Not for the contest. Kyle is a good looking guy no doubt but he did not have it all like Mame. I thought. It would’ve. Been Mame. And Mikey. As the top two. Mame. Is the winner of cycle 22.
His name is Nyle. And he’s awesome.
His career wont last lol! He is deaf and old at 26 so his win was just a pc statement guaranteed. Mame will go on to make much more money and have longer career then this mistake of a model
you are only remembering what you want to remember. Nyle received a lot of praise throughout the competition. And if the amount of praise determined who should win, then Lacey should have won. She received more praised that Mame did throughout the competition. They even had a episode in which all of the other contestants were jealous of all the praise Lacey was receiving. You liked Mame so you’re only remembering the positive things about Mame and ignore the rest.
The past doesn’t matter, and even if it did mame had more top photos. How many times has Tyra let people go because they had ONE bad picture after a series of top photos. Based on the season finale, runway and zappos shoot. Mame should have won. The only reason she didn’t win is because Tyra wants the series to go out being associated with paving a way for deaf models.
I liked nyle and I think he’s gorg, but I think he mostly won because of his back story because any other season the impeccable final runway performance mame had would have won her the competition. Nyle’s walk was ok because of his disability but for a standard male model it was stiff. Tyra likes to associate ANTM with firsts in the modeling industry and having the last winner be a deaf model makes the series go out with a bang.
Those in my area couldn’t watch the “ANTM” final episode on Friday because of a high school football game being telecast on my local CW alffiliate (KASN), and because of this, the “ANTM” finale has been bumped to Sunday (December 6) at 8 PM.
I don’t think they should end it right now! There’s probably lots of petites, all-stars, britains, college people, deaf people, & lots of boys and girls ready to become a Cycle 23 (maybe 24) winner! Tyra Banks, please bring back ANTM! If you can’t do it on the CW, at least find another channel or something! My mom and I are not ready for the end. Maybe just one or two more cycles or seasons wouldn’t hurt anybody. PLEEEEEEEEASE!!!!! <:(
Nyle… YUM!
Nyle win was a PC thing, He clearly was not as good as a model as Mame and she will move on and no doubt have a great career and make more money and last longer. Their are no modeling agencies that are going to deal with a deaf, 26 year old male! Lets be real here he is to old and disabled for longevity. We wont evn know who he is tomorrow..
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