Nigel Barker hasn’t been commiserating with this former “America’s Next Top Model” boss Tyra Banks.
A new Netflix doc tackles the show’s controversial history from body shaming to a “race swapping” photoshoot to Banks’ infamous “We were all rooting for you” moment, and includes interviews from Banks, Barker, judges Miss J. Alexander, and Jay Manuel, plus former contestants.
But Barker told us he and the supermodel-turned-host haven’t been rehashing things.
When Page Six asked Barker if he had been in touch with his former “America’s Next Top Model” boss following the doc, the noted fashion photographer gave us a curt “no.”
But did tell us he is “still in touch with over 25 girls from the show.”
In fact, he tells us it might be time to “put [the long-running show] to bed.”
While chatter has swirled about a possible reboot of the long-running modeling competition, Barker — who also hosted “The Face” — suggested he may be more interested in forging something new.
“There is a mention of [ANTM],” he told us at an event for his The Barker Company Espresso Martini at Bowtie Bar at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel.
“I haven’t decided I would do that or not, but we are being approached and we are talking about multiple other ventures within the fashion space,” Barker said. “But whether we do that or not, I don’t know. I think it might be time to put ‘Top Model’ to bed.”
These days, Barker is still dishing out modeling advice — especially to his own teenage daughter, Jasmine who has gotten into the industry.
“I’m able to help her and protect her and guide her,” he said.
And the industry vet believes the formula for success has changed. “I think that more than ever, you know, personality,” he told us, stressing the importance of building a strong social media presence and showing audiences “what kind of person you are.”
As for red flags? Barker warns aspiring models to steer clear of agencies “that are asking you to pay to do a photo shoot or to pay to be represented.”
Along with Netflix’s documentary, “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” there are also two episodes dedicated to the show on E!’s docuseries “Dirty Rotten Scandals.”
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