The 10 Richest America's Next Top Model Judges, Ranked By Net Worth
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Created by Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Model began in 2003 and closed up shop in 2018. It was an incredible run for a show that got lukewarm critical reception. The premise was simple: Get together a panel of judges, a runway coach, a photographer, and a creative director, then bring in ten to fifteen young model wannabes and pit them against one another.
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Obviously, they were competing for the title of America's next top model. The winners had mixed success, but the judges? The rich got richer. Here are the 10 richest America's Next Top Model judges, ranked.
Andre Leon Talley - $5 Million
Andre Leon Talley is a fashion journalist, whose long career included working as an editor-at-large for Vogue. When Tyra Banks recruited him as a judge in 2010, it was considered a big coup for the then seven-year-old show. When asked why he joined the show, he simply said: "Tyra asked me to".
It didn't last. A year or so later, he was replaced by Kelly Cutrone, whose claim to fame is as a reality TV star and PR guru. It was the difference between the "old" fashion world and the more cutting edge new. He's worth $5 million.
J. Alexander - $7 Million
J. Alexander, a.k.a. Alexander Jenkins appeared on every cycle of ANTM as a runway coach. He is the real deal. After doing a bit of modeling, he decided to settle in Paris where he worked as a runway coach for the likes of Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and Nina Ricci.
His sometimes flamboyant and outrageous style (he was after all "Miss J.") earned him a lot of fans and helped to boost the show's ratings. He's done well out it all and has a net worth of $7 million. He now splits his time between Paris and New York City. Lucky guy.
Kelly Cutrone - $10 Million
Kelly Cutrone had a successful career in public relations and talent management, having co-founded New York's Cutrone and Weinberg. She got burned out and sold her interest in the firm. Some reports suggest she then did a stint as a tarot card reader, before founding a new firm, People's Revolution.
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She is often described as a "PR legend", with a well-earned reputation for getting things done. She also did stints on reality shows such as Kell on Earth (the "kell" being her) and, of course, America's Next Top Model. This no-nonsense lady is worth a cool $10 million.
Ashley Graham - $10 Million
She's an American plus-sized model, reality TV star, author, and producer. And, oh yes, she's about to be a mom. It's a boy. Ashley was the first plus-sized model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
She was a judge on America's Next Top Model, holding forth for thirty episodes between 2016 and 2018. Her message is definitely one of body-positivity. She is the producer and host of the American Beauty Star. Wannabe fashionistas compete to see who can create the best looks with a view to winning and becoming a "star". Graham is worth $10 Million.
Rita Ora - $23 Million
Rita Ora and her Serbian parents moved to England when she was around 1-year-old. She does a bit of everything, from singing/songwriting to acting, to judging shows like The X Factor. In 2017, she was the main judge on America's Next Top Model. Tyra Banks stepped back, probably in an effort to give a more youthful focus to the show.
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The 20-something has a pretty impressive track record. Her 2012 debut album, Ora, debuted at the number one in the U.K. She is also an ambassador of UNICEF UK and has pledged to give back to the youth of her native Serbia. She's doing well, with a net worth of $23 million.
Nigel Barker - $45 Million
Nigel Barker is a former model who has morphed himself in a fashion photographer, filmmaker, and, of yes, judge. From 2004 through 2018 he was a judge and the photographer that produced all those model images the judges pored over on the show.
He's also taken the concept on the road, with stints on Australia's Next Top Model and Mexico's Next Top Model. The 40-something is tall, handsome, and, by all accounts an all-around nice guy. His net worth? $45 million.
Twiggy - $50 Million
Twiggy, a.k.a. Lesley Hornby Lawson was more than just a 60s model. She became a symbol of the Swinging Sixties London scene. She was skinny (hence, "Twiggy") and quirky and funny. Twiggy was a judge on America's Next Top Model from 2005 through 2008. If Tyra could be fierce, Twiggy was the nice judge. She was always encouraging, looking for the best in all the contestants.
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She's now Dame Twiggy, with two acting Golden Globes awards to her name. Plus, she had a reasonably successful singing career. She is one talented lady. And all that hard work and diversification means she had amassed a net worth of $50 million.
Kimora Lee Simmons - $50 Million
Where do we begin with this woman? Well, she's got a net worth of $50 million. For eleven years Kimori was married to Russell Simmons, the extremely wealthy entrepreneur, and record executive. Now divorced and remarried, she's carved out a career as a model, author, fashion designer, and what they invariably call a "TV personality".
That means reality TV. She's done Kimori: Life in the Fab Lane and was a judge on ANTM for a time. She was the upbeat, energetic judge, the one oozing personality and energy. Plus, our Kimori has produced a Broadway play or two and has the Tony Award to show for it.
Paulina Porizkova - $80 Million
We're into the heavy hitters now. Former super model Paulina Porizkova, has gone from modeling to acting (don't they all?), with a spot of judging. She started on America's Next Top Model in 2008, replacing Twiggy. It wasn't all plain sailing, as you can imagine. She and Tyra Banks are former super models who have no self-worth issues at all. Just the opposite.
By 2009, she announced she had been fired from the show. Stories varied on that score, with Porizkova alluding to ego issues, while Tyra Banks claimed that a downturn in the economy meant they needed to make cuts from the show to save money. Yes, we thought it sounded lame too. Anyway, she's occupied doing her own thing and counting her $80 million.
Tyra Banks - $90 Million
Tyra Banks started strutting her model walk when she was still in high school. She was a fierce super model and a Victoria's Secret Angel. But what about her $90 million? That came from TV, namely America's Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show. She produced, hosted, interviewed, the lot. She also did a stint as a host on America's Got Talent.
And, to top it all off, she is now the mother of a toddler-aged son. And she's one proud mom, telling everyone and anyone how smart he is. Maybe she's mellowed. Or not, as the case might be.
