The former host talks exclusively to ET about the resurrected VH1 modeling competition series.
Rita Ora is taking over for Tyra Banks as host of VH1’s America’s Next Top Model, and she already has the former supermodel’s seal of approval.
“Rita and I spoke today. I love her,” Banks tells ET’s Kevin Frazier of the new ANTM host in an exclusive sit-down promoting Tyra Beauty on Wednesday. “She was like, ‘Tyra, I don’t want to fill your shoes, I want to create my own shoes.’ So I was like, ‘I got you boo.’”
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“She was like, ‘I just want some advice and some help.’ So I’m going to have a session with her in person. I’m going to give her the ins and the outs, but make it you. Do you. She’s gotta make it her’s,” the 42-year-old beauty adds.
Earlier this week, Ora, 25, was named the host of the new iteration of ANTM, which was resurrected by VH1 in February, just three months after the show ended its run on The CW (and the now-defunct UPN) after 22 cycles.
“I think where we’re going with the [new] American version of Top Model is we’re kind of following some of our international versions,” Banks says, referencing the Asia and South America franchises, where the hosts are singers and not former models. “This is perfect.”
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Banks will remain an executive producer on ANTM, and there’s a very strong chance she’ll have a presence in front of the camera, too -- just don’t expect it to happen every week.
“I might dip [in],” the “smize” creator tells ET when asked whether she’ll make the occasional cameo. “There will be a couple dips. Not a lot of dips. It’s just like, ‘Pow! What’s up?’ And then, ‘OK, I’m out!’”
Back in October, Banks spoke to ET about why she felt it was time to close the chapter on ANTM. "I think it's time," she said back then. "You want to leave when you're on top. Then what are we going to do?"
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Banks explained that creatively, the show seemed to have run its course.
"We've done girls, guys, guys and girls, I can't do children," added Banks, who credited the show for “expanding the definition of beauty.” "As much as people want that, that's just not so ethical. It's like, ‘Five-year-old show me your smize! You're not fierce.' I don't think that works."
To hear more from ET's exclusive interview, tune in to Friday's Entertainment Tonight. Check your local listings.
Remember when Tyra Banks reunited with ANTM winner Nyle DiMarco at Dancing With the Stars rehearsals? Press play to watch the video below.