Allegedly, ANTM will have a Cycle 25 and it will air “sometime in 2019.” Well, Tyra, I’m all out of patience, and I’m here to get the smize ball rolling for you. It’s time to give the people what they want: another All-Star Cycle. So tooch your booties and dust off your signature walk because I’m giving you the All-Star cast we all deserve.

The Criteria

The last All-Star Cycle was Cycle 17, so I’m only drawing from Cycles 18 - 24, and I’m skipping the Rita Ora Cycle (23) because Cycle 25 is a Tyra Banks joint, ya feel me? (Also I didn’t watch that season, but that’s neither here nor there.) And to keep it equal opportunity from each cycle, I’m casting two models from each. Got it? Let’s go.

Cycle 18 — British Invasion: Catherine Thomas and Laura LaFrate

Cycle 18 brought us half a cast of American models and half a cast of British models who had competed on previous seasons of Britain's Next Top Model. Catherine Thomas had been the runner-up on Series 4 of BNTM before joining Cycle 18 and eventually placing 6th. I loved her slightly unconventional beauty and beautiful asymmetrical face. She was praised for her timeless look, and I thought she took some of the strongest photographs of the season. When the models were handed that ridiculous group music video challenge, The Brits actually killed it, and seemingly shy Catherine was a standout. From what I could find, she continued to model in the UK after the show, but I can't find her on Instagram for the life of me.
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 8th Place

Laura LaFrate, this cycle's runner-up, was an interesting contestant. Her personality was abrasive to some of the other models, but she consistently did well throughout the competition. Look, that maple syrup shoot was weird as hell, but there's no denying she looks stunning in that photo. She came off as immature and inexperienced in Cycle 18, but I'd love to see how well she could do now that she's older and worked in the industry some. As of 2018, she was signed with Fusion Models in South Africa, but her Instagram bio currently lists her as an "Entrepreneur."
Instagram: @llafrate
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 10th Place

Cycle 19 — College Edition: Leila Goldkuhl and Kristin Kagay

College Edition was a weird season. All contestants had to be currently enrolled in a university, so this made the age range very narrow in a show that already had age limits.This was also the cycle where the photos from each shoot were released to the public beforehand so fans could vote for their favorite and send in comments/critques via social media. This was annoying anyway, but what was worse is that the social vote counted for part of the models' overall score at panel. And we all know the general public can't always be trusted with these things. Enter: Leila Goldkuhl, bomb-ass model who got screwed by this system.

Leila killed it for the first three weeks, even getting the highest score in Week 1. Then she took one weak photo in Week 4 and would have been saved on her past performance in any other season, but the numbers system sent her home. (Thanks a lot, Kelly Cutrone.) Luckily for Leila, this Cycle also introduced the Comeback Series, and Leila got to re-enter the competition before they all headed to Jamaica. She faltered a bit at the end and placed 3rd, but I can't help but wonder how it might have been different if she'd gotten to stay in the first place. She's killed it post-show, walking in Fashion Week in Paris and Milan for huge designers and has done print work for Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, and Prada, among others.
Instagram: @leilss4reals
All-Star Cycle Prediction: Runner-up

Kristin Kagay was a total mean girl on this season, and she skated by far too long because -- holy crap -- she is really hot. I'm not being sarcastic. If you saw her, you'd know she was a model. She consistently had high social scores, even when the judges thought her photos were just okay. After the was eliminated finishing 5th, Kristin went on a social media rant about how the show was edited, even calling the show's makers "assholes." So this is why I'm bringing her back. There will be drama with the other models, but also with Tyra and the judges. Kristin is a successful model now and has done quite a bit of commercial work, so I'm sure that would up the cockiness factor she already had in Cycle 19.
Instagram: @kristinfkagay
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 11th Place

Cycle 20 — Guys & Girls: Cory Wade and Nina Burns

Cycle 20 introduced men into the competition, and Cory Wade was a standout. Cory has this stunning androgynous look and he works. it. so. hard. He's at once strikingly handsome and softly pretty. Cory placed third on Cycle 20, but I honestly think he could win an All-Star cycle. He's still modeling and is signed with EMG Models, and he has a music video out now. When you check out his Instagram, you won't want to stop scrolling. He just serves so many different looks and moods, and I'm kind of obsessed with him.
Instagram: @corywadeofficial
All-Star Cycle Prediction: Winner

Nina Burns was my favorite at the beginning of Cycle 20. She really brought that dorky doll energy, and I loved her photos. Look at this damn snake photo, y'all. Nina was also sweet and well-liked, and I think she'd be a great foil for Kristin in a All-Star cycle. Nina is currently represented by The Dragonfly Agency and has a fun Instagram.
Instagram: @ninaburns
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 12th Place

C
ycle 21 — Guys & Girls: William Jardell and Kari Calhoun

The guys were back in Cycle 21, and a dude even won this time! William Jardell finished second to winner Keith Carlos, but I thought they were neck-and-neck. William was such a sweetie! And would you look at that bone structure?! I can't tell if William is still modeling, but he is doing other awesome things. He's a global health and sustainability supporter as a Climate Reality Leader and an LGBTQ+ advocate. William and his adorable fiance, James (@itswillandjames on Instagram) do travel vlogs together. His Instagram is, of course, stunning.
Instagram: @williamjardell
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 6th Place

Kari Calhoun got. so. screwed. on Cycle 21 because she got one of the worst -- if not THE worst -- Tyra makeovers in show history. I'd bring her back to give her a second chance looking like the stunning model she actually is and not the platinum blonde alien Tyra made her into. This look just did not do her any favors, and dying the eyebrow was too much. None of it translated well in photos, and she was sent home way too early because of it. Kari is currently represented by Next Management. Please check out her Instagram so you can see how freaking gorgeous she is when she can model looking like herself.
Instagram: @karixmichelle
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 3rd Place

Cycle 22 — Guys & Girls: Justin Kim and Mikey Heverly

In the cycle that gave us national treasure Nyle DiMarco, there were a few other standouts. Justin Kim, the first Korean male to compete on ANTM, came in with prior modeling experience and was one of the hottest guys on the season, in my opinion. This was also Tyra's opinion and she mentioned how hot he was multiple times. Justin did fine, but it was like you could just see all this potential under the surface that wasn't quite breaking through. I think if Justin came back for a second go, he'd shine right out of the gate and be one of the strongest competitors.
Instagram: @justindkim
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 4th Place

I had a soft spot for Mikey Heverly. Mikey looks like first dudes I ever thought were hot in the 90s. He's got a grungy vibe, and I think the long hair really works on him. There's kind of Jared Leto meets Kurt Cobain thing going on that feels like a real throwback, and that's what I like about his photos. See: This photo by Virulent Valmont (@virulentvalmont on Instagram). It appears Mikey is still modeling, but I'm not sure if he's currently signed anywhere. He also makes jewelry and art using seashells.
Instagram: @murdasworld (and @murdashells for the seashell stuff)
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 7th Place

Cycle 24: Shanice Carroll and Khrystyana Kazakova

I recapped Cycle 24 for the #BookSquadBlog, so I had a lot of strong feelings about this one. The winner, Kyla, was fine, but she was consistently outperformed by at least three other models in this cycle, including Shanice Carroll and Khrystyana Kazakova. Shanice (aka Shanasty) had no modeling experience and came from poverty. She had a great story arc on the season because we watched her go from unsure to confident and capable. She also brought most of the personality to an otherwise pretty subdued group. I'd love to see on another cycle because she'd be starting with the confidence she ended Cycle 24 with, and I think she'd be a force.
Instagram: @girlthatshanice
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 9th Place

Queen Khrystyana should have won this cycle, hands down. She was the best model at almost every point in the competition, and she had the personality this cycle so desperately lacked. Also, I just have to say: Khyrstyana is so. hot. Seriously, her hips are to die for. She's a body positivity advocate and founder of #theREALcatwalk, which brings together models of all different body sizes, shapes, races, heights and abilities. It's truly beautiful; check it out on Instagram. She is signed to four different modeling and/or talent agencies in the US and abroad, and continues to do stunning work.
Instagram: @khrystyana
All-Star Cycle Prediction: 5th Place. And she and Cory become best friends and I long to be part of their inner circle.