America's Next Top Model

And... we have a winner!

With Kiara Belen, Laura James and the returning Leila Goldkuhl the trio of contestants remaining last night on the America's Next Top Model finale, the ladies were tasked with photo shoots for sponsors Nine West and Nylon.

They then strutted down a haunted house-themed runway.

Who was able - in Tyra's actual words - to "reclaim her immortal smize?"

LAURA JAMES!

"I've been dreaming of this for such a long time," James said upon earning the title and winning $130,000; a spread in Nylon; and a contract with two model agencies.

As the champion of the first-ever college cycle, Laura also be the face of the fragrance, Dream Come True.

Is she a deserving winner?

America's Next Top Model will reach a milestone next summer.

The reality series has been renewed for a 20th cycle and will return to The CW in mid-2013, but with a pretty major twist:

Men will actually compete against women this time around! Prepare those looks of Blue Steel, fellas.

America's Next Top Model has been banished to Friday nights by the network and is in the middle of its 19th season. This edition features college students vying for a cash prize and a modeling contract.

It also features Tyra Banks, as self-serving an as irritating as ever.

Jael Strauss finished fifth on Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model, remaining in the competition despite a close friend dying of a drug overdose during filming.

Now, five years later, the former beauty has fallen prey to the world of illicit substances herself.

Strauss was featured on an episode of Dr. Phil yesterday, as the talk show attempted to stage an intervention for the troubled addict. Watch a dramatic promo for the appearance below and then check out what former ANTM champion Caridee English has to say about Strauss and Tyra Banks...

Jael Strauss on Dr. Phil

Speaking to Gawker, English puts some of the blame for Strauss' fall on Banks and other show producers.

"They should have evaluated her a lot more before letting her on the show," Caridee says. "All they saw was a personality good for television."

And after leaving the show? After helping to drive ratings to it and, of course, line Tyra's pockets with cash? English says contestants receive no guidance of any kind from Banks.

"Tyra won't do anything [for Jael]. She provided a wonderful platform for girls to have a chance at their dream, but after there is no "Tyra Mail." I had to guide myself, and even though I won a model competition I still had no idea what the modeling BUSINESS was like. I had no idea what the industry was really like. I was famous, but no one wanted to take my picture."

Look for the craziness to be ratcheted up even more next week on Dr. Phil when Dina Lohan stops by for an interview.

U.K. contestant Sophie Sumner and American contender Laura LaFrate battled it out for the title on America's Next Top Model: British Invasion last night.

When all was said and done, Sophie took home the crown.

On the season finale of the long-running CW hit, Sophie recorded the dialogue for her CoverGirl commercial, while Laura shot the ad for the makeup line.

Right when she finished, Laura started having a full-on panic attack. She was rushed to the hospital, but was fine and got back in the game soon afterward.

The girls then did a shoot for Vogue Italia, and Laura killed it, reminding Sophie that this was very much a competition. But she couldn't surpass her.

After Sophie and Laura both hit the catwalk for Forever 21, with less than 90 seconds (!) for wardrobe change, the winner was finally announced.

Congratulations, Sophie Sumner, on your victory.

J. Alexander, Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker are out of America's Next Top Model. And now two new fashion industry heavyweights are in. We'll let host Tyra Banks deliver the news:

"Welcome the fab Johnny Wujek & fine Rob Evans to the CW's ANTM!" she Tweeted yesterday. "Excited for some cuh-ray-zee challenges. Start practicin' ur booty tooch!"

The CW, meanwhile, has confirmed that that Wujek - best known as Katy Perry's stylist -  will come on board a creative consultant on the long-running series; while model Evans will will sit with Kelly Cutrone on the judging panel.

The network also announced yesterday that ANTM will move to Friday nights in the fall, while viewers will have a major say for the first time.

"Twice a week, starting Thursday, May 24th, you'll be able to use our Voting App to rank and sound off on all 13 models' best photos," Banks wrote. "Your input will shape the competition and you'll be able to see it play out in the Fall. It's time for your voice to be heard; today on social media and soon on the show itself!"

America's Next Top Model will look very different next season, as long-time contributors Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander were let go from The CW series this week.

What was the basis for their ousting?

"We reached a point where were feel the show needs a new boost," head honcho Tyra Banks told Access Hollywood at New York City's Matrix Awards. "It's very difficult because I love my guy."

Banks added that she's not against working with any of the trio down the line ("My partner Ken Mok and I have projects we're developing, and we're a family - it doesn't end," she said), though it's unclear if they feel the same way.

Barker has said he wasn't shocked by the decision to not renew his contract, but he also sounded a tad bitter this week when he wished good luck to his eventual replacement.

America's Next Top Model averages around one million viewers and will return for Cycle 19 this fall.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Nigel Barker, a photographer who has been with America's Next Top Model since its beginning in 2003, was let go from the reality competition this week.

How is he taking the news? Not too well.

"Good luck to whoever [replaces me]," Barker told TMZ. "I would imagine it's a tricky thing to replace someone who's going on their 19th season."

Neither J. Alexander nor Jay Manuel will return to America's Next Top Model this fall, either, as insiders tell major changes are in store. Ratings have not been strong for two cycles in a row now.

""Who knows if this is going to work?" Barker asked. "I don't necessarily think it's a good idea ... Maybe it will work. Maybe it won't. I wish them luck."

Somehow, we doubt he totally means that.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Hmmm.... upon second thought, perhaps we should change the headline of this post to: America's Next Top Model Shake-Up: Who is NOT Out?

Indeed, Tyra Banks has cleaned house at her long-running reality show, firing three veteran personalities, all of whom have been with the series since its first cycle in 2003:

1. J. Alexander, who served as a runway trainer/mentor to the models.
2. Jay Manuel, the show's creative director.
3. Nigel Barker, a photographer/panelist.

America's Next Top Model is currently in its 18th season, a cycle dubbed "British Invasion" because it features a handful of international hopefuls.

An ANTM insider tells The New York Post that "major changes" are planned for the following season, hence this wholesale changes.

“Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander have been an integral part of the America’s Next Top Model brand and they helped turn this show into the household name it is today," Executive producer Ken Mok said in a statement. "They have been amazing assets to the show and will always be a part of the Top Model family. We will continue to actively work with each of them on future projects.”

Louise Watts made America's Next Top Model history this week.

During the judging portion of the episode, the 25-year-old Brit grew irate over the panel's comments, threw a fit, stormed off set in a profane tirade and did not return!

Tensions boiled over after a tense sequence of events in which Louise refused to change hairstyles, then later lost it during Kelly Cutrone's critiquing of her.

What transpired at the end left the judges - Cutrone, Tyra Banks and Cat Deeley - nearly speechless right along with ANTM contestants and viewers alike.

Watch the video below and see the meltdown for yourself:

Louise Watts' America's Next Top Model Meltdown

Janice Dickinson has a message for Tyra Banks: F*ck you! Eat a bag of royal skank!

Indeed, the former America's Next Top Model panelist now takes extreme issue with the show and its host, telling Janice TV at FilmOn.com that The CW competition is "rigged" because "CoverGirl are the ones who choose the model - not any of the judges."

The show made headlines this week when Lisa D'Amato was named the first winner of America's Next Top Model: All-Stars, following the dismissal of finalist Angelea Preston, reportedly because she leaked spoilers prior to the finale.

"The fact of the matter is [Tyra Banks] makes like $90 million," Dickinson said. "She makes a lot of money per year still hawking that franchise worldwide - they're doing it in every country - and it's CoverGirl who chooses the winner."

In response to this allegation, The CW has released a simple statement that reads: "This is completely untrue."

[Photos: WENN.com]