The Daily News reports André Leon Talley will replace Miss J on the judging panel for America’s Next Top Model. This seems like the last thing Vogue would have him do, but then again he judged Miss Universe, so who knows. A more likely rumor is that Kimora Lee Simmons will also judge the next season, filling the seat that has been filled this season by a rotating pool of judges, including Chanel Iman and Kim Kardashian. According to sources, this is Tyra’s way of showing the world she’s an understanding, easygoing person. Tyra’s previous judges — Janice Dickinson and Paulina Porizkova — have accused her of being difficult to work with.
“Tyra is obsessed with people’s perception of her and was not happy when Porizkova and Dickinson said they didn’t get along,” says a network source, adding that Tyra’s uncomfortable interview with “Nightline’s” Cynthia McFadden (who questioned her in September about rumored catfights) only fueled Tyra’s rage.
Tyra supposedly hired Kimora, with whom she has been rumored to feud, to prove she’s not a catfighter. But this all sounds off. We all know and love Tyra. She’s not obsessed with “people’s perception of her.” It’s much less complicated: She’s just obsessed with herself. She probably just wants Kimora on so she can have a sidekick that can act as her lesser counterpoint. With Kimora around, she can revisit topics like how she used to teach her to dance when they modeled together because Kimora had no rhythm.
’Top Model’ to get major makeover with Kimora Lee Simmons as new judge [NYDN]
