Adieu André!
"America's Next Top Model" judge André Leon Talley is leaving Tyra Banks' long-running reality competition after four seasons. The current "All-Star" season will be the Vogue Editor-at-Large's last.
Unlike judge Paulina Porizkova, who decried Banks' tardiness on set and was dismissed, Talley's departure seemed to be amicable. “It's all good in the neighborhood," he told The New York Post. "I had a fabulous time. It was a mutual agreement. There is no unhappiness at all.”
The larger-than-life Talley, who often wore caftans, made two major contributions. He helped elevate the winner's prize to a spread in Italian Vogue, the bible of fashion. He also coined the word "dreckitude" -- meaning "a total wreck."
"We have greatly enjoyed working with André Leon Talley and he has been an amazing asset to the America's Next Top Model family," executive producer Ken Mok tells People. "We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
Fans of reality TV will recognize Taliey's successor. Kelly Cutrone. Cutrone owns People's Revolution PR company and appeared on "The Hills" and "The City" (as Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port's mentor) and her own show "Kell on Earth." The no-nonsense, sharp-tongued Cutrone will surely share her opinions.
"I am a huge fan of 'America's Next Top Model' and have watched the show for years," Cutrone says. "Having worked in various aspects of the fashion industry over the course of my career, I am excited for this new opportunity and hope to bring a different perspective to the show." Cutrone will make her debut in Season 18, airing in 2012.
Are you excited about the judging change?
