Tyra Banks embarks on 20th season of America's Next Top Model

Andy Gray | Jul 14, 2013

Kelly Cutrone, Tyra Banks, Rob Evans and Jonte :: Craig Barritt/Getty Images

Five-time SI Swimsuit model Tyra Banks is about to start her 20th season (or "cycle" as Banks likes to say) hosting America's Next Top Model. The show, which debuted in 2003, starts with anywhere from 10-14 contestants but eliminates one each week until the next top model is chosen. Banks, who serves as the show's  host, head judge, and executive producer, spoke with Fault Magazine about the new season, the show's unique language and more:

On the show's upcoming 20th season: "It is our Anniversary 20th Cycle and we are featuring male and female models. So aside from a whole new type of modeling from the men. there's lots of love connection drama and edgy photo shoot themes. It's also really important to me to stay on the cutting edge of trends in photography and technology. In addition to still having ANTM fans as the fourth judge; we're doing some exciting new things that fans will see during judging that will really wow them."

On the language she's created with the show: "It's great because it manes that when words like 'smize,' 'tooch' and 'flawsome' are penetrating people's psyche, so is the larger messages behind them. Anybody can perfect the smize and give that model look. You can 'tooch' your body and work it no matter your shape or size. And being 'flawsome' is embracing yourself and your uniqueness, flaws and all. It's really cool to hear those words used so mainstream now. Look out for the newest catch phrase, inspired by the 20th Cycle of America's Next Top Model: the 'booch' or 'boy touch.'"

As Tyra gets ready to begin Cycle 20, SwimDaily looks back at the last decade of the show:

Banks poses during the first season of ANTM. (Barbara Binstein/Getty Images)

Kelly Cutrone, Tyra Banks, Rob Evans and Jonte get into bed together at the "America's Next Top Model: College Edition, Cycle 19" Premiere in New York City. (Craig Barritt/Getty Images)

Banks and Andre Leon Talley celebrate the Cycle 15 premiere of America's Next Top Model. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Banks attends a launch party for "America's Next Top Model" in Jan. 2009. (Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Banks arrives at the 1st Annual Fiercee Awards honoring the women of "America's Next Top Model" in March 2008. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic)

Banks poses with Jaslene Gonzalez in May 2007 after Gonzales was declared the winner of Cycle 8. (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

Banks and Danielle Evans, who won Cycle 6, in May 2006. (Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic)

Banks on stage with contestant Jayla at the Cycle 5 Finale Event after-party in Dec 2005. (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

Banks arrives at the America's Next Top Model Cycle 5 finale in Los Angeles (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

Cycle 4 winner Naima Mora and Banks pose in May 2005. (Jim De Yonker/Getty Images)

Judges Twiggy, J. Alexander, Banks and Nigel Barker during Cycle 5. (Michael Yarish/UPN)

Cycle three winner Eva Pigford poses with Banks and Yoanna House in Dec. 2004. ( J. Shearer/WireImage)

Banks poses during a promo for the show in Oct. 2004. (Daniel Garriga/CBS)

Banks bares all her clothes to promotes the show in Sept. 2004. (Hyungwon Ryoo/UPN)

Banks looks fierce during an ANTM promotional shoot in July 2004. (Daniel Garriga/CBS)

Cycle 2 winner Yoanna House poses with Banks, Shandi Sullivan and Mercedes Scelba-Shorte at the Cycle 2 finale party in March 2004. (Chris Polk/FilmMagic)

Banks attends the "America's Next Top Model: College Edition, Cycle 19" Premiere in New York City. (Craig Barritt/Getty Images)