BryanBoy To Join America’s Next Top Model

It seems America’s Next Top Model is expanding its talent, with blogger BryanBoy confirming on Twitter that he’ll be joining the cast.

“Excited with my new role on cycle 19 of America’s Next Top Model,” he tweeted. “Check out photos from yesterday's ANTM challenge and vote for your favourite girl!”

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BryanBoy will join fellow newcomers Rob Evans, who’ll take a seat on the judging panel (no word on who he might be replacing yet), and Katy Perry’s stylist Johnny Wujek, who will reportedly act as creative consultant.

Head honcho Tyra Banks and PR maven Kelly Cutrone will remain on the panel, but it’s thought that the show’s photographer, Nigel Barker, and creative director, Jay Manuel, will no longer be part of the production.

BryanBoy’s new role marks the first time a blogger has scooped a big name TV gig, and while some in the industry have criticised the appointment (fashion blogger Mark St. James said Bryan doesn’t ‘possess the necessary knowledge, skills or abilities to sit on a panel of industry professionals and determine a young girls future’), the general consensus is that the move is a reflection of the changing industry.

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“Cast changes have allegedly been due to a push for social media,” said Stylelite. “Increased social media action = higher ratings? Maybe. Cutrone and Bryanboy have a combined 400,000 Twitter followers, and it will be interesting to see if that does anything for ANTM‘s viewership.”