The CW revealed the audience voting addition, a new judge and a new stylist Thursday during its programming upfront in New York City. Meanwhile, the show's Twitter account spent the day sharing the news and retweeting excited fans.
For 18 seasons, creator Tyra Banks and her ever-changing judging panel have chosen the eliminated contestant. But now viewers get to vote at CWTV.com. Adding online voting for the college-themed cycle 19 in the fall season will give fans only some power, however, as their votes and the judges' votes will collectively decide who stays.
Reality shows -- new and old -- are trying new ways to keep viewers engaged, particularly with fresh social media-driven voting methods.
Most recently, The Voice introduced for season two voting via a Facebook Timeline app. In October 2011, X Factor began allowing votes to come in from direct messages on Twitter. And for season 10 of Idol, producers let viewers vote on a dedicated Facebook page.
The CW also announced Rob Evans, a globally known model will join Banks and fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone on the judging panel. Stylist Johnny Wujek will become part of the cast, too. Evans and Wujek replace America's Next Top Model staples Nigel Barker, J. Alexander and Jay Manuel.
This cycle's college theme is fitting, considering Banks received a diploma from Harvard University in February.
On Thursday, @CW_ANTM took the photo of Banks with her diploma from February and plastered an America's Next Top Model logo on it (see below).
Hey ANTM fans! Your votes will now help decide who stays and who goes at judging!— ANTM (@CW_ANTM) May 17, 2012
Flashin lights, celebs and gettin asked for pictures/autographs, life is good right Now,and this is just the begining..— Rob Evans (@the_robevans) May 17, 2012
You get a say in who stays and goes on #ANTM Cycle 19! Vote, sound off and join in starting next week! twitter.com/CW_ANTM/status…— ANTM (@CW_ANTM) May 17, 2012
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