Over the last two decades, America's Next Top Model has given viewers 24 seasons packed full of iconic pop culture moments. Each cycle brought a new crop of would-be top models who would do anything to earn the title. Along the way, there were tears, tantrums, and plenty of dramatic makeovers. All of these ingredients created some unforgettable moments (and some controversial ones too).
While each episode delivered high fashion, groundbreaking photoshoots, and plenty of drama, some stand out above the rest as fan favorites. Viewers have rated the top episodes of each season on IMDb. With classic moments including disastrous makeovers and unfair eliminations, some episodes in seasons 1-10 stand above the rest.
"The Girl Who Becomes America's Next Top Model" (S1, E9) - 7.5
ANTM first hit screens in 2003 and became an instant success. With the big buzz around this new reality show, it's no surprise the first and last episodes are the highest-rated for season 1. However, the finale narrowly beats the premiere for the spot as the highest-rated episode of the first season.
The finale saw Elyse Sewell, Shannon Stewart, and Adrianne Curry face the final hurdles to becoming America's Next Top Model. The show amped up the drama by calling Shannon first when it was time to eliminate a contestant, leaving good friends Adrianne and Elyse in the bottom two. Ultimately, Adrianne was selected to stay by the judges. After facing off with Shannon on a runway that featured peak noughties Baby Phat fashions, Adrianne went on to become the first-ever contestant crowned America's Next Top Model.
"The Girl Who Is America's Next Top Model" (S2, E11) - 7.3
The finale is the highest-rated episode for season 2, beating out episodes that featured an allergic reaction, a cheating scandal, and the contestants' heated interrogation from Janice Dickinson. But even with such a packed season, the finale remains a fan favorite.
The final episode delivered a dramatic moment when contestant Yoanna House cut her own hair moments before a beauty shoot. Despite the impromptu makeover, Yoanna was able to pull it out of the bag and became America's Next Top Model, beating competitors Mercedes Scelba-Shorte and Shandi Sullivan.
"The Girl Who Everyone Thinks Is A Backstabber" (S3, E3) - 6.8
ANTM's makeover episodes have earned a place in the pop culture Hall of Fame. As a result, the makeover episodes often stand out in each cycle. In season 3, the episode featuring the contestant's dramatic makeovers is the highest-rated according to IMDb.
In the episode, Tyra and Jay Manuel accompany the hopefuls to an upscale New York salon for the makeovers. While some were pleased with their new looks, contestants Jennipher Frost and Ann Markley were left in tears. The stylists cut off almost two feet of Jennipher's hair, and Ann was less than happy about being given the mid-aughts chunky highlights look.
"The Girl Who Walks On Water" (S4, E13) - 6.9
Season 4, episode 13 saw the three remaining girls performing in a CoverGirl commercial in Cape Town before the final elimination of the series. The final two girls, Kahlen Rondot and Naima Mora, had the judges torn. Some favored Kahlen's high fashion, while others felt Naima's commercial appeal made her a better candidate for the title of America's Next Top Model.
In the end, Naima's commercial look won out as she aced all of the final challenges. The episode saw her crowned America's Next Top Model.
"The Girl Who Gets A Boob Job" (S5, E5) - 6.7
This iconic ANTM episode featured British supermodel Twiggy, which is one of the reasons it's the highest-rated episode of season 5. However, the deciding factor is the drama that ensued from a controversial challenge where the contestants were forced to point out each other's biggest physical flaws. The girls then had to take part in photoshoots that accentuated these features.
The episode also featured another controversial moment when contestant Nik Pace had to do the photoshoot challenge nude. While not the first nude shoot on the show, Nik was singled out this time around because the judges didn't like her dress.
"The Girls Go To Phuket" (S6, E12) - 7.0
Another integral part of every season of ANTM is the exotic destination the girls are flown to. In season 6, the final four girls are taken to Thailand where they travel by tuk-tuk to meet Thai designers for 'go-sees'. The episode delivers an ANTM first when none of the four girls win the go-see challenge after getting held up in traffic, causing all of them to be late.
The episode also sees a shocking twist when the eventual winner, Danielle Evans, finds herself in the bottom two for the very first time.
"The Girl Who Marks Her Territory" (S7, E1) - 7.0
The first season to be aired on The CW, season 7 featured more twists and turns as the competition evolved and expanded. The fan-favorite episode is the first in the cycle, where 33 hopefuls compete in challenges to make it into the final 13.
The episode sees some of the series' most interesting challenges. After whittling the competitors down to 21, the girls had to compete in a nude photoshoot, and, after the final 13 was selected, model stereotypes were the subject for the final one.
"The Girl Who Won't Stop Talking: Part 1" (S8, E1) - 7.2
The season 8 premiere was split into two episodes, with the first half being the top-rated episode of the cycle according to IMDb. More ambitious would-be models are thrown into the intensive ANTM boot camp where drama ensues, including a familiar face in the form of Jaslene. Rejected from the previous season at the initial boot camp stage, Jaslene Gonzalez returns and manages to impress the judges the second time around.
The season premiere also saw a new reward challenge with a charity focus - the girls were asked to pick out an outfit from Goodwill that reflected their personal style before they were auctioned off to raise money.
"The Girls Go Cruisin'" (S9, E1) - 7.2
Another season premiere that captured hearts. The opening episode of Cycle 9 features another grueling boot camp for the contestants, this time on a Caribbean cruise instead of the usual Los Angeles setting. The cruise theme carries the episode, with the contestants asked to model in life jackets to secure their place on the show.
The girls are then narrowed down to the final 13 so the real competition can begin.
"If You Can't Make It Here, You Can't Make It Anywhere" (S10, E7) - 7.0
Episode 7 of season 10 is one of two in the cycle to receive an IMDb rating of 7.0, but what makes this episode stand out is the conflict between two sets of contestants and the infamous go-sees challenge that became a staple of ANTM.
In the episode, tensions rise between Lauren and Fatima over a cup of coffee, and the judges question whether Dominque and Whitney's dislike for each other is getting in the way of the competition. It's an action-packed episode full of the Top Model drama viewers came to know and love, so it's clear why it's one of the top-rated for the series.