That’s right — even in a promo hyping the return of model wannabes like Bianca Golden, Allison Harvard, and transgender model Isis King, all of the attention is on Tyra. This is the woman who gave Miley Cyrus a photo of her as a teenager for Miley’s sweet sixteen, and who never managed in her five years of hosting The Tyra Banks Show to switch the focus away from her multi-hyphenate career.

But don’t despair, ANTM fans: If you stick through to the end, you’ll get to see Tyra wake up hyperventilating, plus a glimpse of the actual contestants.

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“I’ve always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty,” Tyra said in a statement. “Through America’s Next Top Model, True Beauty and The Tyra Show, I challenge industry and universal standards by featuring and celebrating non-traditional beauty, and stressing that true beauty is both inside and out.”

If you are between the ages of 13-19, sizes 12-20 and between 5’9″ and 6’1,” you’re eligible! All the info can be found on her website.

I can’t figure out Tyra’s plan with this. On one hand, targeting younger girls and hosting the contest separate from the ANTM brand will help the winner’s career. On the other hand, conducting a model search outside the ANTM brand can’t be good for ANTM. What you think?

Image: Newscom

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The NAACP Image Awards will air February 26, 2010 on Fox at 8pm.

To see a complete list of categories and nominees, click here. NAACP honors achievements in film, television, literature, and music.

Tyra, Eva and ANTM’s competition is below the jump!

Outstanding Talk Series

“Lopez Tonight” (TBS)
“The Mo’Nique Show” (BET)
“The Tyra Banks Show” (CW)
“The View” (ABC)
“The Wanda Sykes Show” (FOX)

Outstanding Reality Series

“American Idol 8″ (FOX)
“America’s Next Top Model” (CW)
“Dancing With the Stars” (ABC)
“Extreme Makeover” (ABC)
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo)

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series

Daphne Duplaix – “One Life to Live” (ABC)
Debbi Morgan – “All My Children” (ABC)
Eva Marcille – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Tatyana Ali – “The Young and The Restless” (CBS)
Tonya Lee Williams – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

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Now that the talk show is over, a lot of questions are being raised as to what this means for America’s Next Top Model.

It means one of two things:

1) Tyra is going to refocus some of her energy back into the show that made her a reality television force. The show (and it’s watchability) has slipped considerably over the past few cycles. Even a gimmicky season like the shorty season couldn’t pull it out of it’s slump. It’s still CW’s flagship show, but it needs a serious facelift. We know that the show will be around for at least two more cycles, as Jay Manuel recently tweeted “ANTM will continue. We just finished cycle 14 and 15 is planned.” Nigel Barker’s contract doesn’t expire until Cycle 16. Could Tyra restore this show to it’s early season glory?

2) ANTM is not a priority and will continue to slide. Tyra announced the creation of Bankable Studios, a company where she will focus on film projects. She also has the second season of True Beauty on her plate, and — let’s face it — her non-ANTM television projects were pretty weak. If she devotes all her talk show time to other television projects, it’s possible she can again capture the magic that made ANTM so great.

What do you think?

Image: CW Network

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“My next huge steps will allow me to reach more women and young girls to help us all feel as fierce as we truly are,” she told People.com.

Tyra will also keep busy with cycle 14 of America’s Next Top Model and season two of True Beauty, both slated to return in early 2010.

Tyra wrote a personal letter to all her fans about the decision on her website, which you can read here. She promises she’ll never abandon her fans and has lots of exciting ideas in the works:

There’s a lot cooking right now and a lot of fire burning in my heart, and for years, I’ve been working on the next big ideas and new ways to reach out to you. Besides continuing full speed with America’s Next Top Model (which starts it’s 15th season), True Beauty (which is in its second season), and Tyra.com, this year I’ll be unveiling some HUGE surprises from me and my company Bankable – new out-of-the-box projects. And I’m incredibly excited to announce that I’ll be launching Bankable Studios soon, which means my company will be making MOVIES!!! And what I love about creating new projects is that it also creates new jobs for talented people, in front of and behind the camera.

I think this is a weird move for Tyra. Seeing as Oprah announced the end of her own talk show in 2011, Tyra could have easily stepped up and filled that talk show void. She has a young, dynamic audience and could propel the talk show format forward. That being said, if Tyra’s heart wasn’t in it, then kudos to her to follow her heart.

Image: Newscom

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Tyra will also address the controversial biracial photo shoot, wherein each girl portrayed two different cultures coming together.

Cast your vote here! I picked Nicole! I think her look is amazing and her awkwardness is endearing. How did you pick?

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What were you for Halloween?

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Several Top Model alumni came out to help give away the coats, including Toccara Jones, Lauren Utter and Aminat Ayinde. The girls took some time to sign autographs for a few star-struck kids receiving the coats! Tyra didn’t make an appearance, but it’s still a great cause for her to support!

“My mother always used to go the Red Cross to get clothes and food. We always had hand-me-downs. I feel blessed to be here and to be able to give them something new,” Toccara told MLive.com.

The drive also hit close to home for Lauren, who was once homeless and Aminat, who said her family often struggled financially when she was growing up.

You can read a full length article about the drive at MLive.com.

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I’ll admit, I was in for something great – like she’d be bald or have the Mia Farrow cut she loves giving Top Model girls. In the end, her hair was natural and she was beautiful.

Here’s a brief clip from the show:

What do you think of Tyra going weave-free?

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Tyra won the “Talk Show – Informative” category. The other big talk show winners were Rachael Ray, who took home “Talk Show – Entertainment” and The View, who upset four-time winner Ellen DeGeneres for “Best Talk Show Host.”

Tyra looked great in a shorter almost bob-like hairstyle and a one-shouldered coral dress. It’s one of her best looks!

E! Online has a complete list of winners here.

Image: Newscom

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