Keys, Perry Latest 'Top Model' Mentors

Lest you thought "The Voice" was TV's only reality competition with major announcements regarding celebrity mentors, "America's Next Top Model" has caused a stir of its own. When its 19th Cycle (and remember, "AMTM" traffics in cycles, not your pedestrian seasons), aka the "College Edition," premieres on Friday, Aug. 24, Tyra Banks' supermodel search will feature Alicia Keys and Tyler Perry as special advisers in one episode each. 

Bing: More on "America's Next Top Model" | Tyra Banks | Alicia Keys | Tyler Perry 

Alicia's presence is a no-brainer. She's beautiful, talented and embodies all the positive connotations of the word "diva." Perry might seem a bit more out of place, but in a statement, Banks explains that the movie/sitcom mogul "comes on and gives the contestants an acting challenge. The winner of that acting challenge is actually going to be in a Tyler Perry movie." She did not, however, elaborate as to whether said victor would see a share of the astronomical profits Perry earns by shooting his movies for next to nothing and spending even less on marketing, because his audiences are militantly loyal.

 

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We'll be sure to check in on Keys and Perry's contributions, and report on any further tweaks "AMTM" devises to keep its redundant formula from alienating viewers.