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Barker Reveals Secret Modeling Past on Televised Show
4 Oct
Summary
- Nigel Barker began his career by competing in a 1989 modeling show.
- He was the only ANTM judge who started modeling via TV.
- Barker felt betrayed after being fired from ANTM before cycle 19.
Nigel Barker, formerly a judge on America's Next Top Model, disclosed a surprising detail about his career origins in a recent interview. In 1989, Barker participated in a televised modeling competition in England called The Clothes Show, where he achieved a third-place finish.
Barker highlighted the unique irony that he was the sole judge on America's Next Top Model whose own modeling career began through a similar televised format. This experience allowed him to deeply empathize with the contestants, stating, "I totally knew what it was like to be them."
He admitted this aspect of his history was rarely discussed during his tenure on the show. Although he did not win the competition, Barker secured a modeling contract and forged his own path in the industry. He joined the ANTM judging panel to provide balance but was dismissed before cycle 19.
Reflecting on his departure in the 2026 documentary *Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model*, Barker described the firing as deeply disappointing and felt a sense of betrayal, especially as he lacked a backup plan at the time.
