America's Next Top Model

Freshly-fired "America's Next Top Model" judge Nigel Barker tells TMZ, the show's in for a rude awakening now that he's been canned ... because his shoes will be INCREDIBLY difficult to fill.

Nigel tells us, "Good luck to whoever [replaces me]. I would imagine it's a tricky thing to replace someone who's going on their 19th season."

As for why Nigel believes he got the boot -- he tells us, the network is bent on completely revamping the show ... after record low ratings the last two seasons.

But he adds, "Who knows if this is going to work? I don't necessarily think it's a good idea ... Maybe it will work. Maybe it won't. I wish them luck."

Tyra Banks announced this morning ... the CW would not be renewing Nigel's contract for the show's next season. Two other famed "Top Model" personalities -- Jay Manuel and J. Alexander -- were also fired.

Former "America's Next Top Model" contestant Lexie Tomchek claims she was permanently injured after a bus collided with her car last year -- and now, she's suing the driver for derailing her modeling career.

Lexie filed the legal docs in L.A. County Superior Court -- claiming a guy named Narciso Ayala took an illegal right turn on March 28, 2011 ... and smashed into her car ... resulting in a "catastrophic accident which caused serious and permanent injuries."

Lexie's lawyer tells TMZ, the model's career has taken a crippling blow as a result -- and now, she's suing for lost wages ... plus hospital and medical expenses.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Jonny's estranged wife -- former "America's Next Top Model" contestant Michelle Deighton -- came back to Jonny's house to pick up some of her stuff. Problem was, Jonny had changed the locks while she was gone -- and Michelle couldn't get in.

Jonny was out of town at the time -- and according to the report, when his Grandma rolled up to check on things, Michelle was already there. G-ma informed Michelle she was trespassing and then blocked her van in the driveway while she called police.

According to the report, Michelle allegedly rammed granny's car trying to get out -- and then took off across the front yard, empty-handed. Attempts to reach Michelle weren't successful.

The would-be models were all greeted by actual police officers and efficient checkpoint stations set up for today's event, instead of smoking cars, trampled bodies and broken high heels. The whole operation was designed to keep the crowd calm.

Three people were arrested and four were treated by medics after a riot broke out in Manhattan yesterday during an audition for the show.

The streets erupted when a mob of almost 10,000 model wannabes overwhelmed security and were thrown into a frenzy after a man allegedly yelled that a smoking car on the street was about to blow up.

Lanky Jaslene Gonzalez, "America's Next Top Model" cycle 8 winner, was flat-out denied from Snoop Dogg's "Ego Trippin" album release party at Touch in NYC last night. The Covergirl tried to be easy, breezy, and beautiful - but after posing and strutting for paps, Miss "ANTM" was still not allowed past the velvet rope. Awkward!

Jermaine Dupri and Snoop Dogg both arrived after the incident, and pimps walked right into the club. Well ... it was the Doggfather's party.

When asked about the situation - Lizzie Grubman, Jaslene's publicist, told TMZ "Why wouldn't they let a beautiful supermodel in -- it's news to me!"

The bitchy beauties of "America's Next Top Model" made a pricey Manhattan loft their personal romper room, according to a new report, causing $500K in damage -- and supposedly reneging on a $125K settlement deal.

TMZ just spoke to two residents of 39 Lispenard Street, and they confirmed that the place was "trashed," and that the management company has had "serious" problems with their not-so-model neighbors.

Earlier, the New York Post reported that the 14 girls splattered "ketchup and coffee" all over the walls, damaged a $15,000 chandelier "beyond repair" and caused $90,000 of damage to a store below. What's more, according to the Post, the crew "punched hundreds of holes in the ceiling" and tore up the Brazilian wood floors.

Apparently, our friends across the pond are just as obsessed as we are with the trials and tribulations of struggling models.

Usually, when Adrianne Curry blogs, it just makes her look like a crazy woman. Maybe it's just showing her in true form, but her latest dispatch makes her look a little like Strom Thurmond with fake boobs. America's Next Top Race-Baiter!

The first "America's Next Top Model" initially wrote on her MySpace blog that she's boycotting Black History Month and the BET network, and that while the history of slavery of African-Americans "does suck some major balls," she's imploring them to "move the f**k on."

"America's Next Top Model" is huge -- and so are the contestants! The gals of next season's ANTM are not your usual model-size negative 1. Although the girls would definitely not be labeled as plus-sized, insiders say they're far from the stick figures we're used to seeing on the runway. Our source joked that the hair and makeup peeps have their work cut out for them.

It is unclear whether or not it's a strategic move, or if the producers are slightly off in their choices, but we applaud taking the more natural-looking woman and trying to doll her up. On a 'lighter' note, the girls are said to be some of the most humble and grateful girls the show has ever seen. Say it isn't so! Top Model is nothing without the bitchfights!