Modelling is a cut-throat business, just ask Nigel Barker, J Alexander and Jay Manuel. The America’s Next Top Model stars have been axed by host and executive producer Tyra Banks.

Photographer Barker, 39, runway coach Alexander, 53, and creative director Manuel, 39, have been fixtures on the show. However, their contracts have not been renewed. Manuel, who oversaw the show’s photo shoots and Alexander, had been with the show since its first cycle in 2003 with Barker joining a year later. The long-running series has suffered disappointing ratings during its most recent cycle, which began airing in February. Just 1.3 million people for the premiere episode, 45 per cent down from the audience for the previous cycle’s opener.

Banks confirmed the news on her official Facebook page after it was first reported in the New York Post. “To my Nigel Barker, Miss J, and Mr Jay: Thank you for all of our years together on America’s Next Top Model,” Banks wrote. “Working with you is always an absolute pleasure. Excited for what the future holds for us.” On his blog, Barker wrote: “I will miss the cast, the crew and ANTM will always have a special place in my heart, having made life-long friendships with countless fond memories.” Manuel and Alexander have yet to comment. No replacements have been announced.

—Daily Mail

All grown up!

She’s not a girl and she’s certainly not yet a woman, but that hasn’t stopped her from trying to be. Selena Gomez has attempted to add some spice to her sweet as candy image by releasing a new raunchier music video for her single Hit The Lights. The 19-year-old treated her fans to another side of her as she slipped into a couple of racy corsets to capture her new look. Selena is sure to set the pulse of her boyfriend, Justin Bieber, racing after he sees her style choice in the blue PVC corset. The Wizards of Waverly Place star has released the reloaded version of the song as she bids to make the transition from child star and to try and drop her cute image. The first video was released in mid-November 2011 and was heavily promoted by her record label. However, the new one comes five months after the original and shows Selena partying hard across a number of different scenes. She was clearly pleased with the turn out and thanked her fans for their support. She tweeted, “Thanks to everyone who came out to The El Captain today for the premiere of the new video for Hit the Lights…”.

—Daily Mail

Sleepless In New York

With all the events, long-haul flights and the tireless self- promotion it’s easy for celebrities to miss out on sleep. Someone who looked like they were due an eight-hour nap and then some was the You’ve Got Mail actress Meg Ryan. The 50-year-old was in New York to attend a charity fundraising event but looked far from the bright-eyed beauty she once was in her heyday. Meg wore a plain black short-sleeved maxi dress, and kept her jewellery to a minimum, wearing a thin silver necklace, small studded earrings and a black beaded bracelet. Her short blonde hair looked unkempt and she hardly had any makeup on apart from some very faint eyeshadow. The once-divorced actress who is currently dating John Mellencamp wore a silver band on her wedding finger which could perhaps be a sign that their relationship is heading up the altar. The When A Man Loves A Woman actress looked pale and dishevelled as she posed at the Equality Now 20th Anniversary Fund-raiser. An obvious sign of her tiredness were the dark circles under her eyes and her hair looked like it was due a top-up, as her golden blonde hue had faded. She also appeared to be a shadow of her former self as her tiny frame looked lost in her long gown.

—Daily Mail