The Jaw

If you spent your formative years watching America's Next Top Model on UPN before it merged with the WB to create the mutant known as The CW, hello and welcome! This one's for you. America's Next Top Model reigned supreme for 24 cycles ("seasons" simply wouldn't do for this show), transforming aspiring models into bona fide models and asking one of life's most important and profound questions: You wanna be on top? And, of course, each cycle featured a much-anticipated makeover episode, which became more unhinged and OTT as the years went on.

While every cycle of America's Next Top Model is its own special journey (even the ones hosted by Rita Ora), we're here to focus on the show's early days in seasons 1-16. It was a simpler time back then, when Tyra was busy delivering musings like "modeling is being a ho, but making fashion." Tyra and the Top Model producers also devised all manner of makeover decisions that ranged from inspiring, to baffling, to honestly very uncool—such as when they tried to get one contestant to close the gap in her front teeth...and, four years later, asked another woman to widen her teeth gap. Truly, wtf?

Check out 40 of the most dramatic makeovers from the early cycles of America's Next Top Model—or, as the initiated call it, Pot Ledom. Tears were shed! Hair was cut! Extensions were added! Brows were bleached! Mostly, though, everyone came out looking like a supermodel ready to "booty tooch" their way to the top.

Obsessed with Kesse's super '60s bottom lashes!

As Tyra put it, "it's very rooster."

It's giving Laney Boggs from She's All That.

Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element WISHES.

Tyra wanted to match Amanda's "icy blue eyes with some icy blonde hair" and it was honestly the correct call!

Gorgeous before, gorgeous after.

I scream.

Reminder: Cassandra quit the show when Tyra wanted to cut her hair even shorter.

Ebony was so psyched about this look that she started screaming with happiness when Tyra revealed it.

Looking incredible H2T, as Tyra would say!

The assignment was "understated sexy/simplistic sexy chic," which...mission accomplished, tbh.

Give 👏 her 👏 the 👏 CoverGirl 👏 contract!

She needed a little edge, okay??

Her look was modeled after Halle Berry's, and honestly they nailed it.

STUNNING!

Feel free to save this look to your camera roll and bring it to your hairdresser.

Literally OMW to cut bangs thanks to this photo.

Makes no sense to hide those cheekbones behind long hair, so great call here by Tyra and the team!

Not one season went by without someone getting this haircut.

Let Tyra loose in a salon, and she WILL bleach your hair.

QQ: Should I get a bowl cut?

Tyra was clearly back in her "we need to ice you out" phase here.

Okay, the "before" and "after" are both slightly blurry due to the CW being the opposite of HD, but this was too extreme not to include!

Choices were made that day.

Choices were also made on this day.

Okay, Tyra nailed this one.

Whomst was in charge of styling this shoot?! I just wanna talk.

If I had a penny for every time Tyra said the word "ice" when dyeing people's hair blonde...

I'm genuinely going to need someone to confiscate my scissors because I'm thisclose to cutting my own hair and recreating this look.

You can never go wrong with a Rihanna-inspired 'do!

Cycle 14: When Tyra discovered dramatic eyeshadow.

Top Model wanted to transform Tatianna into *checks notes*...Goldilocks.

In loooove with Alasia's look.

Brenda straight up wept, and not out of happiness. You know what? Don't blame her.

I want what she has (those brows).

Tyra wanted to make Gabrielle look like a "wood nymph," which, okay!

Don't say it...

Don't say it...

"ICE HER OUT!"

I said it.

One of the coolest transformations on the show, IMO.

Tyra was making some amazing decisions in cycles 15-16!

Like, this just WORKS!

You Might Also Like

30 Anti-Aging Foods for Women That'll Keep You Feeling Young

A Definitive Ranking of Popular Potato Chip Brands