Tyra Banks has ditched the age limit for ANTM

America's Next Top Model host and fashion mogul, Tyra Banks, has just reminded us that beauty not only comes in all shapes and sizes, but all ages as well! 

Since ANTM began in 2003, the age cap for contestants has been 27. Now, for the shows 24th cycle, Tyra has decreed that you can smize for her at any age: 'You want to audition for ANTM? I don't care how old you are, honey, you just need to know how to smize and be open to learning to work the runway like a supermodel.'

The change makes sense and is another small step forward in diversifying the fashion industry. In this day and age, just about everybody is preaching a message of diversity and acceptance, so we are certainly welcoming any show that offers a broader scope on beauty and age. Another refreshing moment was the recent Vogue VAMFF runway show, which featured 58-year-old model Lou Kenny. She worked the runway just as much as her younger counterparts! 

Tyra has always stood for diverse beauty. The model was the first African-American model to appear on the covers of GQ and Sports Illustrated, and in cycle 22 of ANTM she lifted the show's height restriction, welcoming a far wider range of body types. 

Now that she's acknowledged that models indeed never needed to be young, what other changes do you think Tyra will make? On a less fashion-forward note, we hope Tyra brings back ANTM's age-old theme song! 

Smize on for decades to come, ladies.