Top Model franchise creator Tyra Banks returned as the show's host after being replaced for one cycle by singer Rita Ora.

The judging panel, consisting of model Ashley Graham, Paper magazine chief creative officer Drew Elliott, and celebrity stylist Law Roach, remained otherwise unchanged.

The surviving models later met with judge Drew Elliot and fashion director Nicola Formichetti for an Avant-garde photo shoot and runway challenge.

Coura, Khrystyana, Sandra and Kyla was appreciated for their walk while Shanice, Ivanna and Liz was deemed the worst by Stacey.

On set, the contestanfs had a bohemian pregnancy photo shoot with photographer Charlotte Rutherford, inspired by Hollywood's latest baby boom fashion trends.

[7] The contestants arrived back at the house and immediately received a Tyra Mail alluding to the fact that makeovers would be taking place soon.

After the makeovers were administered, the models met Director X for a video shoot meant to showcase their new trademark looks in a room full of mirrors.

[9] The remaining contestants received scripts for a screen test challenge with actor Kevin Phillips, which was judged by director Anthony Hemingway and Stacey McKenzie.

[13] The remaining 10 contestants celebrated pride week at Micky's Bar, and took part in a self styled popup runway challenge for designer Christian Cowan which was won by Khrystyana.

The models later had a photo shoot posing alongside former Drag Race contestants Manila Luzon, Valentina and Katya Zamolodchikova.

[15] The remaining nine contestants were challenged with the task of creating an anti-bullying PSA for the National Crime Prevention Council under the direction of Director X.

As the winners of the challenge, Khrystyana, Kyla, and Sandra were chosen to have their video used as part of a national digital campaign for NCPC.

At elimination Brendi K, Jeana, Khrystyana, Kyla, Rio, Sandra, and Shanice received a joint first call-out as a group.

On set the contestants were photographed by Tyra in a photo shoot where they had to pose with plus-sized male models covered in gold body paint.

[19] The seven remaining contestants met with Ashley Graham and movement coach Jermaine Browne for a motion shoot challenge, which was won by Jeana.

Kyla and Rio were chosen as the winners of the challenge, and were given the opportunity to walk in a runway show for the designers as part of their reward.

[25] The four remaining contestants took part in a throwback America's Next Top Model challenge inspired by the bubble runway from cycle 16.

Erin was chosen as the challenge winner, and along with Liberty, Christina, and Jeana, they moved back into the model house for the opportunity to possibly return.

On set, the contestants had a photo shoot in pairs with cycle 3 winner Eva Marcille covered in tarantulas, shot by former judge Nigel Barker.

In a shocking turn of events, she was saved from elimination by guest judge Philipp Plein, joining the other three models in the finale.

Immediately following the runway show, Khrystyana was eliminated based on the results from the photo shoot that had taken place earlier that week.

Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, writing for Vulture, ranked the finale one star out of a possible five and remarked, "We had admittedly hopped off this show’s bandwagon years ago, only to be lured back in with the promise that Tyra’s return would set its course anew.

Joey Guerra of HoustonChronicle.com compared the season finale to a "limp balloon,"[34] while Scaachi Koul of Buzzfeed News noted, "ANTM lives and dies by Tyra Banks’s energy," but remarked that "there’s clear callousness in the show’s attempt to become political.