Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesTyra Banks is ready for a Model makeover.
The America's Next Top Model bigwig dropped a massive shocker last week when she announced that she was firing three of the show's mainstays—Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander—who also happen to be her close chums.
Many took the move as a firm bid to gussy up the show and juice up sagging ratings, and now Banks is speaking out about the shakedown and what it means for her and her axed costars...
"We've reached a point where were feel that the show just needs a new boost," Banks told Access Hollywood Monday at the Matrix Awards in New York City.
"It's very difficult because I love my guys—I mean, they're my guys!" she added. "They've been there since the beginning of the show."
Still, she doesn't rule out bringing the trio back on board somewhere down the line.
"They'll still be there because my partner Ken Mok and I, we have projects that we're developing, and we're a family," she said. "So it doesn't end."
Banks is definitely big on the family thing: Shortly after news broke of the firings, she tweeted: "Fierce & love 2 my Nigel, Jay & Miss J. ANTM turned us in2 a family. Excited for what the future holds for us."
In an exclusive interview with E! News following the announcement, Barker said Banks' decision "wasn't a shock" and revealed that "there had been a discussion that ratings were down and that something like this would happen."
Yikes! Here's hoping Banks has exciting designs on Top Model's redo.