Drew Elliott & Law Roach On ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ Tyra Banks [VIDEO EXCLUSIVE]

With Tyra Banks now at the helm as executive producer of the revamped new season of America’s Next Top Model, the stakes for the reality competition show have undergone a major upgrade. The new ANTM features Rita Ora as host and Ashley Graham, Law Roach, and Drew Elliott as the judges and experts for this cycle of hopefuls. Elliott and Roach recently sat down with uInterview to tease the upcoming season.

DREW ELLIOT AND LAW ROACH ON  ‘ANTM’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

In a world of social media celebrity and personal branding, models must do much more than look good on camera. “What we’re really looking for a girl that can be a brand,” Elliott said. “Really looking for someone that can do video, bring social media, could have clothing lines…it has to be much more than that standard form of model.” Roach echoed Elliott’s thoughts. “The industry has changed so much and it’s more about pop culture and social media, and girls being able to more than just take a picture,” Roach said.

Each of the new judges also has their own form of expertise, both on camera and off. Elliott is Chief Creative Officer of Paper Magazine, Graham is a supermodel and body activist, and Roach is a celebrity stylist. Roach emphasized the cast’s wide range of strengths. “I’m the one that’s coming in from just behind-the-scenes so I’m like the rookie,” he said. Ultimately, despite their strong opinions about how the show should progress, the judges have come together as a team in order to support the girls. “When we sat together to talk to these girls, it really became really powerful,” Elliott said. “Each week we would talk and go through. This girl needs this, and, Law, can you give this encouragement, and, Ashley, like, we really need to pull up on this for her. So we really took it more as teachers than judges.”

Despite the overhaul, Tyra Banks still casts a large shadow over the show. “We had the opportunity to meet with her and really hear what her vision was,” Elliott said. “She really had some specific ideas, and you know, at the end of the day, it’s modeling her career in that she is that boss, that brand, that business. She embodies that.” For Roach, he couldn’t help but get a little starstruck. “When you meet her you just, you get lost in those eyes…so I fangirled when I met her, so I don’t remember much about the conversation,” he gushed.

The new season of America’s Next Top Model currently airs on VH1.