Nigel Barker is best known as a longtime judge and photographer on America’s Next Top Model. Away from the runway, he’s been married to former model Cristen Chin Barker since 1999. Here’s a full look at Nigel Barker wife, family, and career.
Who is Nigel Barker?
Nigel Barker is a British fashion photographer, author, television personality, and former model. He is best known for his 17 seasons as a judge and photographer on America’s Next Top Model alongside Tyra Banks, and for hosting the reality competition series The Face. Beyond television, he has built a long career in fashion photography, authored a book on beauty, and co-founded a beverage brand.
Nigel Barker’s Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nigel Barker |
| Nickname | Not publicly known |
| Profession | Fashion photographer, TV personality, author, former model |
| Date of Birth | April 27, 1972 |
| Age | 54 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | London, England, UK |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Known For | Judge and photographer on America’s Next Top Model; host of The Face |
Nigel Barker grew up in London with a Sri Lankan mother and an Irish-Portuguese-English father. He initially planned to study medicine before his mother entered him into a British TV model search that changed the course of his career.
Nigel Barker’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (about 191 cm) |
| Weight | About 179 lbs (81 kg) |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
| Hair Color | Dark brown |
| Body Type | Tall, athletic |
Nigel Barker’s tall frame and striking looks helped launch his early modeling career before he moved behind the camera as a photographer.
Background and Early Life
Nigel Barker was born on April 27, 1972, in London, England. His mother, a former Miss Sri Lanka contestant, greatly influenced his early exposure to the fashion and modeling world, while his father was of Irish and Portuguese-English descent. He grew up with five siblings from his parents’ three marriages combined.
He attended Bryanston School, where he studied biology, chemistry, and physics, initially planning to become a doctor. His mother entered him into the British TV model search “The Clothes Show” as a teenager, and he became a finalist, which redirected his path toward modeling and, later, photography.
Is Nigel Barker Married? Who is Nigel Barker Wife?
Nigel Barker is married to Cristen Chin Barker, a former fashion model and CoverGirl representative. The two met in Milan in the late 1990s while both were working as models, and after dating for about a year, they married on October 16, 1999.
Cristen later moved from modeling into makeup artistry and creative direction, often collaborating with Nigel on his photography projects. Nigel has credited Cristen and her identical twin sister, Kimberly, as his original muses for picking up a camera, a passion that grew into his decades-long photography career. Cristen and Kimberly are also known online as the “ChinTwins,” working as wellness influencers, dancers, and certified yoga instructors.
Nigel and Cristen have been married for over two decades and live together in New York with their two children.
Is There Any Past Affair of Nigel Barker’s?
There are no widely reported past affairs or major public relationships for Nigel Barker before his marriage to Cristen Chin. Their relationship, which began when they met as young models in Milan, is often cited as one of the more stable, long-term marriages in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Family Background
Nigel Barker was raised in London by a Sri Lankan mother and an Irish-Portuguese-English father, growing up alongside five siblings from his parents’ combined marriages.
With his wife, Cristen, Nigel has two children: a son, Jack, born in November 2005, and a daughter, Jasmine Ines, born in December 2008. Jack has pursued design and began studying at Arizona State University in 2024.
Nigel Barker’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $35 million |
| 2020 | $38 million |
| 2021 | $40 million |
| 2022 | $42 million |
| 2023 | $45 million |
| 2024 | $45 million |
| 2025 | $45 million |
| 2026 | $45 million |
Note: Figures for years before 2024 are estimated based on general career trends, since exact yearly totals are not officially published. Some more recent sources place his current net worth lower, closer to $6–9 million, so estimates do vary depending on the source.
Nigel Barker’s wealth comes from a mix of income sources built over three decades, including his years as a model, his fashion photography business, television salaries from shows like America’s Next Top Model and The Face, book sales, brand endorsement deals, and his co-founded beverage company, The Barker Company.
Career
Nigel Barker’s career began as a teenage model after appearing on the British TV show “The Clothes Show.” He worked internationally as a model before shifting his focus to photography in 1996, when he opened his own photo studio.
He joined America’s Next Top Model as a judge and photographer starting with its second season, working alongside Tyra Banks for 17 cycles before departing the show in 2015. He went on to host the reality series The Face and produced the VH1 show The Shot. He has also released a book on beauty, exhibited humanitarian photography work from Haiti, and taken on brand spokesperson roles for companies including Nine West and Sony. More recently, he co-founded The Barker Company, a ready-to-drink espresso martini brand.
Lesser-Known Facts About Nigel Barker
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Medical Dream | Originally planned to study medicine before his mother pushed him toward modeling |
| Muse Story | Says his wife, Cristen, and her twin sister first inspired him to pick up a camera |
| Film Cameos | Appeared in small film roles, including 2011’s “Arthur” alongside Russell Brand |
| Humanitarian Work | Exhibited a photography project titled “Haiti: Hunger and Hope” after the 2010 earthquake |
| Beverage Brand | Co-founded The Barker Company, an espresso martini beverage brand |
Beyond fashion and television, Nigel Barker has used his photography to highlight humanitarian causes, including his exhibited work documenting conditions in Haiti.
Nigel Barker Social Media
Nigel Barker is active on social media, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), where he shares his photography work, family updates, and projects like his podcast, “The Shaken & Stirred Show.” His wife, Cristen, and her sister also maintain an active online presence through their ChinTwins wellness brand.
FAQs
Q: Who is Nigel Barker’s wife?
A: His wife is Cristen Chin Barker, a former model he married in October 1999.
Q: How old is Nigel Barker?
A: He was born on April 27, 1972, making him 54 years old as of 2026.
Q: What is Nigel Barker’s net worth?
A: Estimates vary, but many sources place his net worth around $45 million as of 2026, while others estimate a lower figure closer to $6–9 million.
Q: What nationality is Nigel Barker?
A: He is British-American, born in London, England, to a Sri Lankan mother and an Irish-Portuguese-English father.
Q: What is Nigel Barker best known for?
A: He is best known for his 17 seasons as a judge and photographer on America’s Next Top Model and for hosting The Face.