Guernsey-based musician Empara Mi has contributed significantly to the soundtrack of Netflix’s recently released docu-series, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model
. The three-part series delves into the controversies surrounding the long-running reality television competition, America’s Next Top Model, which aired for 24 seasons from 2003 to 2018.
Mi wasn’t simply providing a song or two; she delivered an impressive 121 tracks for the documentary, encompassing both the soundtrack and the score. This substantial contribution represents a significant shift in pace for the artist, who previously spent nearly five years crafting the 15 tracks on her last album. “Obviously it took me nearly five years to do my last album, that was only 15 tracks,” Mi explained. “I think we ended up delivering 121 tracks for this. So it taught me a discipline that I had never learned.”
The project presented a unique creative challenge. Mi was brought on board after filming had wrapped, tasked with interpreting the already-edited footage and establishing the sonic tone for the series. According to Mi, the production team had a clear vision for the music, aiming for a sound that reflected the show’s often chaotic
and cutty
nature. “They already had, you know, sort of a first cut of everything,” she said. “So they’d already filmed everything. They had a good idea of, you know, what they wanted the tone to feel like type of music, you know, inspiration, they were sort of going for very much the tone of the music with the show and you know, feeling very chaotic, being quite cutty.”
This isn’t Mi’s first foray into high-profile television and gaming. Her music has previously been featured in popular shows like Love Island and the video game Fortnite, demonstrating a growing presence in the sync licensing world. However, the sheer scale of the Reality Check
project appears to be a new benchmark for her career.
The documentary itself examines the criticisms leveled against America’s Next Top Model, a show that, despite its popularity, faced accusations of problematic representation, unrealistic beauty standards, and detrimental psychological effects on its contestants. The series aims to provide a critical retrospective on the show’s legacy and its impact on the modeling industry and popular culture. The music, plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative and amplifying the emotional weight of the stories being told.
The soundtrack, released on , is credited to Empara Mi, Benny Reiner, and Jasha Klebe, and is available through Netflix Music and platforms like Beatport. The involvement of Reiner and Klebe suggests a collaborative effort in composing and producing the extensive musical landscape of the documentary.
Beyond the immediate impact of the Netflix series, Mi suggests that the discipline gained from this intensive project is already influencing her future work. She indicated that working on Reality Check
has helped to speed up the making of her next album
, a promising sign for fans eager to hear more from the Guernsey-based artist. The experience highlights the increasingly blurred lines between traditional album creation and the demands of composing for visual media, a trend that is becoming increasingly common for musicians seeking broader exposure and diverse creative opportunities.
The success of Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model
and Mi’s contribution to its sonic identity underscores the growing importance of music in documentary filmmaking. A well-crafted score and soundtrack can elevate a documentary beyond mere factual reporting, transforming it into a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant experience. As streaming platforms continue to invest in documentary content, the demand for talented composers and musicians like Empara Mi is likely to increase, further solidifying the role of music as a vital component of the storytelling process.
The BBC reported on the project , highlighting the international reach of Mi’s work and the growing recognition of Guernsey’s creative talent on a global stage. The story has also been covered by Google News and shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), further amplifying the reach of the news.
