Kimora Lee Simmons Reflects on Rift With Tyra Banks and ANTM Legacy

On April 7, 2026, fashion entrepreneur Kimora Lee revealed during an appearance on the Aspire With Emma Grede podcast that she has not spoken to Tyra Banks in a very long time. The disclosure comes amid renewed public interest in the legacy of America’s Next Top Model and the release of a Netflix documentary exploring the series.

Kimora Lee, 50, discussed the distance between her and Banks, 52, noting that they were once very close. Despite the current lack of communication, Kimora Lee shared that Banks remains one of the godmothers to her children.

The conversation focused largely on the new Netflix docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, which premiered in February 2026. The three-part series examines the cultural impact of the long-running reality competition, while also revisiting criticisms and controversies surrounding the production’s treatment of contestants.

Kimora Lee, who served as a judge during the inaugural season of the show, expressed surprise that she was not approached to participate in the documentary. She stated on the podcast that she did not know why she was not part of the project, given her early involvement in shaping the program.

Validating the Show’s Controversies

While she was not interviewed for the documentary, Kimora Lee watched the series and commented on its portrayal of the show’s environment. The docuseries explores allegations of body shaming and emotionally taxing challenges imposed on the models.

Kimora Lee acknowledged that many of the claims presented in the documentary were accurate. Reflecting on the early years of the production, she described certain experiences as treacherous moments, with models and noted that much of what was portrayed was very true.

This reflection aligns with a previous comment made on February 23, 2026, in which Kimora Lee praised Banks for creating an aspirational show that attracted many women, while still acknowledging the difficulties inherent in the production.

A History of Professional and Personal Bonds

The rift between the two women stands in contrast to a friendship that began decades ago. Kimora Lee and Tyra Banks both started their modeling careers as teenagers and formed a tight bond while working in Paris during the early 1990s.

During their time in Paris, the two lived together in a model house. In a 2004 interview with New York magazine, Banks recalled the dynamic of their early friendship, mentioning that she often had the newest Prada bags and would laugh at Kimora Lee because her bags were from Walmart.

As they progressed in their careers, both women broke barriers in the fashion industry. Banks eventually built a media empire as the creator and host of America’s Next Top Model, which debuted in 2003 and ran for over two decades. Kimora Lee established herself as a multifaceted entrepreneur, model, and television personality, most notably as the founder of Baby Phat.

The distance between the two former collaborators appears to be a long-standing one. While Kimora Lee indicated she was open to revisiting the franchise in the future, she suggested that previous opportunities to return to the show did not materialize.

Shift in Identity and Ownership

The reflections on her past and her professional legacy come at a time of personal transition for the fashion mogul. On March 5, 2026, Kimora Lee announced that she had legally dropped Simmons from her name.

She stated that the legal name change was intended to reflect her commitment to clarity and ownership.

The current scrutiny of America’s Next Top Model has prompted various reactions from those involved in the show’s history. While some former participants and judges have defended Banks’ approach, others have criticized the ethical boundaries of the production. For Kimora Lee, the current moment is one of reflection on a complicated professional and personal history.