The legacy of America’s Next Top Model is undergoing a rigorous re-examination, and its creator, Tyra Banks, is finally confronting the controversies that plagued the long-running reality series. A new three-part Netflix documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, set to release on , promises to delve into the show’s most problematic moments, featuring interviews with Banks, judges, producers, and former contestants.
For 24 seasons, from to , America’s Next Top Model captivated audiences with its blend of fashion, drama, and aspirational storytelling. However, in recent years, the show has faced increasing criticism for its often harsh and arguably damaging treatment of contestants. The documentary arrives after a decade of relative silence from Banks regarding these accusations.
The trailer for Reality Check reveals a willingness from Banks to address the criticisms head-on. “I haven’t really said much, but now it’s time,” she states in the trailer, signaling a shift from avoidance to accountability. The documentary will feature contributions from key figures involved in the show’s production, including developer Ken Mok, and judges Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, and J. Alexander (Miss J). Crucially, the series also includes perspectives from former contestants, offering a vital counterpoint to the show’s internal narrative.
While some former contestants have expressed gratitude for the opportunities the show provided, others are prepared to detail the more difficult aspects of their experience. Whitney Thompson, the winner of season ten and a plus-size model, credits Banks with opening doors for larger models in an industry historically resistant to diversity. “The only reason the door was open to me was because of Tyra,” Thompson says in the trailer, highlighting a positive impact of the show’s attempt to broaden its representation.
However, the documentary won’t shy away from the show’s darker side. Mok himself admits in the trailer that they “built a monster,” suggesting a realization that the show’s pursuit of drama and ratings may have crossed ethical lines. Contestant Shannon Stewart is cited as saying the show was filled with “body-shaming, where already thin models were told they weren’t ‘thin enough,’” illustrating the pressures and unrealistic standards imposed on participants.
Recent allegations have further intensified scrutiny of the show’s practices. Shandi Sullivan, a contestant from season two, has accused producers of framing her alleged sexual assault during a trip to Milan in as a cheating storyline. Sullivan claims that the incident began after male models were invited to the house for dinner and drinks, and that her recollection of the night is largely a blur due to intoxication. She believes the producers should have intervened to prevent the situation from escalating and is critical of how the aftermath was portrayed.
These accusations, coupled with resurfaced clips of Banks’ often-intense interactions with contestants – including instances of harsh criticism and demands for drastic physical changes – have fueled a broader conversation about the ethics of reality television and the potential for exploitation. A clip of Banks telling a model to cut off most of her hair continues to circulate on social media, prompting accusations of bullying and manipulation.
Jay Manuel, a former judge on the show, acknowledged the show’s reflection of the often-brutal realities of the fashion world, stating that they were “showing the behind-the-scenes of what the fashion world was.” He also suggested that Banks was willing to do “anything for the success of her show,” hinting at a prioritization of entertainment value over the well-being of the contestants.
Banks’ admission that she “knew [she] went too far” and that the show’s intensity was driven by audience demand suggests a complex understanding of her role in the controversies. She acknowledges the show’s escalating nature, stating, “It was very very intense, but you guys were demanding it. So we kept pushing. More. And more. And more.” This statement raises questions about the responsibility of both the producers and the audience in creating a climate where such behavior was tolerated.
The release of Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model arrives alongside another Netflix documentary focusing on a prominent figure in the music industry, Sean Combs: The Reckoning. This convergence of high-profile documentaries examining past behavior and accountability underscores a broader trend within the entertainment industry towards confronting uncomfortable truths and reassessing the legacies of influential figures.
The documentary is expected to spark further debate about the impact of reality television on its participants and the ethical responsibilities of producers and networks. Whether Reality Check will offer genuine closure or simply reopen old wounds remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation surrounding America’s Next Top Model and its place in television history.
