‘They tortured us psychologically… it was inhumane’: America’s Next Top Model winners reveal abuse, bullying and everything missing from new Netflix doc – as they tell CLARA GASPAR what it was REALLY like on show and shocking truth about Tyra Banks
The pursuit of a modeling career on reality television sometimes came at a steep price. A contestant on the early 2000s hit America’s Next Top Model, Joanie, underwent dental surgery – the removal of four teeth – at the behest of host Tyra Banks, if she wished to remain in the competition.
The Rise and Reign of America’s Next Top Model
Premiering in 2003, America’s Next Top Model quickly became a cultural phenomenon, drawing audiences of up to 100 million viewers worldwide and spawning over 30 international spin-offs. The show’s premise centered around a group of aspiring models living together in New York City, facing weekly challenges and photoshoots judged by Tyra Banks and a rotating panel including photographer Nigel Barker, Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley, runway coach Miss J. Alexander, Janice Dickinson, and Twiggy.
The ultimate prize was a modeling contract and a magazine cover, but the path to victory was often fraught with intense scrutiny and, as recent revelations suggest, potentially damaging interventions. The show ran for 24 seasons, becoming a defining part of mid-2000s pop culture and generating its own lexicon – “smize,” “booty tooch,” and “flawsome” became instantly recognizable terms.
A Shifting Reputation
In recent years, clips from the show have resurfaced online, prompting criticism for the harsh critiques leveled at contestants regarding their weight and appearance. This scrutiny has intensified with the release of a three-part Netflix documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, which examines the show’s controversial legacy.
Tyra Banks has stated that she created the show as a way to “fight against the fashion industry,” stemming from her own experiences as a Black model facing discrimination. However, former contestants are now coming forward with accounts that paint a far more troubling picture.
Contestant Accounts of Manipulation and Trauma
Two former winners, Adrianne Curry and Lisa D’Amato, declined to participate in the Netflix documentary, citing concerns about the influence of Banks and executive producer Ken Mok on the production. They allege a pattern of manipulation, psychological torture, and even the exploitation of personal trauma for dramatic effect.
Lisa D’Amato claims producers deliberately used her history of childhood sexual abuse to provoke emotional reactions on camera, and pressured her to discuss it on live television. Adrianne Curry alleges that the promised prize of a Revlon contract was misrepresented, ultimately amounting to little more than a promotional appearance.
The show also featured controversial “high-concept” photoshoots, including one involving a murder theme where a contestant with a traumatic past was asked to pose with a fake gunshot wound. Another shoot involved race-swapping, with models being styled to appear as different ethnicities.
What’s Next?
The Netflix documentary may prompt further scrutiny of reality television practices and potentially lead to increased calls for greater protection of contestants’ mental and emotional well-being. Networks may re-evaluate the types of challenges and critiques featured on similar shows.
Banks’s response to the criticism could influence her future projects and public image. Depending on public reaction, the show’s legacy could continue to be debated and re-evaluated for years to come. Further contestants may come forward with their own experiences, potentially adding to the ongoing conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Joanie to undergo dental surgery?
Tyra Banks ordered Joanie and another contestant, Danielle, to fix their smiles if they wanted to stay in the competition on America’s Next Top Model.
How many seasons of America’s Next Top Model aired?
The show ran for 24 seasons between 2003 and 2018.
What are some of the controversies surrounding the show?
Controversies include harsh critiques of contestants’ weight and appearance, exploitative photoshoots, and allegations of manipulation and psychological trauma.
Given the recent scrutiny surrounding America’s Next Top Model, how do you think reality television needs to evolve to prioritize the well-being of its participants?