We were all rooting for you, Reality Check! But Netflix’s documentary on America’s Next Top Model feels like a heavy and overly serious look at a show that ran for 24 seasons. This three-episode series highlights many controversies and features interviews with its producers and coaches, including Tyra Banks herself.
The documentary constantly brings up cringeworthy moments from the show. Some critics, including anonymous TikTok users, voice strong opinions, claiming that Top Model had negative effects on contestants, including mental health issues. One TikTok user even argues that a single clip contributed to their eating disorder lasting for years. Although some of these controversies feel dated, the issues raised are still relevant today.
The series revisits several controversial moments:
7. Tyra Banks and Jay Manuel’s Fallout: Jay Manuel, the show’s creative director, shared that he felt suffocated while working on the show. After expressing his desire to leave, Banks’ response was cold: “I am disappointed.” Manuel felt cut off from her, operating under what he described as “psychological torture.” Banks declined to comment on the matter.
6. The Fat-Shaming Issue: The show pushed models to be extremely thin, but it also tried to include more body diversity. Contestant Whitney Thompson described her struggle in the fashion industry, feeling demeaned and pressured to conform to a narrow beauty standard. While she voiced her experiences, another model reminded viewers that societal norms around body image were different 25 years ago.
5. The Gap Controversy: Dani Evans, the winner of Cycle 6, faced immense pressure from Banks to close her gap-toothed smile or risk elimination. Decades later, Banks admitted her mistake, explaining that agents told her Evans wouldn’t find work with those teeth. Evans was hurt, saying her gap closure did nothing to advance her career.
4. Regret Over Race Swapping Shoots: Some notorious photo shoots that involved race-swapping have left producers reflecting on their choices. Banks initially thought the concept would promote diversity but later admitted the backlash was justified. Producer Ken Mok took responsibility for other controversial themes, feeling they celebrated violence rather than art.
3. Lack of Protection for Contestants: The documentary reveals troubling moments during filming where models weren’t adequately protected. For example, contestant Shandi Sullivan had a drunken encounter on camera that raised serious concerns. Many believe the producers should have intervened in situations that posed danger or discomfort to contestants, especially when one model voiced distress over being groped.
2. Tyra’s Emotional Meltdown: In a well-known incident, Banks lost her cool with contestant Tiffany Richardson, expressing undue frustration. Banks later acknowledged that she went too far, indicating deeper issues tied to her own experiences. Insider accounts suggest the off-camera moments were even more intense and problematic.
1. Miss J’s Health Crisis: Miss J, a celebrated runway coach, revealed he suffered a serious stroke and spent weeks in a coma. While his colleagues reached out during his recovery, he noted that Banks never visited. This moment shed light on the complexities of their relationships and the often hidden personal struggles behind the show’s glamorous facade.
In recent discussions on social media, many users have shared their thoughts and reactions to the show’s impact on beauty standards and mental health. While some fans cherish the series, others question its legacy. This ongoing conversation highlights how the entertainment industry continues to evolve, making us rethink what we value in celebrity culture.
For further insights into media and cultural criticism, you can explore studies on the lasting effects of reality television on viewers, including this research by the American Psychological Association.
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America's Next Top Model,Netflix,Tyra Banks
