The recent Netflix docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, has resurfaced long-held criticisms of Tyra Banks’ flagship reality show. While the program captivated audiences in the early 2000s, a closer examination reveals a pattern of exploitation, psychological manipulation, and blatant disregard for contestants’ well-being. The show’s impact extends beyond entertainment; it shaped perceptions of beauty standards and perpetuated harmful practices within the industry.
The Dark Side of Transformation
ANTM often pushed contestants beyond their limits, sometimes with devastating consequences. One of the most egregious examples is the forced “race swap” photoshoots in Cycles 4 and 13, which involved blackface and other racially insensitive imagery. This wasn’t an isolated incident; the show repeatedly exploited racial dynamics for shock value, demonstrating a shocking lack of awareness.
The program’s relentless focus on physical perfection also led to dangerous behaviors. Judges pressured contestants, like Danielle in Cycle 6, to alter their bodies to fit unrealistic standards. Despite Danielle refusing to close her tooth gap and winning the season, others were pressured into extreme measures. Chelsey Hersley in Cycle 15 was forced to widen her tooth gap by a dentist – a horrifying example of the show’s control over its participants.
Sexual Exploitation and Trauma
The show’s behind-the-scenes reality was far more disturbing than viewers realized. Contestant Shandi from Cycle 2 revealed she was sexually assaulted on set while heavily intoxicated. The cameras continued rolling, and no intervention occurred. This incident highlights a systemic failure to protect contestants from harm, with producers prioritizing sensationalism over safety.
Other instances of abuse included forcing models to pose with abusive male models, with judges dismissing their concerns as weakness. In Cycle 1, Adrianne Curry was assaulted during go-sees in Paris, and in Cycle 4, Keenyah was subjected to inappropriate advances while the judges berated her for speaking out. The show created a toxic environment where exploitation was normalized.
Psychological Manipulation and Cruel Pranks
ANTM also employed psychological manipulation to drive drama. Angelea, a frontrunner in Cycle 17, was eliminated after revealing she had previously worked as an escort. The judges, including Banks, revoked her win and then blamed her for the situation. This illustrates the show’s willingness to destroy contestants’ careers for entertainment value.
One of the most brutal examples of cruelty came in Cycle 16, where contestants were deceived into believing they were eliminated before being revealed as the actual winners. This fabricated emotional turmoil was presented as a “lesson about rejection,” demonstrating a disturbing disregard for human dignity.
Transgender Exploitation and Hypocrisy
The show’s treatment of transgender model Isis King was also deeply problematic. Despite being the first openly transgender contestant, King faced microaggressions from both models and Banks, who relentlessly questioned her transition in a dehumanizing manner. This further highlights the show’s exploitative nature, using marginalized identities for ratings without genuine respect.
The Lasting Impact
America’s Next Top Model left a legacy of harm, contributing to unrealistic beauty standards, normalizing exploitation, and perpetuating harmful practices within the modeling industry. The show’s controversies underscore the dangers of unchecked power dynamics in reality television and the long-lasting trauma inflicted on its participants. The recent docuseries has finally forced a reckoning, exposing the dark truths behind the glitz and glamour.
