America’s Next Top Model is one of the most popular and addictive reality shows of the past two decades, spawning spin-offs around the world and creating a slew of stars in its wake.
But Tyra Banks’ iconic series hasn’t aged at all well in the years since, with many people pointing out its toxic flaws, which certainly wouldn’t fly today.
Netflix has now released a docu-series titled Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, which the streaming platform claims is ‘the definitive, must-watch documentary’ about the show.
In Metro‘s review, senior TV reporter Rebecca Cook writes that watching the docu-series ‘makes her wonder how she ever enjoyed it all’, saying that scandalous moments involving body-shaming, makeover scenes and questionable challenges ranged from ‘the offensive to the disturbing’.
Other viewers felt similarly shocked that they had previously been fans of the modelling competition.
‘Omg I used to love this show when I was younger but I always felt something was off. I just couldn’t put it into words,’ AggravatingShow2028 wrote on Reddit.
It might be eight years since the final series of ANTM aired, but controversial moments from the programme still regularly do the rounds on social media.
Claiming a tooth gap ‘isn’t marketable’
A few years ago, a resurfaced clip of head judge and creator Tyra mocking a contestant’s tooth gap and claiming she wouldn’t be successful if she kept it stirred a sense of uneasiness about some of the antics that happened on the show.
In the throwback clip, Tyra tells aspiring model Danielle Evans: ‘So Danielle, you went to the dentist but refused to have your gap closed,’ while gesturing to her own teeth.
‘Do you really think you can have a Cover Girl contract with the gap in your mouth?’
The former supermodel adds: ‘This is all people see. Easy, Breezy, Beautiful, Cover Girl. It’s not marketable.’
Danielle tried to defend herself, responding: ‘A little bit is ok, but I don’t want to completely close it.’
Pretty much summing up the general feeling on Tyra’s remarks, one X user said at the time: ‘Genuinely cannot believe how problematic Tyra Banks used to be. I used to love her and obsessed over America’s Next Top Model but now I’m looking back like…’
Others were seemingly unaware of the show’s issues, with another fan admitting: ‘I didn’t even know Tyra Banks is problematic until now [sic].’
Longtime viewers of ANTM are reeling once again over the most problematic moments from the show’s history after the release of the Netflix docu-series.
‘I feel so much for that young version of myself’
Many of the most controversial episodes from the series are deeply-rooted in racial issues, such as during the 2004 season, when the contestants were asked to pick out a hat that best presented their style.
Yaya DaCosta was expected to choose the kente-designed kufi hat, but instead, she opted for the cowboy hat.
Judge Nigel Barker said everyone assumed she would have ‘gone for the African hat’, while Rebecca Weinberg commented: ‘You have this intensity to prove your blackness, and I think sometimes it’s overbearing.’
Yaya was later made to apologise to the ‘African hat’.
In the next round, Tyra then seemed to advise Yaya to whitewash her image, stating: ‘This [photo] is amazing, but what’s not amazing is your appearance. Think a little more glamour as opposed to natural.’
Yaya spoke out about the uncomfortable situation years later and the issue of colourism on the show, explaining in an Instagram post: ‘It took a lot of work to heal from that experience, and looking back, I feel so much for that eager, vulnerable young version of myself.’
Tyra Banks claims she’s ‘committed to healthy body image’
Years later, in 2010, Tyra was forced to issue an apology after a trailer for the new season showed coach Miss J wrapping his hands around a model’s tiny waist.
Tyra is then heard saying: ‘There’s something about her that I like!’
The former supermodel was accused of glamorising eating disorders, but she apologised, stating: ‘[It] sounded like I was supporting unhealthy eating habits. I am and will always be committed to promoting healthy body image.’
During cycle eight, contestant Kahlen had just learned that her friend had died of an overdose, but the next day, she was asked to take part in a photo shoot where she had to get inside a coffin, despite her protests.
While at the cemetery, the aspiring model broke down in tears, explaining: ‘I’m heartbroken. I want to just turn around and walk the other direction but I don’t want to get eliminated before this.’
Although Kahlen didn’t think she could go ahead with the shoot while suffering from grief, she soldiered on anyway.
America’s Next Top Model accused of blackface
Perhaps one of the biggest scandals is the 2009 photo shoot, where six contestants were made to swap races using makeup during a trip to Hawaii.
Blonde Erin Wagner was told she would be transformed into a ‘Tibetan, like the Dalai Lama, and Egyptian’, while Brittany Markert wore make-up to look ‘Native American and East Indian’.
Following a storm of backlash, Tyra issued a lengthy apology on her daytime talk show and said: ‘I want to be very clear: I, in no way, put my Top Models in blackface.
‘I’m a black woman. I am proud. I love my people and the struggle that we have gone through continues and the last thing that I would ever do is be a part of something that degraded my race.
‘I’m sorry to anybody that watched Top Model and was offended by the pictures because they didn’t understand the real story behind them or even if you did see the whole episode and you were still offended, I truly apologise because that is not my intention.’
She insisted: ‘My intention is to spread beauty and break down barriers.’
A version of this piece was originally published on May 6 2020.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
