More than two decades after America’s Next Top Model first captivated television audiences, the groundbreaking reality competition is facing its most thorough reckoning yet. Netflix will premiere “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” on February 16, a three-part documentary series that promises unflinching examination of the show’s complicated legacy, featuring candid interviews with creator Tyra Banks, former judges, and contestants who lived through its most controversial moments.
From Cultural Phenomenon to Cultural Critique
When ANTM debuted in 2003, it revolutionized reality television by blending the competitive format of American Idol with The Real World’s interpersonal drama, all set against the backdrop of high fashion. At its peak, the show commanded a staggering global audience exceeding 100 million viewers, running for 24 cycles between 2003 and 2016.
The series initially earned praise for spotlighting aspiring models from communities the fashion industry had historically marginalized. However, pandemic-era rewatching sparked intense social media discourse about practices that once seemed acceptable, including mandatory cosmetic transformations, body-shaming critiques, and photoshoots that pushed contestants into physically and emotionally extreme situations.
“I Think We’ve Built a Monster”
The documentary’s trailer, released January 25, opens with a striking admission from executive producer Ken Mok: “There was a moment I realized, ‘Oh my God, I think we’ve built a monster'”. Banks herself acknowledges crossing boundaries, stating in the preview, “I knew I went too far… it was very intense, but you guys were asking for it, so we kept pushing, more and more and more”.
That particular comment immediately sparked backlash on social media, with viewers questioning Banks’ apparent deflection of responsibility onto audiences. One user noted, “Tyra, I was 7 years old, why are we shifting the blame?” while another commented, “Blaming the audience for your lack of empathy is bold”.
Former Judges Break Their Silence
Directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, who previously helmed “American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden,” the series reunites Banks with former judges Jay Manuel, J. Alexander (Miss J), and Nigel Barker—the trio who formed the show’s judging core for nearly a decade before their contracts expired in 2012 and were not renewed.
Their interviews promise revealing insights into their unexpected departures and what transpired behind the cameras. In the trailer, Barker reflects, “It was wrong and for some reason no one seemed to see it… we felt betrayed,” while Manuel adds, “I realized Tyra would do anything for the success of her show”.
Revisiting the Show’s Most Controversial Moments
The documentary directly confronts specific incidents that have drawn sustained criticism in recent years. These include photoshoots where the show asked contestants to “switch ethnicities,” cycle 6 winner Danielle Evans being pressured to close the gap between her teeth during a mandatory dental makeover, and instances where models reported not consenting to physical contact with male models during shoots.
The series also examines the show’s history of harsh body critiques, including when judge Janice Dickinson called a size 4 contestant “fat” and “huge”. Additional controversial practices highlighted include photoshoots conducted in dangerous conditions such as frigid water or precarious heights, and an instance where Banks suggested lesbian contestant Kim Stolz should hide her sexuality.
Mixed Reactions from Former Contestants
While the documentary features interviews with several former contestants and winners including Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart, Shandi Sullivan, Dani Evans, and Keenyah Hill, not everyone chose to participate.
Adrianne Curry, winner of ANTM’s inaugural cycle in 2003, publicly declined involvement and criticized the documentary’s premise on social media. “I think it’s ridiculous for people to analyze it through a modern, woke perspective more than two decades later,” Curry stated, explaining she doesn’t trust how producers might edit her words and prefers to avoid public attention.
A Legacy Under the Microscope
“Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” arrives at a cultural moment when audiences increasingly scrutinize entertainment from previous eras through contemporary ethical frameworks. The documentary trailer describes the show as having transformed from “a glamorous launchpad for aspiring models” into “a pop-culture juggernaut defined by explosive drama, public meltdowns, and controversies that still fuel viral moments today”.
The series poses a provocative question to viewers: “How far are we willing to go for entertainment?”. As Banks herself says in the opening of the trailer, “I haven’t really said much, but now it’s time”.
All three episodes of “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” will stream on Netflix beginning February 16, offering what promises to be the most comprehensive examination yet of one of reality television’s most influential and divisive programs.
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