The controversial reality series America’s Next Top Model, which gained notoriety in the late 2000s, is set to undergo scrutiny in a new three-part Netflix docuseries titled Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, premiering on February 16. Host and supermodel Tyra Banks, who has repeatedly acknowledged the show’s contentious history, is among those featured in the documentary, which aims to shed light on the show’s behind-the-scenes realities.
The documentary promises to include insights from producers, such as Ken Mok, and judges like Jay Manuel, J. Alexander (known as Miss J), and Nigel Barker. It will also showcase several former contestants and winners, including Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart, Shandi Sullivan, Dani Evans, and Keenyah Hill.
The teaser for the docuseries opens with Banks’ now-iconic phrase: “I was rooting for you. We were all rooting for you!” As the series progresses, Banks is expected to address the struggles contestants faced on the show, including the issues of body shaming, toxic beauty standards, and instances that hint at sexual misconduct and racial insensitivity during photoshoots. In a moment of reflection, Banks acknowledges her mistakes, admitting, “I knew I went too far,” while shifting some responsibility to viewers who demanded more drama and intensity from the contestants.
America’s Next Top Model enjoyed immense popularity, attracting 100 million global viewers at its peak, with a total of 24 seasons airing from 2003 to 2016, including a brief revival in 2018. In her remarks at Essence’s 18th annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards last year, Banks contemplated the series’ legacy, stating, “Did we get it right? Hell no. I said some dumb shit. But I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked together on the internet when there were 24 cycles of changing the world.”
This upcoming docuseries offers a unique opportunity for a deeper understanding of the complexities and consequences of competitive reality television, encouraging discussions on how such platforms can evolve to better support their participants.