Controversial challenges, heated arguments and the promise of a modeling career are three things the hit show “America’s Next Top Model” had to offer. However, when times change, these challenges become a lot more problematic.
“Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” was released on Netflix Feb. 16, spilling secrets and explaining long-time controversies that unfolded on the show. Past models, cast members, producers and host Tyra Banks returned to share their side of the story after years of social media users bashing the show for some of its choices.
The three-episode docuseries provided an inside look into many of the photoshoots, model makeovers and production decisions that caused an uproar after the show aired. Banks, the brain behind “America’s Next Top Model,” told all, or at least what she wanted to share, on the series, along with insights from other cast members such as Alexander “Miss J. Alexander” Jenkins, Nigel Barker and Jay Manuel.
Each cast member took the floor to discuss moments that took the world by storm. Episode one focused on how the show came to be. Banks discussed being turned away from multiple networks before finally landing on United Paramount Network, today called The CW, and how she asked J. Alexander and Manuel to be a part of her creative team.
Three models from cycle one were featured in the docuseries. Ebony Haith, Giselle Samson and Shannon Stewart all shared their perspectives on what it was like to be on the show. They also discussed their disappointment with some of the production decisions.
Haith spoke out about her experience as being both Black and a lesbian on the show. She shared first about how empowered she felt, as that was representation she was not often given in 2003.
However, once the show aired, Haith was disheartened to see she was turned into an “angry Black girl” by the way the show was edited. She felt the show portrayed her in a light that didn’t represent her. Judges criticized Haith’s skin texture and called her angry and harsh.
“I remember on the show thinking to myself, ‘Oh my god, there is so much I want to say,’” Haith said. “But I really had to be still. There’s nothing I can do here that’s going to make it better. Whatever narrative they’re creating, they’re going to do this.”
Episode two focused largely on other cycles and some of the problematic photoshoots that took place.
After a few seasons of the show, production wanted to keep people watching. Producers made a goal to have more outrageous photoshoots, some even putting models in danger.
One of the most controversial shoots on “America’s Next Top Model” was the photoshoot where models “swapped races,” as girls’ ethnicities were switched using makeup. Manuel shared his discomfort with the photoshoot with Banks. However, she dismissed him, and Manuel realized the shoot was happening regardless of his opinion.
Banks shared her own opinion of the shoot during “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.”
“I didn’t think it was controversial,” Banks said. “I was in my own little bubble, in my own little head. This was my way of showing the world that brown and Black is beautiful … But then we put it out there and the world was like, ‘Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind?’”
However, nine cycles later, the show did a similar photoshoot, where it again swapped girls’ races.
Another shock of “America’s Next Top Model” came when Barker, J. Alexander and Manuel were fired from the show. After a switch in UPN’s leadership, the network called for the firing of the three television personalities because they were “bringing the ratings down.”
Banks said the decision did not come from her. However, the former friends have not spoken much since Barker, J. Alexander and Manuel were fired.
The documentary never brings Banks, Manuel, J. Alexander and Barker into the same space, but one aspect the documentary does reveal is that Manuel, J. Alexander and Barker remained close friends.
“Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” brings a lot to light, but it also beats around the bush, often showing Banks avoiding questions or even refusing to comment.
It is disheartening to see how many people were affected by the controversial decisions of the show’s creative team.
