‘America’s Next Top Model’ Tyra Banks Tries to Deflect Blame for Going ‘Too Far’ in  Netflix’s Explosive Documentary About Reality Series

Tyra Banks isn’t apologizing. 

The supermodel is speaking out about her time as host of one of the most controversial reality shows of all time in Netflix’s new docuseries, Reality Checked: Inside America’s Next Top Model. 

During its 13-year run from 2003 to 2016, Banks headed up the competition series that promised to turn average women in real-life runway superstars. While ANTM promised glitz and glam to the winners, it was notorious for promoting fat-shaming, questionable photo shoot challenges, and extreme makeovers. But Banks says that she was just delivering what viewers wanted to see. 

Tyra Banks says viewers were ‘demanding’ the ‘intense’ moments in ‘America’s Next Top Model’ 

In a trailer for the upcoming docuseries, which releases on Netflix on 16, past judges and contestants reflect on their time on the show. With the benefit of hindsight, many admit that America’s Next Top Model sometimes crossed the line.

“We’re actually going to switch your ethnicities,” ANTM creative director Jay Manuel says in a clip from an infamous season 4 episode. In a present-day interview, Manuel grimaces in reaction to the moment. 

While Manuel seems to have some regrets about his past with America’s Next Top Model, Banks – who also created the show – doesn’t appear contrite when she discusses aspects of ANTM that haven’t aged well. 

“I knew I went too far. It was very, very intense. But you guys were demanding it,” Banks says in the teaser, which was released January 26. 

“So we kept pushing, more and more, and more” she continues.

Tyra Banks ‘would do anything’ for ‘ANTM’ to succeed, insider says

Having contestants swap ethnicities was far from the only eyebrow-raising moment on ANTM. In one of the “crazier” episodes, a contestant got “a medical procedure as part of a makeover,” one interviewee says. 

In another example, a past participant suggests that another model acted inappropriately during a photo shoot. 

“He’s grabbing my legs,” she says, as another woman declares that “there’s a line that I feel was crossed.”

“It was wrong. For some reason, no one really seemed to see it,” former judge Nigel Barker says. 

As ANTM became a pop culture phenomenon, Banks was willing to do whatever it took to stay on top. 

“I realized Tyra could do anything for the success of her show,” Manuel says. 

“We felt betrayed,” says Barker, who was fired from ANTM in 2012, along with Manuel and fellow judge J. Alexander.

“You want to talk about being slapped across the face?” Manuel says. “Then we slapped right back.” 

Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model premieres February 16 on Netflix. 

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