Netflix attracted tens of millions of viewers with the documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model (2026), which looks back on the controversies, methods and moments from the popular reality series with a contemporary view America’s Next Top Model (2003–2018). After years of silence, the documentary made a lot of waves among viewers worldwide and former top model and presenter Tyra Banks was severely criticized. Banks has now taken legal action against Netflix.
Compensation
It was noticeably quiet from Banks’ side after the release of the documentary, but now the top model is making herself heard in an indirect way. Yesterday she started a lawsuit against Netflix, claiming that her role in the documentary series was depicted in a misleading and harmful manner. Banks was said to have been interviewed for almost four hours for the series, but according to her, her answers were edited in such a way that an incorrect and damaging image was created. The top model is now demanding a jury trial and damages.
Simply didn’t get the chance
Banks states that she agreed to participate in the documentary at the time because she was told that the project would be a balanced look back at both the successes and controversies of America’s Next Top Model. However, the documentary ultimately turned out to be much more critical than Banks expected. Moreover, she would not have been given the opportunity to reflect on the mistakes she had made. The allegations were deliberately not discussed with Banks during the interviews. That the documentary may have been presented differently to those involved during production was also previously suggested by Jay Manuel. The former creative director of America’s Next Top Model stated that he initially thought he would participate in a retrospective of the program’s influence and legacy. However, in the final documentary he came under considerably less fire than Banks.
Beeld: Still ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’ via Netflix
