America's Next Top Model Faces Reckoning Over Toxic Practices

New docuseries and podcast examine the problematic behind-the-scenes dynamics of the groundbreaking reality show.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The legacy of the early 2000s reality TV series America's Next Top Model (ANTM) is undergoing a critical re-evaluation, with a new Netflix docuseries and podcast delving into the show's toxic practices that were once normalized. The series features interviews with former contestants and producers, exposing harmful incidents such as pressuring contestants to alter their appearances, subjecting them to traumatic photoshoots, and even allegations of sexual assault. While ANTM aimed to showcase diversity, the show often perpetuated the same narrow beauty standards it claimed to challenge. The series acknowledges the complex dynamics at play, including the role of the show's producers and the cultural context of the early 2000s, where body shaming and harsh criticism were commonplace. Creator Tyra Banks has acknowledged past missteps, but the show's future remains uncertain as it grapples with its problematic legacy.

Why it matters

The re-evaluation of ANTM's legacy is part of a broader cultural reckoning around the exploitation and toxicity that has long existed in the entertainment industry, particularly in reality television. The docuseries and podcast provide a comprehensive look at the show's impact, both positive and negative, and serve as a cautionary tale about the need to prioritize the well-being of participants in reality programming.

The details

The docuseries and podcast feature interviews with former ANTM contestants and producers, revealing a pattern of problematic practices that were once dismissed as dramatic moments in reality TV. This includes pressuring contestants to alter their appearances, subjecting them to traumatic photoshoots, and even allegations of sexual assault. The series also explores how ANTM, despite its attempts at diversity, often perpetuated the same narrow beauty standards it claimed to challenge.

  • The Netflix docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, premiered on February 15, 2026.
  • The ten-part podcast, Curse of: America's Next Top Model, began airing in September 2025.

The players

Tyra Banks

The creator and host of America's Next Top Model, who has acknowledged past missteps on the show and is participating in the new docuseries.

Jay Manuel

A former on-screen collaborator of Tyra Banks on ANTM, who reveals that the publicly visible confrontations with contestants only scratched the surface of what transpired behind the scenes.

Mor Loushy

The co-director of the Reality Check docuseries, who aims to explore both the "beauty" and the "ugliness" of ANTM.

Daniel Sivan

The co-director of the Reality Check docuseries, who observes that the show's trajectory mirrored a broader cultural shift, where it started as disruptors but became bullies as their power grew.

Ken Mok

One of the producers of America's Next Top Model, who also played a role in the show's problematic elements.

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What they’re saying

“There was a lot more that was really said. Some of the exchanges were too difficult to repeat.”

— Jay Manuel, Former on-screen collaborator of Tyra Banks (Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model)

“They started as misfits with very good intentions...They were starting as disruptors but as power grew, they became bullies.”

— Daniel Sivan, Co-director of *Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model* (Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model)

“Production was 'not my territory'.”

— Tyra Banks (Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model)

“I went too far in my confrontation with Tiffany. I attribute it to some of my own deep-seated issues as a Black woman in the fashion industry.”

— Tyra Banks (Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model)

“The show's initial intention to showcase diversity was flawed in its execution.”

— Tyra Banks (Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model)

What’s next

Tyra Banks has hinted at the possibility of a 2026 revival of America's Next Top Model, suggesting that 'cycle 25' is still a possibility. However, whether the show can be resurrected without repeating its past mistakes remains to be seen.

The takeaway

The re-evaluation of America's Next Top Model's legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for exploitation in reality television and the importance of prioritizing the well-being of participants. As the entertainment industry continues to grapple with issues of toxicity and exploitation, this series highlights the need for more thoughtful and ethical practices in reality programming.