Former 'ANTM' Contestant Shandi Sullivan Opens Up About Assault on Reality Show

Shandi Sullivan says she was sexually assaulted during filming of 'America's Next Top Model' cycle 2, but the incident was framed as a 'cheating scandal'.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Shandi Sullivan, a contestant on cycle 2 of 'America's Next Top Model', is speaking out about a traumatic incident that occurred during the show's filming in Milan. Sullivan says she was sexually assaulted after becoming intoxicated, but the producers framed the incident as a 'cheating scandal' rather than intervening to help her. She is now sharing her story in Netflix's new docuseries 'Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model' to take control of the narrative.

Why it matters

Sullivan's story sheds light on the exploitation of contestants' trauma for the sake of 'memorable television', as well as the lack of support and intervention from reality show producers when contestants are in vulnerable situations. Her decision to come forward decades later highlights the lasting impact of these experiences and the power imbalance between contestants and production teams.

The details

During a night out in Milan, an inebriated Sullivan ended up in a hot tub with several other people. What followed was a non-consensual sexual encounter that Sullivan says she 'blacked out' for. Rather than intervening, the 'ANTM' camera crew filmed the assault and the next day captured a devastated Sullivan telling her boyfriend about the incident. Sullivan says she repeatedly demanded to go home but was kept on the show, with the producers framing the assault as a 'cheating scandal'.

  • In 2002, Shandi Sullivan competed on cycle 2 of 'America's Next Top Model'.
  • The alleged sexual assault incident occurred during the Milan trip in 2002.
  • Shandi Sullivan is now 43 years old and is speaking out about her experience in the new Netflix docuseries 'Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model', which premiered in 2026.

The players

Shandi Sullivan

A former contestant on cycle 2 of 'America's Next Top Model' who is speaking out about being sexually assaulted during filming of the show.

Tyra Banks

The creator and host of 'America's Next Top Model'.

Ken Mok

A producer on 'America's Next Top Model' who described Shandi's experience as 'one of the most memorable moments in Top Model'.

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What they’re saying

“My whole feeling for a long, long time was 'I did this. I let this happen to me.' But there were people watching the whole time, and someone should have intervened. Someone should have said, 'We need to put the cameras down and just go get her.'”

— Shandi Sullivan, Former 'ANTM' Contestant (Rolling Stone)

“That was, for good or bad, one of the most memorable moments in Top Model.”

— Ken Mok, Producer, 'America's Next Top Model' (Netflix's 'Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model')

What’s next

Shandi Sullivan hopes that by sharing her story, she can raise awareness about the exploitation of contestants on reality shows and the need for better support and intervention when vulnerable situations arise.

The takeaway

Shandi Sullivan's experience on 'America's Next Top Model' highlights the troubling ways in which reality TV producers can prioritize dramatic storylines over the wellbeing of contestants. Her decision to speak out decades later underscores the lasting trauma that can result from these types of incidents and the importance of holding production teams accountable.