Former 'Top Model' Contestant Reflects on Reality TV Pressures

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Brooke Theis, a former contestant on the modeling reality show 'The Face', reflects on her experience and how it compares to the issues raised in the new Netflix documentary 'Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model'. Theis understands why the 'Top Model' contestants went along with the show's demands, even when they were uncomfortable, as the opportunity felt life-changing at the time. She notes that while the fashion industry has evolved, there is still work to be done to ensure ambition does not require humiliation and mentorship does not involve fear.

Why it matters

The 'America's Next Top Model' documentary sheds light on the darker aspects of the modeling industry and reality TV, highlighting how young, impressionable contestants were often exploited for entertainment value. Theis' personal experience provides additional context and nuance to these issues, showing how the allure of fame and opportunity can lead contestants to overlook unethical practices.

The details

Theis was a contestant on 'The Face', a smaller-scale modeling competition show that leaned more heavily into the mentorship structure. While she did not experience the same level of exploitation as some 'Top Model' contestants, Theis acknowledges that she likely would have gone along with demands if they were presented as being in her best interest. She notes that the fashion industry at the time was already a tough place for young women, and celebrity culture was equally dire, with stars like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan facing relentless scrutiny.

• Theis was scouted at the age of 15 while shopping at Oxford Street's Big Topshop in London.
• Theis started booking commercial shoots and low-stakes fashion shows after being scouted.
• Theis was later cast in 'The Face', a smaller modeling competition show, when she was around 18 or 19 years old.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The documentary's release has sparked renewed discussions about the ethics of reality TV and the modeling industry's treatment of young, vulnerable contestants. As the fashion world continues to evolve, there are calls for more transparency, accountability, and a focus on the well-being of models.