Tyra Banks filed a defamation lawsuit for her portrayal in the exposé docuseries Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. The three-episode miniseries revisited the pop culture phenomenon that was America’s Next Top Model. The reality competition series lasted 15 years and 24 seasons (or “cycles”) with women competing to become the next biggest model in the U.S.
The show gained such a large following that versions of ANTM reached other countries, and Banks became a world sensation. Banks hosted the show, while playing a large role in production and creation. Other crew members talked about the highs and lows of ANTM: Ken Mok, Miss J Alexander, Jay Manuel, along with former contestants.
Many point to her role in the multiple controversies that aired throughout its run. These controversies included having models pose as victims of violent crimes, experiencing illnesses, homelessness, or cosplaying a different ethnicity entirely. Others include contestants walking comically difficult catwalks and little to no professional support for contestants post-production. Many contestants also reported experiences of assault, exhaustion, and mistreatment by production and other participants.
In case files obtained by Deadline, the supermodel and entrepreneur filed in federal court in California on Saturday, June 13. The suit is against Netflix, 89 Blocks Holdings, Everwonder Studio, Netflix Music, and co-directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan.
The suit has five complaints against the streaming service and associated parties, including false light, defamation by implication, breach of contract, and false endorsement.
Banks continued to receive pushback for her responses in the mini-series itself. Though many online berated her for a lack of action for contestants’ well-being, the lawsuit states Banks “takes accountability and she wanted ANTM viewers to hear that from her directly.”
Her legal team goes on to allege that of the three-and-a-half-hour interview, “the producers used only about sixteen minutes.” Court documents continue that Netflix producers made Banks look terrible through “selective editing, deliberate omission, and surgical manipulation of continuous footage…”
The lawsuit is 65 pages, meticulously describing clips and phrases cut and manipulated to have Banks feign ignorance. Other claims argue that Banks had little control over post-production.
Representatives for Netflix have not responded to requests for comment from multiple publications, including Variety, Entertainment Tonight, and ABC News.
The Associated Press received an email from Banks’ lawyers and representatives on Sunday, June 14. “Every other conversation about ANTM’s legacy — including the candid reflection Ms. Banks came prepared to have — is now drowned out by an accusation she was never given the chance to answer. This lawsuit is that answer — particularly after her efforts to resolve the matter directly with Netflix and the producers were refused.”
Banks herself hasn’t spoken yet; her social media is focused on SMiZE & Dream, her Sydney-based ice cream brand.
This legal dispute re-sparked conversation about ANTM’s legacy, with many lambasting Banks for suing something she participated in willingly. Commentators rehashed all the controversies from Reality Check and expressed their distaste for her attitude during and after the show.
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