Tyra Banks is addressing the legacy of America’s Next Top Model in the trailer for Netflix’s upcoming docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.
Banks, 52, appears in the trailer alongside former judges, contestants, and producers from the long-running reality series, which aired for 24 cycles between 2003 and 2018. The three-part documentary aims to examine what occurred behind the scenes of the show and to revisit decisions that have faced renewed criticism in recent years.
In the trailer, Banks acknowledges the intensity of the program and reflects on how far the production went during its run. “I knew I went too far. It was very, very intense, but you guys were demanding it, so we kept pushing it, more and more and more,” Banks says, as clips from various seasons appear onscreen.
Overview of the Netflix Docuseries
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is produced by EverWonder Studio and Wise Child Studios and directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan. According to promotional materials, the docuseries provides extensive access to individuals who were involved in the franchise across its many seasons.
The documentary includes interviews with former contestants, judges, and members of the production team. Its stated goal is to offer a comprehensive account of the show’s development, production environment, and long-term impact. The series revisits creative choices made during filming and how those moments have been reassessed over time.
The trailer shows brief clips of challenges, judging panels, and elimination scenes that have since drawn criticism from viewers. These moments are presented alongside present-day commentary from participants who reflect on their experiences during filming.
Controversies Revisited in the Trailer
In recent years, America’s Next Top Model has been reexamined by audiences on social media and in pop-culture discussions. Several elements of the show have faced criticism, including commentary on contestants’ bodies, the promotion of restrictive dieting and intense competition, and challenges that required contestants to portray races or ethnicities outside of their own.
One frequently cited example involves the use of blackface in a photoshoot challenge, which has since been widely criticized. Other moments include harsh critiques delivered during judging panels and scenarios that some former contestants have described as emotionally difficult.
The trailer references these controversies by showing short clips from past episodes, without altering the original footage. These clips are paired with present-day reflections, including Banks’ acknowledgment that some decisions appear differently when viewed through a modern cultural lens.
