Tyra Banks Is Finally Addressing the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Backlash — and Fans Say She’s Blaming Them
Netflix’s new docuseries digs into the show’s messy legacy, and viewers are already split between nostalgia, cringe, and “Tyra, we were 12.”
When America’s Next Top Model premiered back in 2003, a lot of us were glued to the TV every week, fully invested in smizes, makeovers, and that “YOU WANNA BE ON TOP?!” theme song. Now, more than two decades later, Netflix is pulling the curtain back on what was really going on with a new three-part docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, dropping February 16.
In the first trailer, Tyra Banks, 52, finally addresses the backlash that’s been building for years. The series promises an “unfiltered” look at the hit show’s highs and very messy lows, with interviews from former contestants, judges, and producers, including Nigel Barker, J. Alexander, and Jay Manuel.
We see flashes of some of the show’s most controversial moments: harsh commentary on contestants’ bodies, challenges accused of pushing dangerous beauty standards, and racially insensitive photo shoots — including episodes where models’ skin tones were altered to mimic other ethnicities.
But it’s one specific line from Tyra that’s really lighting up Facebook.
“Did I just get blamed?”
In the trailer, Banks admits, “I knew I went too far,” then adds that the show kept escalating because “you guys were demanding it” — essentially suggesting viewer appetite helped push things over the line.
Fans immediately zeroed in on that.
“Tyra gaslighting us in 3…2…1,” one commenter joked, while another wrote, “Did Tyra really just blame the viewers?” Several people had the same reaction: “Did I just get blamed??”
Others weren’t having it at all. One person summed up the vibe: “Did she just say we was the reason for this? I was a teenager. I didn’t request that!” Another added, “Tyra I was 12. Trust me I wasn’t asking for this… But can’t wait for this documentary.”
There’s also a small but vocal camp that thinks she’s… not entirely wrong. One commenter pointed out that the show only survived because people tuned in: “If the ratings had dropped, it would’ve ended… That doesn’t make everything that happened okay, but it does mean the viewers played a role in what was rewarded. It was also a different time.”
So yes, people are mad at being blamed, but they’re also confronting the uncomfortable truth that this didn’t become a juggernaut in a vacuum.
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model hits Netflix on February 16. Get your popcorn ready.
And if you’re already planning a couch marathon, you can dive into more viewer-obsessed TV with a roundup of Netflix shows people literally stayed up all night to finish, or check out the underrated series fans insist are a perfect 10/10.
These Criminally Underrated TV Shows Are a 10/10, According to Viewers
From sharp workplace comedies to mind-bending sci-fi, viewers are begging people to finally give these under-the-radar series a chance.
Read more: These Criminally Underrated TV Shows Are a 10/10, According to Viewers
12 Hidden Gems on Amazon Prime You’ll Wish You Watched Sooner
Yes, they’re actually good—and no, you probably haven’t heard of half of them.
Read more: 12 Hidden Gems on Amazon Prime You’ll Wish You Watched Sooner
10 of the Best Movies with a Good Twist to Watch This Weekend
The best movies keep you guessing, totally hooked, and wanting more. Lucky for you, I’ve got a list of ten of the best movies with twists so good you’ll be glued to your screen. No spoilers, just enough to make you super curious.
Read more: 10 of the Best Movies with a Good Twist to Watch This Weekend
12 of the Most Unforgettable Movies Ever Made
If you’re up for more movie recommendations (and I know you can always find time for a great film!), here are a few unforgettable titles from a recent online discussion. These films are sure to make you think deeply about life!
Read more: 12 of the Most Unforgettable Movies Ever Made
15 Must-Watch, Mind-Bending Movies That Make You Question Reality
Let’s delve into a collection of mind-bending movies that will leave you questioning reality, unraveling enigmatic plots, and challenging your perceptions.
Read more: 15 Must-Watch, Mind-Bending Movies That Make You Question Reality
