The Biggest Shocks in Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model

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Tyra Banks is aware that America’s Next Top Model is viewed through a different lens these days.

Although America’s Next Top Model ran successfully for 15 years (from 2003 on UPN to 2018 on the CW), it faced criticism. However, the show really came under scrutiny when people started watching it again during the pandemic and sharing critical commentary on TikTok.

Many aspects of the show were considered offensive, including the often poorly executed makeovers and the problematic themes of the photo shoots – some asked participants to portray sensitive and harmful roles like drug addicts, murder victims, or people of a different race.

Tyra Banks explained in the new Netflix documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, that the show quickly went from being widely loved to facing intense criticism. ‘It became huge and made a lot of people happy, but also upset a lot of people,’ she said. ‘It changed overnight from something everyone enjoyed to people saying, ‘This was a mistake!’ I think it’s crucial to understand why that happened.’

The show Reality Check brings together America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) creator Ken Mok, creative director Jay Manuel, runway coach J. Alexander, photographer Nigel Barker, and former contestants to revisit some of the show’s most shocking moments. They discuss how many production decisions made back then wouldn’t be acceptable today, reflecting how much things have changed.

Jay explained that the discomfort was visible on his face during the show’s challenge, where models were styled to appear as different races for a ‘Got Milk?’ ad campaign. He admitted he was very uncomfortable, but felt he had to perform his duties as a model anyway.

Meanwhile, Tyra admitted in the doc that she “didn’t think it was controversial” at the time.

She described feeling completely focused on her own vision, believing she was demonstrating the beauty of Black and brown people. But when she shared it with the world, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative – people thought she was being reckless or out of touch.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE it! Tyra, she’s so mysterious, she won’t dish all the tea – like what really happened with Jay after Cycle 8 when he wanted to leave! But she did talk about Tiffany Richardson from Cycle 4 – Tiffany! She said Tiffany was ‘my heart,’ can you even?! She opened up about that whole situation, and honestly, so much more. It was everything!

The journey through Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model has its rough patches, but keep reading for some surprising revelations.

Shandi Sullivan, a finalist on the second cycle of America’s Next Top Model, was shown on a 2004 episode of the show in a compromising situation with a male model while she had a boyfriend back home. In a 2026 Netflix documentary series called Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, Shandi explained she had been drinking heavily and doesn’t remember the incident clearly, and believes the show’s producers should have stepped in to help.

Shandi mentioned in the show that she believes someone should have intervened after the incident in the hot tub. She felt things had escalated too much and they needed to help the person involved get out of the situation.

During the episode of America’s Next Top Model, Shandi broke down in tears and confessed to infidelity with her boyfriend. She also reached out to a model she’d met in Milan to inquire about sexually transmitted diseases.

Tyra Banks addressed the situation with Shandi on Reality Check, stating she recalled the story but felt uncomfortable discussing the production aspects, as that wasn’t her area of expertise.

Oh my gosh, Ken Mok, the EP, said something so amazing in the documentary! He explained that they really wanted America’s Next Top Model to feel real, like a true documentary. He said they told the girls on the very first day that cameras would be following them constantly – 24/7, every single moment! They wanted to capture everything, the highs, the lows, all of it. It’s just…it’s incredible how raw they let it be!

Tyra clarified that while she wasn’t in charge of the overall storyline – that was Ken Mok’s role – she did become highly skilled at editing. She emphasized that the show didn’t air everything that was filmed.

TopMob News reached out to Tyra and Ken for comment but did not hear back.

As part of the show’s makeover, both the winner of Cycle 6, Danielle “Dani” Evans, and the runner-up, Joanie Dodds, received dental work.

Joanie spent the entire night at the dentist, where she had four teeth pulled. As she explained in the Netflix documentary, though, it felt like a positive experience. She’d always been insecure about her teeth, so getting them fixed felt like a huge win.

I was so thrilled when Dani refused to close the gap in her front teeth! She said she genuinely loved her smile, and that was amazing to see. When Tyra asked her on America’s Next Top Model if she thought she could still be a successful model with her gap, she confidently said yes, and I was cheering her on the whole time! It was such a powerful moment.

After speaking with her mother, who warned her she might be eliminated if she didn’t listen to Tyra, Dani explained that she chose to follow the advice and successfully had a gap in her teeth fixed, as shown in the documentary.

Tyra admitted in her book, Reality Check, that she’d apologized to Dani for suggesting she get her teeth changed. However, Tyra explained that back in 2006, she felt stuck in a difficult situation.

Tyra Banks recalls agents telling her she wouldn’t succeed because of her teeth. She admits she could have accepted their assessment, but now realizes it’s easy to see things differently in retrospect.

Dani strongly disagreed with Tyra’s comment in the documentary, saying, “That’s completely untrue. Getting my gap closed hasn’t helped my career at all. You were aware of what you were trying to achieve with the show.”

During the eighth cycle of the show, the models participated in a photoshoot with a disturbing theme: they were styled to look like crime victims, even appearing deceased. Dionne Walters, whose mother was a victim of gun violence and left paralyzed, was specifically asked to portray a character who had been shot.

Honestly, watching that all unfold, it felt like some people were actively hoping to see me fall apart. They seemed to want a really dramatic reaction, some kind of breakdown. But I’m so relieved I didn’t give them the satisfaction – I’m glad I didn’t react the way they expected, as I shared in Reality Check.

Ken admitted he was completely responsible for the incident, calling it a mistake in his statement. He now realizes it glorified violence, describing it as “crazy” and saying, in hindsight, he acted foolishly.

In the documentary, photo shoot director Jay Manuel revealed he struggled significantly with a shoot for a Got Milk? campaign in Cycle 4, where the models swapped races. He even requested to be removed from working on that specific shoot.

In his book, Reality Check, Jay recounted Tyra telling him, ‘I’ll deal with this on camera with the contestants, you just focus on your work.’ He realized his involvement was becoming restricted, and the photoshoot would proceed whether he was fully involved or not.

Tyra shared that she initially didn’t see any problem with what she did. She believed she was simply demonstrating that people of color are beautiful, but when it was released to the public, she was surprised by the strong negative reaction. People thought her actions were outrageous and questioned her judgment.

And thinking about it now, she added, “I understand 100 percent why” it was an issue.

Looking back, I can really see how the show’s challenges seemed to mirror some personal things going on with the contestants. Take Keenyah Hill from Cycle 4, for example. She’s shared how it felt significant that she was given the ‘gluttony’ theme during a shoot based on the Seven Deadly Sins, and even that she was cast as the elephant during the safari-themed shoot in South Africa. It’s like the universe was trying to tell her something!

During her time on America’s Next Top Model, other contestants noticed Keenyah often ate snacks, and the judges told her she needed to be mindful of her weight.

In her book, Reality Check, Keenyah explained that realizing that would be the whole story ‘just felt unfair and kind of dirty,’ she said.

She explained that a video segment had been altered to give the impression she’d eaten three bagels, when in reality it was just one.

As a longtime fan of America’s Next Top Model, I was really struck by something Tyra said in the documentary. She explained that while she always wanted to show different kinds of beauty on the show, back in those days, the fashion world had very strict and limited ideas about what was considered beautiful. That was just the reality of the industry at the time, and she was working within that framework.

Keenyah explained in her book, Reality Check, that criticizing her body wasn’t the only problem during filming – the issues continued even after that.

During a photoshoot in South Africa, Keenyah claimed one of the male models made unwanted advances towards her. She said he was scantily clad, wearing only a loincloth, and was touching and grabbing her inappropriately. She recalled thinking about how Tyra Banks would handle the situation – by calmly and professionally stopping the shoot and voicing her discomfort.

But when she did that, as seen on ANTM, nothing happened.

Later in the show, Tyra told Keenyah she needed to find a way to advocate for herself without creating unnecessary drama or conflict.

Tyra said on Reality Check that she “was trying to empower” Keenyah at the time.

Looking back, I realize the best advice would have been to immediately stop what was happening,” the 52-year-old explained. “That’s what should have happened, and that’s what we understand now about protecting women. Addressing the camera, Tyra continued, “Keenyah, Booboo, I sincerely apologize. None of us – not even the network executives – understood the situation at the time. I did my best with what I knew, but she deserved better treatment. She truly did.”

In her book Reality Check, Tyra Banks described a difficult moment during Cycle 4 of America’s Next Top Model. She explained that she became upset when Tiffany Richardson didn’t seem to be taking a challenge—reading from a teleprompter—seriously and expressed a desire to quit.

Tyra explained she simply wanted to help this woman transform her life. She believed the woman had the potential to be a truly successful supermodel, but she was worried about her losing confidence and giving up—not just on the competition, but on her dreams in general.

So commenced her “We were all rooting for you!” outburst at judges’ table.

In the documentary, Tyra reflected on a past situation, admitting she overreacted and lost control. She explained that the issue seemed larger than it was, and that as a Black woman, it resonated with deeply personal experiences. Ultimately, she acknowledged she’d gone too far.

According to the document, Jay told Tyra he was considering leaving the show after season eight. Her reply was simply, “I am disappointed.”

After that email conversation, they just stopped talking, Jay explained. He felt it could have been a chance to really connect and discuss things openly, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.

Instead, Jay continued, he was asked to return for Cycle 9 and he was too afraid not to say yes.

He mentioned people often worry about being excluded or facing repercussions for their actions. While those specific terms weren’t spoken, he felt that was the likely outcome.

Once Cycle 9 started filming, Jay explained that Tyra only talked to him when they were actually shooting.

Jay explained that while they filmed scenes together where they played and laughed, he wasn’t permitted to talk to her when the cameras weren’t rolling.

When asked about Jay, Tyra didn’t want to discuss the situation. She said she needed to call him privately, adding, “He’s a really good person, and I don’t want to talk about this in public.”

Whitney Thompson, the winner of Cycle 10 of America’s Next Top Model, revealed in a documentary that she was often given clothes that didn’t fit—sometimes they had to be cut open to make them work. At 5-foot-10 and a size 6, Thompson was the first and only plus-size model to win the competition, and she described the experience of constantly being reminded she wasn’t a standard sample size as “demeaning.”

Whitney explained that while her family could have found clothes that fit her, they didn’t, and she handled it the best she could. She added that appearing vulnerable would have made things worse.

Winning the competition meant a lot to me,” the Florida native explained. “After that, I signed with Elite Model Management, but they didn’t have a department for plus-size models at the time. I had to advocate for myself, and I eventually became one of the first plus-size models to work with many major brands.

Jay explained that the judges sometimes chose photos to display not because they were the model’s best, but because they could find something to criticize – like a picture where the model’s armpit hair was visible.

He also explained that he was sometimes instructed to help weaker contestants, specifically if their story arc was particularly compelling, to create the illusion they were still a serious contender.

Jay explained that if the photos aren’t good quality, it will be difficult to justify keeping someone in the competition.

Oh my gosh, Nigel actually said it! He admitted they didn’t always make the right choices! It’s just… amazing. He was so honest, saying they definitely sent home the wrong person sometimes, but that’s just part of the game, apparently. I mean, it’s frustrating to hear, but also… it makes it feel so real! I’ve always known they weren’t perfect, and to hear him say it… it’s everything!

Tyra reflected that they could have done more to manage expectations, explaining that not everyone will achieve stardom.

Jay explained that after being eliminated, contestants were filmed packing their belongings, leaving the apartment, and then taken to a hotel by a production assistant.

Several past contestants have said that once you’re eliminated, you’re required to stay until the season finishes and aren’t allowed to contact anyone – not even family – right away.

Runway coach J. Alexander, also known as Miss J, explained in the documentary that while he sympathized with the contestants, he knew the fashion industry was incredibly competitive. He said that in the real world, people would quickly take advantage of any weakness.

After leaving the show, it’s a big adjustment,” explained Dionne from Cycle 8, who placed fourth. “You suddenly have to face real life and decide what’s next – whether to pursue modeling, move to New York, or something else. There’s no one to tell you what to do; you’re on your own to figure things out.”

Jay remained on the show until Cycle 18 in 2012, when he, Miss J, and Nigel were all let go.

In the documentary, Ken and Tyra remembered being told by network executives that the show needed to evolve.

Tyra explained she was advised that everything was open for discussion, meaning she had to make some very difficult decisions and essentially give up on projects she deeply cared about – what she called ‘three of my hearts’.

Let me tell you, hearing about being let go is never easy. Nigel put it frankly – it was a really difficult experience, and felt a bit cold, like just another elimination on the show. And Jay? He described it as a double blow, saying he’d made a lot of sacrifices and compromises when he first signed on years ago, so it really felt like a slap in the face, and then another one right after.

Oh my god, can you believe it? Jay told me – and I’ve been following everything so closely, of course – that he, Nigel, and Miss J were promised a proper announcement! They were supposed to get a press release with all of them explaining why they left America’s Next Top Model. Like, a classy exit! But then Page Six just… dropped the bomb, announcing they were fired! It’s just… disrespectful, honestly. They deserved better than that messy leak!

Nigel admitted that was likely his lowest moment. Jay followed up, questioning why those who had been with the show from the beginning weren’t allowed to leave with dignity, suggesting the decision was intentional.

Tyra shared in the documentary that telling the final three contestants they didn’t win was the most difficult thing she’d ever had to do, and she was deeply upset by it, even crying herself to sleep that night.

She continued, stating she still believes Jay, Miss J, and Nigel doubted the order truly originated from a higher authority, despite her and Ken’s assurances.

J. Alexander revealed in his book, Reality Check, that he was in a coma for five weeks following a stroke on December 27, 2022. Although he’s regained his speech, he now uses a wheelchair to get around.

The 67-year-old explained in the documentary that after spending time teaching AI models to walk, he’s now facing his own challenges with walking. He’s determined to regain his ability and is confident he’ll be walking again soon, stating his story isn’t over yet.

He mentioned that Jay and Nigel came to see him while he was in the hospital, and Nigel later wondered if Jay even wanted him to see him like that. The two of them also saw each other again recently while filming the Netflix documentary.

Miss J mentioned Tyra hadn’t come by yet, though she had texted him saying she wanted to. He confirmed, “But she hasn’t visited so far.”

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2026-02-16 11:19