As the fashion and television worlds brace for the release of Netflix's Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model on 16 February, a sharp split has emerged among former participants of America's Next Top Model (ANTM).
The three‑part docuseries revisits the long‑running modelling competition's legacy, delving into behind‑the‑scenes drama, controversial creative choices, and the emotional toll on its participants. However, not every contestant from the show is celebrating the look back.
ANTM's Legacy Explored in New Netflix Doc
Introduced by Tyra Banks in 2003, ANTM reshaped reality TV and fashion culture for 24 seasons, launching international modelling careers and becoming a global pop‑culture staple.
The Netflix documentary brings back show veterans, judges, and producers — including Banks herself — to unpack some of the show's most polarising stories. From racially insensitive photoshoots to extreme physical makeovers and body‑image controversies, Reality Check promises an unfiltered look at an era when reality TV blurred the line between empowerment and exploitation.
Banks, in footage from the series, admits she 'went too far' during the show. Her reflection echoed across the documentary by former judges and cast members.
Cycle 6 Winner Reflects on Harsh Reality
Cycle 6 winner Dani Evans sets the tone for the documentary's candid approach. In the trailer, she becomes visibly emotional discussing her time on the show.
Evans described certain aspects as 'so f—ed up' and highlighted moments that were physically and emotionally taxing. 'It's a TV show to you guys, but this is my life,' she said in the trailer. Her story reinforces a broader theme of confronting the costs of reality‑televised fashion competition and shines a spotlight on the very real human impact behind the glamour.
Additionally, Cycle 4 finalist Keenyah Hill addresses an especially troubling moment from her season when she felt unsafe during a photoshoot. In the trailer, she states plainly: 'There is a line I feel was crossed,' referring to inappropriate conduct she experienced on set — a moment that the series revisits in depth.
For many fans and participants, this sort of introspection feels overdue. The fashion industry itself has evolved significantly since ANTM's heyday, with current conversations around representation, body diversity, and mental health gaining prominence.
First Winner Defends ANTM Legacy
In a bold move, inaugural Cycle 1 champion Adrianne Curry stood up for ANTM but openly criticised the documentary's approach.
Curry, who helped define the show's early identity, declined to participate in Reality Check and instead, took to social media to express her frustration. She referred to the term 'woke lens,' explaining that it was utilised to re-examine the show's history.
On social media, she wrote: 'I am deeply grateful I won the first season ... I think people psychoanalyzing it over 20 years later with a woke lens is absurd. I don't trust people to not manipulate things I say for TV, so I decline everything.'
Curry reinforced her reluctance to re‑engage with the industry, citing distrust of producers and the pressures of public scrutiny. Her stance reflects a broader question about how legacy shows should be assessed through modern cultural frameworks, and whether retrospective criticism benefits or harms the individuals involved.
I am deeply grateful I won the first season of top model. i think people psychoanalyzing it over 20 years later with a woke lens is absurd. I don't trust people to not manipulate things I say for tv, so i decline everything. Also, the public is cult-like and cruel, so the last…
— Adrianne Curry (@AdrianneCurry) January 27, 2026
Behind the Show's Biggest Scandals
The documentary delves into several specific controversies that have shadowed ANTM's legacy. These include:
- 'Switching ethnicities' and problematic photoshoots, where contestants were styled to portray different ethnic backgrounds in ways that sparked discussions about insensitivity.
- Dental and physical makeovers, such as pressure placed on Evans to close her teeth gap for perceived dramatic television moments.
- Allegations of mistreatment and body-shaming during challenges and judging panels.
- Claims of inappropriate conduct during certain photoshoot scenarios.
These flashpoints are more than mere remnants of the past. They intersect with ongoing discussions in fashion about representation, consent, and the responsibilities of media. The series intertwines these pivotal moments with personal narratives, encouraging audiences to reflect on the balance between legacy and its consequences.
