Tyra Banks Says 'I Knew I Went Too Far' on America's Next Top Model in Upcoming Netflix's Docuseries

Tyra Banks, the creator and formidable face of America's Next Top Model (ANTM), has finally addressed the mounting backlash against the franchise's legacy, admitting she sometimes crossed ethical and emotional lines in pursuit of ratings.

In the first trailer for Netflix's upcoming three-part docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, the 52-year-old mogul offers a rare, blunt self-critique of the series that defined early-2000s television.

'I knew I went too far ... it was very, very intense,' Banks admits in the footage released on 26 January, before appearing to shift some responsibility onto the viewing public: 'But you guys were demanding it, so we kept pushing more and more and more.'

The admission lands at a moment when reality television is being re-examined through a modern lens, with audiences increasingly critical of how entertainment was extracted from vulnerability.

The series, which ran for 24 seasons between 2003 and 2018, shaped a generation's idea of modelling and fame, but also left behind unresolved questions about consent, representation and the human cost of primetime success.

Set to premiere on Netflix on 16 February, the upcoming documentary aims to provide a fuller picture of ANTM, showing not just the glamour of runway challenges and high-fashion photo shoots, but also the controversies and behind-the-scenes tension that defined the series.

Revisiting ANTM's Most Controversial Moments

ANTM became a cultural phenomenon by selling the dream that anyone with poise, persistence, and the signature 'smize' could become a supermodel. Yet, several moments from the series sparked criticism, which the documentary will revisit.

One of the most infamous moments was a photo shoot where contestants were asked to portray ethnicities other than their own, including instances where lighter‑skinned models had their skin darkened with makeup. This has been widely criticised as resembling blackface and racial stereotyping.

Models were styled to emulate ethnic characteristics that many later found insensitive or offensive, even though the production framed it as celebrating diversity at the time.

In Cycle 6, judges, including Banks, pressured eventual winner Danielle Evans to close the gap between her front teeth, suggesting that it would improve her 'marketability'. Although Evans eventually agreed to partial correction, she later described parts of the experience as emotionally difficult and argued that she was set up to make the decision for television drama rather than as a fully informed choice.

Across multiple seasons, there were routine instances in which contestants were critiqued for their bodies, appearances, or personal traits in ways that now seem insensitive or damaging. There were also makeovers that caused lasting damage to contestants.

People featured in the new docuseries, including former creative director Jay Manuel, describe the extreme lengths the production sometimes took to sustain the show's success and narrative drama. Manuel suggests that Banks 'would do anything for the success of her show'.

Reality Check to Get Firsthand Accounts from Former Contestants

Reality Check features interviews with former contestants, including Whitney Thompson (Cycle 10, 2008), Dani Evans (Cycle 6, 2006), and Giselle Samson (Cycle 1, 2003), offering firsthand perspectives on the show's challenges. The documentary also includes insights from Nigel Barker, a former judge and photographer, and runway coach Jay Alexander.

In the trailer, Manuel explains that while the show appeared ruthless on screen, much of the behaviour was framed by editing choices intended to heighten drama. The show concluded in 2018 after 24 seasons, primarily due to declining ratings and shifts in viewer interest, as audiences moved toward streaming platforms and social media-driven content

When to Watch Reality Check

Reality Check: America's Next Top Model promises to explore both the glamour and the chaos that characterise the franchise. Fans can expect to see previously untold stories, contestant experiences, and production insights. For those who grew up following ANTM, the documentary offers a chance to re-evaluate the show's cultural impact and understand why Banks made over-the-top decisions for aspiring models.

As audiences prepare for the launch on 16 February 2026, the conversation has already turned to accountability. While some fans praise Banks for finally 'owning' her mistakes, others point to the trailer's suggestion that audience demand drove the toxicity, sparking a fresh debate about the ethics of reality entertainment in the digital age.