A long-awaited documentary about the hit 2000s TV series, “America’s Next Top Model,” hit streaming this week, giving fans who watched the series an insider look at the series and Tyra Banks’ regrets.
“Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” premiered on Netflix on Monday, Feb. 16, with three hour-long episodes detailing the production ups and downs, and the several controversies that haunted the show. Previous judges, including model and TV personality Tyra Banks, producers such as Ken Mok, and former contestants share their experiences.
The reality TV competition show, “America’s Next Top Model,” premiered in 2003 and was the first of its kind: a brutal immersion into the beauty and modeling industry. The show consisted of 10-16 contestants per season (or cycle) selected from across the U.S. The contestants competed in themed photoshoots and runway shows, and at least one was eliminated each episode. The show ran for 24 seasons and concluded in 2018.
Throughout the series, the show gained popularity with competitions, makeovers and discourse between the judges — Tyra Banks, Jay Manuel, Nigel Barker and J. Alexander or Miss J — and models.
Here’s more on the documentary and the series:
How can I watch ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’?
The documentary, “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” is available on Netflix to stream with three episodes.
The documentary includes conversations with former contestants Dani Evans (winner of cycle 6), Ebony Haith (cycle 1), Keenyah Hill (cycle 4), Giselle Samson (cycle 1), Bre Scullark (cycle 5), Joanie Sprague (cycle 6), Shannon Stewart (cycle 1), Shandi Sullivan (cycle 2), Whitney Thompson (winner of cycle 10) and Dionne Walters (cycle 8), according to Tudum by Netflix.
Why was ‘America’s Next Top Model’ controversial?
Controversies are highlighted and center around the photoshoot themes, makeovers, edit style, abuse and sexual assault.
In cycle 4, which was aired in 2005, the contestants were asked to switch ethnicities and paint their skin for a photoshoot. In cycle 8 (2008) there was a crime-scene themed photoshoot that glamorized gun violence. The makeovers were also considered offensive and judges were overly critical of appearance and size. Some contestants underwent dental surgery to remain on the show.
In addition, former contestants shared their stories on aggressive male models, mental health struggles, and an incident in which the production team filmed a non-consenting interaction that occurred early in the series.
What is the ‘Curse of: America’s Next Top Model’ about?
For further investigations on the “America’s Next Top Model,” the podcast titled, “Curse of: America’s Next Top Model,” offers more discussion about the show. The podcast was released in Sept. 9, 2025, and is available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
Were any contestants on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ from Michigan?
Yes. According to a fandom page on “America’s Next Top Model,” and IMDb, a few contestants were from Michigan, including Kyle Kavanagh, of Dexter (cycle 5); Jael Francine Strauss, of Detroit (cycle 8); Paige Mobley, of Detroit (cycle 23); and Rio Summers, of Detroit (cycle 24).
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Dishing dirt on ‘America’s Next Top Model.’ What new documentary reveals
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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