Janice Dickinson is reflecting on her time as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, saying producers encouraged her to adopt a harsh on-screen persona similar to Simon Cowell.
The former supermodel, who served as a judge during the reality competition’s early years, recently spoke about her experience in a television documentary series examining controversial moments in reality TV.
Dickinson said the tone of her critiques was not entirely spontaneous. Instead, she claims the show’s producers wanted a judge who would deliver blunt criticism for dramatic effect.
“The producers on America’s Next Top Model, especially Tyra Banks, were begging me to be harsher and cruel, like Simon Cowell was on American Idol,” Dickinson said in the program.
The comments revisit longstanding debates about the judging style that defined the modeling competition during its peak popularity in the 2000s.
Dickinson served on the judging panel from the show’s first season in 2003 through its fourth season. The original panel also included Banks and other industry figures evaluating aspiring models.
A Reality TV Persona
During its early run, America’s Next Top Model was part of a wave of competitive reality shows. Programs like American Idol popularized outspoken judges whose critiques became central to the show’s identity.
Cowell, known for blunt remarks and sharp humor, was one of the most recognizable personalities in that format. His style often generated headlines and viral television moments.
Dickinson said producers wanted her to fill a similar role within the modeling series.
“When I was hired to do ANTM, Tyra hired me to be like a female Simon Cowell, to be feeding, in negative fashion, things about the girls,” Dickinson said in a previous interview discussing the show.
Her critiques frequently became some of the show’s most memorable moments. Dickinson was known for delivering blunt assessments of contestants’ runway performances and photo shoots.
Over time, viewers associated her judging style with the show’s often dramatic tone.
Revisiting the Show’s Legacy
In recent years, America’s Next Top Model has faced renewed scrutiny as former contestants and viewers reevaluate some of its challenges and judging practices.
Critics have pointed to harsh critiques, controversial photo shoots and intense competition as part of the program’s culture.
Dickinson has acknowledged that her own television persona was heightened for entertainment.
“People forget that TV is acting,” she said in a past social media video addressing her comments on the show.
Despite the criticism, the series remains one of the most influential modeling competition programs ever produced. The show ran for 24 cycles and helped launch the careers of several fashion industry figures.
Dickinson, now in her 70s, continues to speak candidly about the experience. She says the role she played on the show was shaped not only by her personality but also by the expectations of reality television producers.