Kimora Lee Simmons is reflecting on her complicated past with Tyra Banks as renewed attention surrounds the legacy of America’s Next Top Model.
In a recent podcast appearance, Simmons said she has not spoken to Banks in years. The revelation comes as a new Netflix documentary revisits the long-running reality series and its controversies.
Simmons, who served as a judge during the show’s first season, said she was surprised not to be included in the project. The three-part series, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, premiered in February and examines the show’s cultural impact and criticism.
Reflecting on a Complicated Legacy
The documentary revisits allegations about the show’s treatment of contestants, including claims of body shaming and emotionally difficult challenges.
Simmons acknowledged that some of the criticism is valid. She described the early days of the series as “treacherous,” reflecting a harsher era of reality television.
America’s Next Top Model, created and hosted by Banks, debuted in 2003 and ran for more than two decades.
The show became a defining reality competition of its time. It also helped launch the careers of several models while shaping public perceptions of the fashion industry.
Still, modern audiences are reevaluating the program through a different cultural lens. Critics have pointed to controversial photo shoots and storylines that blurred ethical boundaries.
A Personal Rift
Simmons also addressed her personal relationship with Banks, revealing distance between the former collaborators.
Despite their shared history in modeling and television, Simmons said they have not remained in contact. She noted that Banks is the godmother to one of her children, underscoring the closeness they once shared.
Their relationship dates back to their early careers as models. Both women rose to prominence in the fashion world before transitioning into business and television ventures.
Banks became one of the most recognizable supermodels of her generation. She later built a media empire that included hosting and producing America’s Next Top Model.
Simmons also carved out a multifaceted career as a model, entrepreneur and television personality.
While Simmons expressed openness to revisiting the franchise in the future, she suggested past opportunities to return did not materialize.
The renewed scrutiny surrounding the show has sparked reactions from former contestants and judges alike. Some have defended Banks, while others have criticized the production’s practices.
For Simmons, the moment appears to be one of reflection rather than resolution.