Tyra Banks, the supermodel who built a television empire with the hit reality competition “America’s Next Top Model,” is again facing criticism from former contestants who claim the show fostered a toxic environment.
Several former participants have recently revisited their experiences on the series, with some accusing Banks of behaving like a “bully” while cameras rolled. The renewed scrutiny arrives amid documentaries and podcasts examining the legacy of the long-running show, which aired from 2003 to 2018.
Among the most widely discussed moments involves contestant Tiffany Richardson during the show’s fourth cycle. After Richardson was eliminated from the competition, Banks delivered a heated on-camera lecture that later went viral online.
“Be quiet, Tiffany! Stop it!” Banks shouted during the episode. “I have never in my life yelled at a girl like this… We were all rooting for you. How dare you! Learn something from this.”
The exchange became one of the most memorable moments in reality television and continues to resurface in discussions about the show’s tone and treatment of contestants.
Former contestants speak out
In recent years, more alumni have publicly criticized the program and its leadership. Some say the show’s intense format crossed the line from competition into humiliation.
Lisa D’Amato, who appeared on multiple cycles and won the “All-Stars” season, described the experience in stark terms. She said the production environment felt like “psychological warfare.”
Others echoed similar concerns. Some contestants claim producers pushed emotional storylines or exploited personal trauma for dramatic television. Critics say the show often encouraged extreme challenges and harsh criticism in the name of entertainment.
Former contestants have also raised issues about working conditions. Allegations have included long filming hours, limited food or breaks and minimal compensation during production.
Sarah Hartshorne, a Cycle 9 contestant, said participants sometimes fainted during filming due to exhaustion or lack of food. “Girls fainted every week,” she recalled in a later interview discussing behind-the-scenes conditions.
For some models, the aftermath of appearing on the show also proved difficult. Former participants have said the reality TV label sometimes hurt their credibility with fashion agencies after filming ended.
Banks responds to criticism
Banks has acknowledged some of the controversy surrounding “America’s Next Top Model.” As older clips resurfaced online, viewers pointed to moments they considered body-shaming or culturally insensitive.
In response to the backlash, Banks said she recognizes that some choices made on the show would not be acceptable today. She admitted that there were “off” decisions made during production as television standards and social awareness have evolved.
Still, the supermodel has also defended the program’s broader legacy. The show helped launch the careers of numerous models and was credited with bringing diversity to mainstream modeling competitions.
Despite those accomplishments, criticism continues to follow the series years after its final season aired. With new documentaries revisiting the show’s history, former contestants say they hope the renewed attention sparks a broader conversation about reality television and how participants are treated.