Tyra Banks is trending after Netflix officially dropped the trailer for a new three-part documentary series examining the legacy of America’s Next Top Model.
Titled Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, the docuseries is being billed as a deep dive into one of the most influential — and controversial — reality shows of the 2000s. Netflix describes the project as a “must-watch chronicle of America’s Next Top Model — and the chaos in front of and behind the camera.” The series is set to premiere Monday, February 16.
The documentary features interviews with former contestants, judges, producers, and Tyra Banks herself. It revisits the cultural impact of the long-running franchise while confronting moments that have come under intense scrutiny in recent years. Topics explored include body shaming, rigid beauty standards, racial dynamics, power imbalances, and scenes that many viewers now view as deeply problematic in the era of social media accountability.
Since ANTM ended its run, former contestants have increasingly spoken out about their experiences. In 2022, a Business Insider exposé reignited criticism of the show’s production environment, with multiple models describing it as “psychological warfare.” One former contestant, Eugena Washington, alleged she was placed in a dangerous situation after being required to walk a visibly unstable runway in six-inch heels.
According to Netflix’s official logline, Reality Check “exposes the show’s complicated legacy and asks a provocative question: How far are we willing to go for entertainment?”
Executive producer Jason Beekman of Wise Child Studios emphasized the balance the series aims to strike. “Reality Check is a fun, fast-moving nostalgia trip that also examines real issues of gender, race, exploitation, and personal conflict,” he said. “Netflix is the ideal partner for our first documentary series, which reflects Wise Child’s focus on telling character-driven stories that are both compelling and highly entertaining.”
As the trailer circulates online, reactions have been swift and divided. Some viewers are revisiting the show through a more critical lens, while others are bracing for uncomfortable revelations about a franchise that shaped an entire generation’s idea of modeling, fame, and beauty. One thing is clear: nearly two decades later, America’s Next Top Model is once again at the center of the cultural conversation.
