A Closer Look at Netflix and E!’s Documentary Specials on ‘America’s Next Top Model’
Netflix and E! Explore the Legacy of America’s Next Top Model
The enduring legacy and controversy of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) have sparked renewed interest following the release of two documentaries from Netflix and E!. The series, which aired from 2003 to 2018, highlighted aspiring models competing for a modeling contract, a fashion spread, a magazine cover, and a cosmetics campaign.
In 2020, after Hulu made episodes available, the show faced criticism for its insensitive modeling challenges, which included race-swapping and themes surrounding murder and eating disorders. Tyra Banks, the show’s creator and host, commented on the backlash in Netflix’s docuseries Reality Check, which premiered in February 2026. “I didn’t think it was controversial. I was in my own little bubble in my head… Looking at the show now through the 2020 lens, it is an issue and I understood 100 percent why,” she stated.
Banks expressed a desire for evolution following the criticism, saying, “Looking at that show through the lens of today, it’s like, ‘Why did you do that?’ I thank you for that. That is the only way you change.”
In contrast, E!’s Dirty Rotten Scandals premiered a month later, featuring different former contestants. As the public digs deeper into the contrasting narratives presented in both documentaries, a closer look at their similarities and differences is essential.
Contestant Perspectives and Insights
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model offers firsthand accounts from contestants such as Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart, Shandi Sullivan, Danielle Evans, and Keenah Hill. They shared shocking details regarding discrimination, sexual assault, and other serious issues faced during their time on the show.
In contrast, Dirty Rotten Scandals includes reflections from alumni Lisa D’Amato, Jaslene Gonzalez, Sarah Hartshorne, Brittany Brower, and Angelea Preston. Keenah Hill participated in discussions for both documentaries, providing a well-rounded perspective on the show’s impact.
The Role of Tyra Banks and Former Judges
Banks, along with executive producer Ken Mok and former judges Jay Manuel, Miss J. Alexander, and Nigel Barker, discussed their experiences and insights in Reality Check. “I wanted to fight against the fashion industry… I had a feeling that I was gonna change the beauty world,” Banks remarked, underscoring her original vision for the show.
Notably, Banks did not contribute to Dirty Rotten Scandals, which instead featured insights from judge Janice Dickinson.
Diverse Narratives of Judges
In Reality Check, former judges provided individual interviews, shedding light on the internal dynamics of the show. Conversely, Dirty Rotten Scandals featured Dickinson’s perspective, who could not participate in the Netflix project due to prior commitments.
Both documentaries aim to address the complexities surrounding America’s Next Top Model, leaving audiences to reflect on the lasting repercussions of the show’s legacy in the fashion industry and beyond.
