New Netflix Doc Tells The Truth About America’s Next Top Model — And It’s Rough – SlashFilm

This text comprises discussions of disordered consuming, psychological well being, and sexual assault.

Should you’re an individual of a sure age, I am keen to guess that you’ve got some passing familiarity with “America’s Next Top Model,” the fact competitors present hosted by actress and supermodel Tyra Banks. Now, a 3-episode Netflix docuseries, “Actuality Examine: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” is displaying the ugly fact of this televised quest for magnificence and perfection. Very similar to the streamer’s “Largest Loser” doc, numerous it’s onerous to look at, particularly in relation to Banks. 

In Might 2003, the primary “cycle” — the phrase this collection makes use of as a substitute of “season” — of “America’s Next Top Model” formally premiered on UPN. The premise of the present is comparatively easy: terribly lovely ladies are assembled just like the Avengers to face earlier than a judgmental Banks — in addition to a judging panel that included Jay Manuel, Miss J. Alexander, photographer Nigel Barker, and former fashions like Janice Dickinson and even Twiggy — and decide which one in all them will turn out to be America’s Next Top Model. The breathy, dramatic manner Banks delivers the present’s title throughout each judging ceremony is the stuff of legend, and by that I imply folks make enjoyable of it rather a lot.

I did not begin watching “ANTM” as quickly because it premiered in 2003, however I positively bear in mind laughing about its sheer ridiculousness with my pals in highschool and even faculty, throwing round Banks-isms like “smize” (smile along with your eyes) and imitating the deranged, impromptu rage monologue that Banks bellows at contestant Tiffany Richardson in cycle 4. (Extra on that quickly). Even again then, it was simple to see a few of the present’s worst missteps for what they had been, however extremely, “Actuality Examine” reveals even darker truths from this collection’ heyday.

I actually can not stress this sufficient — folks watching “America’s Next Top Model” when it initially aired within the 2000s knew that the present was typically punitive and merciless to the younger ladies competing for the titular prize of changing into a “high” “mannequin” (one thing that, as we study from cycle 6’s Danielle Evans within the docuseries, wasn’t even actually true). Throughout the notorious “makeovers” that occurred early in every cycle, one thing horrible just about all the time occurred (numerous the time, aggressive hair bleaching left women screaming in ache). In “Actuality Examine,” two cycle 6 contestants — winner Evans and runner-up Joanie Dodds — recounted a few of their extra harrowing makeover moments. Each concerned journeys to the dentist.

Dodds had what the present known as a “snaggletooth,” whereas Evans had a large hole in her entrance enamel. As a result of Tyra Banks repeatedly insisted that casting brokers would not go for Evans with a tooth hole, Evans gave in to the strain and had it partially closed with the present’s employed dentist. Banks nonetheless tried to justify this name within the docuseries, claiming she thought it was finest for Evans’ potential profession. After some selection profanities, Evans cleared that up. “Me getting my hole closed will not be opening any doorways for me,” she shot again. “You knew what you had been doing for the present. You had been making good TV at my expense.” Dodds, in the meantime, acquired her snaggletooth “fastened” in a 12-hour dental surgical procedure that left her with lifelong points.

That is the tip of the iceberg. Disordered consuming was inspired. Aspiring fashions steadily acquired sick and fainted from dehydration and malnutrition. Their private traumas had been exploited. And Banks? She avoids accountability for all of it.

Tyra Banks seems within the documentary, however to say that she handles herself poorly is an understatement. She evenly apologizes for some extremely critical incidents that the present exploited, brushed previous, or each — together with the sexual assault and sexual harassment of two contestants who seem within the docuseries, Shandi Sullivan from cycle 2 and Keenyah Hill from cycle 4 — however none of it feels geniune, and the best way Banks handled her personal pals and colleagues all through the run of “America’s Next Top Model” would not assist. Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, and Miss J. Alexander had been all mistreated by her at varied factors earlier than being fired from the present after cycle 18. When Alexander suffered from a stroke that left him unable to talk or stroll, Barker and Manuel each visited him. Banks didn’t. (Alexander, a runway legend, can communicate once more and, as he says within the collection, is decided to stroll the catwalk once more.)

It’s not that anybody thought Banks was honest and even sane in the course of the unique run of “America’s Next Top Model,”  nevertheless it’s significantly heartbreaking to see contestants break down — together with and particularly Hill, who was continually highlighted as “chubby” in cycle though she was extraordinarily skinny, even being compelled to painting “gluttony” and “an elephant” in challenges to drive the purpose residence — after which watch Banks blithely announce a twenty fifth cycle of the fact collection. 

“Actuality Examine” uncovered the dirtiest secrets and techniques of “ANTM,” and though folks already discovered that this present did not age effectively, nothing may have ready former followers for the issues revealed right here. “Actuality Examine: Inside America’s Next Top Model” is streaming on Netflix now.

Should you or somebody you realize is battling an consuming dysfunction, sexual violence, or psychological well being, info and assets can be found at www.wannatalkaboutit.com