America's Next Top Model is back in the spotlight as Netflix releases a deep dive docu-series on the chaotic reality series in it's three part series Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model.
Started in 2003 by supermodel Tyra Banks and producer Ken Mok, the reality competition show allowed young women the chance to become 'America's Next Top Model' by taking part in classic modelling challenges and photoshoots. However, following its 15 year run the show was then heavily criticised by fans who went onto call out the treatment of the models and questioned many of production's decisions.
Reality Check covers many of the show's biggest controversies, including the intense makeovers, the questionable photoshoots (including a race swap shoot) and the surgery some of the women went through.
However, not every scandalous moment from the show made it on to the documentary and these are the six biggest ones it missed.
The 6 biggest America's Next Top Model controversies Netflix documentary missed out
Yaya and the cowboy hat
All the way back in 2004, The Lincoln Lawyer actor Yaya DaCosta made her first TV appearance when she competed on cycle three of America's Next Top Model.
During one challenge the models were asked to select a hat that best represented their style. Yaya opted for a cowboy hat.
However, when it came to judging in that episode, jude Nigel Barker said to Yaya, everyone thought she would have, "gone for the African hat" in reference to the kufi hat that was included within the selection. And then fellow judge Rebecca Weinberg added: "You have this intensity to prove your blackness, and I think sometimes it’s overbearing."
Yaya went onto explain why she didn't pick the hat, saying: "It is very cliché, the fabric used is very cheap and artificial.” In the episode she was then expected to 'apologise' to the hat.
Years later in 2018, Yaya opened up about the moment, writing on her Instagram: "It took a lot of work to heal from that experience, and looking back, I feel so much for that eager, vulnerable young version of myself."
Jaeda had to kiss someone who made her uncomfortable
During season seven one of the challenges involved the models shooting a deodorant advert. As part of the advert they were required to kiss a male actor. However, when it was Jaeda's turn, her assigned partner for the challenge said he didn't like Black women.
Jaeda still had to take part in the challenge, and was blamed for "looking defeated" while on the set. She was then critiqued for it during the judging portion of the episode, and allowing it to take over her performance. She was then eliminated from the competition.
When CariDee contracted hypothermia during a shoot
Back in cycle 7 the models were challenged with doing a photoshoot in a pool. During the shoot CariDee made it aware that she was feeling cold, and essentially told to carry on with the shoot. When it became obvious she was getting towards hypothermia and convulsing she was removed from the pool and then chastised for not speaking up.
The mistreatment of Isis
Isis King was the first transgender model to compete on the show back in cycle 11. While the judges treated her with respect, some of her fellow competitors acted unkindly to her. With Kacey Leggett saying the show was a "girl competition" and Clark Gilmer said she was willing to "stomp that man right out of the competition."
Kelly Cutrone vs Louise
Cycle 18 saw the British arrive, with a season that brought together some of the women who had competed on Britain's Next Top Model and new models from America. During the competition Kelly Cutrone became a judge and ended up in an argument with one of the models Louise who ended up quitting the show.
In a challenge, Louise was racing across the room to get her hair and makeup done. Kelly then called Louise out, saying her behaviour was "one of the worst attitudes I’ve ever seen for a young woman in the middle of a competition."
Things then got awkward during the judging session, when Louise confronted Kelly about her comments. Tyra intervened and reminded Louise of her "position", as Kelly was a publicist, she ranked higher than Louise.
Frustrated with the lack of support Louise ended up storming off the set and quitting the show.
The mistreatment of Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow began her modelling days on cycle 21 of ANTM where she joined using her real name Chantelle Young.
Winnie was discovered by Tyra on Instagram and known for her striking looks. She also has the skin condition vitiligo.
During the show, creative director Yu Tsai went onto give her "nicknames" such as "panda" and "cow". While Winnie said she knew Tsai said the names from a "loving place" and wasn't "malicious", however she didn't like the image they could give out to the audience, adding: "I don’t want kids out there to see you, someone so high up in the industry, calling me ‘panda’ and then think it’s okay to call someone else a cow because of a skin condition."
Tsai went onto deny he called her a "cow" and said how "called [her] a name was never insulting, never harmful and never demerit who you are. When I gave you the nickname, it was to help you, if you don't understand it you will no longer deserve that little soft nickname, I'll call you porcupine from now on."
Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model is available on Netflix now
