At a Glance
- Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model offers unprecedented access to the show’s creators and contestants.
- The docuseries tackles controversies such as body-image criticism, unhealthy habits, and a blackface challenge.
- Tyra Banks reflects on the show’s legacy and the evolution of diversity in reality television.
Why it matters: The series gives fans a deeper understanding of the production process and the cultural impact of a long-running reality competition.
Netflix’s new three-part docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, drops on Feb. 16 and invites viewers into the world that once dominated reality TV. With Tyra Banks at the center, the series examines the show’s 24 series run from 2003 to 2018 and the controversies that have followed. Fans and critics alike are curious to see how the series portrays the show’s legacy and the voices of former contestants, judges, and producers.
Docuseries Overview
The three-part series was produced by EverWonder Studio and Wise Child Studios, with directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan. It features never-before-seen footage and candid interviews that shed light on the creative and production decisions behind the show. The format mixes archival clips with new commentary, giving a layered view of the competition’s evolution.
Behind the Scenes
The docuseries opens with a look at the set design, lighting, and the rapid-fire challenges that kept contestants on edge. Judges Nigel Barker, J. Alexander, and Jay Manuel discuss their roles in shaping the show’s aesthetic and narrative. Former contestants share how the production schedule pushed them to perform under intense scrutiny.
Controversial Moments
- Body-image criticism: The show has been accused of promoting unrealistic beauty standards.
- Unhealthy habits: Critics point to diets and training regimens that were sometimes extreme.
- Blackface challenge: In one episode, contestants were asked to embody races and ethnicities outside their own, leading to accusations of cultural insensitivity.
The series presents these moments through archival footage and the participants’ reflections, allowing viewers to assess the context and impact.
Tyra Banks’ Reflection
Tyra Banks explains, “I knew I went too far. It was very, very intense, but you guys were demanding it, so we kept pushing it, more and more and more,” as some of the series’ most controversial moments flash through the trailer. In a later interview, she added, “Did we get it right? Hell no. I said some dumb s–t,” a statement that drew laughter from the audience. She also reflected on the show’s legacy, saying, “I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked together on the Internet when there were 24 cycles of changing the world.”
Legacy of Diversity
In February 2025, while accepting the first-ever Luminary Spotlight honor at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Banks spoke about the show’s impact on diversity. “Over 20 years ago I created a show called America’s Next Top Model,” she began. “And you guys have no idea how hard we fought to bring the diversity to that television show at a time when it didn’t exist; to show different beauties at a time when the world was like, ‘What? You casting that?'”
Banks continued, “I was like, ‘Why can the girl from the trailer park become a supermodel but the girl that’s chilin’ in the park in the hood can’t?’ And we fought and we struggled and we made it happen.” She concluded, “I am so excited that I, and so many of us, have opened that door for others to follow.”
Production Insights
Producers discuss the logistical challenges of filming a reality competition that spanned 24 series over 15 years. They reveal how the show’s format evolved to keep audiences engaged while navigating changing cultural expectations. Interviews with the production team highlight the balance between entertainment value and ethical responsibility.
Viewer Reception
The docuseries has sparked conversation across social media platforms, with fans praising the transparency and critics questioning whether it fully addresses past missteps. Early reviews note the series’ willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, while others call for more accountability.
Release and Availability
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is available exclusively on Netflix, with the first episode premiering on Feb. 16. Viewers can stream the full three-part series on any device that supports Netflix’s streaming service.
Key Takeaways
- The series offers an inside look at a reality show that shaped a generation of aspiring models.
- It confronts controversies that have lingered since the show’s debut in 2003.
- Tyra Banks acknowledges past mistakes while highlighting strides toward diversity and inclusion.
Final Thoughts
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model invites audiences to re-evaluate a cultural phenomenon that has been both celebrated and criticized. By blending archival footage with candid commentary, the docuseries provides a nuanced perspective on a show that has left an indelible mark on reality television.
