Renowned former supermodel Tyra Banks has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging defamation in its docuseries “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.” Banks claims that the series used manipulated interview footage to create a false narrative.
The three-part docuseries, released in February, aimed to uncover controversial aspects of the “America’s Next Top Model” reality show, which aired from 2003 to 2018. It delved into issues such as extreme makeovers involving Blackface and brownface photoshoots, as well as allegations of sexual assault by a contestant in Season 2.
According to court documents, Banks asserts that her three-and-a-half-hour interview was condensed to just 16 minutes and edited to misrepresent her views. She argues that the docuseries failed to accurately portray the level of accountability she took for the show’s actions.
The lawsuit highlights the case of contestant Shandi Sullivan from Season 2, who claimed in the docuseries that she was sexually assaulted while being portrayed as cheating on her boyfriend. Banks alleges that the producers misled her during the interview by referencing Sullivan’s story without clarifying the assault allegation, leading to a misleading portrayal of Banks’ response.
Additionally, the lawsuit emphasizes that Banks was prepared to address the legacy and shortcomings of “ANTM” during her interview but that her genuine accountability was disregarded in the final cut of the docuseries.
Despite the success of “ANTM,” the lawsuit argues that viewers expect factual content in a documentary like “Reality Check,” rather than manufactured drama. The docuseries garnered significant viewership, with 14.2 million views in its first week on Netflix.
In her legal action, Banks is seeking damages and an injunction to prevent the use of her image in connection with the docuseries’ soundtrack release. Netflix and the defendants have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.