Streaming platform Netflix has released a documentary series exposing the toxic work culture behind the production of the popular show America's Next Top Model. The documentary 'Reality Check' presents numerous accusations of exploitation, sexism, and racism faced by contestants. In the background of the controversy, well-known television personalities, including Tyra Banks and Miss J. Alexander, appear, shedding new light on the manipulation mechanisms used in reality shows.

Accusations of exploitation and racism

Former participants and staff accuse the production of sexism, racism, and systemic exploitation of young models to increase the drama of the series.

Role of Tyra Banks

The documentary analyzes the influence of Tyra Banks on the on-set atmosphere, suggesting that the producer engaged in manipulation of contestants.

Trauma of J. Alexander

Famous runway coach Miss J. Alexander confessed that the process of healing wounds from participating in the show continues despite the passing years.

The Netflix documentary series titled 'Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model' has resonated widely in the media, sparking a debate on the ethics of television production. The production consists of three episodes in which former contestants and staff recount traumatic experiences on set. The main accusations concern exploitation, body-shaming, and deliberate emotional manipulation aimed at boosting viewership. The creators of the documentary, Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy, emphasized that the project would have been made independently of Tyra Banks's consent to participate in the recordings. An important voice in the documentary is J. Alexander, known as Miss J, who admitted he is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of working on the show. The documentary analyzes how the program, which was meant to promote diversity under Banks's guidance, became a place where harmful stereotypes and racism were perpetuated. Although Tyra Banks served as an executive producer and mentor, the picture emerging from the documentary suggests that contestants were treated as objects, and their psychological well-being took a back seat to the demands of the reality show format. The America's Next Top Model show debuted in 2003 and revolutionized competition formats, becoming a global phenomenon broadcast in over 170 countries.Audiences now revisiting archival episodes are noticing moments that, by today's social standards, would be considered unacceptable. The documentary directors focused not only on the victims but also on the celebrity consultants who participated in building this controversial powerhouse. Testimonies from contestants shed light on the extreme conditions in which young girls were forced to compete, often without adequate psychological care or legal protection. „I am still trying to process it all and cope with what happened behind the closed doors of production.” — J. Alexander

Mentioned People

  • Tyra Banks — Creator and host of the show, suspected of fostering a toxic work culture.
  • J. Alexander — Known as Miss J, runway coach and judge on the show.
  • Daniel Sivan — Co-director of the Netflix documentary Reality Check.