Tyra Banks Sues Netflix Over 'America's Next Top Model' Documentary
Tyra Banks has filed a lawsuit against Netflix after her participation in the platform's America's Next Top Model docuseries received backlash.
Banks, 52, reportedly named the streaming giant in a lawsuit filed on Saturday, June 13, and obtained by People, accusing Netflix of defamation and editing her interviews to support a false narrative.
"Tyra Banks participated in the Netflix documentary series America's Next Top Model (‘ANTM') because she believed viewers deserved a candid conversation about the show's legacy-its successes and its shortcomings," the filing reportedly reads. "There are aspects of the show for which Ms. Banks takes accountability and she wanted ANTM viewers to hear that from her directly. Going into her interview, Ms. Banks did not limit the ANTM topics the interviewer could ask," the lawsuit continues. During a three-and-a-half-hour interview, Ms. Banks answered questions about the show's groundbreaking history, including criticism of decisions she would approach differently today."
Netflix has not publicly addressed Banks' lawsuit. Us Weekly reached out to a spokesperson for the company for comment.
Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, which premiered on February 16, featured rare interviews with executive producers Banks and Ken Mok and former judges Jay Manuel, Miss J. Alexander and Nigel Barker as they broke down the reality competition's best - and worst - moments.
Contestants also opened up about their experiences behind the scenes, which included discrimination, sexual assault and more shocking claims. Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart, Shandi Sullivan, Danielle Evans and Keenyah Hill were some of the alums who weighed in on their experience.
"I wanted to fight against the fashion industry. One day, this idea just hit me. What if I created a show where you saw what it took to become a model," Banks explained in the three-part special. "And for this show to represent not all white, not all skinny and to just show all the differences and all the different types of beauties. I had a feeling that I was gonna change the beauty world."
When asked about the show's controversial challenges, Banks referred to it as "dumb s***," adding, "I didn't think it was controversial. I was in my own little bubble in my head. Looking at the show now through the 2020 lens, it is an issue and I understood 100 percent why."
America's Next Top Modeloriginally ran from 2003 to 2018 before getting canceled. In the Netflix doc, Banks hinted at a return after addressing the controversy.
"Looking at that show through the lens of today, it's like, ‘Why did you do that?' I thank you for that. That is the only way you change. That is the only way you get better is by somebody calling you out on your s***," Banks said. "It is important. I want to let you know that I want you guys to be just as open as I am now by getting called on my s*** by when somebody calls you out on yours. Because that day will come and continue to evolve. Because that's what we're all doing."
Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model is currently streaming on Netflix.
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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 11:13 AM.