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Tyra Banks Files Lawsuit Against Netflix Over “America’s Next Top Model” Docuseries
Tyra Banks has taken legal action against Netflix, accusing the streaming service of misrepresenting her in its recent documentary series “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.” The federal lawsuit, filed in California on Saturday, claims that the series edited Banks’ interviews in a way that created a false and defamatory portrayal of her involvement with the iconic reality competition.
Banks, who created and hosted “America’s Next Top Model” for its first 22 seasons, alleges that she participated in a lengthy interview, expecting the series to provide an honest look at both the successes and controversies of the show. However, according to the complaint obtained by ABC News, only a small portion of her interview was used, with key context and moments where she accepted responsibility for past decisions omitted.
The lawsuit further asserts that Banks was never given the chance to respond to certain accusations that the producers had already gathered from other participants prior to her interview. She challenges the documentary’s narrative-especially an implication that she knowingly allowed a contestant to be sexually assaulted, exploited the incident for ratings, and later failed to recall it-calling this portrayal a “complete fabrication.”
Banks also disputes comments made by members of the documentary’s creative team about how much of her perspective was included in the final product. As the originator and long-time host of the series, Banks is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages to address what she describes as a misleading and damaging depiction.
Netflix has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.