7 Shocking Realities Behind America's Next Top Model's Legacy: Tyra Banks's Confession And Revival Status

The iconic reality television competition, America's Next Top Model (ANTM), remains a cultural touchstone, yet its legacy is currently undergoing a massive and often brutal re-evaluation on social media. As of late , the conversation around the show has shifted from nostalgic entertainment to a critical examination of its most controversial moments, restrictive contracts, and the psychological toll on its contestants.

Created and hosted for 22 of its 24 cycles by supermodel Tyra Banks, the show ran from 2003 to 2018, launching the careers of many models while simultaneously sparking a fierce debate about the modeling industry's standards. Today, Tyra Banks herself has been forced to address the intense social media backlash, admitting to saying "some dumb sh*t" during the show's run, even as rumors of a potential revival or a new documentary series continue to swirl in 2025.

The Great Social Media Reckoning: Backlash and Tyra's Defense

The cultural re-evaluation of America's Next Top Model gained significant momentum during the early 2020s, with clips of past episodes going viral on platforms like TikTok and Twitter. The scrutiny centered on moments that, in retrospect, appeared insensitive, exploitative, or outright cruel, particularly concerning model makeovers, body shaming, and the handling of contestants' personal issues.

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Tyra Banks, the show's co-creator and executive producer, has recently responded to this widespread criticism. In a public address, she firmly defended the show's overall legacy, arguing that its 24 cycles were instrumental in changing the world and pushing for diversity in the fashion industry.

• The "Dumb Sh*t" Confession: Banks admitted that she "said some dumb sh*t" during the show, acknowledging that certain comments and challenges were inappropriate by today's standards.
• A Fight for Diversity: Despite the criticism, Banks maintains that she and the production team "fought to bring the diversity" to the television show at a time when the modeling world was far less inclusive.
• The Legacy vs. Clips Debate: Banks expressed frustration that her entire career and the show's impact are being reduced to short, decontextualized clips linked together on the internet, overshadowing its broader achievements.

This ongoing debate highlights a key tension: ANTM was a groundbreaking show that introduced concepts like plus-size models, older contestants, and models with unique features (like Winnie Harlow's vitiligo) to a mainstream audience. However, it often did so through the lens of dramatic, sometimes toxic, reality television.

The Truth About Post-Show Careers and Contestant Criticisms

The show promised a launchpad to superstardom, but the reality for many winners and contestants was far more complicated. Several former models have been vocal about their negative experiences, shedding light on the restrictive contracts and the show's impact on their mental health.

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Adrianne Curry (Cycle 1 Winner): As the first winner, Curry has been one of the most outspoken critics of the show and its aftermath. She has claimed that the prizes, including the promised modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models and the CoverGirl campaign, were not as lucrative or career-defining as advertised. A very recent update from May 2025 highlights her continued public presence.

Winnie Harlow (Cycle 21 Contestant): Though she did not win, Harlow has become arguably the most successful model to emerge from the franchise, walking for major fashion houses and appearing on international magazine covers. She has previously stated that the show did not help her career, and she had to "work really hard to separate myself from [ANTM]."

Angelea Preston (Cycles 14 & 17): Preston was notoriously disqualified from Cycle 17, the All-Stars season, after winning. She later successfully sued the production, citing a breach of contract and revealing details about the show's behind-the-scenes manipulations.

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Many contestants have pointed to the show's contracts, often tied to partner brands like CoverGirl, as being restrictive and not always beneficial for long-term high-fashion careers. The focus on reality TV drama often overshadowed genuine mentorship in the high-stakes world of international modeling.

What's Next: Revival Rumors and a Potential Netflix Documentary in 2025

Despite the show concluding its 24th cycle (featuring winner Kyla Coleman, alongside finalists Khrystyana and Shanice) in 2018, the question of a revival is perpetually on fans' minds. The latest news suggests a divided reality: Tyra Banks is open to the idea, but no concrete plans are currently in place.

Tyra's Hopes for a New Cycle

Tyra Banks has consistently expressed her hope for an America's Next Top Model revival. She has stated that she still thinks about bringing the show back on air, indicating that the concept still holds relevance in the ever-evolving fashion landscape. The show's final season, Cycle 24, notably removed the age limit for contestants, a sign of its commitment to evolving with the times and challenging industry norms.

However, a source close to the situation has exclusively told Entertainment Weekly that Banks has "no current plans" to bring the reality competition back. This suggests that while the desire is there, the logistics, format, and timing for a new Cycle 25 are not yet solidified.

The Netflix Documentary Series

Perhaps the most significant recent development is the news of a potential documentary series focusing on the history and cultural impact of America's Next Top Model. Reports indicate that Tyra Banks is slated to be interviewed on camera for this Netflix documentary.

A documentary could offer a balanced, behind-the-scenes look at the show, addressing both the groundbreaking diversity it promoted and the controversies that have since emerged. This project, if confirmed, would be a major event for fans and critics alike, providing a fresh, retrospective analysis of the reality television giant.

ANTM's Enduring Cultural Entities and Impact

The show's influence, for better or worse, is undeniable. It introduced a generation to the terminology and drama of the modeling world, creating numerous memorable catchphrases and iconic photo shoots.

Key Entities and Concepts from the ANTM Universe:

• Smize: Tyra Banks's term for smiling with your eyes, which became a global phenomenon.
• Tear Sheet: The professional portfolio page that models strive to earn.
• Panel: The weekly judging session featuring fashion experts like Nigel Barker, J. Alexander (Miss J.), and André Leon Talley.
• Eva Marcille (Cycle 3 Winner): A winner who successfully transitioned into a major career in acting and television.
• The Makeover Episode: The most anticipated and often most controversial episode of every cycle, leading to infamous meltdowns like Brittany Hatch's fire-engine red weave.
• International Destinations: Cycles frequently traveled to exotic locations, including Paris, Tokyo, and Milan, exposing models to global high-fashion markets.

The conversation surrounding America's Next Top Model in 2025 is a complex tapestry of nostalgia, regret, and enduring influence. Tyra Banks's fight to protect the show's legacy as a champion of diversity against the backdrop of its own problematic moments ensures that ANTM remains one of the most talked-about reality competitions of all time.