The Ultimate ANTM Reckoning: 7 Shocking Updates On America's Next Top Model’s Dark Legacy And Netflix Future

The world of high fashion and reality television is once again turning its attention to America's Next Top Model (ANTM), but not for a new season. As of today, December 18, 2025, the conversation has shifted entirely to a deep, critical look at the show’s 24-cycle legacy, driven by two major, competing documentary projects and ongoing commentary from former contestants. The era of "Smizing" and "Fierce" has given way to a cultural reckoning, forcing creator and host Tyra Banks to finally address the show's most controversial moments.

The iconic competition, which ran from 2003 to 2018, is currently experiencing a massive resurgence in public interest, primarily focused on the problematic behind-the-scenes drama and questionable photoshoots that have resurfaced on social media. While a Season 25 revival remains an expressed hope of Tyra Banks, the immediate future is dominated by a dissection of its past, promising a raw, unprecedented view into the "dark underbelly" of the modeling boot camp.

The New ANTM Reality: Docuseries, Scandals, and Tyra's Participation

The biggest news shaking the ANTM fandom is the dual-pronged approach to chronicling the show's history. Rather than a simple retrospective, two major projects are set to explore the series from drastically different angles: one with Tyra Banks' participation, and one dedicated to the "untold stories" of the contestants. The focus is no longer on finding the next supermodel, but on understanding the cost of reality TV fame.

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Tyra Banks Joins the Netflix Docuseries

In a rare and significant move for the supermodel-turned-TV mogul, Tyra Banks has agreed to participate in an upcoming Netflix docuseries chronicling the history of the iconic reality competition. This documentary is an ambitious project that will see Banks interviewed on camera, offering her perspective on the show she created and hosted for 23 of its 24 cycles. While specific release details are still emerging, the involvement of the show’s central figure suggests an attempt to provide a comprehensive, though likely controlled, narrative of the series' evolution from its UPN/The CW roots to its final run on VH1. The project has generated significant buzz, with many wondering how much the interview will delve into the persistent criticisms.

E! Launches 'Dirty Rotten Scandals: America's Next Top Model'

Countering the potential official narrative is the newly announced E! programming, "Dirty Rotten Scandals: America's Next Top Model." Announced as part of NBCUniversal's 2025-2026 programming slate, this program is explicitly designed to "unveil the dark underbelly of the long-running TV series through the untold stories of former contestants." This series promises a deep dive into the controversies that have plagued the show since its final episode, including allegations of mistreatment, poor post-show support, and the psychological toll the competition took on the aspiring models. This move solidifies the trend of networks capitalizing on the cultural reckoning surrounding early 2000s reality TV.

The Reckoning: Contestants Speak Out and Tyra Responds

The current critical focus on ANTM is largely fueled by former contestants who have used social media to share their experiences, highlighting the show’s insensitivity on issues of race, body image, and mental health. This backlash has been so pervasive that Tyra Banks herself has been forced to publicly address the criticisms, notably during a speech at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

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The Most Problematic Photoshoots

Resurfaced clips have brought several controversial photoshoots back into the spotlight, illustrating how the show often pushed boundaries in ways that are now considered offensive or exploitative.

• Skin Darkening: One of the most criticized moments involved a Cycle 4 photoshoot where contestants were asked to pose as different races, including the use of skin darkening makeup.
• Taxidermy Heads: The bizarre and often dangerous nature of challenges is exemplified by the Taxidermy Heads photoshoot, which many contestants found deeply uncomfortable.
• Political Controversies: Other shoots, like posing as celebrity couples or floating in a giant Greek Salad, are remembered for their sheer absurdity and lack of genuine connection to high fashion modeling.

The Voices of Former ANTM Contestants

Several high-profile and memorable contestants have been vocal in the ongoing conversation, giving weight to the narrative of the show's "dark side."

• Tiffany Richardson (Cycle 4): Forever linked to the infamous "I was rooting for you!" blow-up from Tyra, Tiffany Richardson has become a symbol for the models who felt publicly humiliated for dramatic effect.
• Ambreal Williams (Cycle 9): Ambreal revealed that contestants had a secret gesture to express their frustration with Tyra Banks and the judges, a silent "f--- you" to the pressure and perceived manipulation of the show.
• Yaya DaCosta (Cycle 3): A successful actress post-ANTM, Yaya DaCosta (known for her work on *All My Children*) has addressed the backlash, acknowledging the problematic aspects of the series she was a part of.
• India Gants (Cycle 23 Winner): The winner of Cycle 23 has shared her post-show life, including a 50-pound weight loss journey, demonstrating the intense public scrutiny and personal challenges faced by the models after the competition.
• Eva Marcille (Cycle 3 Winner): One of the show's most successful winners, Eva Marcille continues to have a prominent career, yet her journey highlights the rarity of true supermodel success for ANTM alumni.

Will We See an ANTM Season 25 Revival?

Despite the current climate of criticism and the focus on its past, the question of a "Cycle 25" revival remains a persistent rumor. The final season, Cycle 24, concluded in 2018 with Kyla Coleman taking the title, beating finalists Khrystyana Kazakova and Shanice Carroll.

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While Tyra Banks has publicly expressed her continued desire to bring America's Next Top Model back to television, sources close to the host suggest she has no *current* plans to move forward with a new season. The reality is that the modeling industry has changed drastically since the show's inception, demanding a level of authenticity, diversity, and ethical standards that the original format often failed to meet. Any potential revival would require a complete overhaul of the judging panel (which historically included figures like Nigel Barker, Janice Dickinson, and Miss J. Alexander) and a fundamental shift in its approach to challenges and contestant welfare.

For now, the future of ANTM is firmly rooted in its past. Fans and critics alike will be tuning in to the Netflix docuseries and the E! "Dirty Rotten Scandals" special to finally get the full, uncensored story of the reality TV phenomenon that changed modeling forever, for better or for worse.

Key Entities and Topics in the ANTM Conversation

• Tyra Banks
• Netflix Docuseries
• E! Dirty Rotten Scandals
• Controversial Photoshoots
• Tiffany Richardson (Cycle 4)
• Ambreal Williams (Cycle 9)
• Yaya DaCosta (Cycle 3)
• Eva Marcille (Cycle 3 Winner)
• India Gants (Cycle 23 Winner)
• Cycle 24 (Final Season)
• Season 25 Revival
• Nigel Barker
• Janice Dickinson
• Miss J. Alexander (J. Alexander)
• Skin Darkening Photoshoot
• Taxidermy Heads Shoot
• Model Stereotypes
• The CW/UPN Networks
• Fierce/Smize (Show Catchphrases)
• Khrystyana Kazakova
• Kyla Coleman
• Shanice Carroll
• Behind-the-Scenes Drama
• Cultural Reckoning