Tyra Banks was the face of America’s Next Top Model for fifteen years and 24 cycles. Yet, there was always something sadistic and fishy about the way she handled the contestants. An ANTM documentary streamed on Netflix in February 2026, exposing what the models had to go through, and it was a nightmare. Now, Tyra is suing over it and is ready to head to trial. Keep reading for more on what the former supermodel had to say and why she filed the suit.
Tyra Banks Has Been Villainized For Years
Yes, Tyra Banks has dominated the modeling industry, and in many ways, she redefined it. Then, she came in with ANTM and gave other aspiring beauties a chance at success. They appeared incredibly grateful, and it was the push that any young woman would want. Underneath it all, they were given limited funds to eat, excessive amounts of alcohol, deprived of sleep, and so much more. It was a nightmare that Tyra and her team profited from, and over the years, more was being exposed. In February 2026, a Netflix doc showcased the abuse and manipulation that the contestants were subject to. It was devastating.
To add insult to injury, Tyra appeared to deflect and lacked accountability. Moreover, she was not there for her main sidekicks, Miss J Alexander and Jay Manuel, when push came to shove. Now, Tyra has decided to sue Netflix for defamation. Additionally, she claims she put everything out there and held nothing back. However, viewers would not know that from how it was portrayed on screen:
“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. There are aspects of the show for which Ms. Banks takes accountability and she wanted ANTM viewers to hear that from her directly.”
Again, the biggest gripe was that Tyra acted as if she played no part or had no control in what went down with the contestants. When Shandi Sullivan alleged she had been sexually assaulted and production knew, Tyra Banks claimed she was not a part of the production process. Viewers felt that this was, again, her lack of accountability and called her out. She responded in her lawsuit:
“Worse, the false narrative the producers constructed—through selective editing, deliberate omission, and surgical manipulation of continuous footage—included that Ms. Banks knowingly allowed a contestant to be sexually assaulted on her show, exploited that contestant’s trauma for ratings, and then could not even remember it when asked. That narrative about Ms. Banks is a complete fabrication—one that Netflix streamed to a global audience of millions.”
Bring Out The Jury
This may not be an easy win for Tyra Banks as the documentaries and exposés kept coming. The women from the show refuse to stay silent for good reason. More so, they want their stories to be heard and do not want anyone from ANTM to get away with what they have done. However, Tyra is ready and raring to go as she would like a jury trial. She thinks it would be best so she can get an adequate monetary amount in damages. As of now, it is unclear who will be called to assist on her behalf. Yet, this is a messy situation, and maybe Tyra should have known the outcome.
Did you watch the Netflix doc? Finally, do you think Tyra Banks could win this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.
