Eva Marcille isn’t here for the sudden bashing of “America’s Next Top Model” host Tyra Banks. During her appearance on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live,” Marcille, who won season 3 of the hit reality TV series, said she’ll always defend Banks against critics. Her declaration comes amid Banks’ bombshell lawsuit against Netflix after the streaming giant released a documentary about the rise and fall of the competition series and the controversies that came of it.
Coming to Tyra Banks’ defense: Eva Marcille! #WWHL pic.twitter.com/JwzRrpgRU8
— Watch What Happens Live! (@BravoWWHL) July 13, 2026
While playing one of Cohen’s messy clubhouse games, Marcille, who also appeared in earlier seasons of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” was asked to say three nice things about Banks. “Tyra is always fierce, she was always right, and she’s always on top,” Marcille said confidently.
When she was asked to share her thoughts on Netflix’s documentary “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” Marcille said there wouldn’t be enough time to discuss the “shady” production in detail.
And if it wasn’t already clear, Marcille reiterated her loyalty to Banks, saying she is “pro Tyra,” before slamming the docuseries as “biased” and unbalanced. The former “Real Housewives” star also said that she wasn’t asked to participate in the project because producers knew her account would contradict the story they wanted to tell.
Tyra Banks Opened Up About Her Former TV Show, ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ In A 3-Part Netflix Docuseries
According to Netflix’s Tudum, Banks and other influential figures associated with “America’s Next Top Model,” including co-creator Ken Mok and judges Jay Manuel, Jay Alexander, and Nigel Barker, participated in a Netflix docuseries about the series’ rise and fall.
Throughout the episodes, producers interviewed key players, including former contestants, about the show’s history and many of the problematic stunts that have since generated much backlash.
In the trailer, Banks appeared to acknowledge that things on the set of “America’s Next Top Model” spun out of control, saying, “I knew I went too far. It was very, very intense, but you guys were demanding it, so we kept pushing it, more and more and more.”
The production touched on sensitive topics, including racism and colorism, homophobia, sexual assault, and body image.
Marcille Has Previously Thanked Tyra Banks For Helping Jumpstart Her Career
Marcille’s defense of Banks on “WWHL” isn’t the first time the 41-year-old has pledged her support to the former Victoria’s Secret model. In early 2026, Marcille appeared on “CBS Mornings” and discussed some of the gut-wrenching moments from the three-part series, including the cast member who opened up about being sexually assaulted on set.
Although Banks has reportedly apologized for what occurred, Marcille acknowledged that it’s up to the victim to accept it when they’re ready. “… there is no sorry, I think, that’s big enough to truly feel and heal that kind of hurt,” Marcille said.
However, Marcille, who has become arguably one of the biggest stars from the series, went on to thank Banks for what she did for her career.
“What Tyra set out to do in this business, I will always say, and especially for Top Model, initially, she set out to change the world, to change what the modeling industry looked like, sounded like and expected. And she did that for me,” said the mother of three.
Banks Sues Netflix For An Undisclosed Amount
Months after the Netflix documentary became available to stream, Banks sued the streamer, alleging that her interview was edited to paint her in a negative light and to fuel 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,” a portion of the lawsuit states. “There are aspects of the show for which Ms. Banks takes accountability, and she wanted ANTM viewers to hear that from her directly.”
According to Banks, Netflix used only 16 minutes of her three-hour interview in the documentary and allegedly edited out crucial facts about the show to help construct a negative storyline.
“Viewers of a documentary do not expect manufactured drama or constructed narratives. They expect facts. Because they were promised a documentary, that is exactly how viewers interacted with the Netflix Series,” the lawsuit said.
Could Banks Win The Lawsuit Against Netflix? This Legal Expert Says…
Rachel Bennett, a law specialist, addressed the lawsuit after it made headlines and said that for Banks to win, she must prove that Netflix heavily edited her interview to manufacture claims that are “objectively not true.”
Bennett explained that in unscripted television, producers have creative freedom to shape a story as they see fit, as long as it’s not “completely false.”
So, does Banks have a fighting chance? The world is waiting to find out.
