Eva Marcille ‘Will Never Fail To Thank Tyra’ Amid ‘ANTM’ Backlash

Eva Marcille continues her long history of thanking Tyra Banks for changing her life, as the “America’s Next Top Model” host is currently under fire following the explosive documentary about the modeling reality competition show.

In a new interview, the Cycle 3 winner shared her thoughts about the supermodel, what she saw in the documentary, the world of reality television, and more.

Eva Marcille is easily the most successful person to ever come from “America’s Next Top Model,” as the actress has maintained longevity in the entertainment industry since she won the show over 20 years ago, and she credits Tyra Banks as the catalyst for making it happen.

During an appearance on “CBS Mornings” on Thursday, February 19, PEOPLE reported that Marcille was naturally asked about the Netflix documentary about the show, which has been a heavy topic of conversation since its release earlier this week, and she shared her perspective.

“I have been asked about Tyra for 21 years,” the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star said. “No matter what project I’m doing, what I’m involved in, somehow ‘Top Model’ finds its way in my interview. I’ve done 154 projects since ‘Top Model.’ It’s been 21 years.”

Marcille then shared that she will always thank Banks, something she has consistently done for decades, for changing her life for the better.

“Thanks to ‘Top Model,’ though,” she said. “What I will say is I will never fail to thank Tyra. 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, sound like, felt like and expected. And she did that for me.”

Marcille also pointed out that it was “very surprising” that she was not asked to participate in the documentary.

“I saw the show. She apologized a million times,” Marcille stated. “But an apology to the person that you wronged is only as good as they could appreciate it.”

“And so for the young girls who were sexually assaulted… for the young girls who now have eating disorders or look at themselves and never feel beautiful — that little girl in them that will always live in the woman that is them — there is no sorry, I think, that’s big enough to truly feel and heal that kind of hurt,” she added.

Marcille shared that given her height, she didn’t think her “ANTM” win would even be possible, but Banks saw something in her that made her realize her modeling dreams.

“Being that I was the shortest girl on my season, and the idea of a Black girl and this short in the modeling business, it’s unheard of. It will never happen,” the “All The Queen’s Men” star said.

“We were kids trying to find our dreams realized and actualized by a woman who believed could do it for us,” Marcille said of Banks and her support during her time on the show. “And if she could see it in us, then the world could see it in us because the world sees it in her.”

“I watched it and after I watched it, I was gobsmacked,” Marcille admitted on “CBS Mornings.” She added, “I was in awe … my mouth was wide open. To be a part of a club, and not know what’s going on in the club is crazy.”

“That environment could not exist without producers aiding and embedding what was going on,” she said. “It’s a part of how this thing works.”

Marcille found herself in the middle of ongoing drama during her two seasons on the “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and the Peacock spinoff, “Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls’ Trip.”