Tyra Banks filed a lawsuit towards Netflix over her docuseries Actuality Test: Inside America’s Subsequent High Mannequinalleging that producers selectively edited her interview and misrepresented her position in a number of the present’s most controversial moments.
In response to courtroom paperwork first obtained by IndividualsBanks filed the lawsuit on June 13, claiming that solely 16 minutes of a greater than three-and-a-half hour interview have been included within the three-part documentary, which premiered earlier this 12 months.
The mannequin, entrepreneur and TV producer claims that key components of her interview, together with conversations through which she acknowledged criticism of the long-running actuality sequence and took duty for sure choices, have been omitted from the ultimate draft.
“Tyra Banks participated within the Netflix documentary sequence as a result of she believed viewers deserved a frank dialog in regards to the sequence’ legacy, its successes and its flaws,” the lawsuit states, in line with Individuals. Banks claims the documentary’s producers used selective modifying and omitted important context to create what she describes as a “false and defamatory narrative.”
On the middle of the lawsuit are claims that the documentary steered that Banks knowingly allowed a contestant to be sexually assaulted throughout manufacturing after which failed to recollect the incident when questioned about it.
The submitting particularly considerations former contestant Shandi Sullivan, who appeared in Cycle 2 of America’s Subsequent High Mannequin. In Actuality examineSullivan seemed again on an incident whereas filming in Italy and stated she now views the expertise as sexual assault slightly than a dishonest scandal because it was portrayed on the time.
In response to the lawsuit, producers altered Banks’ response in a means that falsely implied she didn’t keep in mind Sullivan’s story. The submitting alleges that footage exhibiting Banks acknowledging and recalling the incident was faraway from the ultimate model proven to viewers.
“The implication is devastating and deliberate,” the lawsuit says. “That Tyra Banks doesn’t even keep in mind the story of the lady who was attacked on her present.”
Banks additionally takes difficulty with how the documentary depicts her relationship with America’s Subsequent High Mannequin Decide J. Alexander, identified professionally as Miss J. Alexander.
Within the docuseries, Alexander stated Banks didn’t go to him after he suffered a stroke in 2022. In response to the lawsuit, Banks was not given the chance to answer this declare and allegedly introduced proof exhibiting years of communication with Alexander and his household after the well being disaster.
The submitting alleges that Banks, who was residing in Australia on the time, made a number of makes an attempt to contact Alexander and remained in touch with him by textual content messages, voicemails and telephone conversations.
The lawsuit additional claims that producers didn’t disclose sure allegations and interview statements made by different individuals, stopping Banks from responding throughout her personal interview.
The banks are looking for damages for alleged harm to their popularity, lack of enterprise alternatives, lack of earnings and psychological anguish. She requested a jury trial.
Netflix, EverWonder Studio, Clever Youngster Studio and the documentary’s producers had not publicly responded to the lawsuit on the time of publication.
The authorized problem marks the newest improvement within the ongoing reassessment of America’s Subsequent High Mannequinthe truth competitors sequence created and hosted by Banks. The present ran for twenty-four cycles between 2003 and 2018 and helped launch the careers of many fashions whereas changing into a defining a part of early 2000s actuality tv. As audiences seemed again and mirrored ANTM and different actuality reveals of yesteryear, some have known as for reckoning and accountability relating to the hurt finished within the identify of consumerism and leisure.
Lately, former contestants and viewers have revisited a number of the present’s most controversial moments, sparking broader conversations about magnificence requirements, ethics round actuality TV and the remedy of contestants.
The lawsuit comes simply over a 12 months after Banks appeared on the duvet of ESSENCEwithin the March/April 2025 magnificence difficulty, the place she mirrored on reinvention, entrepreneurship and the subsequent chapter of her profession. Now, the media mogul is looking for to defend her legacy in courtroom as the talk surrounding considered one of actuality TV’s most influential franchises continues.