America’s Next Top Model Documentary Review
We’re talking about the Netflix America’s Next Top Model documentary and revisiting one of the most iconic and questionable reality shows of the 2000s.
What was framed as a show about breaking beauty standards and launching modeling careers looks very different in hindsight. We get into the moments that hit hardest on rewatch, how contestants were treated, and what it says about the era it came from.
We talk through the Shandi situation, Keenyah Hill’s treatment, Ebony in cycle one, the photoshoots that should not have happened, and the “we were all rooting for you” moment, including what didn’t make it to air. We also discuss Tyra’s role and why the rest of production seems to get less scrutiny.
And finally… why is there going to be a new cycle after all of this?
Also, if you want to check out a podcast that I think did a much better job than the Netflix doc, check out Curse of ANTM
Content note: discussion of body shaming, eating disorders, sexual assault, and exploitation in reality TV.
Production note: IDK why Nathan sounds like he has a lisp in this audio. Mercury was in retrograde when we recorded this.
Time stamps:
00:00 Unhinged Cold Open
00:25 Doc Setup and Expectations
06:55 2003 Reality TV Context
07:37 Diversity Promise vs Reality
09:42 Justice for Ebony
18:12 Winners and Career Fallout
20:27 Justice for Shandi
30:20 Justice for Keenyah
38:23 Race Swapping and Blackface
45:24 Tyra Yells at Tiffany
52:19 Jay Fallout and Miss Jay Shade
57:40 Cycle 25 Announcement Backlash: why?
Comments (5)
Finally listening and Katie’s note on eating disorders is spot-on. I actually was in recovery for anorexia when this show was first on and we were STRONGLY encouraged to stay the fuck away from this show. I look back at the late 90s and early 00s and damn, everyone was sickly thin and we thought that was just normal.
lol, I never watched ANTM but I absolutely used the “I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you” meme when Jaime left Brienne on GOT. 🤣
Fun fact! My mom was a teacher and one of her former students from back in the 90s grew up and became a super model and she was a guest judge on one of the seasons. I think it was back in like 2009. She's not modeling anymore, moved back home and had a kid (who I taught in MY classroom haha), but how crazy is that?!
omg yes! models aren’t really all that like popular ? nowadays. i remember knowing like all the VS angels and other models in like the 2010s and loving them? but now? i could care less. especially with everything that’s come out about it and how it’s an awful industry and how more body positive (eh) we are
Ooh, I just watched this whole doc this month while riding my peloton; can’t wait to hear your take!