Tyra Banks has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix and the producers behind a new documentary series examining the legacy of “America’s Next Top Model”.
According to court documents filed on Saturday, the former supermodel and television host alleges that “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” used selective editing that misrepresented her comments and unfairly damaged her reputation.
Banks claims she participated in a lengthy interview for the project, during which she discussed criticism of the long-running reality series and reflected on decisions she would have handled differently.
Her lawsuit alleges that much of that context was removed from the final version of the documentary.
One of the central complaints relates to former contestant Shandi Sullivan and an incident that took place during the show’s second cycle in Milan.
Banks alleges that footage included in the documentary created the impression that she could not remember Sullivan’s experience.
According to the lawsuit, the full interview footage shows that she did recall the incident, but that portion was excluded from the final edit.
The lawsuit also disputes claims made in the series by former judge Miss J Alexander. In the documentary, Alexander said Banks had not visited him following his stroke in 2022.
Banks argues that the programme omitted important context, including her time living in Australia and ongoing communication between the pair through messages, voice notes and videos.
In addition to Netflix, the lawsuit names documentary directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, as well as production companies EverWonder Studio and 89 Blocks Holdings.
Banks is seeking damages and a jury trial, alleging defamation, false light, breach of contract and false endorsement.
Neither Netflix nor the filmmakers had publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of publication.
The legal action marks the latest chapter in the ongoing debate surrounding “America’s Next Top Model”, a series that has faced renewed scrutiny in recent years over some of its storylines, challenges and judging decisions.
