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America's Next Top Model has found itself in the news for all the wrong reasons.
The reality show co-created and hosted by Tyra Banks saw aspiring models compete for the title and a chance to kick off a career in the modelling industry. It ran for 24 seasons and ended in 2018.
People have started rewatching the show which is now available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime and are pointing out that the show is extremely problematic in its treatment of the contestants and that it had offensive photo shoots.
The supermodel responded to the criticism on Twitter, she wrote: "Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs."
Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs. ??
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) May 9, 2020
And now former ANTM judge Jay Manuel has written a book inspired by his time on the reality show titled, The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown.
Jay who was the creative director on the show left after 18 seasons in 2012.
Despite rumours that he was fired Jay told Variety that this was not true, he had, in fact, completed his contract after season 18 and did not plan to return for the 19th season.
"It was 100% my decision to leave the show, as I was ready to move my career in a different direction, but unfortunately at the time, my departure was misreported to the press, and contractually, I could not speak about leaving the show."
The 47-year-old also shared that he was "uncomfortable" during certain episodes specifically when the models had to do a race swap photo shoot.
Jay remembers that he was uncomfortable with the concept, and that he was "so afraid that I would wear this because I was the creative director, but it was not my idea".
"It was supposed to be a different concept. I remember that very, very clearly. I was basically told that I had to execute the creative, and it made me very uncomfortable."
