One of reality TV’s most talked-about franchises is officially heading back into the spotlight.
According to Entertainment Weekly, America's Next Top Model is the subject of a new three-part documentary series coming to Netflix, offering an unfiltered look at the moments that defined—and complicated—the show's legacy.
Titled Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, the docuseries revisits the long-running competition through the voices of its most recognizable figures and former contestants.
Host and executive producer Tyra Banks appears on camera alongside former judges and creative leads Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, and Miss J. Alexander, as well as models who competed across multiple cycles.
In the series, Banks reflects on her time as showrunner, acknowledging that some creative choices crossed a line. “I knew I went too far,” she says in one moment, addressing decisions that later drew criticism from viewers and contestants alike.
The documentary revisits controversial photo shoots, harsh judging moments, and behind-the-scenes tensions that surfaced as the show evolved from a 2003 breakout hit into a pop-culture lightning rod.
Several former winners and contestants also share their experiences. Cycle 10 winner Whitney Thompson credits Banks for opening doors in an industry that had long excluded plus-size models, while early cast members recall how monumental the show felt during its debut.
Others, however, describe moments that left lasting emotional scars. Danielle Evans, who won Cycle 6, calls one production decision involving her appearance “so f**ked up.”
“It’s a TV show to you guys, but this is my life,” Evans says.
The docuseries also explores internal fractures within the show’s creative team. Longtime collaborators Barker, Manuel, and Miss J. Alexander address their eventual exits, with Manuel describing the experience as a profound betrayal.
Producers featured in the series admit there was a point when success began to overshadow caution, prompting questions about how far was too far in pursuit of ratings.
Since its final season aired in 2018, America’s Next Top Model has undergone widespread reassessment online, particularly on social media platforms where clips from older episodes sparked renewed debate.
All three episodes of Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model debut February 16 on Netflix.