Tyra Banks understands that much of the mistreatment on America's Next Top Model wouldn't fly in 2025.
Over the past five years, social media has looked back on pivotal moments and challenges on the former reality show competition, where aspiring models battled for the ultimate spot of ANTM winner. But the tasks were tough, with some models undergoing shocking makeovers and being berated by judges.
When asked about her recollection of ANTM for Essence's latest cover story, Banks was honest about the climate of reality television changing since the show's heyday.
"Sometimes history can be a little bit revised, and people don’t understand that there’s a timeline when it comes to change," Banks explained.
Banks, 51, also admitted that the modeling industry had some discomfort about representation on ANTM. "I would hear, ‘Oh, you got these girls from the ’hood on your show.' Like, all of that. You have no idea."
But when it came to dealing with ANTM contestants, Banks admitted that there are "so many things that we would change." "But at the time, you’re operating with the information that you have, on a show that is hugely popular. So we’re all experiencing this together," she continued.
The mother of one also expressed that she would've done other aspects of her career "differently." "Lots of things. But the crazy thing is, I had a talk show for five years. There were things on Top Model that we did, and I’m like, 'I shouldn’t have done that,'" she continued.
"Y’all let me know that was whack. I would mention it on the talk show, and apologize. Or I wrote a book, and in it, I talked about it: 'Oh, I said this on Top Model,' and ‘I shouldn’t have done this, even though it would have hurt their career.'"
Banks responded to backlash towards ANTM when past clips came back to haunt in 2020. "Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you," she told her following, per CNN. "Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs."