Tyra Banks has filed a federal lawsuit against Netflix, alleging the streaming service used deceptive editing in a recent docuseries to create a “false and defamatory” portrayal of her.
The legal action, filed Saturday in California, centers on the series “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” which examines the complicated legacy of the long-running reality competition. Banks, who created and hosted the iconic series for 22 seasons, claims that producers intentionally manipulated her interview footage to misrepresent her role in the show’s most controversial moments.
According to the complaint, Banks sat for a three-and-a-half-hour interview under the impression the project would be an honest reflection of the show’s impact, including both its successes and its well-documented criticisms. The lawsuit alleges that the final product omitted critical context where Banks took responsibility for past mistakes.
“a complete fabrication”
Instead, the filing argues that the series presented a misleading narrative, specifically regarding an implication that Banks knowingly permitted the exploitation of a contestant who had been sexually assaulted. Banks characterized this specific portrayal as “a complete fabrication” intended to boost ratings for the documentary. Lawyers for Banks stated that producers withheld accusations gathered from other participants during her interview, denying her a fair “opportunity to respond.”
The filing also challenges public statements made by the docuseries’ creative team concerning how much of Banks’ perspective was actually included in the final cut. Banks claims the finished product used only a fraction of her recorded testimony to paint her in a negative light. “America’s Next Top Model” debuted in 2003 and became a global phenomenon, running for 24 seasons and influencing the fashion industry for decades. However, the show has faced renewed scrutiny in recent years for its treatment of young models and its handling of sensitive social issues.
Banks previously acknowledged that she “went too far” in certain instances during the show’s original run, but she maintains the Netflix series crossed a legal line into defamation. Through the lawsuit, Banks is seeking a jury trial and unspecified financial damages for the harm caused to her reputation. While Banks has been vocal about her frustration with the project, a spokesperson for Netflix declined to provide a comment regarding the pending litigation.
The case is expected to move forward in California federal court later this year.
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