Tyra Banks Files Lawsuit Against Netflix for ANTM Documentary
Tyra Banks is taking legal action against Netflix due to her portrayal in a documentary called Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. The docuseries, which aired in February 2026, aimed to examine the reality show’s legacy. While some viewers appreciated its honesty, others felt that Tyra did not take enough responsibility during her appearance.
According to the lawsuit obtained by BuzzFeed, Tyra is suing multiple parties involved in the documentary for false light, defamation, breach of contract, and false endorsement. She claims that only a small portion of her lengthy interview made it into the final product, which she believes misrepresented her true feelings on the show.
The lawsuit states that Tyra participated in the Netflix documentary to have a candid discussion about America’s Next Top Model, including its flaws. She wanted viewers to hear directly from her about the show’s successes and shortcomings. However, she alleges that the producers edited her interview in a way that distorted her words and actions.
The legal action highlights a particular instance involving a contestant from Cycle 2, Shandi Sullivan, who revealed in the documentary that what was portrayed as a cheating scandal on the show was actually a sexual assault. The lawsuit claims that Tyra’s involvement in the incident was misrepresented in the documentary, leading to false accusations against her.
Despite these challenges, Tyra made it clear that she was prepared to address the show’s issues during her interview. She spent hours discussing America’s Next Top Model’s legacy, including where it fell short. However, she believes that the final edit failed to reflect her full perspective, leading to a misleading portrayal.
In seeking a jury trial, Tyra hopes to set the record straight and show that she was willing to take accountability for her role in the show. The lawsuit emphasizes that her intention was to have an honest conversation about America’s Next Top Model, and she feels that the documentary failed to accurately represent her comments.
