Tyra Banks Sues Netflix for 'False and Defamatory' Portrayal in 'America's Next Top Model' Documentary

Tyra Banks' civil lawsuit centers on alleged deceptive editing in Netflix's Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, arguing the docuseries presents a false and defamatory portrayal. The complaint asserts that producers used only 16 minutes of a three-and-a-half-hour interview and omitted substantial responses to craft a misleading narrative. Banks contends the project marketed itself as an accurate documentary, heightening viewers' expectations while dramatizing limited material. She claims this selective editing damaged her reputation, caused emotional distress, and harmed business opportunities. The suit seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial, with Netflix having not publicly responded as of the weekend.

Bank's complaint highlights alleged omissions regarding Shandi Sullivan, a former contestant who has described sexual assault; the suit claims unaired footage shows Banks nodding and saying she remembered Sullivan's story, which the documentary reportedly omitted. It also challenges the treatment of J. Alexander, Miss J, after his 2022 stroke, asserting Banks would have shown communications proving she sought contact. Banks says she responded to reported misconduct by a Top Model cast member and helped ensure sexual-harassment training. Netflix's response remained unavailable at publication, delaying resolution of the defamation dispute.