Jay Manuel says he asked to be excused from 'ANTM's infamous race-swapping photo shoot, but was denied

"Perhaps the most infamous photo shoot in "Top Model" history aired in 2005, when the season four contestants were told by Manuel, "We're actually going to switch your ethnicities." Several of the models' faces and bodies were painted with dark makeup: Christina Murphy, Brittany Brower, and Noelle Staggers were assigned the roles of "East Indian," "African American," and "traditionally African woman," respectively."

"In the documentary, Manuel says he was uncomfortable with the concept from the start, especially given his family's history with racial segregation. "The shoot that I had the most difficult time with was this race-swapping shoot. My parents are from South Africa. They grew up during apartheid. I am very aware of that history," he tells the camera. However, he says his objections were brushed off by Banks."

Netflix's three-part documentary examines America's Next Top Model's legacy, focusing on a 2005 season four race-swapping photo shoot where contestants were painted to portray different ethnicities. The shoot assigned Christina Murphy, Brittany Brower, and Noelle Staggers as "East Indian," "African American," and "traditionally African woman," prompting accusations of blackface linked to racist minstrel history. Jay Manuel says he felt uncomfortable with the concept from the start due to his parents' experience under apartheid and said his objections were dismissed. Tyra Banks says she did not recognize the controversy at the time, describing herself as being in her "own little bubble." Current viewers and critics have condemned the shoot.

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