"In the cold light of hindsight, America's Next Top Model feels like a fever dream of a reality show. The entire franchise feels like an improbable 30 Rock joke: A gaggle of models in their late teens and early 20s share a house and are run through weeks and weeks of challenges at the behest of ur-supermodel Tyra Banks, who spends most of her time teaching the girls how to "smize." How much blackface is involved? Much more than you'd ever imagine possible."
"For 24 seasons, ANTM was among the most influential and dominant reality shows of the aughts. Millions of us watched the show's producers, Banks and fellow executive producer Ken Mok among them, nudge girls into intense dental work, make them reenact devastating traumas of their past via high-concept photoshoots, and dangle an improbable dream in front of hungry and often downright desperat e reality-show contestants. If they won the show, they'd get a modeling contract and a head start-plus, a personal relationship with Banks herself."
America's Next Top Model ran for 24 seasons and became a dominant, influential reality show of the aughts. Tyra Banks led contestants through intensive modeling challenges while teaching them to "smize," and producers often pressured contestants into dental work and high-concept photoshoots that required reenacting devastating past traumas. The show dangled a modeling contract and a personal relationship with Banks as a prize in front of hungry, sometimes desperate contestants. The series included more instances of blackface and racial insensitivity than many viewers realize. Renewed interest from younger generations prompted a Netflix documentary featuring interviews with former cast, judges, and executives.
Read at Slate Magazine
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