Tyra Banks, the creator and former host of 'America's Next Top Model', has launched a legal action against Netflix, alleging the streaming platform's documentary about the show used misleading editing techniques to damage her reputation. The case was filed on Saturday in federal court in Los Angeles and names directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy, as well as production company EverWonder Studio as defendants.
According to Banks' legal team, the docuseries employed "selective editing, deliberate omission, and surgical manipulation" of footage to construct a false narrative. The filing suggests the documentary was designed to make it appear Banks was aware of allegations involving a contestant's sexual assault and deliberately avoided addressing the matter, when in fact she had not been informed about or questioned regarding this incident during her interview.
Banks received access to the documentary just one day before its 16 February release and maintains she was never granted the chance to respond to allegations raised by other show participants. Her legal representatives note that several judges consulted on the project, including individuals her team claims have personal grievances against Banks. The lawsuit states that had she known about their involvement in shaping the documentary's direction, she would not have participated.
The docuseries has sparked criticism of the long-running reality competition, which aired for 24 seasons beginning in 2003. In recent years, the show has faced scrutiny over accusations of body shaming, contestant manipulation and controversial photoshoots. Banks has previously acknowledged "the insensitivity of past ANTM moments" and acknowledged "some really off choices" made during the show's run.
Banks' legal team requested access to complete interview footage from Netflix in March, a request the streamer and EverWonder declined, according to the lawsuit. The filing also notes that the documentary's release has resulted in negative publicity affecting Banks' commercial interests, including review bombing of her ice cream shop, SMiZE & DREAM, located in Sydney, Australia. Banks is pursuing monetary damages and seeking an injunction preventing the use of her image in connection with the docuseries' soundtrack album.
