ANTM and the Systematic Dehumanization of Women
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Next Top Model (ANTM). Not only were the models subjected to harsh and unhealthy beauty standards, but they were also put through cruel“ challenges” where they were mocked for the entertainment of audiences. From being coerced into cutting their hair short, to being hospitalized for hypothermia, these girls were not spared at all.
In response to the recent resurgence in online attention for ANTM’s controversial moments, Netflix released a documentary series called Reality Check; Inside America’s Next Top Model. Aside from the documentary being an obvious cash grab—did anyone else peep the not-so-subtle promotion for the ANTM reboot—the lack of accountability taken by Tyra and the other producers is startling.
The first episode opens with the iconic“ Never In My Life Have I Yelled At a Girl Like This” moment, highlighting the drama and exploitation for which the show became known. Tyra at least claims to have had good intentions when she started the show. She mentioned wanting to feature a diverse cast of models (“ not all white, not all skinny”).
Tyra says that she didn’t want girls to be extremely thin, but then turns around and constantly body shames them. For example, Season 1 model Giselle highlights how she was forever haunted by the judges“ wide ass” comment. Further, another model from the first season, Ebony, explains the flagrant racism she was subjected to. During the“ makeover episode”, she recounts feeling as though everyone was“ laughing at [her] hair texture”, and she was also accused of being “ashy” by the crew. Any attempt to stand up for herself resulted in an unreasonable or“ aggressive” portrayal, and was said she felt shocked at the lack of understanding or empathy from Tyra. She also describes how she felt her time on the show actually discouraged African American girls from pursuing modeling, given how she was treated and undervalued on the show. This paints Tyra’s earlier comments regarding representation with a thick layer of skepticism.
These accounts culminate towards a harrowing episode end. The narrative hones in on an ANTM episode when the models were sent to Milan in order to give them the“ authentic” model experience– running around fashion-capital city between go-sees and castings. The tone is initially lighthearted, but then one of the models, Shandi, describes a horrific experience that made her want to quit the show. The producers placed the models in an extremely dangerous position, inviting male strangers back to their living quarters. They were supplied with alcohol but no proper food, and the models quickly became intoxicated. Shandi, who was only 21 at the time, blacked out and was sexually assaulted, and every moment of the SA was filmed. Worse still, on the show Shandi is treated as a villain rather than a victim or survivor. Tyra intentionally taunts her, referring to the assault as Shandi“ cheating” on her boyfriend.
Though this situation is particularly heinous, it is not uncommon. Modelling agents are constantly endangering their models with no regard for their well-being. As an 18 year old, my agent sent me to a go-see with a photographer who, unbeknownst to me at the time, had a reputation for being creepy. Aside from his generally lecherous vibe, he also continuously pressured me into posing topless, saying that I“ would never make it” in the industry if I didn’t. My roommate also had a similar experience with him, saying he also pressured her into staying after the shoot to have dinner with him. When we raised concerns with our agents, they dismissed it as“ just how the industry is.”
In a lot of ways I do sympathize with Tyra. The beauty standards set by the modelling industry are undoubtedly brutal and narrow-minded. In runway season, it was common at my agency to take the girls’ measurements multiple times a week, or even daily. If I wasn’t losing weight “fast enough”, or god forbid gaining weight, I was given inspiring advice such as “cut out carbs” or “go on an all-liquid diet.” In the mid 2010’s, bread was akin to the devil. I can’t even imagine how much harsher beauty standards would have been in the early 2000’s for a woman of colour.
However, it does surprise me that Tyra’s reaction would be to amplify and televise this abuse for the entertainment of the public. Tyra exclaims in a promo that this was what we,the public, were demanding. Although I resent this diversion of accountability, it does reflect the normativity and viciousness of misogyny that persists today. Tyra (and modeling agencies) are allowed to get away with so much because they rely on a social system which strips women of their humanity, and is indifferent to their well-being.
Far from being entertaining, the degradation and humiliation of the models on ANTM is disturbing. If anything, this documentary sheds light not only on the mistreatment of women in the modelling and entertainment industries, but on the society which condones and glorifies it.
