Former America’s Next Top Model contestants reveal extreme hunger and psychological pressure on set as Netflix series reignites controversy across the United States

The glamorous façade of America’s Next Top Model is cracking.

Contestants past and present are speaking out about extreme hunger, sleep deprivation, physically scarring makeovers, and what they describe as psychological manipulation — realities that contrast sharply with the sparkling world of high fashion.

Now, Tyra Banks is confronting these controversies head-on in Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, a three-part Netflix series featuring interviews with former judges and key show creatives including J Alexander, Jay Manuel, Nigel Barker, and Ken Mok.

Banks, 52, acknowledges the show’s complicated legacy.

“It brought so much joy to so many people — and so much anger,” she said.

She admitted that she pushed contestants further than she should have to entertain audiences, a confession that some former contestants find too little, too late.

Contestants Recall Extreme Conditions

Cycle one winner Adrianne Curry, now 43, described a punishing environment where models were weighed every morning and often went hungry.

“We wouldn’t be allowed to go to sleep until after elimination, which sometimes lasted until three in the morning.

Then a personal trainer would wake us at 5 a.m.,” Curry told the Daily Mail.

She recalled makeovers that left her physically scarred, including open sores on her scalp after a severe haircut and subsequent weave.

Marvin Cortes, who appeared in the first co-ed season in 2013, echoed similar experiences.

Contestants were frequently given food at the last possible moment, creating a sense of deprivation and stress.

Cortes explained that while contestants received a $60 daily allowance, they weren’t paid for appearing on the show, leaving them to ration their money for essentials like rent. “I really wouldn’t eat,” he said.

“I’m not making any money and I still had bills back home.”

The High Cost of Drastic Makeovers

Makeovers were another source of controversy.

Curry’s “razored bob” caused long-term damage to her scalp, leaving her hesitant to visit hair salons to this day.

Cycle nine contestant Sarah Hartshorne recounted pressure to conform her look, with producers questioning how her new haircut might make her appear more masculine or accentuate her curves.

Other contestants underwent dental procedures, like cycle 15 finalist Chelsey Hersey, who had 0.25mm shaved off each tooth to widen a gap, reflecting the show’s extreme aesthetic demands.

Michelle Deighton contracted impetigo on set, illustrating the physical risks of participation.

Some challenges were designed to exploit contestants’ fears, such as underwater shoots or ethnic-swapping exercises, while others failed to provide adequate mental health support.

Cortes noted, “The therapist would call once in the car while driving and never follow up.

It felt like they didn’t give us resources unless they needed something.”

Prizes and Industry Realities

Even for winners, the promised rewards often fell short.

Curry described a humiliating Revlon campaign, where she sat in a boardroom while makeup was applied, and the prize money was heavily deducted by her modeling agency and taxes.

She criticized the industry for being exploitative and opportunistic.

“Pretty much everyone’s face in the land of entertainment is a ladder rung for someone to put their foot on to hoist themselves up,” she said.

Defenses and Perspectives From the Industry

Former judge Kelly Cutrone defended the show, arguing it inspired aspiring models and that she never witnessed abuse.

Stylist Ty-Ron Mayes praised Banks as a “true artist,” noting that fashion and reality TV are inherently brutal.

However, even he acknowledged that some challenges, like race-swapping exercises, “didn’t age well” and were controversial.

Cortes, who had a generally positive experience with Banks, suggested the Netflix series may be timed strategically to coincide with Banks’ ice cream brand promotion and press for Jay Manuel’s book, while potentially laying the groundwork for a new season of the show.

“For sure, it was never an accountability thing,” he said.

What’s Next?

The Netflix series has reignited discussions about contestant treatment on reality shows.

Fans, critics, and industry insiders will likely continue debating the ethical implications of extreme makeovers, sleep and food deprivation, and psychological manipulation.

Meanwhile, speculation about a 25th cycle of America’s Next Top Model is growing, with viewers eager to see whether Banks will implement meaningful changes or continue the show’s tradition of high-stakes drama.

Summary

America’s Next Top Model contestants have revealed a harsh reality behind the glamour, including hunger, sleep deprivation, extreme makeovers, and psychological pressure.

Tyra Banks has acknowledged overstepping boundaries in the past, now addressing these controversies in a new Netflix series.

Former contestants like Adrianne Curry and Marvin Cortes recount both physical and emotional scars, while industry figures like Kelly Cutrone and Ty-Ron Mayes defend the show’s broader purpose.

The series may set the stage for renewed interest, ethical debate, and possibly a new cycle of the show.