LOS ANGELES — Model and television host Tyra Banks filed a defamation lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles on June 13 against Netflix, two directors of a documentary series about “America’s Next Top Model,” and the production company behind the project, alleging that the program misrepresented her interview comments through selective editing.
Banks, creator and longtime host of “America’s Next Top Model,” alleged in the lawsuit that producers of the Netflix docuseries “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” edited more than three hours of interview footage into a 16-minute segment that presented a misleading account of her statements.
According to the complaint, Banks participated in a three-and-a-half-hour interview during which she addressed criticism of the reality television series and accepted responsibility for some of its controversial decisions.
“The accountability Ms. Banks took ended up on the cutting room floor. It was there, but viewers were never given the opportunity to see it,” her attorneys wrote in the lawsuit.
Banks named Netflix, directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy, and EverWonder Studio as defendants.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and an injunction to prevent the use of Banks’ image in connection with the docuseries’ soundtrack album.
The complaint alleges that the producers used selective editing and omitted portions of the interview to support a narrative that Banks knowingly ignored allegations that a contestant had been sexually assaulted during the production of “America’s Next Top Model.”
The lawsuit contends that Banks was neither informed nor questioned about the alleged assault during the interview and that the final program made it appear she intentionally avoided the topic.
Banks’ attorneys also alleged that the producers did not provide her an opportunity to review the completed documentary until one day before its release on Feb. 16 and did not seek fact-checking assistance following her interview.
According to the complaint, Banks was not given an opportunity to respond to allegations raised by other participants featured in the documentary.
The lawsuit further states that some former judges and contributors to “America’s Next Top Model” participated in shaping the documentary’s editorial direction.
“Had Ms. Banks known these individuals were so deeply involved in the formulation of the Netflix Series, also serving as consultants shaping the editorial direction, and that she had been excluded from such a role, it would have raised a red flag,” the complaint stated.
Banks’ attorneys said they requested access to the complete interview footage in March, but Netflix and EverWonder denied the request.
The lawsuit also alleges that Banks experienced public criticism following the release of the documentary, including negative online reviews directed at her business in Sydney, Australia.
Representatives for the defendants did not immediately comment. Media organizations reported that requests for comment were sent to representatives of Netflix and the other defendants.
“America’s Next Top Model” premiered in 2003 and aired for 24 seasons. In recent years, viewers and former participants have criticized aspects of the program, including allegations of body shaming, contestant manipulation, and controversial photo shoot concepts.
Banks has previously acknowledged criticism of the show, including what she described as insensitive moments and decisions made during its production.
