Tyra Banks has responded to criticism after recently resurfaced clips from America’s Next Top Model sparked outrage on social media, with some people branding her “toxic.”
The model and media mogul agreed with critics, who said some of her comments on the show were insensitive.
“Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you,” Banks tweeted on May 8. “Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am seeding so much love and virtual hugs.”
Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs. ??
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) May 9, 2020
Related Story: Tyra Banks Talks Body Shaming in Fashion Industry on TV One’s ‘Uncensored’
One episode that drew particular ire happened when the supermodel pressured Cycle 6 winner Danielle Evans to get the gap in her front teeth closed through dental surgery.
“So, Danielle, you went to the dentist, but you refused to have your gap closed,” Banks said on the show. “Do you really think you can have a CoverGirl contract with a gap in your mouth?”
Snippets have resurfaced of @tyrabanks Banks telling a young girl that her gap wasn’t “marketable” on America’s Next Top Model. Were Tyra Banks’ comments offensive or was she just enforcing industry beauty standards that she was taught? Comment your thoughts below. pic.twitter.com/A5yJkbqIqB
— Ask Myj The Podcast (@AskMyjThePod) May 8, 2020
Evans ultimately agreed to close the gap a little but not all the way.
The former ANTM contestant responded to comments about the clip in a video she posted last week on Instagram. The model said she realized the judges were “trying to play me and making good for TV.” But she said she was focused on winning the competition.
“In that moment, the 19, 20-year-old Danielle stood there realizing that it was my one-way ticket out on this side or keeping my gap on this side and going back to Little Rock, Arkansas,” she said.
Banks, 46, hosted and executive produced ANTM for 15 years. It aired from 2003 to 2018 on several networks before landing on Hulu in 2016.
The long-running modeling competition featured plus-size, transgender and a model with the skin condition vitiligo. Banks is often seen in the media advocating body positivity, but some of her critics saw things differently in the resurfaced clips.
