Tyra Banks has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix over the streamer's docuseries "Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model," claiming the show deliberately edited her interview to create a false and damaging narrative, according to court documents filed Sunday.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Netflix and the producers of the documentary used only roughly 16 minutes of Banks's three-and-a-half-hour interview, stripping the context of her statements to portray her in a misleadingly negative light. Banks, who created, executive produced, and hosted "America's Next Top Model" for 22 seasons, argues that the docuseries amounts to a "hit job" that unfairly tarnishes her reputation.
According to the filing, the model and television personality agreed to participate in the documentary under the impression that it would be a balanced retrospective on one of the most iconic reality competition series of the 2000s. Instead, Banks claims, the producers selectively edited her remarks to suggest she was complicit in alleged mistreatment of contestants, while omitting her broader comments about the show's positive impact and the safeguards that were in place.
"The documentary presented a false narrative stripped entirely of context," the lawsuit states. "Ms. Banks was portrayed in a manner that was not only inaccurate but deliberately designed to damage her personal and professional standing."
The suit names Netflix as well as the documentary's directors, Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, and seeks unspecified damages for defamation, false light invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Banks's legal team argues that Netflix had every opportunity to present a fair account but chose instead to manufacture controversy for ratings.
"Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model" premiered on Netflix earlier this month and quickly became one of the platform's most-watched documentaries. The series revisits the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the hit CW show, featuring interviews with former contestants, producers, and Banks herself. While some former participants have praised the documentary for shedding light on the pressures of the modeling industry, others — including Banks — have taken issue with its editorial choices.
This is not the first time a documentary subject has accused Netflix of deceptive editing. The streamer has faced similar claims in recent years over projects including "The Tinder Swindler" and various true-crime series. Banks's lawsuit, however, marks one of the most high-profile defamation actions brought by a celebrity against the platform.
Netflix has not yet filed a formal response to the complaint. A representative for the streamer declined to comment on the pending litigation when reached by The New York Times.
Banks, who also served as a judge on "America's Got Talent" and launched a successful cosmetics line, remains one of the most recognizable figures in entertainment. Her legal action signals a growing willingness among public figures to push back against documentary productions they believe have misrepresented their stories.
Sources: The New York Times
