Tyra Banks Takes Legal Action Against Netflix Over Documentary Drama

Tyra Banks Challenges Netflix Over 'America's Next Top Model' Documentary

It's not every day that Tinseltown sees a legal showdown like this. Tyra Banks, the iconic creator and former host of 'America's Next Top Model,' has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix and the directors of the controversial docuseries, 'Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.' According to the lawsuit, filed in federal court in the heart of Los Angeles, Banks claims the production team whittled down over three hours of her interview footage to just 16 minutes, shaping a distorted storyline.

“Defendants edited the Netflix Series to make it appear that Ms. Banks knew she was being asked about a sexual assault and was intentionally trying to evade the topic,” the lawsuit stated, contending that Banks hadn’t been told – or asked – about the assault during the interview.

Banks is not just aiming for damages; she's also seeking a legal block on the use of her image in the docuseries' soundtrack album. The drama unfolded when the docuseries spotlighted allegations of Banks allegedly permitting contestant mistreatment for ratings, an accusation she vehemently denies. Emails requesting comments have been dispatched to Netflix and the directors, but they remain unanswered.

A Legacy Under Fire

'America’s Next Top Model,' a staple of early 2000s TV culture, ran for a stunning 24 seasons. Recently, however, it's been under the magnifying glass for alleged body shaming and manipulative practices. Tyra has previously owned up to some controversial elements, admitting there were "some really off choices.” Yet, she argues that the Netflix documentary unfairly casts her in a villain's role without providing her a fair chance to respond.

The lawsuit claims the production used "selective editing, deliberate omission, and surgical manipulation of continuous footage" to unfairly pin allegations on Banks. According to her legal team, the portrayal suggests she exploited a contestant’s trauma for show ratings and then forgot about it entirely. Banks, however, insists she was blindsided by these claims.

Ripples Across the Pacific

The fallout from the series' release hasn't just echoed through Hollywood but also reached Banks' business ventures far and wide. Even SMiZE & DREAM, her Sydney-based ice cream shop, has faced backlash with a slew of negative online reviews. It's a ripple effect that shows no signs of receding quickly.

In a bid to resolve the issue amicably, Banks' legal team approached Netflix back in March, seeking access to the unedited footage. But her request was turned down, prompting the legal action. As the dust settles over this Malibu-style drama, one thing is clear: Tyra's not backing down without a fight.