Tyra Banks is firing back at Netflix with a bombshell lawsuit over the streamer’s docuseries Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.
Banks filed the lawsuit on Saturday, June 13, claiming the series defamed her and used selective editing to create a false and damaging narrative about her role in America’s Next Top Model. She is asking for a jury trial to decide damages.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Banks says she agreed to participate in the docuseries because she believed viewers deserved an honest conversation about ANTM’s legacy, including both its success and its controversies.
“Tyra Banks participated in the Netflix documentary series America’s Next Top Model because she believed viewers deserved a candid conversation about the show’s legacy,” the lawsuit states.
Banks claims she sat for a three-and-a-half-hour interview and did not limit what topics could be discussed. However, she says only about 16 minutes of that interview made it into the final series.
Her lawsuit alleges those clips were stripped of context and edited together to support a “false and defamatory narrative” that did not reflect what she actually said.
The most explosive part of the lawsuit centers on cycle 2 contestant Shandi Sullivan, who spoke in the Netflix series about an incident in Italy during the show’s run. Sullivan said she was blacked out and accused production of framing what she considered sexual assault as a cheating scandal.
Banks claims Netflix falsely made it appear as though she knowingly allowed a contestant to be sexually assaulted, exploited the situation for ratings and then could not remember it when asked.
The lawsuit calls that narrative a “complete fabrication” and says Netflix streamed it to a global audience of millions.
Banks also claims the producers cut out key parts of her answer about Sullivan. According to the lawsuit, the full footage shows Banks nodded and said, “I do remember her story,” but the final edit allegedly removed that context.
“The implication is devastating and deliberate,” the lawsuit states.
Banks also says the documentary left out her response to another serious misconduct issue from the show’s past. According to the lawsuit, when a crew member once reported inappropriate sexual conduct involving a regular ANTM cast member, Banks escalated the matter to executives and the network.
The lawsuit says production was paused so the cast and crew could undergo sexual harassment training led by an outside expert.
Banks also pushed back against the docuseries’ portrayal of her relationship with former ANTM judge Miss J Alexander, who suffered a stroke in 2022.
In the Netflix series, Miss J said Banks had not visited him, though he said she had reached out and wanted to visit. Days later, he repeated on Sherri that Banks had contacted him but still had not visited.
Banks calls that portrayal hurtful and misleading. Her lawsuit says she had been living in Australia for two and a half years and was not given a fair chance to respond.
According to the lawsuit, Banks had text messages showing she tried to reach Miss J after hearing about his stroke. She also claims she communicated with him for years afterward through texts, voice notes, photos, video messages and at least one phone call.
The lawsuit says Banks and Miss J exchanged holiday messages as recently as Christmas Day 2025.
Banks is suing Netflix, EverWonder Studio, Wise Child Studio, Shandi Sullivan, Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan. PEOPLE reported that Netflix and the others named in the suit did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Banks also takes issue with comments from director and executive producer Mor Loushy, who said Banks had the chance to “share her side of the story” and that “it’s all in the show, really.”
Banks says she did share her side, but claims viewers were shown the story producers chose to tell.
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model debuted globally on Netflix on Feb. 16. The three-part series revisited the rise of ANTM, which premiered in 2003 after Banks pitched the show to UPN. Banks hosted the first 22 cycles and executive produced the series with Ken Mok.
The documentary sparked new debate about the show’s legacy, with some former contestants and judges criticizing their experiences while others defended Banks.
Cycle 8 winner Jaslene González told PEOPLE she remains grateful to Banks and ANTM for changing her life in a positive way.
Kelly Cutrone, who appeared as a panelist on cycles 18 through 22, also defended Banks and said she believes the truth will eventually come out.
Banks claims the Netflix series caused damage to her reputation, future business opportunities, income and mental well-being.
She is seeking damages for what she describes as a false and defamatory portrayal that turned her attempt at accountability into something far darker.