The popular reality show America’s Next Top Model was one of the most-watched TV shows, airing from 2003 to 2018. The show featured many controversial and critical moments that have shocked viewers over the years of its airing. With episodes showcasing racism, body shaming, and physical and mental torture, the series toxicity reached its peak.
Now Netflix’s three-part documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, which started streaming on February 16, 2026, revisits the show’s flaws. It highlights the problems and agony the models went through during the early seasons or ‘cycles’ as they are called. Now that the documentary is streaming, let us look at some of the most controversial moments from America’s Next Top Model.
#1. A model with vitiligo was called a ‘panda’
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