Tyra Banks Sues Netflix, Claims ‘ANTM’ Docuseries Twisted Her Words And Damaged Her Reputation

Tyra Banks is taking legal action against Netflix, claiming the streaming giant unfairly portrayed her in its recent docuseries examining the legacy of America’s Next Top Model.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the supermodel, media mogul, and former ANTM host filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix on Saturday. Tyra alleges that producers used only 16 minutes from a more than three-hour interview and manipulated her comments to support what she calls a false and damaging narrative.

In the lawsuit, Banks accuses the production of using selective editing, deliberate omissions, and manipulated footage to suggest she knowingly allowed a contestant to be sexually assaulted during the filming of America’s Next Top Model and later failed to remember the incident when questioned about it.

The controversy centers around former Cycle 2 contestant Shandi Sullivan, who participated in the docuseries and discussed an alleged sexual assault involving a guest during the show’s production. Sullivan claimed the incident was not properly addressed and was instead transformed into a storyline centered around infidelity and reality television drama.

During her appearance in the documentary, Banks acknowledged remembering Shandi’s storyline but stated that discussions regarding production decisions were outside of her area of responsibility.

However, Banks argues in her lawsuit that she was never informed that Sullivan would be participating in the project or that Sullivan would characterize her experience as sexual assault. Tyra contends the documentary intentionally created the impression that she either ignored or forgot about a contestant’s trauma, an implication she says is both false and defamatory.

The lawsuit claims the portrayal has caused serious reputational harm to Banks and misrepresented her role in the production.

Neither Netflix nor the producers behind the documentary have publicly responded to the lawsuit at this time.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case could spark broader conversations about documentary editing practices, media responsibility, and the limits of storytelling when dealing with sensitive allegations and real-life events.