Tyra Banks sues Netflix over ANTM documentary
The lawsuit claims editing turned a three-hour interview into a misleading narrative
Tyra Banks has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix. The lawsuit follows her participation in Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. According to the filing, Netflix used only 16 minutes of a three-hour interview. The lawsuit claims that footage was then shaped into a false and defamatory portrayal.
What the lawsuit alleges
The filing argues that producers built a misleading narrative through selective editing. It also points to the omission of key context. According to the lawsuit, the final cut suggests Banks knowingly allowed a contestant to be sexually assaulted on the show. It further claims she used that trauma for ratings. The lawsuit also alleges she could not recall the incident when asked about it directly.
The Shandi Sullivan storyline
The case centers partly on Cycle 2 contestant Shandi Sullivan. Sullivan has previously said the America’s Next Top Model production team failed to protect her from a sexual assault involving a guest on the show. She has also said producers reframed the incident into an infidelity storyline instead of addressing what happened.
In the documentary, Banks acknowledged remembering Sullivan’s storyline. However, she said she could not speak in detail about production decisions. She explained that side of the show falls outside her role.
Banks says she was misled
The lawsuit argues Banks had no knowledge that Sullivan was participating in the docuseries. It also claims she did not know Sullivan had described her experience as a sexual assault. According to the filing, the final edit creates the impression that Banks cannot remember the story of a woman assaulted on her own show. The lawsuit calls that implication both devastating and intentional.
Netflix has not yet responded to a request for comment. This story is developing. Additional details may follow as the case moves forward.
SOURCE: TMZ
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