Tyra Banks Opens Up About ‘ANTM’ Mistakes
Tyra Banks recently reflected on her time hosting America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) and admitted to not always getting it right. During her acceptance speech at Essence Black Women in Hollywood, where she received the first-ever Luminary Spotlight Award, Banks acknowledged some missteps.
“Did we get it right? Hell, no. I said some dumb sh*t,” Banks confessed. However, she stood firm in not letting a few mistakes define her legacy. “I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked together on the internet when there were 24 cycles of changing the world.”
Celebrating Diversity and Challenging Beauty Standards
Banks didn’t shy away from discussing the challenges of pushing diversity on ANTM. She shared how hard they fought to bring diverse beauty to television at a time when it was rare.
“And you guys have no idea how hard we fought to bring the diversity to that television show at a time when it didn’t exist,” she said. Banks also addressed critics from the fashion industry who questioned her decision to cast models from underrepresented backgrounds.
Her passion for representation helped launch the careers of models like Eva Marcille, Yaya DaCosta, and Tocarra Jones. These women, among others, went on to build successful careers thanks to the platform that ANTM provided.
A Legacy of Trailblazing and Empowerment
Since its debut on UPN in May 2003, ANTM ran for 24 seasons across various networks until 2018. The show continues to stream on Netflix and Hulu, proving its lasting influence.
Banks emphasized that her show broke barriers by featuring diverse talent and challenging industry norms. She expressed pride in opening doors for others and creating opportunities for models from all walks of life.
“And now my 51-year-old, dimpled, cellulite-covered bigger tummy and 10 million times bigger tttes is walking through that door that I opened with all of us behind us on that runway saying, ‘Baby, it’s just the beginning,’” Banks said, highlighting her journey and continued influence.
