*Tyra Banks has finally addressed the disturbing old clips of “America’s Next Top Model” that resurfaced last week, showing her rude, toxic and demeaning handling of several contestants.
Banks found herself at the center of a firestorm on social media, with folks calling on her to answer for her problematic behavior on ANTM. Many believe it’s time to #CancelTyraBanks because it’s clear she has never had the back of her own.
One clip shows a moment when Banks pressured Cycle 6 contestant Danielle Evans to get dental surgery to have her gap closed (see Twitter video embed below).
Tyra even condemns Evans for refusing the surgery, asking her “Do you really think you can have a Cover Girl contract with a gap in your mouth?” and then tells Evans that her gap-tooth smile is “not marketable.”
The former supermodel went there… despite the fact that Lauren Hutton, who is white—became one of the world’s most successful models with her wide gap-tooth smile. Several cycles later and Banks praised a white contestant’s gap, even going as far as having it widened to increase her appeal within the industry.
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Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs. ️
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) May 9, 2020
Another clip shows Cycle 3 contestant Yaya Dacosta being told by white judge on the panel: “You have this intensity to prove your African-ness that I think sometimes is overbearing.”
Dacosta defended herself against the racist comment, but Banks immediately fired back and told Yaya she was out of pocket for standing up for herself.
Watch the moment via the clip below. This scene alone is why the culture needs to cancel Banks for good.
One twitter user said of the clip, “So proud of Yaya in that clip. She was on the right side of history.”
This clip alone is why #TyraBanks needs to be cancelled for good. https://t.co/LxOyTaZbQE
— Ny MaGee (@indieartswag) May 6, 2020
Speaking out after the clips sparked outrage from fans, Tyra took to Twitter on Friday to write, “Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you,” she tweeted. “Looking back, those were some really off choices.”
“Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.”
Tyra was clever not to get too specific about what “choices” she deemed “off,” nor did she issue an apology, as some online followers had demanded. But I had to remind them in the comments on Banks’ Twitter page that “Tyra is NOT sorry for how she treated those young women, especially the Black ones. She knew EXACTLY what she was doing.”
Many members of the low-level thinkers of society club came to her defense, however, with one stan writing: “@tyrabanks you don’t even have to apologize. It was a different time AND for entertainment value!” posted a fan, while another wrote, “I THINK YOU WERE JUST REFLECTING WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY WAS. You were being real with people about what they would hear from others & thus preparing them for the job… May have come off harsh, but the modeling industry ain’t no bitch.”
Others wanted to hear more from Tyra about the controversy.
“Say more about this. Which choices were off? What was off about them? Mere acknowledgement and genuine apology are not the same thing,” wrote one follower.
Check out additional reactions below:
Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs. ️
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) May 9, 2020
Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs. ️
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) May 9, 2020
On Thursday, Dani took to social media to address #GapGate.
“I knew in that moment, after reading [Woods’] words, that I have a responsibility to address what really happened and to speak my truth,” said Evans. “But let me tell you what this video is not. This is not a video to war against anyone, this is not a video to defame anyone’s character, and this is not a video to discuss my relationship with Tyra. This is a video for me to speak my truth and to provide clarity and for me to address an issue that was done 15 years ago that carries weight and that clearly affected a lot of young girls in America …”
Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs. ️
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) May 9, 2020
Series regulars Miss J Alexander and Jay Manuel responded to her post, with Jay writing in Dani’s comments section, “Yes … speak your #truth!” while Miss J said her IG Live speech was “brilliant.” Both men also promised to address #GapGate on an upcoming live show.
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