*Tyra Banks is reflecting on her impact as a Black woman in the fashion industry, particularly her fight for diversity and the industry’s reluctance to embrace it, along with the influence of her groundbreaking show, “America’s Next Top Model.”
“The industry did not like me having diversity in the way that I did on the show,” Banks told ESSENCE of “America’s Next Top Model.” She added, “I would hear, ‘Oh, you got these girls from the hood on your show.’ Like, all of that. You have no idea.”
The reality television competition series originally aired from 2003 to 2018. Banks created the show to discover new modeling talent, offering contestants a chance to become a successful model. It featured aspiring models competing in various challenges related to the modeling world, including photo shoots, runway walks, and acting gigs. The series became widely known for its dramatic moments, iconic challenges, and sometimes controversial judging decisions.
The show made a significant impact on the modeling industry by showcasing diverse contestants and pushing for more inclusivity, particularly in terms of race, body type, and gender, though it also faced criticism for its occasional reluctance to fully embrace these changes.
Throughout its run, ANTM introduced viewers to numerous models who went on to have successful careers, and it addressed important topics like self-confidence, the pressure of the fashion industry, and the complexities of beauty standards.
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ANTM is often credited with changing how models were portrayed on television and played a role in reshaping the modeling industry in terms of visibility and representation.
Supermodel Beverly Johnson credits the show with providing viewers with an inside look at the modeling industry.
“I think when Tyra started to get into television, ‘America’s Next Top Model’ was everything,” Johnson shared with ESSENCE. “I mean, that was how the modeling industry was really exposed. Other than that, it was a closed culture.”
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