Tyra Banks Sues Netflix for Defamation, Alleges ‘Surgical Manipulation’ of Her ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’ Interview

Tyra Banks sued Netflix on March 16, 2024, for defamation, alleging that her interview for the "Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model" docuseries was surgically manipulated. Banks claims the streaming giant, along with production companies 89 Blocks Holdings and EverWonder Studio, and co-directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, misrepresented her statements to create a false narrative. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, cites claims of false light, defamation by implication, breach of contract, and false endorsement. Banks asserts that her original interview was edited to imply she was unaware of the show's controversies and that she was complicit in the alleged mistreatment of contestants. She stated that the docuseries presented her testimony in a way that was "materially and demonstrably false" and that she had specifically requested that certain topics not be included in the final cut. The suit seeks unspecified damages and an injunction to prevent further distribution of the docuseries in its current form. Banks's legal team contends that the manipulation of her interview constitutes a breach of the agreement she had with the production, which stipulated that her participation was for a documentary about the show's history and impact, not a platform for airing grievances against her. The docuseries, released in January 2024, featured interviews with former contestants and crew members who detailed alleged exploitative practices and harsh conditions during the show's run.